Hiking boots
From Trail-Finder -- Dedicated to getting you outside
Contents |
Overview
Hiking boots are generally needed for hiking all but the most tame hiking trail.
Low-top Hiking Boots
Low-top hiking boots are similar to running shoes in that they provide virtually no ankle protection. That's where the similarities end.
Low-top hiking boots have more durable, thicker materials protecting your feet. Materials for the upper will likely include real or synthetic leather around the bottom, over the toe, and around the heel and laces. Most of the rest of the material is likely to be nylon, which both reduces weight and increases ventilation.
Low-top hiking boots also are a step up in the sole. The sole is stiff enough to protect you from small rocks on the trail that would hurt if you stepped on them with a typical running shoe. They also start to get more serious tread, although still nothing compared to more serious boots. The soles are built for providing traction in typical forest conditions, with dirt, mud, leaves, etc.
Low-top hiking boots are good for somewhat rougher terrain, where mud, wet leaves, etc, are likely to be encountered. They can handle the occasional rock scramble or tree root better than running shoes, but, since they still provide no ankle support.
Mid-height Hiking Boots
For most hiking, basic mid-height hiking boots are ideal. They're high enough to provide some ankle support, but usually still have a lot of padding and not a lot of weight. The soles are harder than low-top hiking boots, and may even contain a partial steel shank to provide better protection from stepping on sharp, jagged rocks. The upper is usually tougher than on low-top hiking boots, but is still soft enough to avoid the long break-in periods of full-height hiking boots.
Mid-height hiking boots are good, general-purpose hiking boots. They provide some ankle support without adding too much weight. They're still not rugged enough to handle walking on broken rocks all day, and you're probably not going to want to go on a long backpacking trip with mid-height hiking boots, but for most day hiking and maybe even a weekend trip, mid-height hiking boots are often your best bet.
Full-height Hiking Boots
When people think of hiking boots, it's usually full-height hiking boots. These boots are considerably heavier than mid-height hiking boots. The soles are stiff and there's usually not a lot of padding anywhere. Reading that description, you might think that they'd be uncomfortable. They are! At least at first. The more serious your footwear, the more you need to break them in. A properly fit boot, properly broken in, will provide good, solid ankle support, protection from nearly anything you step in, and be comfortable to wear for miles of whatever trail you can find.
Categories: Hiking | Backpacking | Day hiking | Gear
