Looking good in your hiking boots
11.4.2016
Translation: machine translated
Shoes are a hiker's most important piece of equipment. They must be comfortable, hold the foot and be adapted to the expectations and needs of your hikes.
When buying a hiking boot or multifunctional shoe, the following selection criteria are important:
- Size: Generally thicker hiking socks and often long descents are strong arguments for thinking about leaving enough clearance in the shoe, i.e. adding about 0.5cm to your normal shoe size.
- Sole: The more demanding the terrain, the more cushioning, stiffness, strength and height the sole should provide. For easy hikes, the rolling resistance of the foot, cushioning and rigidity may be less strong than on longer mountain hikes. In addition, the more novice the hiker, the more stable the shoe needs to be.
- Profile: The more demanding the terrain, the deeper the profile of the sole should have crampons to ensure good grip.
- Shank: For the shank, we generally differentiate between low, mid and high. On easy hikes, a lighter, low (low) or medium (mid) upper is sufficient. On more demanding hikes or treks, the foot needs more support and therefore good ankle support (high).
- Waterproofing/breathability: From the outside, the membranes protect the shoe from moisture and wick away perspiration. They ensure good waterproofing and breathability.
Brands such as Salomon, Mammut, Meindl, Merell and Salea use Goretex membranes, Keen and Columbia have their own brand with Keen Dry and Outdry.
Using the above criteria, we suggest a few products - for your next weekend hike, trek or high-altitude expedition.
For hiking and everyday use
Hiking boots are a rugged alternative to sports shoes. However, they provide more support and grip. In general they are made from water-repellent and breathable materials.
For demanding treks
For demanding mountain hikes and treks, with heavy rucksacks among other things, you need a trekking boot that has deep crampons. Shoes often have a waterproof membrane and good cushioning, and are made of nylon or leather. In addition, they have a stabilising upper that provides enough grip and hold.
For high mountain or alpinism
High mountain or mountaineering boots must meet the most demanding quality criteria. They have a deep profile to give them good grip on the snow. They are very robust, have a stable upper and a firm, wear-resistant sole. In most cases, the boots are made from thick leather or plastic and a waterproof membrane. [[product:3516864,3517008,5297305]]
See all high mountain and mountaineering boots
My favourite for hiking and everyday sport:
The Wildfire Pro is ideal for me because, even though it's light, it doesn't lose any stability or grip on different terrains. As well as hiking, it's a faithful everyday companion. And, between you and me, it looks great too!
Sylvia Matitschka
Product Manager
sylvia.matitschka@digitecgalaxus.chFor me, sport is passion, joy and recharging my batteries at the same time. In my free time you can find me outside training, on the tennis court, on the slopes with my board or surfing in the waves.
As product manager for the outdoor sector, I can thus fully live out my enthusiasm for the world of sport in my job.
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