What should I look for in a hiking shoe? Popular hiking shoes include walking shoes, climbing shoes, and hiking boots. What do you think of when you hear the word "hiking?" Most people think of the mountains...
What do you think of when you hear the word "hiking?" Most people think of the mountains and others think of the equipment. Dan Distasio informs readers of the proper equipment that a hiker should have, whether novice or professional. One of the most important pieces of equipment to have when hiking is a proper pair of shoes.
Distasio is a marketing manager for the travel group Alyson Adventures, which specializes in getting the gay and lesbian community in touch with nature. They provide great trips and travel ideas on their website www.alysonadventures.com.
"The first thing to look for is obviously comfort and fit," says Distasio. Depending on your level of skill, you'll want to pick a shoe that is going to feel comfortable for how long you are going to be hiking. If you are planning on going a great distance, you'll want to pick something that gives you a lot support and that is going to fit well for the entire trip.
Comfort comes into play in many aspects of a hiking shoe. You'll want to look at the comfort that the toe box provides, as well as the line of the shoe. Wiggle your toes; is there enough room for your feet to move around? Does it hit your ankle at a good place, or would it rub on your ankle to the point of blistering? Be careful of these issues with comfort when picking a shoe. Our expert advises that the "type of shoe you would need for a one to three hour weekend hike is going to be different from one for repeated hikes of over six hours."
Choosing shoes after a day of work or shopping is an excellent idea. This way, you can get a feel for how much your feet are going to swell after being on them for a couple of hours. Feet tend to expand towards the end of a day spent hiking, so shopping for shoes at the end of the day is a great idea for maintaining comfort throughout your hike.
Anther thing to consider when picking a suitable hiking shoe or boot is the type of terrain that you are going to be hiking on. Are you going to be hiking near water? Then you will need a hiking shoe that is water proof, or high top to help keep your feet from getting wet. Are you going to be hiking across a desert? Then you'll want a shoe that is light weight and easy to walk in sand with. There are shoes ideal for every hiking situation.
While Distasio is leery to endorse any particular brand, the brand that he chooses to wear is Basque. He explains that Basque shoes are designed for those who run on trails.
"They have more support and are a little firmer than a normal walking shoe. They also have expanded treads for gripping which make them ideal for the occasional hiker," Distasio says. He also notes that Basque hiking shoes do not have the bulk that most hiking boots have. How much does a great pair of hiking boots or hiking shoes cost?
"A good pair of shoes is going to start at around one hundred dollars to two hundred and fifty dollars," our expert says.
