Aim of this article:
importance of hiking boots
categories of hiking boots
how to choose the perfect fit
Before diving straight into the subject we must mention the most important rules that anyone should take into consideration before buying a pair of hiking boots.
The first rule would be to avoid buying boots online unless you owned the same pair of shoes or you tried them on before the purchase.
The second rule would be to don't stick exclusevely to a brand or a model just because you liked the looks.
(Try on many shoes or boots from different brands or models - because the shoes tree and the sizes differ from one manufacturer to another)
3. Always buy hiking boots at least one measure bigger than normal shoes.
(This helps when hiking not to hit or damage your toes on the top of the shoe. Always try shoes with socks that you will use during the hikes preferably.)
There is not a general well defined category of hiking boots, but we managed to divide them into 3 main categories + a special class:
1. The first category is called 3 season hiking boots - Their purpose is to serve during summer, autum and spring, but also on light winters. Usually the sole of the boot is semi-elastic or rigid, curved for better walking and light. It is indicated to be used on medium paths that have rocky portions. They are composed of leather or textile. The leather fabric is toughfer during heavy rains and quite heavy. The textile fabricis are more breathable, letting the moisture out and is much lighter.
2. The second category is 3 season technical hiking boots - They have a more rigid sole and is preferably used for technical trails where there are mostly stone walls and where you can not put your entire foot on the rock (the tip of the shoe being very rigid to support the weight of the person).
3. The third category is winter boots - They are composed of a much heavyer material, being more sturdy with an extra layer of rubber (isolation), different protective membrane and spaces for attaching colts (mechanic or semi-mechanic ones).
Lastly, the special category I would say is altitude hiking boots - These are used from altitudes up than 4000 meters. They are composed of very solid and warm materials, usually with snow pads or detachable inner layer of the boot.
We can not end the discussion about boots without mentioning the inner layer - socks. They should be made from wool or synthetic materials - for humidity transfer and avoid bad odor. Usually these socks have the sole harden with no stiching.
*all the observations above are from our experiene
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