A style for every person
If there’s one thing that’s universally true for shoes, it’s that you have to have the right ones for the job you’re performing. Shoes are some of the most important items you can buy because of the support, protection, and comfort they provide. Our feet take a beating each and every day, and if you’re not wearing the right kind of shoes, that beating is even worse. When it comes to hiking, the type of shoe is even more important because it offers protection and grip to keep you safe on the trails. But when you’re standing in the store, surrounded by shoes, how do you know which to choose?
Fit
While many people try shoes on before they buy them, there are some who go with the size marked on the box without doing so. When it comes to hiking shoes, you absolutely want to try them on to be sure they fit properly. You may find that the size of the hiking shoe doesn’t exactly match the size you usually wear. You want a pair of shoes that fit well but are comfortable for you to get active in – and comfortable if you find yourself in them longer than you’d anticipated.
Material
What is important to you when you hike? Do you need a shoe that’s extremely durable? If so, then you will want to go with a leather boot. Do you want something that’s easy to break in, breathable, and dries faster when it gets wet? Go for synthetic shoes. If you want something somewhere in the middle of durability and breathability, some shoes are a split between the two. It’s important to note that the type of hiking you plan on doing will be a factor in the material you choose. If you’re doing lighter hiking, synthetics work great. If you plan on really hitting those trails and giving yourself a great workout, then durability is going to matter most to you.
A cut above
Again, back to how you hike and how much protection you need. The higher the shoe, the more it will support your ankle. If you’re just going to do light hiking without a lot of climbing or debris to worry about, a lower-cut shoe will work just fine for you. If you plan on scaling a lot of hills and climbing over fallen trees and rocks, then you’ll want a shoe that completely protects your ankle from injuries, especially considering the extra weight you’ll be carrying around with your gear and water.
Tread depth
The deeper the tread, the better the shoe will be at really digging into a climb. Deep treads tend to be easier to clean the mud out of, and they really grip the terrain, whereas shoes with shallower treads won’t grip as well and will leave you prone to slipping and accidents. If you’re scaling mountains, go for depth.
After the purchase
As with most shoes, don’t wear yours for the activity immediately. You have to wear them around a bit to break them in, help them relax to your foot, and give your feet the chance to get used to them. If you wear them out hiking immediately, your feet will be protected, but you’ll have to deal with issues such as soreness, blisters, and cramps. When you’re hiking, you don’t want your feet hurting, or you’ll be left open to injuries as you try to take it easier on your aching feet.
Hiking is a great way to get out there and keep yourself healthy, but what does the health of your RV and its systems look like? If you’re driving an RV for which the warranty is about to expire, you owe it to yourself to purchase an extended warranty with superior benefits and coverage, like the extended warranty sold by the RV Advisor! Compare our extended warranty to other plans and see how it stacks up!
