As the organizer for a hiking group I am often ask about footwear by beginning hikers. I believe that the most deciding factors for this question are safety, the terrain, and personal preference.
My suggestion for the first purchase is a good pair of hiking socks. This is a good idea for two reasons. For one, having a good pair of socks, specifically made for hiking, adds to the comfort of your feet for walking on all terrains. The extra padding on a well made sock helps to prevent blisters. They have a wicking quality, or the ability to pull moisture away from your skin due to sweating, stream crossing, and wet outdoor conditions. Another reason for making socks your first purchase is that hiking socks are somewhat thicker than other types of socks and you may need to make allowances for this when purchasing your shoes or boots.
If you are a beginner at hiking you can get by with a good pair of athletic shoes with adequate soles. Once you have decided that hiking is something you find enjoyable there are a few factors you should consider before investing in your footwear. What kind of terrain will you generally be hiking in? If you will be doing most of your hiking in wooded areas with many water crossings and frequent muddy conditions, you might consider a pair of water-proof or water resistant boots. If you will be in a dryer climate with well packed trails a pair of trail runners or hiking shoes might be a better choice. Some people like hiking sandals, personally, I would not recommend these. They leave you vulnerable to scratches, poison ivy, ticks, and other less attractive features in nature.
The final factor in choosing the type of footwear is your personal preference. Some hikers like the ankle support of the hiking boot; others prefer the thicker sole and the lightweight of a hiking shoe or trail runner. Initial cost and durability of the footwear are additional considerations - the boots, which can be costlier, will also be more durable.
Be careful when choosing your footwear that you choose the genuine article made for trekking in the outdoors and not the knockoffs made for fashion. A sturdy boot made for day hiking should have a scree collar around the top of the boot and an attached or partially attached tongue to keep small rocks, sand, and water out of the boots. The top of the boots should have hooks for lacing instead of eyelets so that they may be tightened properly. Look for fiberglass shank reinforcement for the sole and arch support.
Footwear that keep your feet protected and comfortable is necessary for enjoying your hiking experiences. It is an investment that should be made with some care so that you can continue to enjoy your treks in the outdoors.
My suggestion for the first purchase is a good pair of hiking socks. This is a good idea for two reasons. For one, having a good pair of socks, specifically made for hiking, adds to the comfort of your feet for walking on all terrains. The extra padding on a well made sock helps to prevent blisters. They have a wicking quality, or the ability to pull moisture away from your skin due to sweating, stream crossing, and wet outdoor conditions. Another reason for making socks your first purchase is that hiking socks are somewhat thicker than other types of socks and you may need to make allowances for this when purchasing your shoes or boots.
If you are a beginner at hiking you can get by with a good pair of athletic shoes with adequate soles. Once you have decided that hiking is something you find enjoyable there are a few factors you should consider before investing in your footwear. What kind of terrain will you generally be hiking in? If you will be doing most of your hiking in wooded areas with many water crossings and frequent muddy conditions, you might consider a pair of water-proof or water resistant boots. If you will be in a dryer climate with well packed trails a pair of trail runners or hiking shoes might be a better choice. Some people like hiking sandals, personally, I would not recommend these. They leave you vulnerable to scratches, poison ivy, ticks, and other less attractive features in nature.
The final factor in choosing the type of footwear is your personal preference. Some hikers like the ankle support of the hiking boot; others prefer the thicker sole and the lightweight of a hiking shoe or trail runner. Initial cost and durability of the footwear are additional considerations - the boots, which can be costlier, will also be more durable.
Be careful when choosing your footwear that you choose the genuine article made for trekking in the outdoors and not the knockoffs made for fashion. A sturdy boot made for day hiking should have a scree collar around the top of the boot and an attached or partially attached tongue to keep small rocks, sand, and water out of the boots. The top of the boots should have hooks for lacing instead of eyelets so that they may be tightened properly. Look for fiberglass shank reinforcement for the sole and arch support.
Footwear that keep your feet protected and comfortable is necessary for enjoying your hiking experiences. It is an investment that should be made with some care so that you can continue to enjoy your treks in the outdoors.
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