An important element of equipment on foot is reliable and comfortable shoes. If you plan to walk tens of kilometers, you should understand that doing this in uncomfortable shoes will be very problematic.
Many people think that hiking shoes are ideal for hiking in the mountains. But keep in mind that these shoes were designed for movement in a city or sports field. It does not protect against moisture, it is difficult to dry, the sole is not strong enough and can break through contact with a sharp stone, sneakers can melt at all around the fire.
Therefore, if you are serious, the only reasonable solution is specialized tracking shoes. In Russia, you can now purchase it in almost all sports stores. We have widely represented trekking shoes Salomon, Lowa, Scarpa, Asolo, Garmont, as well as less well-known Polish, Czech and other companies.
The mildest shoes are designed for climbing highlands (4-5 thousand meters). It is very stiff, with soles designed for rocky terrain, hard ice or a glacier. It is convenient to hang snowshoes, cats on it. However, the long movement in it is very tiring.
All trekking shoes are characterized by high wear resistance, good ankle support and a special sole that has good traction. Often, a membrane is installed in it that protects against moisture and allows the foot to "breathe."
For medium tracking (and light) there are special boots. For transitions along trails, screes and rocks it is better to choose shoes made of leather or leatherette. But if you plan to go over wet snow, then you should buy shoes with a Gore-tex membrane for this. It best protects against getting wet. Winter tracking shoes should be especially reliable.
When choosing shoes, you need to pay attention to such points:
- the tongue of the boot and the upper of the shoe should be one piece to protect the feet from moisture when crossing the streams, along dewy grass, etc.
- there should be no seams probed by hands;
- for the laces there should be special loops sewn on top, not holes;
- soft ankles should be laid on the ankles;
- the toe should be reinforced with a metal gasket;
- the sole should be rigid, firm and waterproof (Vibram technology).
For hiking in warm, dry areas (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, etc.), hiking shoes such as sneakers are quite suitable. They differ from the running ones with a special sole that provides better grip on a rocky surface, which does not allow the foot to slip when moving along rocky trails, wet ground. Their more rigid construction protects the sole from bumps, small stones that feel great in soft shoes. Reinforced sides and toe extend the life of such shoes. There are sneakers with breathable inserts made of special material for ventilation.
Trying on shoes are worn on a thin woolen toe, they are not tightly laced. Shoe both shoes and walk for a few minutes. Not the slightest pressure should be felt in the area of the fingers or the area of the ankles.