Hiking Shoes Guide: Outdoor And Hiking Shoe Information.

Hiking shoes tips to avoid bumps, bruises, and blisters outdoors.









Great hiking shoes will help you to see more of the outdoors comfortably with less fatigue.

Most are light-weight and made for dexterity, breathability, and comfort. They're designed for day trips and fast-paced trail hiking more than support or stability. Think of them as an outdoor shoe with attitude. So avoid using the lightweight versions when you're carrying heavy hiking gear (with a few exceptions). But they're the ticket if you're looking for a quick trip along your favorite trail.

Depending on the hiking shoe they can also be good for scrambling up steep slopes or sometimes even trail running.

The uppers are usually made of a fabric like nylon, split-grain leather and/or pigskin, etc. More fabric equals more breathability. Waterproof membranes like Gore-Tex® help to keep your feet dry through the morning dew or even shallow puddles, just avoid the bottomless puddles. After all a waterproof membrane won't do you much good if the water floods over the top of your hiking shoes. ;-)

Slip Lasting- Provides a close to your foot feel and they're a little lighter because there isn't an insole. The hiking shoes obviously will pass on more shock to your feet though. But if feeling what's underneath your feet is important, slip lasting can be a good thing.

Insole- The insole sits directly underneath your foot inside the shoe. This offers extra cushioning and protection from shock. Stock insoles are sometimes less than what they could be. I recommend getting a good insole, they make a world of difference.

Mid-sole- The midsole is above the out-sole and below the insole and acts as a shock absorber. A lot are made of EVA (expanded vinyl acetate) giving a cushy ride but wearing more quickly than polyurethane, which offers a firmer ride and lasts longer.

Out-sole- The outer grippy part of the sole. Vibram is the standard everything else is measured by. Dual-density soles offer a combination of grip and durability. Deeper lugs provide more aggressive traction for steep grades and off-trail excursions, but with scrambling you'll probably want shallow tread so it won't "squirm" underneath your feet as much.

Toe Rand- Some hiking shoes have toe rands to help protect the shoe from scuffing.

Fit- depends on what you're going to use your shoes for. As hiking means different things to different people, here's a quick guideline. If you're more into strictly hiking, get a shoe with a little more toe room for protection when you bump a rock or descend a hill, so your toes don't rub. If you're more into scrambling boulders or doing anything technical you're going to want more control and therefore a tighter fit. With a tight fit just make sure you're not going to be doing a lot of walking.

Keep in mind that laceless shoes may be comfortable but since there are no laces to cinch down you may find them a little sloppy, especially if you scramble over an occasional boulder or work your way through technical (challenging) areas. They should fit snugly but not pinch for control.

It's like my grandfather use to say, "Make sure you buy good shoes, you only get one pair of feet." Blisters or worse, raw exposed skin will ruin your trip very quickly. Hiking shoes like boots are a very important piece of your equipment used for camping.

To summarize: Find good quality hiking shoes to fit your need. Get a combination fabric and suede for breathability and less weight. If you have any chance of wet weather or cooler temperatures look for a Gor-Tex® or similar membrane liner to let your feet breathe and help keep water out.

For an all-around hiking shoe I'd take a look at Merrell's Chameleon Ventilator Low. The XCR Gor-Tex® version is only $10 more than the unlined version and they have a Vibram® sole. It's also recommended by Backpacker Magazine. Merrell hiking shoes: Men's Chameleon. Women's Chameleon. I hope this has helped make your shoe hunting easier. :-)