Travel

Exploring Hiking Boots

Hiking boots, as the name suggests, are used for hiking, simple words. Hiking boots can keep your feet healthy and comfortable while braving rough terrain. The boots are made breathable. There are several aspects to think about before buying hiking boots. Hiking boots in New Zealand are very popular as they are in any other country. It is a good idea to buy these boots physically to get a good look and feel of the boots. They are made of a combination of nylon and split-grain leather or suede to ensure durability. 

Types of Hiking Boots

Hiking boots need to be water-resistant for making the shoe breathable. These boots are mainly broken down into three groups: lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight. They are categorized based on weight, ankle support, and the support it provides to the foot. The parts of a boot are called by different names by different shoe companies. The parts of a typical hiking boot are:

  • Outsole: The outsole is commonly considered to be the outermost layer of the boot that comes in contact with the surface. The outsole connects the upper of the shoe with the help of a rand that wraps around the sole. 
  • Upper: Uppers of hiking boots offer warmth, protect the sides of the feet, and keep water at bay. The task of uppers is to allow the feet to ‘breathe’ so that there are no blisters caused by sweat. They are pretty much always partially made of leather. The high-quality ones are generally made using leather that has not been split. Lighter boots can be made with split weather or combining the same with various fabrics. The use of full-grain leather (split leather) and fabrics is rare. The use of suede with full-grain leather is also rare. In the combination of fabric with leather, the former is generally some type of nylon. There will be seams, however, in hiking boots made of nylon and leather. Wear and tear are signs of seams.
  • Welt: The welt connects the sole and the upper of the shoe. The old-fashioned sewn welt can be hard to get hold of nowadays. Most hiking boots today are glued together. Most people just brush it off but seasoned hikers take note of the minute details. Sewn welts are mostly seen in expensive boots for hiking. A perk of such shoes is that the sole for these shoes can be done again when the original wears off. 

Hiking boots are designed in such a way that they provide warmth, stability, and ankle support. The ankle support in the boots is self-explanatory. It protects the ankles from mishaps such as trips and falls. For ensuring extra support and safety, you cannot go wrong with hiking boots. These boots have rubber soles that are thick for additional protection against sharp objects and rocks. These boots provide grip and traction in sloped areas. They are also very useful in snowy areas, braving a steep descent, and carrying heavy loads. These shoes have padded collars that prevent the entry of water and pebbles. The hooks above the eyelets of the shoe allow for lacing lightly around the ankles. The leather coating of the boots keeps the feet warm in sub-zero temperatures and keeps them dry in streams and bogs. Crispi boots in nz are also very popular for hiking. 

The Advantages of Using Hiking Boots

Hiking boots have various advantages. They are:

  • Ankle Support: Hiking boots are made of strong materials for protecting the ankle and other parts of the feet. The boots are not stuffed using a lot of materials as too many cooks spoil the broth. Over-addition of materials can take away the breathability of the boot and do more harm than good. They can hamper the uniform movement of the toes. They are made of thick rubber soles that give a better grip on whatever surface you are on. They prevent pain in the knees and falls.
  • Protection: Hiking and unpredictable terrain go hand in hand. It would be folly to expect the landscape to be merciful. Researching the place on the internet can only do so much. Hiking is a demanding activity and the tough exterior of the boots makes them durable and capable to face the rough surface out there. If you will be hiking for more than a few days, then expect the mettle of the boots to be tested thoroughly.
  • Resistance To Water: There is no telling what the surface will throw at you so better be prepared for anything. There is a high likelihood of water and rock particles entering the shoe. Taking boots off while hiking can be a chore. Waterlogged shoes and wet socks are very irritating. This is why such shoes are made water-resistant.

Conclusion

You can choose the type of hiking boots depending on the type of surface. The aspects of these boots are important in their ways. Fitting of the shoe is vital because if the shoe does not fit then it would not be bought. If you are in New Zealand and are looking for hiking boots, please type ‘hiking boots in nz’ in Google to choose from the results.