November 15, 2010
Revised November 15, 2010. Copyright © 2010 Dealhack.com. All Rights
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 Regular hikers know the importance of a great hiking
shoe or hiking
boot. Nothing is worse than getting half way through your trek and
realizing your feet are blistered, sore, and painful. The goal of
spending time out in the great outdoors is to return with a renewed
spirit and happy stories, not horror stories because your shoes made
you miserable.
A Buyer’s Guide to Hiking Boots
You have to understand hiking
boots to make the best purchase possible. There are a few key
characteristics to keep in mind. Your hiking boots should first feel
comfortable to your foot. They should be light and easy to maneuver in.
They should also be durable enough to keep your feet protected, warm
and dry. If you purchase a good hiking shoe or hiking boot, you should
not have to forsake any of these qualities.
Comfort
Fit, Fit, Fit. Try on the footwear. Walk in it, jump in it, and stand
on one leg to test balance under precarious circumstances. Hiking shoes
and boots tend to fit differently than other types of footwear, so try
on different sizes and brand names. Take your socks into consideration;
will you be wearing one pair or two? Consider taking your socks with
you when you go shopping.
Sizes often run differently than those of traditional footwear. Don’t
just stick to your normal size, try on a variety and test as many as
needed to get the perfect fit.
Experience
Experience level helps determine the type of footwear you will need.
Hikers with varying experience levels may need different shoes even if
they’re hiking the same terrain, under the same conditions. You want to
be certain to purchase hiking shoes or boots that give support to not
only your feet, but your ankles, calves, legs and tendons such as the
Achilles tendon. A hiker's skill level plays a large part in the type
of footwear needed.
Durability and Stability
Keep the purpose of the footwear and the terrain in mind. Understand
weather conditions, how long you will be hiking, and even what you will
be carrying with you, such as a back pack and supplies. Your footwear
is one of the most important pieces of equipment you will purchase for
hiking.
The Best Brand of Hiking Boots
There are several great brands from which to choose. Try on several
brands that offer the qualities you have decided you need. Let's
discuss the top two hiking shoes and the top two hiking boots based on
customer reviews found online.
Keen Voyageur Low
A very rugged, lightweight shoe, weighing in at two pounds; they are
well-ventilated and most buyers say they're an incredible shoe for
reasonably light loads. They are a hiking shoe, so they don't offer the
ankle support you'll find with a boot. The Keen Voyageur Low can be
purchased for around $100.
Pros: Inexpensive, quick drying, lightweight, offer immaculate
protection
Cons: Not waterproof, very little ankle support, traction and
durability have received mixed reviews
Lowa Renegade II GTX Lo
A very attractive specialty shoe, available in a few different colors;
they are lightweight and most buyers report that they wear out more
quickly than other brands. These shoes are a little more expensive than
others reviewed in this article; they start around $140.
Pros: Gender specific, 3 widths available, lightweight, waterproof,
good support and comfort
Cons: Requires a long time to dry out and they wear out quickly
L.L.Bean Trail Model Hikers II, Mid-Cut Boot
L.L. Bean is often synonymous with quality and these mid-cut boots live
up to expectations. Most buyers say they immediately put their boots to
good use upon purchase and were extremely satisfied with the results.
These hiking boots may be purchased for $80 to $90 at most retailers.
Pros: Budget priced, good support, can handle loads up to 30 lbs
Cons: Only available in medium width, recommend going half a size
bigger, are not as breathable as some other brands
Vasque
Breeze GTX XCR Boot
The Vasque Breeze GTX XCR generally receives 3.5 out of 5 stars. Buyers
boasted great ankle support and comfort. Traction issues were reported
by some buyers, while others said the traction was incredible. This
particular model may be purchased for $110 to $160.
Pros: Gender specific, 3 widths available, comfortable, lightweight,
good ankle support
Cons: Some leaks are noticeable, takes a long time to dry, traction
received mixed reviews, average sizes may run small or narrow for some
people
Our Conclusion
Hiking equipment should always fit the hiker, first and foremost. No
two people are the same and no two pair of hiking boots is the same.
Talk to your peers and take their recommendations into consideration
when making your purchase, but ultimately let your own comfort be your
guide when buying hiking shoes or boots.
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