We make our uppers from high quality nubuck and suede leather and highly wear-resistant, lightweight synthetic fabrics. Reinforcement: Additional material added to the upper to help it withstand stress during use and to maintain the fit. All Salewa Alpine Trekking footwear is engineered with the trademark 3F system that connects the instep area with the sole and heel for better flexibility and support.
We also use an EXA Shell grid to wrap the upper foot and protect against abrasion. Rand: The rand is a strip of rubber or PU-coated leather that protects the lower part of the upper from rocks and scree. Last: All high-quality footwear is built around a "last" — a model of the foot. This is what gives a boot or shoe its distinctive fit and characteristics. Lasts are designed for specific activities for men and women.
Insole: The insole not to be confused with the footbed is a hidden layer inside the shoe above the midsole and the sole unit. Midsole: The midsole is the component of the sole unit between the outsole and the upper. It provides the cushioning and absorbs shock.
Together with the insole, it also determines the stiffness. Stiff shoes might sound like bad news, but they provide greater comfort and stability during long treks in rocky, uneven terrain and better precision when climbing. Midsoles are made from nylon or EVA ethylene vinyl acetate. EVA is slightly lighter and offers greater cushioning.
Some alpine trekking models feature dedicated midsoles made with an ergonomic shape, long-lasting cushioning and superior shock absorption for steep terrain. Outsole: This is the outer part of the sole unit that comes into contact with the ground.
The design on the sole the tread pattern plays a crucial role. We only use high-quality rubber compounds. Their tread designs have grooves, lugs and cleats studied to provide good grip on rock and scree and optimal traction on mud and grass. Tread design: The arrangement of the lugs influences how well the shoe performs. Shallow, wide shaped lugs tend to work better in smooth terrain, like limestone or granite slabs, thanks to the increased surface area between sole and rock.
Deeper lugs, especially on soles with jagged outer lugs, bite more and give better traction in loose conditions, such as scree and softer terrain or even snow.
We also include a heel brake — the clearly defined ridge at the back of the upper before the forefoot that reduces the chance of slipping on steep descents. Some of our Alpine Trekking outsoles also feature a Ferrata Zone with specific right-angled lugs in the midfoot area for maximum force and stability through the foot on via ferrata rungs and ladders. Climbing Lacing: All our Alpine Trekking footwear features climbing lacing for greater accuracy when adjusting the toe area of your shoe and more precision in technical terrain.
What kind of weather do you plan to use your shoes in? The waterproof and breathable membrane positioned between the upper fabric and the inner lining offers reliable protection to keep your feet dry and comfortable for the life of your footwear. If you're planning to be active outdoors through hiking or trail running, consider investing in the full suite of natural footgear so that you can enjoy maximum foot comfort and rehabilitate your foot and toes with every step.
This is an investment that can pay massive foot health and quality of life dividends. Marty Hughes, DC Dr. Marty Hughes is a chiropractic physician, or DC. Marty has always been interested in foot health, due to the connection between the feet and the spine.
He has worked as a freelance writer for LiveStrong. He is a co-founder of Natural Footgear and an ardent supporter of natural foot care approaches. Marty enjoys road cycling, trail running, hiking, canoeing, and cross-country skiing as well as exploring the mountains of Western North Carolina.
Let the team at Natural Footgear help you! Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest offers and helpful info, and sign up for our FREE email courses on various topics and foot health conditions. We are here to help you every step of the way. Get our newsletter for the latest offers and helpful info, and sign up for our FREE email courses on various topics and conditions, including bunions, hammertoes, neuromas, plantar fasciosis, shin splints, ingrown toenails, and more.
Robyn and I were reminded on a recent hike of the importance of wide toe box footwear Robyn and I are often stopped on hiking and running trails by fellow outdoor enthusiasts who Read more Join The Discussion Please note that we do not provide medical advice or comment on specific health problems. Educational Articles. What Makes for a Great Hiking Boot? Posted By Marty Hughes, DC Hiking—in all its many manifestations—is a hugely popular outdoor pastime, and almost everyone seems to have an opinion about what kind of footwear is best for this beloved activity.
Three Big Myths About Hiking Boots In our experience, we have found that there are a number of myths about hiking footwear that seem to exist in the collective consciousness. The three BIGGEST myths about hiking boots are the following: That they absolutely must possess a rigid upper with brace-like ankle support to help prevent ankle sprains That they absolutely must possess a thick, rigid, heavily lugged sole to protect the foot from trail features and debris That they absolutely must be heavy-duty i.
And how can they be addressed? Addressing the Myths The hiking boot myths noted above are deeply rooted in the hiking and outdoor subculture. Myth 1: Rigid Uppers Prevent Ankle Sprains Many people believe that hiking boots need to have a rigid upper that braces the ankle to protect against inversion sprains i. Myth 2: Heavily Lugged Soles Are an Absolute Necessity The idea that hiking boots must possess thick, rigid, heavily-lugged soles in order to protect the foot and improve foot function is deeply ingrained in our culture.
Myth 3: Hiking Boots Must Be Heavy-Duty Somehow we've been conditioned to believe that hiking footwear must encase the foot and never let it see the light of day.
Definition of a Foot-Healthy Hiking Boot As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, almost everyone who hikes has their own idea of what makes for great hiking footwear. Here is our definition of what constitutes a great hiking boot: A great hiking boot protects your feet from the elements while helping them become stronger and more resilient. A great hiking boot stays out of the way of your foot and toes and allows you to walk for many, many miles without developing common foot problems.
The secret to happy hiking is happy feet. But how do you know which hiking boots are best for your feet? Traditionally, everyone hiked in big leather boots. But now there are several different types of footwear to choose from: day hiking shoes, day hiking boots, backpacking boots, or even trail running shoes. Low-cut day hiking shoes take the flexible soles of trail runners and beef them up for the rigors of the trail.
They give you more stability than trail runners and also protect your feet a bit more too. Boots for day hiking come in mid- and high-cut styles that offer more ankle support for rugged trails or carrying heavy loads. Day hiking boots are best for: Technical trails, long-distance hiking, hikers carrying heavy day packs, and hikers who need more ankle support and stability. Backpacking boots are extremely durable and can stand up to the burliest routes.
Backpacking boots are best for: Rugged terrain and off-trail travel, hikers who need lots of ankle support and stability, and hikers carrying heavy backpacking packs.
Trail runners have grippy lugs on the soles to give you traction on the trail, along with cushioning to protect your feet from roots and rocks. This creates a comfortable and flexible feel, so some people like to wear trail running shoes for hiking. Check out how to choose trail runners to find the right ones for you. How do you know if full-grain leather is important? What is a gusseted tongue?
All valid questions — here are some common features and materials used in hiking boots, and what makes them useful. The soles of hiking boots are always rubber, but the part that wraps around your foot often called uppers can be made of different types of materials.
A rubber bumper that protects your boot from impacts, like accidentally smashing it into a rock or log. Usually found on the toe, but burlier boots may have a rand all the way around. A handy feature to keep your rocks out of your socks. Among them: changes in muscle activity, foot shape, fit between foot and footwear, foot sensitivity, the weight of the shoe, and temperature. Even though it is well known that fit or product compatibility is necessary for a person to experience comfort, safety, and satisfaction during use, the form has dominated the design and development of footwear over the last few decades.
And it is only one of the factors, on which product performance depends. Most people are able to identify what is a comfortable and non-comfortable shoe. Materials, especially on linings, are also important for a comfortable feel. Regarding the choice of lining material, you need to think about how moisture will be absorbed from the lining.
Mesh lining is a good solution since it is breathable, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying. Stability of the hiking shoe is achieved with cushioning, medial support and with a semi-curved or curved last: it supports foot movement. Proper design and correct inserts give additional stability. Stable hiking shoes usually resist compression. They also resist twisting while flexible shoes twist easily. Generally, the more surface area in contact with the ground the more support the shoe offers the foot.
This means that a shoe that has a sole as wide as the upper can be advantageous for extra support. Many people believe that for better ankle support , you need heavy, stiff footwear. Especially when carrying a heavy pack or hiking on rough terrain. However, most walking boots offer little ankle support, because of their soft cuffs.
Only boots with high, stiffened cuffs give real ankle support. But the stiff ankle support restricts foot movement so much that when you walk in these boots, your walk is seriously hindered. Apparently, stiff-ankled boots and natural foot movement do not go together. Some of the greatest strain on your ankles occurs when you run over steep, rough ground.
Yet trail runners never wear boots but low-cut and much lighter footwear. For traversing steep, rugged terrain, you need strong, flexible ankles and lightweight hiking shoes. One of the main drawbacks of lightweight hiking shoes is related to the fact that they may not be able to provide enough support when carrying a heavy pack, especially on rough ground or descents.
An argument in favor of heavy boots to lightweight shoes is that stiff soles protect your feet from rough terrain and help support heavy loads. It might be true but there are also some shortcomings. Sole stiffness is required only on rough and snowy terrain.
Traveling on hard snow with a flexible boot is a disadvantage because:. These days, plastic composite boots are very popular not only among mountaineers and ice climbers but also among all those interested in snow and glacier routes.
Each plastic boot consists of two parts — 1 hard synthetic outer shell and 2 inner insulating boot. This configuration allows you to pull straps and bindings tightly without impairing circulation in the feet.
It also makes stiff hiking boots suitable for use with crampons and snowshoes. Though rigid plastic boots are perfect for snow and ice, they are a poor choice for general trail use.
There are several reasons for this but three of the most significant ones are:. The durability of hiking shoes depends on the material, technology used, storage, duration of use, the terrain as well as the weather conditions including humidity.
Synthetics are much more prone to abrasion damage than leather hiking shoes. If you like hiking on rough and rocky terrain, you need durable hiking shoes or boots, preferably with an upper made of leather. In general, a pair of leather boots is not only going to hold up better to the elements but also last longer as far as general wear and tear are concerned.
Durability in the upper is achieved with toe bumpers and stitching as reinforced toe and heel provide durability and protection. Durability in the sole is achieved with materials and traction design.
Tactical and military boots are durable and multifunctional Photo by Jana Sabeth. Tactical and military footwear is famous for its durability as well as the high level of protection it provides especially from environmental threats. So their feet have to be protected from many threats, including abrasions, temperatures, humidity, potentially dangerous animals and plants.
Moreover, the boots need to be abrasion and wear-resistant and to offer the capability for high performance in less than ideal conditions. And all of these should come at an affordable price. A pair of good trekking shoes need to protect your feet against harsh conditions on the trail. These include cold and wet environments as well as hard and rough surfaces. To some extent, the level of protection depends on the weight of the footwear heavier trekking shoes or boots often, though not necessarily always, provide better protection.
However, much more important factors for good foot protection are:. When hiking on rough terrain, you need additional protection not only for your feet and heels but for your toes as well. Rubber toe caps provide additional protection for your toes acting as a buffer between you and the twigs and branches that you encounter on your way.
An integrated gusseted tongue is another useful feature offering better protection for your foot. The idea is to keep pebbles, sand, and debris out of your hiking shoes. Our feet are unique and they have special requirements. One style will not fit all and therefore it is difficult to make a general prescription for appropriate hiking footwear. Good hiking boots need to offer a balance between light weight, support, and stability; cushioning and functionality; stiffness and breathability.
They must also be durable, protect your feet, and provide comfort.
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