The difference between hiking shoes and hiking shoes is so big!（2）
Reading times：144 Update time：2024-08-16
Classification of hiking shoes
European shoe companies have a very standardized classification for hiking shoes, mainly divided into:
Mountaineering: Heavy climbing shoes, also known as high boots according to tradition, suitable for terrain mixed with ice, snow, and rock in high-altitude areas. They must have a very hard Vibram sole and be compatible with quick release ice claws. The upper is mostly made of completely waterproof hard plastic resin, and the lining is made of Gore Tex material. They are usually high top or even long boots, with heavy weight and poor softness.
Trekking: Heavy duty hiking shoes with a flexible midsole that can relieve the weight of backpacks. The outsole is hard and can be used for long-distance walking in mountainous areas with relatively primitive terrain. It can also use fully strapped ice skates. The shoe upper should be waterproof and have a certain degree of breathability, suitable for long-term wear. The shoe upper is generally high, which can effectively protect the ankle.
Hiking: Lightweight hiking shoes, generally used for light hiking, suitable for less complex mountains. So emphasizing comfort and abandoning hard soles, the shoe upper is generally made of lightweight materials such as soft sheepskin or Gore Tex, usually low cut.
In fact, the positioning of these categories varies among different manufacturers, but overall, they are ranked by professional level as follows: High Mountaineering>Mountaineering>Backpacking>Trekking>Hiking.
Generally, walking through complex terrains such as mountains, rocks, forests, and valleys without carrying heavy loads is sufficient at the Hiking level. If the weight exceeds 10 kilograms, shoes of Trekking grade are needed. If there are climbing tasks that can climb hundreds of meters, then backpacking is your food. Mountaineering above the snow line is necessary.
How to choose hiking shoes
To choose a good hiking shoe, it mainly depends on three aspects: upper, lining, and outsole.
Shoe upper
The material of the shoe upper is nothing more than pure leather fabric, a mixture of leather fabric and textile fabric, and hard plastic resin fabric.
Mixed type of leather and textile fabric:
Advantages: Lightweight, good breathability, relatively soft and convenient to wear, and the cost of textile fabrics is much lower than that of leather fabrics.
Disadvantages: The waterproof performance of textile fabrics is poor, the service life is not as good as leather, the texture is soft, and the protection of the foot surface is not as good as leather.
Pure leather fabric:
Advantages: Good waterproof performance, high wear resistance, and better foot protection than textile fabrics
Disadvantages: Its own weight is heavier than textile fabrics, and its breathability is not as good as textile fabrics, making it time-consuming to wear shoes.
Hard plastic resin
Advantages: It is relatively hard and has good rigidity, which can effectively protect the safety of the feet. High mountain hiking boots are made of this resin material as the surface.
Disadvantages: Large size, heavy weight, bulky and time-consuming to put on and take off.
lining
The main function of the lining is waterproof and breathable, which directly affects the happiness index of your feet when wearing hiking shoes. If the upper is made of craft water, the lining is made of technology materials. If you don't want your socks to get wet with a small puddle or your shoes to be filled with water on rainy days, we recommend choosing shoes with these two types of technology fabrics: GORE-TEX and eVENT, both of which are world-class waterproof and breathable fabrics.
Big Bottom
The durability of the sole depends mainly on its material selection and pattern design, as well as its anti slip properties. The best choice, generally speaking, is V-bottom. What is a V-sole? It is a sole made of Vibram rubber. To determine if your shoes have a Vibram sole, simply check if there is a yellow rubber sole with the Vibram logo printed on it.
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