How to Choose Boots for Hiking
Walking in nature is a difficult activity. Choosing the right boots is especially important. When choosing these boots, where and how you will walk are important issues. Your boots and feet should be in harmony. When you wear your boots, you should not hit your toes or the back of your feet and you should move comfortably. If we examine the types of these boots;

-Short Hiking Boots
Low-cut models with flexible midsoles are a good choice for everyday walks. It would be the right decision not to prefer it in rainy weather, but many people prefer it with its light and comfortable style.

-Daily Hiking Boots
There are medium and high cut models. It can be used for daily walks and short-term outdoor activities. They stretch easily and adapt to your feet.

-Long Hiking Boots
They are suitable boots for long trips in rural areas. They are designed to carry heavy loads on you and to make users comfortable. Especially the high-cut types that cover the ankles provide support for the load you will carry and the weight that will be on your ankles. They have a harder midsole than light and short boots, and they have a durable and supportive structure. They are designed for travel in places such as trails and terrain.

   

Layers of Hiking Boots

Top Layer: The materials used affect the important points of the boot such as weight, breathability, durability and water resistance, which determines the quality of the boot.
Grain leather shoes offer wearers excellent durability, abrasion resistance and very good water resistance. They are designed for long journeys, heavy loads and rough terrain. These boots are not light and breathable compared to other types. It should definitely be worn a few times so that your feet get used to the boots before a long journey. Otherwise, it may disturb your feet.

Nylon-ribbed leather offers great breathability and is made from a nylon or leather blend to create a lightweight boot structure. They are lower cost boots but less resistant to water and abrasion. It should be noted that these boots generally use waterproof linings.

Nubuck leather is polished grain leather. It is water resistant, abrasion resistant and highly flexible. This type of boots must be worn before long walks when purchased for the first time. Synthetic leather boots are widely available in the market. It is lighter than leather, quick dry and less expensive. However, premature wear may occur due to excess seams on the outside of the boot.

Middle Layer: The cushioning middle layer protects the feet from impacts and determines the stiffness of the boot. Hard boots mean much more comfort and stability for long walks on rocky and uneven terrain. In addition, it prevents you from feeling hard objects such as rocks and tree roots and provides protection from external factors. The most common midsole materials are EVA and polyurethane.

EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) is slightly more comfortable, lightweight and inexpensive. It can be used in different densities to adjust the support in the middle layer. Polyurethane is harder and more durable. This material is used in hiking boots and mountaineering boots.

In order to add rigidity to the midsole, 3-5 mm thick tips (stems) are sandwiched between the midsole and the outsole of the boot. Plates are thin and semi-flexible inserts. It is placed between the midsole and the outsole and, if any, under the body. It protects the feet against external factors.

Bottom Sole: Rubber is generally used on the soles of hiking boots. In order to increase the hardness, additives such as carbon are added in long hiking and mountaineering boots and the degree of hardness is increased. Hard outsoles increase durability. There are thicker and deeper indentations on the bottom sole of mountaineering and hiking boots. These protrusions allow mud to be poured more easily during walking. The clearly defined heel area minimizes slippage on steep descents.

We wish you an accident-free, enjoyable and adventurous walk…