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Hiking & Trekking Boots
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Hiking & trekking boots at eXXpozed
Hiking boots and trekking boots - what's the difference?
The term "hiking shoe" or "hiking boot" is basically used to describe durable, robust shoes with a firm sole structure, rough tread and good cushioning. With them you can easily manage longer walks in the lowlands as well as in the mountains. In their lightest form, they are mid-height and made of synthetic uppers and are more reminiscent of rugged athletic shoes. In their most "mountain-ready" form, they are ankle-high shoes with sturdy leather or synthetic uppers and a pronounced tread. In this variant, hiking shoes are then already very similar to trekking shoes. Trekking shoes are shoes for long distances with a lot of luggage. Walking with a heavy backpack, requires extra lateral stability. This is exactly what trekking shoes offer: they are cut very high, often well above the ankle, have a firm construction and are thickly padded on the inside to protect the ankles. With their heavily treaded soles, you have good grip on rough terrain, scree and rock.
What is important when buying hiking boots or trekking shoes?
For both hiking boots and trekking shoes, there are some criteria to look for when buying new shoes. We have summarized these for you:
- Fit: The most important thing about a shoe is the fit. If the hiking boot or trekking boot does not fit the shape of the foot, you will not enjoy it. Therefore, it is quite important to check the fit when looking for the right shoe. If the shoe is too tight in the front, there will be downhill blisters on the big and little toe. If the shoe is too wide at the heel, there is a risk of blisters on the heel when going uphill. The fit of a new hiking or trekking shoe should therefore be checked at home - by trying it on at home with the right socks.
- Shaft height: The shaft height is another important criterion for hiking and trekking shoes. The more weight I want to carry and the rougher the terrain, the higher the shaft of the hiking or trekking shoe should be. The high shaft protects the ankle from injuries and provides support. On the other hand, hiking boots with a short shaft are naturally much lighter and more comfortable to wear - and, for example, just the right choice for a more relaxed mid-mountain tour.
- Material: When it comes to the upper material of hiking and trekking boots, you are faced with the decision between synthetic or leather. Both materials have very specific properties. Hiking boots made of leather can score with a particularly high wearing comfort and a long service life. If the leather is properly cared for, it actually lasts for decades. In addition, treated leather is naturally water repellent. One disadvantage of the leather shoe, however, is that when it gets wet, it takes a very long time to dry. Hiking and trekking shoes made of synthetic fabric are more breathable and dry much faster compared to leather shoes. In addition, the synthetic fabric is easier to care for and does not need to be treated as regularly as leather. On the other hand, synthetics are not quite as durable as leather.
- Sole: The firmer and more stable the sole of the hiking boot, the more grip you have in rough terrain or scree. However, the stiffer the sole, the less comfortable it is to wear and the less cushioning it provides. This means that if you only do light hiking away from alpine scree fields and rocks, and only with a light pack, a well-cushioned flexible sole construction with a medium profile is the right choice. If you're hiking in alpine terrain or with a lot of luggage, it should be a stiff sole with a rough tread that gives your foot the stability it needs.
- Waterproof or not?: Waterproof hiking boots or trekking boots are equipped with a special membrane that makes the shoe breathable, but at the same time does not let water through from the outside. A shoe should be waterproof if you want to wear it all year round, and especially in the transitional season and also in winter. For summer hiking, an airy summer shoe without a membrane is the better choice. Thus, more air can reach the foot and the wearing comfort is higher in warm temperatures.
- Weight: The weight of a hiking or trekking shoe is also an important criterion. With lightweight shoes you are obviously much more effortless on the road than with heavy boots. Therefore, you should always choose the right shoe for your own area of use. With a trekking shoe you will not be able to avoid a higher weight, because the shoe is cut high and has a solid sole structure, but if such a shoe is not necessary due to the terrain, you are much better served with a lightweight hiking boot.
Where can I buy hiking boots & trekking boots online at a reasonable price?
You can also find a large selection of hiking boots and trekking boots in our outlet at reduced prices. Almost every day there are new offers in the outdoor shoes section. So if you are just looking for shoes or boots for your next hiking tour, it is also always worth a look at the outlet.
Our favorite topics: Hiking pants | Rain jackets & hardshells | Sports socks | Trekking backpacks | Scarpa footwear | Hiking shoes for kids