What is a hiking shoe?

Date：2022-10-26 18:37:50

  From a professional point of view, it can be subdivided into several categories such as "Hiking Shoes", "Hiking Boots", "Approach", "Climbing", "Trail Running -", "Forester", " Hunting Boots" and so on.

Structure and technical specifications of hiking shoes

  "Hiking shoes", between "hiking boots" and "trail running shoes", are mostly low-top and weigh about 300 grams to 450 grams each.

  From the perspective of waterproof and breathable, shock absorption and anti-slip, foot support and ankle stability, the functionality of hiking shoes cannot be compared with those medium and heavyweight professional footwear used for multi-day long distance hiking and high-altitude mountaineering and ice climbing, but they are light and flexible, soft and hard, and can provide certain protection in slippery and rugged conditions, so they have their unique advantages.

  The following are the structure and technical specifications of hiking shoes.

Uppers

  The common materials used for uppers are usually pure leather, polished and waterproofed tumbled leather, blended fabrics and nylon.

  They are lightweight, wear-resistant, and easy to put on and take off.

  The core function of the lining is "waterproof and breathable", after all, whether the feet can stay dry is directly related to the happiness index of outdoor activities; on the other hand, the shoes will also become heavy when wet, adding an extra burden for walking.

  Therefore, the more mainstream lining is Gore-Tex and eVent, both of which are currently the top black technology fabrics.

Toe

  In order to provide "impact protection" for the toes, lightweight hiking shoes are usually designed with a "half rubber wrap", a level of reinforcement that is sufficient for ordinary outdoor scenarios.

  The "full wrap" is mostly used for middleweight and heavyweight equipment, which brings better protection and water resistance, but is less breathable.

Tongue

  Considering the comfort of walking in the outdoors, hiking shoes often use a "one-piece sandproof tongue".

  This tongue is connected to the body of the shoe and the closure design can effectively prevent the intrusion of tiny particles on the road.

Outsole

  The "slip resistance" and "abrasion resistance" are directly related to the safety index of the outdoors, so for different specific terrain, hiking shoes have different outsole patterns to provide excellent grip.

  For example, the sharply angled lugs are suitable for "mud" and "snow", while the narrow rounded lugs are suitable for "granite" or "sandstone" ground.

Midsole

  The midsole mainly plays the role of "rebound and cushioning" and is mostly composed of EVA, PU and other high-density foam materials and nylon structure.

  The texture of EVA is soft and light, while PU is hard, so the combination can make the midsole both comfortable, supportive and durable.

Laces

  The lacing system is also important to the functionality of the shoe.

  In addition to adjusting the fit of the shoe to the foot, it also affects the stability of walking to a certain extent.

  Especially for light hiking shoes with low-top design, the laces are needed to support the ankle, so many big hiking shoe brands are now dedicated to developing their own lacing technology.

Cushion

  In order to cope with foot fatigue caused by prolonged walking, the insoles of hiking shoes are generally made of high-density foam, using a single molding process and ergonomic in form.

  The result is superior comfort, cushioning, impact resistance, antibacterial properties, and breathability and perspiration.

Embedded Support Pad

  This structure between the midsole and outsole, usually made of plastic or metal, is designed to provide additional protection and support for the bottom of the foot when encountering uneven trails.

  Depending on the scenario, the insert can extend half, three-quarters or even the full length of the shoe.

  A pair of technology-rich, high-quality shoes that allow you to travel through the mountains and wilderness without fear of the changing climate and environment.

  It not only helps you walk more steadily and farther, but more importantly, it also makes the process of constantly moving forward more healing and enjoyable.