Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Wrong Footwear Makes Hiking Dangerous

Hiking is the perfect fat burner. But you have to do it in the right footwear, or you might expose yourself to unnecessary dangers. Before setting out to countryside, the hills, or even mountains, go get some decent shoes or boots. Converse, sneakers, or slippers are not made to trek for hours through rough, wet, or slippery terrain. Slithering down a rain soaked muggy hill in shoddy shoes is not my idea of fun.


There are people who actually believe that they burn fat while running in stinking city streets. Maybe they should do some research first, and then consider starting to burn fat effectively. Walking is what makes you burn fat, a lot of walking. You can do it every day by not using car or public transport. And you can do it as hiking in beautiful countryside locations. Being out surrounded by nature means that what you are walking on is most probably not tarmac, but natural surfaces. High heels and slippers are not adequate footwear for it.

When going for a hike in rough terrain, get the right kind of soles under your feet. City slicks and leather are not meant for wet and slippery byways and paths. To get the right kind of walking shoes or boots, you first need to decide what kind of walking or hiking you are planning to do. Go for what is most likely or what you enjoy most. If you want to walk in the hills, get the appropriate shoes for that even when you think that one day you might climb Kilimanjaro or Everest. You can get the climbing gear when you really need it.

The terrain dictates what kind of footwear you should be looking out for. For easy hiking, a lightweight low shoe will be adequate. Just watch the soles, they need to be able to give you grip on wet slopes if the weather turns bad on you. For more adventurous hikes with possibly steep inclines on the way up or down hills, the boot should be stiffened and be higher than the ankle to give you stability. Good soles are even more important here. And if you intend to go into the mountains, the boot should be even stiffer and fit to use with crampons if necessary. Low shoes don't go into mountains, wearing them there is suicidal.

You can bet that sooner or later the weather will play a trick on you and you will get soaked on one of your hikes. It is easier to walk with dry feet, your shoes or boots should therefore be watertight. Boots with fewer seams are better for that purpose. A dry boot is also lighter to wear. And after all this, don't think that heavy is best; you will be wearing and carrying these shoes or boots for hours. Keep them as light as possible for your own sake.

Because you will be wearing your footwear for long stretches of way and time, you'd better take time when choosing it. Make sure you're absolutely comfortable with what you buy. A good sized shoe should keep your heel in place, prevent your foot from moving side-wards, and leave some space in front of your toes. Buy your boots in the afternoon; your feet are slightly bigger then than in the morning.

Further reading
Take a Ride
Gigathlon
Be Prepared







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