Boots Are Made for Walking Since your feet are the part of you that will be doing most of the work when hiking, footwear selection is one of the most important decisions you'll make when getting properly outfitted. Comfort and high-quality construction are both important, and the prices for a good pair of hiking boots can vary quite dramatically depending on the skill level for which they're designed. It's possible to pay several hundred dollars for pro-level boots like expert trekkers wear, but most novice or intermediate hikers should be able to get by with a good pair costing around $75 to $100. There are a number of boots in this price range that offer sturdy support and good traction and that should be suitable for most light-duty applications. Naturally, the type of boots you select for yourself and your family members will be determined by the type and the amount of hiking you'll be doing. Eric Flint, of Eastern Mountain Sports, offers advice on selecting hiking footwear for yourself as well as your kids.
Determine the Kind of Hiking You'll Be Doing - If you're a novice or beginning hiker, stick with relatively smooth, level trails. For short, easy day-hikes, a good pair of athletic or running shoes may suffice, though they won't offer any water-resistance. Look for a pair that's lightweight and comfortable and that offers good support and traction.
- For hiking on steeper, more serious trails, invest in a good pair of lightweight hiking boots or trail shoes -- for yourself as well as your kids. Sturdy arch and ankle support is important for safety as well as comfort, and tennis or running shoes won't be adequate for strenuous and rocky trails. Good traction for uneven terrain is one of the key advantages of a hiking shoe (figure A) over an ordinary athletic shoe.
- During warmer months, you may want to opt for a pair of durable sandals (figure B), sometimes called river sandals. Though not suitable for serious trail-hiking, they're ideal for more casual creekside and lakeside activities. They're comfortable, kids enjoy them -- and you won't have to deal with wet shoes and socks.
Tips on Buying Hiking Boots for Kids - Remember that children's feet are continually growing. Though quality is important, you may want to consider lower-priced options since they'll be outgrown in a relatively short time. For light hiking, tennis shoes are often a good choice for kids since they're already accustomed to them.
- If you decide to go with lightweight hiking boots or trail shoes for your kids, look for ones that will also be suitable for the playground. You'll get more value out of your purchase if you select boots your kids will also wear for everyday. Get your children involved in the purchase decision to help ensure they'll be happy. Narrow the selection down to a couple of pairs (based on quality and safety features), then let them make the final decision.
- Comfort and fit are especially important for children. If their boots aren't comfortable, it's unlikely that they'll get much enjoyment out of hiking, and they're not likely to want to go again after a bad experience.
- For more advanced hiking, high-cut boots (figure C) offer the best ankle support. If you're likely to be hiking in demanding terrain, consider these. For less challenging hikes, low-cut hikers should suffice.
- With kid's light-hikers, traction is important. Look for soles that will offer good grip on rocks and trails (figure D).
Tips on Buying Hiking Boots for Adults - For relatively gentle terrain, lightweight hiking boots are great. They offer better ankle support and traction than ordinary athletic shoes.
- Look for a gussetted tongue, which adds more material between the tongue and the upper. This helps seal out water and dirt.
- Consider paying the extra amount for a pair of waterproof or water-resistant boots. Canvas boots made with Gore-Tex or a similar waterproofing material will cost a little more, but you'll be glad you paid it after trudging through wet grass or fording a shallow stream. An alternative is to buy a waterproofing treatment that can be applied to your canvas boots periodically to help keep your feet and socks dry.
- Purchase medium-weight boots for more advanced and demanding hiking. Look for a sole that offers a half to three-quarter shank for extra support. Remember that medium-weight boots require a break-in period, so wear them some before you hike in them.
- When trying on boots, try them wearing the same socks (or the same style and brand of socks) you'll be wearing when you hike. Walk around in them, and pay attention to how they fit and flex when you walk. An experienced salesperson in an outfitter store can offer you advice on boot selection based on the type of hiking that you'll be doing.
Tips on Buying Socks - Purchasing suitable socks for hiking is more critical than you might expect. If you're going to pay a hundred dollars or more for a good pair of boots, it makes sense to spend several dollars on good-quality hiking socks. They're available in various weights (for varying levels of use from day hiking to cross-country trekking) and from materials such as wool, cotton/poly and advanced blended weaves specially designed to wick moisture away from your foot.
- Some experienced hikers recommend wearing a heavy wool sock over a lightweight sock.
- Carry extra socks with you in your backpack in case the ones you're wearing get wet. Being stuck with wet socks on a long hike can be a decidedly unpleasant experience.
- Blisters on your heels or feet from improperly fitting boots can ruin a hike. Even with a good fit, you may encounter blisters during very long hikes. Keep a bit of moleskin handy, and as soon as you begin to feel soreness, cover the spot with the soft material.
Clothing to Suit the Weather - You'll want clothes that are appropriate for the temperatures in which you'll be hiking. Remember that temperatures are typically lower in the mountains and at higher elevations, and take into account that temperatures will be cooler in the early morning and after sunset.
- Modern outdoor clothing made from high-tech blends of natural and artificial fibers is designed to wick moisture and perspiration away from your skin. This specialized type of clothing will help your body maintain a comfortable temperature under a range of conditions.
- High-end raingear (figure E) also helps to manage heat and perspiration through breathable waterproof or water-resistant fabrics and venting systems. Lightweight trekking pants are made of breathable material that dries quickly. Some are even cleverly designed to convert quickly from long pants to shorts through the use of zippers (figure F). In that way, you can begin your day of hiking with long pants for the cooler mornings, then zip the legs off in the afternoon when the temperature rises.
- For cool to moderate weather, layering is a good idea. That way, you can add or remove articles of clothing depending on the temperature and weather conditions you encounter.
- For cooler temperatures, carry a lightweight outerwear jacket, such as a fleece pullover or breathable shell. A warm hat is also important since, in cold weather, much of your body's heat escapes from your head if it's unprotected.
Safety alert: If you're carrying a small child or infant on a hike during cool weather, check her periodically to make certain she's not getting chilled. Under the exertion of a hike, you may not notice a drop in your surrounding temperature, but a child is not exerting the same kind of energy and is more likely to feel the effect of the change.
RESOURCES :
The Sierra Club Family Outdoors Guide
Model: 0871564424
Author: Marlyn Doan
Hiking, Backpacking, Camping, Bicycling, Water Sports, and Winter Activities With Children
Sierra Club Books
Parents' Guide to Hiking & Camping: A Trailside Guide
Model: 0393316521
Author: Alice Cary
Volume from The Trailside Guide Series from W.W. Norton and Company.
W. W. Norton & Company
Backpacker's Handbook, 2nd Edition
Model: 0070653151
Author: Chris Townsend
McGraw-Hill Companies
Website: www.mcgraw-hill.com
Best Hikes With Children series
Author: various authors
Book series on hiking with children. Individual titles are by region.
For example, Best Hikes With Children in Western Washington, Best Hikes With Children in Colorado, Best Hikes With Children: San Francisco's South Bay, etc.
Mountaineers Books
Website: www.mountaineersbooks.org/
Patagonia
Patagonia is a company dedicated to environmentally conscious design of high-quality technical outdoor clothing and gear. Since 1985, the company has donated 10 percent of it's annual profits (or 1 percent of sales, whichever is greater) to hundreds of grassroots environmental groups.
Web site: www.patagonia.com
or
patagonia site-map
REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.)
A comprehensive site with equipment and clothing for camping, hiking, climbing, cycling, paddling, fly fishing, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking and other outdoor activities.
REI
Sumner, WA 98352-0001
Website: www.rei.com
Eastern Mountain Sports
Eastern Mountain Sports, an outdoor store, was featured in DIY Family Outdoors, episode 101.
Eastern Mountain Sports
Peterborough, NH 03458
Phone: 603-924-7231
Website: www.emsonline.com
Outside magazine
Magazine covering outdoor activities including adventure travel, hiking, backpacking, camping and the environment.
Backpacker magazine
Magazine covering outdoor recreation, hiking, backpacking, camping, equipment, etc.
American Hiking Society
American Hiking is a national organization dedicated to serving hikers and protecting the nation's hiking trails. From the halls of Congress to the backcountry, AHS speaks up for America's hikers and the trails they love.
Backpacking Tips (A Falcon Guide)
Model: 1560446617
Author: Bill Schneider (Editor), Russ Schneider (Editor)
Falcon Publishing Company
Website: www.falcon.com/
Hiking With Kids (A Falcon Guide)
Model: 1560448164
Author: Robin Tawny
Falcon Publishing Company
Website: www.falcon.com/
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