The Cutting Edge - Hi Tech Hiking Shoes

Hiking is one of the sports where safety or lack thereof can be fatal. Hence, the equipment that is used during the hiking trip should be of high precision and quality. Any compromise in quality can destroy the trip; but more importantly, it can be life-threatening.

Hi tech hiking shoes – Luxury or Necessity?

Many argue that you can be quite comfortable with normal hiking shoes and may be they are right. But why manage with the good, when you can have the best available? Hi tech hiking shoes are a tremendous improvement over the ordinary hiking shoes, making it much safer, more comfortable and extremely dry. Your feet will not only stay dry and clean inside these hi tech hiking shoes, but also have the assurance that your ankles are protected both from sprains from the twisting of your feet, as well as from snake bites.

A Scenario

If you are still asking yourself whether hi tech hiking shoes are worth the trouble, imagine this scenario: you have traveled some 15-20 miles inside the jungle and just found a tiny clearing where you would like to camp for the night with your group. You take your feet out from your hiking shoes, only to observe that you have raw blisters on almost each toe. The next day when everyone is ready to move, you are in excruciating pain, forcing your colleagues to carry you. By doing so, you’ve saved your feet, but you have killed the trip and all the fun with your friends. Don’t you think it is worth the trouble paying a few extra dollars?

The Negatives of Nylon

It is also always advised that while hiking you hiking shoes should indeed have ankle protection. Complementing your hi tech hiking shoes will be the socks. Never wear nylon socks while hiking. Nylon socks inhibit feet sweat from drying making it rife for bacteria to grow as well as facilitating the formation of blisters. Always go for cotton, and keep in mind that you will want to carry a few extra pairs of socks, even if you are only going on a short trip.

Inexperienced Hikers

It is common for new hikers to start on long hiking trips with new hiking shoes and many times old thin nylon socks. The combination can result into a very uncomfortable situation for you. Hence, you should always use old hiking shoes (in case you bought them new and do not have any old ones available, make sure that you ‘wear them in’ before you head off for your trip).