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We publish an article about hiking every day. These articles contain hiking tips and hiking equipment.
Source: https://cqingclothing.com/blogs/news
Walking in the mountains and forests, hikers spend about 8 hours a day walking, a good pair of hiking shoes is essential.
As the most sloppy outdoor essential equipment for every hiker, be cautious when choosing shoes.
So, how to choose a pair of hiking shoes, and how do you define hiking shoes?
Everyone has different foot types, so when buying hiking shoes, it is best to go to the store to try them on. It is common to find out after going to the physical store that the styles of hiking shoes on the shoe rack are dazzling and there is no way to start.
As we all know, a good pair of hiking shoes must meet the three requirements of high top, hard bottom and waterproof at the same time, in order to basically meet the needs of an outdoor activity.
But this standard is becoming less and less universal. For example, more and more people are wearing trail running shoes, whether in the city or in the mountains. The author once wore cross-country running shoes and reloaded to go round the mountain; when climbing the snow mountain, the cross-country running shoes were worn below the snow line.
Lightweight and flexible off-road shoes, the perception of the earth is greatly enhanced, and can handle almost any terrain.
So when outdoor sports, do you have to choose trail running shoes?
Not at all. Trail running shoes are to make you run fast enough in the mountain environment, and trekking shoes are to make you go far enough in the mountains. It must be admitted that hiking shoes are better in terms of wear resistance and water resistance.
The so-called no best equipment, only the most suitable equipment. Everyone's physical condition is different, and the requirements for equipment are also different. Talking about equipment out of the environment of use is empty talk.
Due to the large number of people walking on the hiking routes in the suburbs, the routes are mature, and many sections are very flat, and the requirements for shoes are not high. You can often see many people wearing casual sports shoes and carrying their commuter bags before setting off.
At this time, choosing hiking shoes is just to make yourself more comfortable, not to force their functionality. A pair of low-top lightweight walking shoes is sufficient for such a route.
If the trekking route is fully replenished along the way, no camping is needed, just light-packing, then a pair of low-top or mid-top hiking shoes are fine; if you need to reload or camp, it is best to wear mid-top hiking shoes, which can increase the ankle protection.
In this environment, high-top or mid-top hiking shoes are basically worn.
Low: The upper is lower than the ankle, the ankle is more flexible, but it is easier to break the foot, suitable for flat and simple lines. Most everyday shoes in life are low-top.
Middle: The upper is higher than the ankle and has better protection. It is suitable for long-distance walking and is the most commonly worn shoe during walking.
High: The shoe upper is far beyond the ankle, which is better for the protection of the ankle, suitable for overweight equipment and complex and changeable roads. Many hiking shoes are high-top, but high-top shoes need to be run-in, otherwise it will be prone to blisters, if you don't adapt to it, it will cause the shoes to grind.
There is no difference between the height of the shoe upper and the bad. It mainly depends on the environment of use, your own adaptability and habits. It is better to wear comfortably.
Knowledge about hiking is updated daily.
Barefoot shoes are good for hiking. You will need the correct pair for the terrain you will be hiking on. Choosing the right type of barefoot shoe to deal with the terrain is key. Barefoot sandals, five-fingers or minimalist shoes will work.
If you're a healthy, active person without nagging ankle issues, you don't really need any extra ankle support while hiking. Furthermore, boots will tire your legs quicker and make your footwork clumsier. Both of which will put you at much greater risk of other injuries.
Hiking (walking) boots are footwear specifically designed for protecting the feet and ankles during outdoor walking activities such as hiking. ... Hiking boots are constructed to provide comfort for walking considerable distance over rough terrain. Boots that protect the hiker's feet and heel are recommended.
There are many friends who like to travel, and many people who like outdoor pictures. But mostly because of lack of hiking experience. It's easy to get stuck and then give up. For inexperienced novices. We will recommend many real walking guides to them.
Before leaving the current camp, if you have time, you must plan your route. If you are walking on foot, you can start first and plan during the journey.
*First. *Route
The main path of the walking process is generally planned on the map. Remember the main road signs by heart. In addition, we must remember these points:
If you can go around the mountain, you should never go over the mountain: it consumes much more energy than going around the mountain, and you may also turn back when you encounter cliffs and other inaccessible terrain. So if possible, try to walk in the ditch when planning. Without going over the mountains.Of course, except if you want to see the scenery.
*Reasonable physical planning: *continuous walking on flat ground for long distances. The speed is generally 5km/hour. The daily duration does not exceed 10 hours. That is, you can walk 50km in one day. This speed and duration will decrease as road conditions, physical conditions, and altitude increase. It is dangerous to plan campsites or rest points higher than this standard. You may find that you can't find a place to sleep after walking for a day.
*Remember forks and obvious landmarks: *It’s best to take a small notebook and write it down. Which one to go at each fork in the road, and the obvious landmarks nearby. You can modulate a sketch based on the digital map on the Internet. It is generally hard to get lost if you learn this.
Avoid dangerous terrain: The terrain that people cannot pass is called dangerous terrain. Generally there are rivers, cliffs, swamps, rain forests and so on. Avoid these terrain features when planning your route.
*Second. *Materials
*Food and water: *In the case of heavy physical exertion, food should be planned according to about 2000 calories. Water is planned according to the capacity of one liter. The volume of food should be as small as possible. Recommend compressed biscuits and extremely sweet Snickers. Add a little salt and glucose to the water.
*Survival supplies: *If you need to camp, you must bring a tent sleeping bag. A raincoat is required. It is best to bring a few emergency blankets. They can be used as simple tents or raincoats. It can also increase the thermal insulation coefficient of the sleeping bag, and is small in size and light in weight.
Rescue supplies: including bandages, ropes, etc. No need to bring too much. One team is enough for one team. The main drugs are anthelmintics and heatstroke prevention drugs.
*Energy-saving materials and clothing: *The best thing to use is folding trekking poles and hard-soled outdoor shoes.
*First. *Formation
There must be more than two more experienced people walking about 30-100 meters in front of the team. They can warn them if they are in danger.
Master the rhythm of marching
You must rest for 10 minutes an hour! Never sit down while resting, let alone lie down!
*Second. *Navigation
Where you can use digital map navigation, use digital map navigation. Places where digital maps cannot be used. Just remember the fork in the road. See the fork in the road and pass cautiously.
*First. *No planning
You started hiking because of a whim. No reasonable plan was specified. This is the greatest danger. There is no solution.
*Second. *Get lost
Unreasonable route planning, forgotten route, temporary change of route. At this time, the greatest danger comes from your panic.
Solution:You just lost your way not long. You can return according to the original route. You are very close to the target and you can look straight and pass. Look for the route again. You've been lost for a long time and don't know where you are. Look for the river and walk downstream. As long as you walk long enough, there must be residents. Give up this hike and look for rescue. Someone nearby, asking for directions.
*Third. *Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
Once dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. You will lose energy quickly. It is a sign when you feel dizzy, sweaty, and fatigued.
*Coping method: *Do not drink a lot of water all at once. If you drink a lot of water, your body will sweat a lot for a short time. It is easy to lose electrolyte balance. You can add a little salt to the water. A concentration of 2% will do. Then sip water. Put it in your mouth first. Swallow it in a minute. Pay attention to drinking water at any time.
Fourth. Heat stroke
If there is a problem with body temperature regulation, it will cause heat stroke
*Coping method: *Don't go on if the sun is too hot and the weather is too hot. Find a shade to rest first. If you have heat stroke. Move quickly to a cool place and forcefully cool down with cold water. take medicine.
The above is the strategy recommended by this article. Want to learn more. Please click here: CHUQING
Hiking is more than just a million repetitive alternation of two legs. It covers too many things. It is difficult to describe precisely in words.
Although the fun of hiking varies from person to person. But a few items are recognized by most people.
1. Easy to meet like-minded people
The relationship between people in outdoor hiking is relatively pure. There will be no conflicts of interest with colleagues or relatives. There are generally three non-questioning principles in hiking activities: regardless of age, income, and occupation. Without these three issues, there would be no labels for social status and wealth. Everyone is an equal walking partner.
2. Can see many beautiful scenery
Not every beautiful place will be developed into a tourist attraction. Hiking allows you to discover many beautiful scenery that you have not noticed before.
3. Exercise
Most fitness methods are difficult to adhere to because they are boring. But during the hike, whether you choose the road or the mountains, you have a wide view, constantly changing scenery, and good friends around you. Can let us complete physical exercise easily and happily.
4. The spiritual practice
For many hikers, walking is a practice of body and mind. When your body is strong, you will walk comfortably. When you are exhausted, it's like falling into the bottom of your life. But after going through it is the sublimation of the soul. This is the charm of hiking. Walking has taught us persistence and patience. Let us learn how to face loneliness and fear.
1.The structure and classification of hiking shoes
There are many types of hiking shoes on the market with different functions. For friends who have just started hiking, how to choose a pair of hiking shoes that suits them often becomes a confusing question.
When we come to an outdoor product store with questions, we often decide whether to buy it from the look and feel of the fitting. However, if we do not understand the structure and classification of trekking shoes, the shoes we buy may not meet the actual requirements of the trekking route.
In order to help you choose the ideal shoes, I will learn the structure and classification of hiking shoes with you. So that everyone can buy suitable shoes based on their actual needs, economic conditions and physical conditions.
The following figure shows the structure of a typical hiking shoe, which mainly includes five parts: sole, upper, laces, tongue, and inner lining. We don’t need to know the specific structure. When buying shoes, we need to focus on the sole, upper and inner lining.
The main function of the sole is anti-skid and shock absorption. So how do we choose the sole?
First look at the appearance, the focus is on the direction of the sole pattern. It must not be the same shape or distributed in the same direction, otherwise the friction of the shoes will be insufficient when walking outdoors.
Just remember the following three points.
(1) Press
That is to say, the thumb should be pressed hard on the non-patterned part of the sole, preferably in the transition zone between the forefoot and the backfoot. If the sole is not soft or there is no obvious sag, then the hardness of the sole rubber meets the requirements. Walking in the wild for a long time, you will not feel the foot pressure.
(2) Break apart
Break open the outermost lines of the shoe. If it is not soft and not noticeably distorted, the texture of the shoe is strong enough. The grip is firm and not easy to slip.
(3) Twist
Hold the front and rear uppers (ie toe and heel) with both hands, and twist the shoes until the upper is sunken or deformed. Observe the deformation of the sole. If there is no obvious distortion, it means that the sole has good integrity, so the stability of the shoes is also good, and it is not easy to get rid of the feet after long-term walking.
In addition, when hiking in rain and snow, the selection and workmanship of shoe uppers and inner linings have a great impact on the waterproof performance of shoes, and the ultimate impact is comfort and safety.
In order to improve the waterproof performance of shoes, it is necessary to be waterproof both inside and outside.
First of all, there are three categories of shoe upper materials: pure leather fabrics, leather fabrics and textile fabrics (leather spun fabrics for short), and rigid plastic resin fabrics.
The commonly used fabrics for hiking shoes are the first two types. If you don’t go skiing, climb Mount Everest, Chogori, etc., the latter face can be temporarily ignored.
Pure leather fabrics are much higher than leather spinning in terms of cost and weight, and the air permeability is worse than leather spinning, but the protection is better than leather spinning. So considering economy and practicality, I would choose leather-spun fabric shoes.
If you don’t know how to distinguish the two fabrics. The easiest way is to bring a lighter when you buy shoes, just burn them and smell them. Also, if you really intend to do this, remember to bring enough money!
Usually, the leather fabric is sanded and sprayed with a waterproofing agent to build the first waterproof barrier. After that, a layer of membrane is used inside to form a second waterproof barrier-the inner lining of the shoes is made of waterproof fabric: Gore-Tex fabric or eVent.
To be more precise, both are actually light, thin, strong and durable films, which are waterproof, breathable and windproof. The fabric of Gore-Tex from production to loss of efficacy usually takes about three years. However, eVent’s evaluation is less and the results are contrary to each other, so a definite result cannot be givens.
Therefore, it is best to choose Gore-Texd when buying shoes. The reason for not choosing eVent is that it is expensive, and the performance is unstable due to poor production process control.
We talked about shoe uppers earlier. The shoe upper can be divided into the front and the back: the front corresponds to the toe, and the back corresponds to the heel. According to the height of the back, the shoes can be divided into low top, middle top and high top. Different shoe upper heights will directly affect the comfort, stability and protection of the shoes.
(1) Low top: The height of the upper is lower than the ankle. It ensures the flexibility of the ankle, but it is easy to break the foot, and sand and gravel can easily enter the shoes. Suitable for flat lines with obvious paths.
(2) Middle top: The height of the upper is just above the ankle. Both flexibility and protection are suitable for multi-day lines with a load of less than 30 kg.
(3) High-top: The height of the upper is much higher than the ankle. It increases the balance of the body and provides excellent protection for the ankles. It is suitable for lines with a weight of more than 30 kg and extremely uneven ground. Such shoes are heavy, hard and not easily deformed. After buying it, it will take a period of running-in period. Do not put it on to participate in the activity as soon as you buy it, otherwise your feet will definitely blisters.
After learning the main structure of trekking shoes, we will introduce the classification of trekking shoes from the aspect of using function.
（1）Trail Running Shoes：
It is designed to quickly traverse mature routes lightly, suitable for a variety of terrains, such as dirt roads and undulating gravel roads. Usually a pair of shoes weighs between 650g to 900g.
Features: low top, soft bottom, flexible, light and breathable. Some shoes have Quick Lace Cord Systems.
Disadvantages: poor wear resistance and poor protection of the sole. Best way to use: trail running, short-term light-loaded walking on flat ground.
（2）Light Hiking Shoes：
It is designed for hiking routes that are flat or with little undulations and obvious trails. It is suitable for hiking activities with a weight of 20–30 kg. Usually a pair of hiking shoes will not be much heavier than trail running shoes.
Features: Low-top, weight and wear resistance are both considered, basically no running-in.
Disadvantages: Poor ankle protection, not suitable for long-distance walking in heavy equipment. The best way to use: one to three days of walking, long-distance walking lightly.
（3）Hiking Boots：
Designed for hiking with a weight of more than 30 kg, the weight is between 2 kg and 3 kg (900 g-1350 g).
Features: mid-top or high-top, good ankle protection, wear-resistant sole.
Disadvantages: It takes a long time to run-in, heavier, and poor ankle flexibility.
Best use environment: mountain routes with a load of more than 30 kg and below the snow line.
（4）Mountaineering Boots：
Designed for high altitude mountaineering and hiking in snow and ice environments.
Features: high-top, waterproof, warm, and some brands have crampons.
Disadvantages: very heavy (often more than 1300 grams), it takes a long time to run in, not suitable for hiking on flat ground.
The best use environment: all kinds of mountaineering activities mixed with ice, snow and rocks.
（5）Approaching Shoes:
Designed for rock climbing and walking on steep rocky ground. The appearance is similar to trail running shoes and light walking shoes, and it can also be used on field routes with poor road conditions.
Features: low-top, good grip, similar in weight to light hiking shoes, fits to the feet, and strong sole support.
The best use environment: simple to medium difficulty mountaineering or rock climbing.
The content of this introduction, on the one hand, is for your reference so that you can reasonably determine the shoes you need to buy; on the other hand, please make a reasonable choice according to your actual psychological price.
Outdoor products, although price equals quality. But don’t blindly choose expensive ones, the most important thing is suitable.
Ultimately, whether to buy depends on the appearance, the feel of the try-on, and the wallet. However, even if we have spent a lot of thought, the shoes we bought may not meet the actual requirements of the trekking route.
Especially now that online shopping is prevalent, you need to pay more attention when buying shoes. The brand recommended by a friend is usually carefully selected and tried by him, but it may still be inappropriate for you. Why is this?
The two most important points about hiking shoes:
(1) Meet the requirements of trekking routes.
For example, you who are looking forward to staying at home suddenly want to go out for an hour or two. Or, beginner hikers plan to try their skills, hike and camp with heavy loads.
In these two different situations, the selected route, trekking distance and topography are very different, and the weight is very different. The former has far lower requirements for shoes than the latter.
(2) Meet the foot type.
When we buy shoes, we often only look at the size of the shoes without paying attention to the shape of the feet.
In fact, feet with the same yardage are different in size, that is, fat and thin, different height and width.
For example, for feet of the same size, Europeans are narrower than Americans, and the latter are narrower than Asians, and men’s feet are significantly wider than women’s. If it does not fit the foot shape, it is easy to have problems such as heel sliding in the shoe and shoe grinding.
So be sure to try shoes carefully.
2.Preparation before buying
(1) Items to be equipped
A pair of socks that you plan to wear while hiking, so that you can ensure that the size is still appropriate after wearing the socks. A reminder, socks must not choose cotton.
Cotton is easy to absorb perspiration, but it is not easy to wick away perspiration. When wet, it is easy to stick to the skin, resulting in increased friction and blisters. It is best to choose wool or chemical fiber socks, except nylon, because nylon can cause foot odor.
The above two types of materials not only absorb sweat but also have good sweat wicking properties, and they will not stick to the skin surface after being damp. It should be noted that before wearing, be sure to check whether there is any exposed thread inside the socks. If you have any, you must cut it off, otherwise the socks will grind your feet.
(2) The best time
Usually, the foot size is larger in the afternoon than in the morning, because a day’s walking will make the feet slightly swell, and night creatures please automatically ignore this article. This is also the reason why you should not take off your shoes casually during a break. Try the shoes in the afternoon, the size you bought is more in line with the real situation during exercise. With the preparations done, we can choose shoes.
Here, we mainly explain how to buy hiking boots. The purchasing method of other hiking shoes is similar. What needs attention is to control the weight. As we all know, heavy legs make you tired easily.
And studies have shown that the weight of a catty on the foot is equivalent to the weight of a backpack of 5 catties. As for how to control the weight of shoes, please refer to the second article of this column “The structure and classification of hiking shoes”.
We know a lot about hiking shoes. The next step is to try it on.
The first item is the finger test.
Loosen the laces completely and lean your feet toward the front of the shoes as much as possible.
If you can still put a finger in at this time and there is no pressure on the toes, then the shoes are of the right size. Otherwise, change to half the size of the shoes and retest.
Because our feet will slide forward when going downhill, in order to prevent our thumb from hitting the toe of the shoe, some space must be reserved.
The second item is the barefoot test.
Take off the socks and try them on barefoot. Feel whether the toes are pressed by the shoes, especially small
Above and below the toes and arch of the foot. If there is a sense of pressure, the shoes are narrow.
This test can directly exclude shoes that do not match your foot shape.
The third item is the socks test.
Make sure that the socks are stretched when trying on. There should be no restraint or looseness on any part of the foot.
This scale is indeed difficult to grasp, but it feels like this thing is actually so ambiguous. Buying the right pair of shoes is like falling in love, how easy it is!
When you find the feeling of tightness or looseness, I can be sure that this pair of shoes is 80% suitable for you. But if it still doesn’t work, just add half a size and start from the beginning.
For girls, pay special attention. Because many girls are used to wearing narrow high heels. If you still choose narrow shoes when buying hiking shoes, the possibility of foot problems during the hike will be extremely high.
Because the upper is pushed by the foot for a long time, it will stretch and deform to the outside, resulting in a phenomenon of a large body and a small sole, which affects the stability of the shoe and increases physical exertion.
In severe cases, the upper may even exceed the width of the sole, causing the sole to be embedded in the upper, causing foot pain and blisters.
The fourth item is the walking test.
Put on your shoes, tie your shoelaces, and walk in the outdoor store.
If you obviously feel the heel sliding inside the shoe, the size is too large. It should be noted that if there is only a little slippage, the size is usually no problem, because the friction of the insole of the new shoe is insufficient and the shoe is hard.
The fifth item is the inclined plane test.
When the above four tests are passed, we will test the shoes on the slope. The best angle is 20 degrees, and a larger slope is fine.
If you really can’t estimate the slope, you should definitely prepare your own protractor (you must like it here, haha). Walking down from the top of the slope, if you don’t feel the squeezing of the toes of the shoes, you can basically buy these shoes.
If you have the conditions, it is best to estimate the weight of the hike in advance, and put the same weight on your back when trying the shoes.
After choosing the ideal shoes. There is one final process. That is running-in.
Because new shoes usually have a Pressure Point, which is where the forefoot of the shoe is bent. When the shoes are worn in, this spot disappears naturally, and an obvious mark will be left on the upper.
However, when you try on a brand of shoes, you can’t find the right one, and you need to change to another brand. Because different manufacturers use different molds in production.
Our article is over here. Thank you for spending so much time watching. Hope our article can be helpful to you.
1.Sprain
In case of a sprained finger, stop activities immediately. Apply a cold compress for about 15 minutes. Then wrap it with a cold damp cloth and fix it with tape. If you have a sprained ankle, do not force it. After a cold compress for 24 hours, apply heat, massage and apply medicine.
If you have severe pain in your ankle during activity, you cannot stand and move. There is noise when sprained, and rapid swelling after the injury. It may be a fracture, so go to the hospital for treatment immediately.
2. Water shortage
Hikers should replenish water in small amounts several times, with 100 ml each time. Drinking a lot of water at one time because you are thirsty will increase the burden on the heart and increase the fatigue of the body.
4 grams of salt, 100 grams of glucose and 150 milliliters of orange juice can be added to every 1000 milliliters of drinking water to supplement the nutrients lost by the body.
3. Blisters on the feet
Many hikers blistered on their feet halfway through. Finally dragged the injured foot barely completed the trip. In fact, taking protective measures can completely avoid this painful situation.
For long-distance hikes, you must first keep your feet dry, wear more pairs of sweat-wicking socks, and change your feet if they get wet. Because the new shoes easily make the feet feel uncomfortable, it stimulates the formation of blisters. So it is best to wear old shoes.
If you feel tingling on the soles of your feet while hiking, please stop and check. Whether there is blistering or not, wrap it with a band-aid.
4. Thunderstorm
Although deaths caused by lightning strikes are rare, hikers have to prevent this. When there are thunderstorms in the weather forecast, do not move in narrow valleys or high and open areas.
If you have encountered lightning, you should remove the metal object. Wear a raincoat to avoid getting wet. Don’t use your cell phone, hurry up to find caves or low-lying places for lightning protection.
Hiking boots don't necessarily stretch, but they do break in. That is to say that while they may be very stiff when you purchase them, once they have had some miles put on them, they tend to become slightly more flexible. Man, a nice worn in pair of boots is my best friend on the trail. You should definitely break them in slowly though, like try a short walk for a few times first just to avoid those nasty blisters.
