How To Choose a Backpacking Shoe?

Source: 

 Most people have a hard time choosing the footwear that is going to be ideal for their backpacking trip. This is normal as backpacking requires a very special type of boot, as backpacking is a very demanding activity on your body. Your back is going to have to endure a lot of pressure and weight as your backpack is going to be heavy, full of gear.

 This can put a lot of pressure on your back, which can lead to bad body posture if you are not wearing the right kind of shoes. It can also lead to severe damages to your knee and ankle joints, so you can see why it is crucial to choose the right backpacking shoes.

 Backpacking boots need to be light and easy to carry around. This way the demand on your knees will be minimal. The shoes need to reach over your ankle by a few centimetres so that your ankles are in a stable state, and don't move around. This prevents injuries and shocks to your joints that occur otherwise due to the uneven surface of the track.

 The sole of the boot has to be made of stiff, rigid material, this keeps your feet in a stable state. The shoe really benefits from some additional cushioning that makes sure that your feet are comfortable in the boots. These features will keep your feet stable and in a set position all the way. This will prevent injuries that would be very painful and would keep you at home for months when you wouldn't be able to backpack.

In order to protect my soles even more, I use running socks that have extra cushioning at the soles. Such products usually have a bit of plush in these areas that minimises the impact of the ground on your feet.

 The shoe must be made of some kind of breathable material. This can be achieved with materials that have little holes in them that allows the moisture to escape your boots. Even if your feet gets wet the water can escape the shoe in the form of vapour, so your feet will be dry and hygienic even in the most severe weather conditions.

 Speaking of dry feet, the best hiking boots must be waterproof. The trail is often wet in the forest, and you can be hit with a rain any time, so you must be ready for anything that might happen. Waterproof boots will guarantee that your feet will stay dry.

 The boot also has to be made of durable material. Such materials that they use for manufacturing hiking boots are plastic, leather or textile. Leather is the best in my opinion, but it is the most expensive and hardest to come by as well. It is a breathable, durable, natural material, but it is very expensive. Nylon is not that bad, and with current mass production it is the most common material that they use for manufacturing hiking boots.

 All in all you need durable, comfortable and waterproof boots. These are what you have to look for in the best hiking boots.