Cool Camp Gears

Your Complete Camp Assistant!

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We always need footwear even sometimes at home but if you think your usual boots going to be fine for your hiking unlike they are hiking boots, you know what, you are wrong! There is a difference between regular shoes and hiking boots. Yes, it may be ok if you run with a regular one but boots which are specially designed for hiking will give you the extra comfort, as well as shoes, made for walking, will not be lasting too long when you will run with those. However, wearing wrong boots in hiking may cause sustainable injury. However, before coming to your feet, know, how to dress efficiently for your tour of camping. 

Best hiking boots choosing a way for camping

You may already decide to buy hiking boots but before that do you really know “What to look for the best camping boots?”  I mean, what really matters for choosing the best one!

There are lots of types and designs in boots and it may seem little difficult for you to choose the best but no worries! This article is going to make those things easy for you and make you understand which one to choose.

Step one: Select your footwear according to hiking type

First, make the answer of the below three questions then go for it:
1. Are you planning for mountaineering? – Yes/No
2. Are you planning for running? – Yes/No
3. Are you only searching for backpacking? – Yes/No

Let’s know the above three types:

Mountaineering Boots:

These are heaviest and the strongest among all categories. They are suitable for the toughest terrain like a mountain, rocky territory, on or off trails and Snowy paths. They are specially designed for carrying heavy loads. Though they are weighty if you are planning for mountaineering, these will work great.

mountain-shoe

Running or light hiking Boots:

These are the lightest and most flexible among all categories. They are suitable for day hiking, short trips and carrying light loads. They may also be used in running or walking a long distance just because they weigh light so that you will feel ultra-light fit.

light-shoe

Backpacking Boots:

These are not heavy and strong as mountaineering boots but still they are able to carry heavy loads and good for on or off trails. However, they are not light and flexible as Light hiking boots but they are lighter than mountaineering boots and flexible enough for your comfort. You can say, this types of boots are suitable for almost every activities and can fight against almost every condition. For the multi-day tracking and multi-purpose, they will work great.

backpacking-shoe

Before going to details, let’s have a look at the things which matter for boots:

  • Upper cover
  • Weight
  • Water resistance membranes
  • Abrasion resistance power
  • Breathability
  • Durability
  • Internal Supports
  • Insulation system
  • Soles
  • Cut
  • Size

Step two:  Know about the components of hiking boots

This is a very important part of identifying the right one for you just because the quality like weight, flexibility, water resistance, the breathability of boots depends on the materials that they are made of.

Full grain leather:

They are specially made for a long trip and good for backpacking. The durability is excellent and great at abrasion and water resistance. They have the ability to carry heavy loads but one thing to remember that they do not weigh light as well as not very good at breathing.

Split-grain Leather:

You will find a combination of nylon or nylon mesh here which causes the lightweight. Breathability is too good but not so good at abrasion and water resistance but some are found water resistance. Before you buy, check if it is water resistance.

Suede boot:

They are full grain leather and the name defines itself. They are good at durability and flexibility, Performs great in abrasion and water by carrying heavy loads but not weigh too light and not very good at breathing.

Synthetics:

You will find the combination of polyester and nylon here. However, synthetic leather is also very common. They are lighter than leather and dry faster. These are now very common and it costs less than others.

Internal Supports:

– Thick stuff (3 to 5 mm) called shank worked for load bearing stiffness to the midsole.
– This flexible stuff called plates to get a place between mid and outsole to protect feet from rocks and strong roots.

Insulation System:

To hike on snow or glaciers, you will need to find the boots, are designed with synthetic insulation system for warmth.

Soles:

  • Midsoles:
    One of the most common materials for midsole is Polyurethane as well as good at durability. They are really good for long camping and mountaineering.
    Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) is also found generally for midsole which is lighter and less expensive.
  • Outsoles:
    Rubber makes the outsoles for almost all the boots. Hard outsoles may increase the durability and this is why sometimes some additives are added to the boots to boost hardness.

Step Three: Finding the best comfort

For the most comfort, you will have to find the appropriate cut and size. Know how at below:

Cut:
Cuts are also important for your type of activities. The below three cuts will define you which is good for what:

  • Low Cut:
    These are good for light camping. To walk in a very well designed terrain or running on smooth, they may work great.
  • Mid Cut:
    To walk on debris or uneven trails, they may support your ankle with balance and buffer better than low cut.
  • High cut:
    These are for the extreme hiker. They are good for dangerous terrain or on/off trails. Most adventurous people will like it.

Size:

  • Measuring Size:
    You will get the best experience only when the size is accurate. If it is small or large from your feet, surely it is not going to help you. To determine the best size you must know yourself about your feet size and sometimes your size can betray with you like if you wear thin shocks that will give you a size and a bold shock will give another size. So, wear your shocks than make trail.
  • Test Run:
    When the perfect size is measured, spend some time in it. Walk for few minutes, jump, run and if it feels good, go for it.

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How to care for hiking boots

Yes, it is made strong to war against mud, water or tough trails but if you think they do not need care, you are wrong. Three simple steps can make your boots remain great. These are:

  • Clean them.
  • Dry them.
  • Store them.

How to clean:

The accessories you will need to clean:
– Boot brush, Toothbrush, Vegetable brush
– Boot cleaner, Saddle soap, Dishwashing soap.
– Water.

Process:
– Remove the laces, insoles and let them dry,
– If they are dry, brush them first gently,
– An water flow will work great to remove the dirt,
– if you are using footwear cleaner, make sure this cleaner is OK for your boots.
– Detergent and Bar soap may harm to leather and water membranes.
– For mold cleaning, Use a mixture of 85% water and 15% Vinegar,
– Rinse your boots with clean water,
–  Let them dry.

How to dry:

Process:
– Try to dry your boots in a normal temperature,
– You can use a fan,
– If it is wet, use newspaper into it for quick drying and change papers frequently,
– Sunlight is also good for drying,
– Dry in a place where the humidity is low.
– Conditioner can be used for full grain leather but be sure that your boots are appropriate for this.
– Store them.

How to Store:

Process:
– Store your boots when they are dry well,
– Store your boots in a normal and stable temperature.

Warnings:

  • Do not brush too roughly on the leather while cleaning
  • Using any heat source to dry them quick may cause damage,
  • Do not put them in a washing machine,
  • Stay care full while using soap or detergent,
  • Do not store when they are wet.

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Get your boots and drive the adventure.