How to choose hiking shoes. Hiking shoes: how to choose and not regret

Hiking shoes are one of the most important conditions for your comfort. Incorrectly selected shoes can be the main disappointment of your trip - you can rub calluses, injure your leg, or worse, frostbite your limbs.

To prevent this from happening, you need to choose the right hiking boots and then a heavy expedition will seem like an easy walk and will allow you not to be distracted by discomfort and fully enjoy nature.

What is the most comfortable hiking shoe?

When choosing hiking shoes, it is necessary to pay attention to a number of requirements:

• Firstly, shoes must be durable so that they do not stick out or spread out at the most crucial moment. After all, you can be many kilometers from civilization, and a torn shoe can ruin your entire trip.
• Secondly, it must be moisture resistant, as your health and comfort depend on it. Soaked boots can rub your feet more, which will cause discomfort. The saying "keep your feet warm" has a certain meaning: if your feet get cold, then a cold is almost inevitable.
• Thirdly, it should be comfortable, and not bring inconvenience, so that it sits well on the leg, but, not back-to-back, preferably worn out before the first hike.
• Fourth, shoes should protect the foot well from injury. It is desirable to have rubber protection on the toe, a durable and non-slip sole, fixation on the ankle joint from dislocation.

Shoe classification

Hiking shoes can be divided into three segments: winter, summer and autumn-spring. By classification:

• Walking;
• trekking;
• Off-road shoes;
• Extreme (for mountain climbing).

Tourist sandals

Most often, travelers opt for shoes with sandals in the summer, but they can also be taken on autumn or spring hikes so that your feet can rest on halts.

They are great for crossing rivers, as they dry quickly and do not pick up moisture. trekking sandals are worn in simple hikes, where there is no need to constantly climb mountainous terrain, they are suitable for trails, trails, paths, and simple rough terrain.

Sandals may have a closed toe to protect the toes from injury. As with all hiking shoes, they must have a good sole with good tread and cushioning. The advantages of hiking sandals are low weight, so as an addition, you can take them with you if they are not the main one. hiking shoes, but on halts the legs will rest and "breathe".

By classification: walking and tourist footwear.

Hiking shoes in summer - trekking shoes / boots

Summer models are more like powerful sneakers than boots that resemble military boots. Suitable for hiking in the summer.

In such shoes, the ventilation system is well developed, in hot weather the debate of the legs is minimized. Summer hiking sneakers can have a reinforced rubberized tram so that the toe does not get beaten. They have a light mass, some models can weigh about 600-700 grams, despite the powerful sole.

AT summer models Hiking shoes are already widely used various membrane technologies to remove moisture from the feet. The properties of membrane fabrics are such that they allow steam from the legs to come out, but moisture from the external environment is reluctant to let in.

Currently, this segment is the most popular among all hiking shoes and you can choose from a large number of models.

By classification: walking and trekking model.

Boots for off-season walks

Suitable for use from mid-autumn to early spring. At a time when the weather deteriorates, increased humidity and dirt are possible, the temperature at night tends to zero, and during the day it is even more or less warm.

Hiking boots designed for such weather use Goretex technology membrane fabric, which has the property of being waterproof, while at the same time allowing the steam coming from the feet to pass through.

Vibram technology is often used for the outsole, which is characterized by durable rubber and excellent traction. The design of the boot provides ankle support.

And we considered self-inflating mats.

In these models, you can go hiking in the summer, especially in the temperate zone, when the temperature during the day does not exceed 25-30 degrees Celsius. When choosing off-season shoes in the store, first of all pay attention to the sole and the quality of the material!

By classification: trekking shoes, off-road shoes.

Winter boots

Winter shoes are more massive, the skin is thicker, more than 2 millimeters. The membrane technologies used in this type of footwear are diverse: from Gore-Tex to OutDry, from eVent to Dermizax ZR.

There must be ventilation so that steam comes out, otherwise, after stopping, the feet may freeze from moisture. The boots have a thick "tractor" sole with good grip on the surface, fastenings for crampons are possible.

An example of winter boots with crampons

When choosing, pay attention that the foot remains free, otherwise the leg will freeze. Keep in mind that thick socks are worn in winter, and maybe even two socks, but the leg should not hang out either. You can’t put on new shoes for a hike right away, you need to break them in at least a month in everyday life.

By classification: off-road shoes.

Extreme hiking boots

Such shoes are designed for climbing mountains to a height of up to 5 thousand meters. Boots consist of two layers: outer and inner boot.

• External- these are plastic boots that are absolutely waterproof, strong, practically not bending, with the exception of the heel, so that you can bend over, there are fasteners for cats, heel fixation, powerful lacing and Velcro.
• Inner boot. Insulation liner based on one of the technologies (Gore-Tex, OutDry, etc.), breathable, soft.

Thanks to this design, several air layers are created inside, the foot remains free and does not freeze. For example, the model shown in the picture is MOUNTAIN GUIDE PRO GTX by Garmont, designed for hiking in the mountains in all weather conditions in winter period time to altitudes up to 5000 meters.

Membrane technologies

In hiking circles, discussions do not cool down on the topic, which membrane is better for shoes? To date, there are several types of technologies on the market, the most famous of which are: Gore-tex, eVent, OutDry.

What is the main purpose of the membrane and what does it give?

The main purpose is to remove steam and sweat from the body, through the material, and at the same time moisture resistance from the outside. Roughly speaking, the membrane allows moisture to pass through only in one direction - from the body, and also allows you to breathe.

Membrane OutDry

The OutDry membrane is used by outdoor apparel and footwear manufacturers. OutDry technology creates a waterproof breathable barrier. The waterproof layer is attached directly to the outer fabric, without seams and without any gaps to prevent water from penetrating inside.

The technology was developed by the Italian company Nextec SRL. On August 4, 2010, Columbia Sportswear signed an agreement to acquire OutDry TECHNOLOGIES SRL with Nextec SRL, which owns the intellectual property and other assets that include the OutDry brand.

Presently Columbia uses this technology in the production of its shoes and clothing.

Gore-Tex membrane

Gore-tex is the most common membrane fabric on the market today for tourist clothing and footwear. The fabric consists of three layers: outer and inner (lining) fabric and membrane located between them. The main property of Gore-Tex is water resistance.

Gore-tex materials are based on polytetrafluoroethylene and other fluoropolymer materials. Fabrics under the Gore-Tex brand may differ in their properties, depending on the marking. But, as a rule, such fabrics are waterproof, breathable and windproof.

eVent membrane

Breathable, steam wicking, waterproof fabric. In the cold season, it copes with its duties excellently, as well as in high humidity.

EVent is a great technology, but it is more suitable for outerwear than for hiking shoes, and there is an explanation for everything. It has pores that can quickly become clogged on shoes, and then it loses its main properties of removing steam from shoes. In addition, it is not elastic enough, and in these indicators it is inferior to OutDry and Gore-Tex.

Summarizing, we can say that when choosing shoes, one should pay attention to OutDry technologies or Gore-Tex classics. When choosing outerwear, eVent will fit perfectly, which will be able to give odds in many respects to its competitors.

How to dry membrane shoes on a hike?

I want to tell everyone right away that in no case should you dry over a fire or put shoes next to it. Any heat is detrimental to the membrane.

Take a dry cloth and wipe the fabric from the outside, take out the insoles and put them in a dry place to dry. Inside stuff toilet paper or napkins. That's it, put your sneakers in some dry place and leave them. The paper will gradually absorb moisture and after a few hours everything will be dry.

If there is no money for special shoes

After all, not everyone goes hiking professionally and constantly, many may want to go once, test their strength and feelings from such a walk.

If your excursion is limited to a few days in the forest or a trip to some not very difficult terrain, then you can take any shoes at all: sneakers, sneakers, sandals. For a hike in the mountains, you need to find some kind of sneakers stronger. There is no question of any moccasins, weights, felt boots and galoshes, choose either boots or sneakers.

The most important thing - should be a heel so that when you walk for a long time, your feet do not hurt. With a flat sole, you can walk 5-10 kilometers without problems, then problems begin.

The main difference between specialized tourist shoes and simple ones is special waterproof materials, membranes, so if you are going to walk in a non-rainy season, then there is not much difference whether you have a trekking model on your feet or a regular one from the market.

• AT winter time wear shoe covers so that snow does not get into the boot;
• Wear thermal socks - they wick away moisture and steam. Cotton socks absorb moisture;
• Winter shoes should be one size larger than yours. put on thick socks;
• If the legs are cramped, they will freeze faster.

Manufacturers and brands

Today there are many different manufacturers. When choosing shoes for yourself, especially for hiking in the mountains, pay attention to such companies:

The North Face, Garmont, Columbia Sportswear Co, Merrell, Salomon, Timberland, Vasque, Lowa, Keen

By purchasing goods from these manufacturers, you can be sure of the excellent quality of the product and that your sole will not fall off halfway.

When choosing equipment for traveling through the taiga, you need to start, perhaps with the simplest, but at the same time, perhaps with the most important thing - with shoes.
More recently, the entire selection of hiking shoes came down to sneakers, rubber boots, hiking or army boots.
There is no need to seriously talk about sneakers as shoes for a difficult journey through the taiga.

Rubber boots can do a good job in highly moist, waterlogged soil. At the same time, in glued boots, the legs get tired less, however, cast boots are more durable, they are not so afraid of sharp dry branches. But, to be honest, going on a long taiga journey, a fair part of which will pass through the swamps, it is naive to assume that you will be able to keep your feet dry. In any case, geologists, prospectors and other field workers, when they receive rubber boots and know that they will have to work in swamps, usually immediately pierce these shoes so that water flows in and out, so to speak, on their own. If every time you scoop up water, stop and pour it out of your boots, then there will be no time to work.

More than one generation of tourists flaunted in ordinary tourist or similar high army boots. This is a good, durable, in many ways versatile hiking shoe. The boots, taken one size larger, allow you to insert a felt insole and wear a thick sock, and the high lacing tightly wraps around the ankle. It is necessary that the toe of the boot does not press on the fingers. In order to increase the water-repellent properties of the boot and the elasticity of the skin, it is necessary to impregnate it with a mixture of fifty grams of paraffin and two hundred grams of drying oil heated over low heat, to which one hundred grams of rubber glue and one hundred grams of castor oil must be successively added. Before adding a new ingredient to a warm mass, it is important to thoroughly mix the liquid first, achieving its uniformity. In hiking conditions, boots can be lubricated with any unsalted fat. At the same time, the boot must first be heated by the flame of a primus stove or a fire (the main thing is not to overheat it, otherwise the skin will warp), and then apply a thin layer of fat. This procedure must be repeated several times, until, when pressed on the skin, fat begins to appear from it. In the absence of fat, you can improve the waterproofness of shoes by impregnating them with tar. Tar is easy to get from birch bark if you put it in a tightly closed container and heat it over low heat until a dark, sharp-smelling liquid forms. This liquid is the tar, which is used to lubricate dry and slightly warmed shoes by the fire.

A few years ago on Russian market the so-called trekking shoes appeared, specially designed for trips of varying complexity - from weekend hikes to climbing Everest. Let's leave aside boots for high-altitude and polar expeditions and turn to middle-class shoes, which are perfect for taiga travel.

Good trekking boots are usually made from a single piece of oiled leather or water-repellent nubuck, lined with breathable membrane fabrics such as gore-tex or Cambrelle, which makes the boots durable, waterproof, ensures the dryness of the foot and the removal of water vapor from the shoe. Vibram rubber outsole provides excellent grip on any surface. The asymmetrical tongue, high cuff and quick lacing/unlacing system of the boot fixes the foot well without constricting the blood vessels and ensures uniform contact of the foot with the boot.

In shoes for difficult hikes, an intermediate shock-absorbing sole made of ethyl vinyl acetate, polyurethane, nylon and various shock-absorbing inserts are necessarily provided, which protects the foot from excessive shock loads during long transitions and reduces the risk of foot tuck. Reinforced heel and toe protect the foot from impact, and an anatomical insole, supporting the arch of the foot, reduces foot fatigue. Comfort in these boots is guaranteed. Manufacturers whose product quality is not in doubt - Salomon, Garmont, Dolomite, La Sportiva, One Sport.

Sometimes in stores you can see trekking sneakers. Most of these shoes are designed for walking and running over rough terrain, recreation and sports in nature, walking in the forest, and not for long-term complex taiga expeditions. However, some models (such as Adidas pleva, Eider kwad high), made using almost the same technology as trekking boots, looks quite decent and can probably be used in serious hiking. Whatever your hiking shoes are, they should first of all be broken in and only then go on a trip.

It may happen that during the campaign the boots will become completely unusable or will be lost. Then you have to start making impromptu shoes. The simplest sandals can be made from a piece of wood and cloth. To do this, a small piece of fabric, animal skin or tree bark is sewn to the wooden sole with threads, thin branches, tendons.

More convenient are soft shoes made of leather or animal skins, made in the manner of those worn by northern peoples and hunters in the east and north of our country - moccasins, ichigi, olochi. These are high boots without soles and heels, made of kamus - skins from the legs of an elk or other deer.

To remove the skin from a dead animal, circular incisions are made in the upper and lower parts of the joint, and then, tearing off the skin from the leg, pull it through the hoof. After dressing, the skin removed in this way remains tightly sewn along the lower edge, make an incision for the leg at the top, along the edges of which pierce holes for the laces. As a sole, you can use an additional piece of skin, hemmed to the bottom of the moccasins. Dry grass or moss will serve as insoles in such shoes.

In any weather (unless it's too hot), it's better to wear woolen socks rather than cotton socks while camping. The latter very often stray into folds, which are easy to rub on the legs. In rubber or tarpaulin boots, footcloths are wound over the toe.

Who will benefit from the article

• For beginners who are determined to go hiking
• Those who go on a multi-day hike for the first time and want to buy equipment themselves
• For lovers who already have an idea about the right shoes, to systematize knowledge
• Critics who like to argue in the comments

• Experienced Super Professionals
• Dinosaurs counting canvas and berets best friends tourist

The main thing

Shoes- most important element equipment, it is permissible to treat it mediocre only for the first simple exits. If your friends invited you on a weekend hike, you can put on your favorite sneakers, and maybe you are lucky, and you will feel all the pain and suffering from bad shoes the first time. And if not, then you will go on a more difficult hike with the confidence that you don’t need to wear anything special on your feet, remembering the previous sunny hike along the paths of some national park. And now, already in difficult conditions, there may appear serious problems, and feet worn into the blood - is nonsense. The fact is that on a hike, your shoes are like a car during a road trip: the more reliable it is, the less likely it is to break down, which threatens to stop or, in the worst case, an accident. It is the same with shoes, the main thing is to realize this before the hike, and not in the middle of the route, in the deep forest or on a high mountain.

What is the difference between hiking shoes and city shoes?

“I wore the exact same sneakers for 5 years!” - my frustrated comrade claimed on the second day of the trip, looking at the completely peeled off sole from both sneakers at once.

We will not scold city shoes for poor quality, especially since this is not so. What is meant for the city can walk the streets for years. In the campaign, a number of additional loads appear, which ordinary sneakers cannot withstand. Multidirectional loads on descents and ascents, regular contact with tree roots and sharp stones, a lot of water and moisture, and plus 10-15 kilograms of additional backpack weight. Accordingly, when designing shoes for tourism, various methods are used to resist these destructive factors. These are reinforced seams using strong threads, and fundamentally different materials, including shoe glue, and most importantly, thoughtful design reliability, while design is always a priority for city shoes. Hiking shoes are tougher, stronger and much more comfortable (we are talking about using them on a hike).

Types of footwear for tourism

There is no shoe in which you will feel equally comfortable in fundamentally different conditions, so before buying you need to decide where and how you will use it.

Equipment is not mathematics, so there is no single formula by which hiking shoes are classified. Moreover, brands, competing in the ingenuity of advertising moves, often introduce new types and subspecies, finally weaving the already confusing terminology. We will not complicate things with you, but simply build a chain of supposed conditions of use from simple to complex.

1. Quite simply, no obstacles, no terrain, no backpack.

This applies to urban tourism and simple travel. Yes, there are such shoes too, and they are much more comfortable than fashionable urban items. In summer, these are sandals, open sneakers or light sneakers with a mesh, and for cold weather, insulated sneakers and boots. Unlike ordinary city shoes, specialized shoes have a comfortable anatomical sole and much more wear-resistant materials (we will talk more about technologies and materials below). Among manufacturers, such terms as Life style or City style shoes are often found and often they look no worse. fashion sneakers from famous brands.

2. Simple, but possible obstacles, not paved trails light backpack.

This is where we need a little protection. For example, there are sandals with a closed impact-resistant toe that will protect your fingers from damage. The simple, lightweight mesh on sneakers can be torn by tree roots or bushes, so you need to look in the direction of more durable upper materials. Western manufacturers often call such shoes hiking, and sometimes even shoes for light trekking.

3. Difficult, sloping terrain, difficult paths, many obstacles, a noticeable weight of the backpack.

As soon as the terrain gets into the expected conditions, elevation changes, and more simply, when you are going to go to the mountains, you will need additional protection, in addition, the weight of the backpack begins to put a serious strain on the ankle. First of all, it is important to fix the leg, preventing dislocations and sprains. Hiking and trekking boots of medium height cope with this. Often in foreign names you can see the word middle or mid, which actually means medium in height. In addition, the high height, combined with moisture-resistant materials, helps keep your feet from getting wet. Accordingly, the requirements for wear resistance of such boots increase significantly. Here you can choose light and soft (relative to more specialized mountain boots) trekking boots.

In some cases, you can opt for hard high mountain boots, which will provide you with even more protection, but due to the extra weight and greater leg support, you will be more tired on sections with good trails. In this connection, I repeat once again, think carefully about where and how you will use your shoes.

For example, for a hike to the foot of Belukha (the highest mountain of Altai), heavy boots are not necessary: ​​since the route is very popular and passes along a well-trodden path, light trekking boots of medium height will be enough. At the same time, to climb Belukha, you need a serious, hard boot with the possibility of attaching "cats". In this case, you can walk to the foot in light sneakers, and put on a specialized boot for the ascent. Of course, carrying an extra pair of shoes is not easy, but sometimes this is the most correct option. And if you start doing it professionally or at least regularly, then your ankle will be more trained and will allow you to use light and soft trekking boots more often.

4. Very difficult - sports and extreme climbing

Here the main rule is reliable protection of the legs from any damage and weather conditions, despite the weight and even comfort. From simple mountain boots with increased stiffness to high-tech multi-component climbing boots, these are all professional equipment that need to be disassembled in much more detail, which is beyond the indicated scope of this article.

If suddenly you are going on a difficult categorical hike, first of all consult with the route leader about what kind of shoes you should use. If you are a leader, but for some reason you are reading an article for beginners, then I ask you, do not put the lives of participants in such danger find an experienced guide!

5. Not just walking.

Running shoes are a separate topic for the article, and despite the fact that they are also designed for active use, it is better not to use them on hiking trips. I especially don't recommend using highly advertised fitness shoes with foot destabilization - they may really stimulate your muscles to develop, but destabilization at the moment when you are climbing a mountain can be, to put it mildly, dangerous. Remember the simplest rule - to use shoes for their intended purpose: gathered for a race, yes, take running shoes, go hiking, take hiking shoes.

There are also a number of specialized models for outdoor enthusiasts. For example, while rafting, you will need special sandals that slip less on wet stones, dry faster and do not accumulate water inside. Climbing requires rock shoes, yachting requires non-slip boots, and cycling has contact and non-contact boots. In addition, there are also non-standard options like five fingers from vibram, their concept involves preserving the natural sensations of walking and playing sports, while protecting the foot from damage.

Anatomy of a hiking boot or "Why are trekking shoes so expensive?"

External material

The task of the outer layer is to resist the environment, be sufficiently wear-resistant, but at the same time light, at the same time not let water through from the outside and remove moisture from the inside. All these are not easy tasks, and developers are constantly refining their models, which inevitably affects the final price.

I already wrote in detail about the materials in another article, this knowledge is applicable to shoes. It is worth adding that shoes are still often made from genuine leather or nubuck (treated leather), as this material is really wear-resistant. But synthetic materials in our time are able to resist nature no worse, and sometimes even more effectively. In addition, synthetics are much lighter than leather and dry faster after being completely wet. It is believed that the fewer individual parts in the material of the top of the boots, the more reliable it is, since the shoes are first rubbed at the seams. However, this should not be the deciding factor when choosing trekking shoes, as the seams in quality shoes made reliably and in the right places, and the final cost is often cheaper than solid models.

The use of a membrane in shoes is justified, however, the care of the shoes must be appropriate. You should not have any illusions about the absolute impermeability of the membrane, as well as its ultra-high breathing ability. If you are interested in how the membrane works, I recommend reading the corresponding one. And here I note that the use of the membrane in trekking shoes has increased the comfort of hiking at times, and this is a fact. If you want to argue and say that the skin is cooler, then I even agree, but the skin is a kind of natural membrane, it also does not let water drop through, but it does let steam through; that's just the skin gradually absorbs moisture, and quickly dry it without consequences, it is extremely difficult. And of course, both the membrane and the skin, special impregnations come to the rescue, helping to repel moisture, and these impregnations must be periodically restored.

Sole

Perhaps the most complex and important element of any hiking shoe is its sole. The purpose of the outsole is to resist tucking in all directions, absorb shock, provide thermal insulation, protect against sharp objects, and perform reliably on a variety of surfaces, providing precise traction. Each task in good boots is solved by different layers, and the sole in this case consists of a whole sandwich of different materials.

Most often you will find the vibram badge on the sole in stores, but this is only part of the sole - the outsole, made of rubber of special durability. Vibram is a trademark under which many different soles are produced and not only (five fingers shoes, for example). Of course, the use of vibram is good, but manufacturers do not always use it correctly, and fakes have been around for a long time. You can protect yourself from copies only by buying goods in good shops who you trust.

In addition to the lower layer in contact with the surfaces, the sole may consist of a torsion element, a vibration damping layer, a heel caliper, reinforcing struts and other elements. Manufacturers pay sole Special attention, and over the years, hundreds of types of structures have been invented using completely diverse materials. Are they needed? Certainly! All these elements are designed to protect your legs, and not only your feet, but also, for example, your knees (the vibration damping layer reduces shock loads), ultimately preserving your health.

Insole

An essential part of a good trekking shoe. Quality insoles have additional arch support and anti-pronation support, as well as an additional heel vibration damper and a breathable base. The presence of antibacterial treatment is also important, since in hiking and traveling there is no opportunity to change socks and wash shoes often. For especially cold hikes, as well as people with problems with blood vessels, there are insoles with electric heating.

However, the insole is a problematic place for shoes, but not through the fault of the manufacturers. Each person's foot is unique, so it is simply impossible to produce insoles suitable for everyone. Fortunately, the insoles can be changed and purchased separately, and in special cases it is possible to manufacture custom-made special orthopedic insoles but it's quite expensive.

Other

For lacing in serious models, metal loops are used, which are more reliable than textile and lurex, in addition, they provide easier and faster tightening of the laces. Synthetic insulation is added to winter options. Heavy-duty boots may have a fully rubberized bottom, and higher models have a raised welt for attaching ice climbing crampons. Climbing shoes have a complex multi-piece construction of a warm inner felt boot and a hard plastic outer layer, somewhat reminiscent of ski boot. Various models may have additional structural elements, each of which I will not dwell on, since there will be separate articles on professional and specialized options. Subscribe to the email newsletter, you might be interested.

Travel footwear brands

In general, there are quite a lot of manufacturers of good shoes, but unfortunately not all of them can be found on the Russian market. Here I will only list the most famous and most respected firms among compatriots:

Asolo, Lowa, Scarpa, La Sportiva, Meindl, Dolomite, Zamberlan, Millet, Garmont, lomer, Keen, Vasque, Salewa...

Is not full list, but rather the one whose models I happened to feel personally. In addition to them, one can note salomon, sometimes producing good boots, but for some reason, reviews specifically for this company are always contradictory. Also, shoes are often produced by so-called multi-brands, which make all the equipment without specializing specifically in shoes, for example mammoth(Raichle), American The North Face or German Jack Wolfskin.

I'm standing in the store, what to look for?

1. Clearly define the conditions for applying a future purchase

This is the most important step, as soon as you solve this issue, you will be faced with a choice of at best a dozen pairs (speaking of a large store, in my city there will be 2-3 options at most).

2. After solving the first point, you will only have to try on all available options

Absolutely everything! Do not think about appearance, this will be the last factor when choosing. Remember: hiking shoes should be as comfortable as possible.

Since the materials of trekking shoes are stronger and stiffer than those of everyday urban shoes, hiking shoes are much more difficult to "break in". That is, over time, it rubs very little, unlike the usual city shoes.

Wear both shoes, lace up well, go shopping in them. If you feel real discomfort, take it off! If in 15 minutes you feel something is wrong, in many days and kilometers it will multiply many times over! Conversely, if the first use did not cause discomfort, most likely the boot will suit you well. Never listen to advice about the comfort of certain models, human legs are as different as our faces. What is convenient for one person may be a bucket of nails for another.

3. Get the right size

You can’t take it back to back, the standard rule is: completely relax the laces and, inserting your foot inward, move it forward so that your fingers touch the front wall, while your index finger should freely enter between your heel and the back of the boot. This way, when you lace up your boot and the heel snaps into place, your toes will have plenty of room in front. Failure to comply with this rule threatens with calluses and pain in the fingers after long descents. Don't pay attention to the size numbers, just take according to your feelings.

Also pay attention to the width of the last and the feel in the heel area: it should not hang freely up and down - this means that the boot is too high for you, try lacing the boot, if the heel still comes off the sole, take the next model.

4. If you don't already have one, get a special trekking sock and try it on with it

The special sock has bulges in places subject to heavy loads, which reduces the likelihood of chafing. In addition, trekking socks are often better at wicking away moisture. If you intend to use the boot in cold weather, consider wearing a thick sock, and you need a small margin inside the boot, which in summer can be compensated with a thicker insole.

I bought shoes, what else you need to know

After you have gone through all the stages of choosing trekking shoes, you need to break them in properly. you read well the last sentence? Necessarily! To carry before the first serious campaign! This is not an urban soft rag: the more serious hiking shoes, the more thoroughly they need to be broken in!

A heavy trekking boot needs to be broken in for more than a dozen days, if you don’t want to do this or for some reason you can’t, then promise that you will remember this article, come back and send me a photo of your corns after the hike. Then I will compile a gallery of mistakes of modern tourists.

For pre-breaking in, short, half-hour walks around the city will be enough, so that the hard materials begin to rub against your foot, but have not yet had time to rub.

Shoe care

Now it is very important not to ruin what you have been choosing for so long. And the most common killing of shoes is drying using burners, fires, hot stones, batteries and other heating elements. You can dry shoes only when room temperature, in a natural way. The only thing that can be used is inserting crumpled paper inside, which will absorb excess moisture. Even in the open scorching sun, heavily soaked shoes should not be placed. If you do not follow these rules, the materials of your shoes will deform, crack, the glue will lose its strength, as a result, at best, you will again have to endure regular blisters, and at worst, you will lose your shoes altogether.

Of course, it is unpleasant to put on wet shoes in the morning, but while you are walking, there will be no discomfort in good shoes, and a thick trekking sock will help against the formation of corns in a wet pair of leather boots. In addition, if the rain continues to fall, then there is simply no point in spending huge efforts on drying and risking boots.

Links to other sites

I propose to continue the educational program and read articles on the same topic from other resources. I find it really helpful to read the alternatives, so you can better remember the most important points.

• Article - a review on a popular site among professionals - risk.ru
• Translation of an article by American traveler Brandon Lampley, who went through all of America "through"
• Review of the personal collection of shoes of a good traveler - Dmitry Kovinov
• A good review on the pages of LiveJournal 21 manufacturer of travel shoes

P.S.

It turned out a lot of text, but I hope this will help in choosing your faithful companions, and you will walk hundreds or even thousands of kilometers with them through the most amazing places on our amazing planet! The more carefully you prepare for travel, the less things will distract you from true pleasure. Enjoy your hikes, take care of your shoes and they will save you!

Shoes are one of the most important components of a successful trip. The comfort and pleasure that you get from traveling, as well as your health, depends on the quality and convenience of the boots. Since you are going to where no car will pass, and sometimes even a helicopter will not reach, then legs are the most expensive thing you have.

Before delving into questions right choice hiking couple Let's figure out what it's for.

There are several types of shoes for outdoor activities and travel. Most often, in the most general form, alpine and trekking shoes are distinguished. Alpine, as the name implies, is intended for high-altitude mountain climbs, but for long walks under a backpack through forests and swamps, it is not very convenient.

Trekking shoes are a more vague concept. This may include both winter and lighter, summer shoes, and intermediate options, and even urban ones, but in general, trekking shoes are called shoes designed for tracking, i.e. simple hiking trails in the forest and mountainous (not high-mountainous!) areas. It is distinguished by several features:

• good grip on a variety of surfaces;
• protection of legs from exposure to low temperature, moisture, mechanical impact of the underlying relief;
• fixation of the ankle;
• high wear resistance in mountainous conditions.

This is exactly what you need if you are planning a hiking autonomous trip in the mountains or forests, which does not include difficult ascents.

Trekking shoes and boots: what for what?

In summer, for a short hike in the forest, you can wear comfortable, durable sneakers. The best thing for this is not running shoes, but a hybrid of sneakers and trekking boots, made of durable water-repellent fabric and equipped with a tractor sole.

The main difference between trekking sneakers and trekking boots is the absence of a high top that fixes the ankle, as well as a relatively soft sole (albeit stiffer than regular sneakers). The advantage of such shoes is their light weight and better ventilation, which makes them versatile both for wearing in the city and for simple trips outside of it.

However, with the onset of the autumn-spring thaw or as the route becomes more difficult, the sneakers begin to unequivocally lose trekking boots. So, to travel with a backpack in the mountainous Crimea, or in most cases (except for a hot summer), you will already have to abandon the former in favor of the latter. The reason for this is one, but very significant. Sneakers will protect your feet from adverse factors to a lesser extent than full-fledged boots: small pebbles are filled with a bang, water is scooped up more easily, dirt is more stuffed, it is easier to tuck or hurt your leg in them. But the health and integrity of your two is the key to the success of the entire hiking trip.

How to choose the right shoes?

The main thing to understand when buying shoes for mountain travel is that, firstly, they must be reliable (be durable, protect the foot from injury and getting wet, maintain the internal microclimate), and secondly, comfortable. What to look for when choosing a model?

1. Sole

The sole should be made of non-slip rubber and have a deep Vibram type tread that allows small stones and dirt to fall out by itself, and the foot does not slip on various surfaces. At the same time, the sole must have sufficient rigidity in all axes for bending and twisting, but at the same time absorb shock loads. Also, the sole should be thick and have a small heel and an anatomical shape if you do not want to earn flat feet or overload your back.

1. Outer boot material

It must be durable and water repellent. To do this, leather or nubuck impregnated with a special water-repellent composition is used as the outer material. Nubuck, unlike leather, does not crack with frequent wetting and drying, and scratches on it do not spread. It is good if the toe and bottom of the boot are reinforced with durable rubber, which protects the foot from bumps and stones.

It is usually advised to choose shoes with a minimum number of seams, because the seam joints are the weakest places to tear and get wet. However, on some lightweight models of trekking boots, a large number of seams and inserts made of synthetic materials such as Cordura. Just make sure that the connecting seams are overlapped with multiple stitching.

Good trekking boots do not get wet, but at the same time they must remove excess moisture to the outside. To do this, the lining often (but not always) uses a membrane material (usually GORE-TEX or similar). Such a fabric does not pass water in the liquid state, but passes it in the vapor state, i.e. allows the feet to "breathe" and at the same time not get wet from the outside.

1. Comfortable boot design

We are talking about the anatomical shape, and just the convenience of the model. Modern manufacturers of high-quality trekking shoes take into account many anatomical features of the foot in the design of the boot: asymmetric tongue and lacing, anatomical shape of the sole, insole, instep, more rounded heel on women's and more convex on men's models, and so on. In all this variety of "chips" you need to remember a few important things.

Firstly, the insole should have an anatomical shape that supports the arch of the foot well. Secondly, the tongue of the boot must be sewn in so that water does not flow in, and there should not be any seams or protrusions inside the boot, otherwise they will rub when walking. Thirdly, the top of the boot should be high enough to cover the ankle and fix it well. This is necessary to minimize the risk of injury while walking. Even such a “harmless little thing” as a sprained leg or just a bruise in autonomous travel can become a problem.

Fitting

When you come to the store and start trying on all the models you like, do not rush to buy - walk around in boots for about 15 minutes, carefully listening to the sensations. The choice must be made carefully and thoughtfully. Here are a few more tips to help you make the right decision.

1. The fitting should be carried out on a thick sock, preferably the one with which you plan to wear shoes on a hike. Sock selection is a separate issue. We only note that if you take shoes with a membrane, then this membrane will fully function only with a synthetic sock, because, unlike cotton, it does not absorb sweat, but takes it further to the membrane.
2. The shoe should sit on the foot "like a cast", as if it was created especially for you. It should neither hang out, nor reap, nor rub. It should be as comfortable as possible.
3. At the same time, a small margin (thick with a finger) should still remain in the toe part. It is necessary because otherwise, on the descents or when stammering, the toes will be injured. The stock will also come in handy when you decide to pry off a thicker one. warm sock. From this we conclude that the ideal fit of the boot should be achieved not through the selection of "size to size", but through thoughtful adjustable lacing, comfortable construction, the right insole, and so on.
4. Try not to buy boots right before a hike - it's better to wear them a little before going on a long journey. This will save you from calluses and corns, which can incapacitate (or at least mental balance) even a trained tourist.

We wish you success in your search for your hiking pair!

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ASOLO Fugitive GTX Trekking Boots

My new go-to boots for multi-day hikes and trekking from summer 2016. Each tourist has his own criteria and requirements for boots. I have only three main requirements for shoes of this class - that they sit comfortably, are not heavy and not very hot. Still, I go most of the trips in the vicinity of Krasnaya Polyana, but here it is mostly hot here. Having measured everything that is possible, I again, with great surprise for myself, settled on Asolo. The choice of shoes is generally a hell of a subjective matter, but it turns out that the Italians guessed very well with the block - it was too great they sat on my leg with a rather narrow heel. Prior to that, for eight years (!!!) I went in an almost complete analogue - the release of 2008, in which I went trekking to the Everest base camp and from the bottom of my heart I was in the vicinity of Krasnaya Polyana (for example, like this and like that) and even wrote about these boots. Read it. In short, these are light (see weight!), not hot (little leather) and practical (again, no leather) trekking boots. For me, this is the main thing.

Of course, there are disadvantages! Fortunately for me, they are not essential or even not important at all. Firstly, and this is a consequence of their merits, not only leather, but also many synthetic materials are used for lightening. As a result, boots are not as well “formed”, “sit down” on the leg, as pure leather ones. Therefore, the choice of such boots in size and last should be taken more seriously than those made of leather. Just because they fit perfectly on my foot doesn't mean at all (or rather, doesn't mean at all!) that they will fit you.

The second minus is more significant - the sole of these boots, due to ASOLO's desire to launch a model with a lower price on the market, is made from their own rubber, and not bought from VIBRAM. Let me remind you that in the past shoes, it was the sole that became the bottleneck. It was due to complete wear (tread wear) that I was faced with the need to replace the boots. But, the truth is that the sole "passed" more than 1000 kilometers, which, you see, is not bad at all!

For mountain tourists who go categorical mountain hikes, the lack of a “rubber band” around the perimeter of the bottom of the boots may also be a minus of the boots. Such a rubber band is designed to protect the bottom of the boot from cuts on the sharp edges of the "fluff", which are found in abundance on categorical mountain passes, and not on trekking trails. I can only say one thing - these are trekking boots. If you are looking for more serious shoes for sports mountain trips 2nd or 3rd category of complexity, pay attention to models of the type (hereinafter referred to as the catalog of the Sport-Marathon store) - ZAMBERLAN 960 Guide GTX, SCARPA Kinesis Pro GTX or BESTARD Breithorn Pro.

In a couple of years, when the boots do more hiking, I will write a more detailed review! While I went to them along the Abkhazian Arabica, and climbed Agepsta (the report will be later).

Features of the 2016 ASOLO Fugitive GTX trekking boots:

• Upper: Suede 1.6 - 1.8 mm thick with Cordura inserts
• Outsole: two-component Asolo Syncro
• Optimal use temperature: -10 +20
• Weight: 680 g for one shoe size 42
• Year of purchase: 2016

• Boots ASOLO Fugitive GTX and for 14,790 rubles in the Sport-Marathon store
• All trekking boots in Sport-Marathon store
• Manufacturer website: asolo.com

Haikin boots SALOMON X ULTRA MID 2 GTX

Trekking boots can be unnecessarily heavy and stiff for hiking on easy terrain. Lighter and softer hiking boots are perfect for such cases! And since we go on such trips very often, it is understandable why shoes of this class are an eternal hit in tourist stores.

With a mid-height and optimal, not too stiff sole, they are great for light trekking and hiking, and the presence of a membrane makes such shoes a great option. for walks and hikes in cool, muddy and wet weather. It is interesting that it was shoes of this class that were mine. basic winter shoes when I lived in Moscow! The GORE-TEX membrane protects against wet snow and rain, while the right trekking socks with wool content provide sufficient comfort in temperatures of -10 -20 degrees.

Once again choosing such shoes (and a pair of shoes of this class lasts an average of three years, since they are perhaps the most frequently worn shoes of all), I returned to Salomon again. Like it or not, the legendary Salomon block is distinguished by its incredible fit and comfort. I put it on and didn’t take it off, I immediately carried it to the cashier =))

Characteristics of the SALOMON X Ultra Mid 2 GTX boots:

• Optimum use temperature: +15 -10
• Weight: 460 grams per shoe
• Membrane: GORE-TEX® Performance Comfort
• Sole: SALOMON Contagrip
• Price and year of purchase: $150 (2016)

This pair of boots I have just recently, but the previous pair of SALOMON X Ultra Mid GTX, which I wore in 2006-2008, was used, including while traveling in Montenegro, on a hike in the Carpathians, while climbing Achishkho in the fall of 2007- go. Earlier in this class of shoes (I used shoes that somehow fell into disrepair very quickly - the outer rag quickly broke and began to leak, and the sole held very sucks on wet terrain) I climbed the highest waterfall in the USA, walked at the foot of the Austrian Grossglockner glacier and went on a weekend hike around Lagonaki.

• Manufacturer website: salomon.com
• SALOMON X Ultra Mid GTX in Sport-Marathon store

SALOMON Scrambler FG Cold Weather & Snowshoe Boots

These Salomon winter boots are distinguished from classic hiking boots by a high, thick sole and high rubber band. Thanks to this, the boots are very warm and at the same time not afraid of dampness. This block may be very wide, which allows you to use them with a thick toe without fear that the leg will be cramped ( main reason frostbite). The high shin of the boot protects well from snow, but for serious winter walks, of course, you should use gaiters.

Characteristics:

• Material: Leather, high rubber sole
• Insulation - Thinsulate BQ
• Optimal use temperature: -15 -30
• Weight: 735 g for one shoe size 42
• Price and year of purchase: 140 euros (2006)

From weaknesses I would note, in my opinion, still a soft sole. For snowshoeing and walking on more aggressive terrain, a stiffer sole would be nice!

From the links to the hikes in which I used these boots, I will give three: snowshoeing in the Adyl-Su gorge, Elbrus region, a winter walk along the Krasnoyarsk Pillars and acclimatization exits while climbing Elbrus in May. And although now I have lost interest in snowshoeing, got carried away with ski touring and moved south to Sochi (it was very cool to sit outside all day watching the competition in them), I am glad that I have boots in the closet at minus 30 degrees!

• Manufacturer website: salomon.com
• Winter shoes in the Sport-Marathon store

SNEAKERS

In recent years, sneakers have firmly entered my hiking life! Having replaced heavy equipment with modern and light equipment and moved to Sochi, I increasingly began to go short, one- or two-day hikes and use sneakers for this. Unlike Siberia and the highlands, here in Krasnaya Polyana there are good trails, and light equipment does not require serious foot support. For the same reason, I like to walk in the Alps in sneakers - the trails are excellent there, and the backpack is light! And, of course, cycling trips - in serious, multi-day trips, specialized shoes are required (maybe even "contact" shoes), and for my one-two-day light rides, sneakers are just right!

Sneakers LA SPORTIVA Ultra Raptor

Purpose: mountain shoes for stony (rocky) mountain trails

The disease called Fast & Light is gripping me more and more! Who likes to carry a heavy backpack? Nobody! Here I am, starting to prepare for the realization of my dream - “100 mountain kilometers in two days” I realized that in order to cover such a distance, very correct shoes are needed - light, but as reliable as possible on mountainous terrain. After trying on the line of LA SPORTIVA sneakers, I settled on the Ultra Raptor model. And the last is the most comfortable for me, despite the fact that in general, all the shoes of this Italian brand are quite narrowed, and the purpose of this model is “ultra long mountain distances” - exactly what I need!

Characteristics:

• Optimal use temperature: +5 +30
• Weight of one shoe 343 g
• Price and year of purchase: $130 (2013)

Since the purchase, all one-day mountain and hiking trips with rocky and stone areas I go only in them and I can say with all confidence that THESE ARE THE BEST MOUNTAIN SNEAKERS!!! On rocky mountain trails they hold fantastic, they just stick!! They do not keep only on wet roots and smooth river stones with lichen growths. But nothing holds them ... And the level of depreciation is generally space. Your knees will thank you!!

The most interesting thing about these shoes for me is the tread life. It is very interesting how long the sole will last, because miracles do not happen - to achieve such an effect of "diligence" La Sportiva used in this model a Vibram sole with special "pimples" made of rubber that is softer than the main part of the sole. We assume. So far, there are about 150 kilometers in the standings and tread wear is no more than 20%!

• Advantages: Fantastic grip due to the rubber material and tread pattern, excellent cushioning, excellent protection of the foot (rubbing and reinforcement at the toe), foot support and stability due to support elements in the last, chic workmanship from La Sportiva.
• Minuses: without gore-tex (although La Sportiva also has such a version), compared to the ultra-light SALOMON S-lab Sense 3 Ultra SG, they seem heavy (the difference between 260 and 340 grams, believe me, is significant!), sometimes you want a deeper tread in case of mud Well, they cost like an airplane!

Since the shoes are not cheap, and at the same time they are awesome in their niche, I will probably save them and try to use them only for routes with predominantly rocky and rocky terrain, and for forest hiking I will use other models of sneakers. In addition, as the last loser, I managed to make a mistake with the size of these sneakers, taking half a size smaller than I need and I can’t take them for long multi-day hiking so as not to knock off my nails. So far the LA SPORTIVA Ultra Raptor has been used on the following hikes:

Some photos from my hikes in LA SPORTIVA Ultra Raptor shoes:

LA SPORTIVA Ultra Raptor
hiking in the Alps

LA SPORTIVA Ultra Raptor outsole

LA SPORTIVA Ultra Raptor
on the rocky part of the trail

Update! Since the spring of 2016, La Sportiva has added to its lineup a model that will probably become the new hit of the trail line - the Akasha model. Unlike Ultra Raptor, they have exactly the same tread pattern (deeper, but not excessive), which seems to me the most versatile and ideal - the Frixion XT tread should provide maximum connection on any type of soil: on soft and wet ground, rocky ledges or traverses . Take a look at this model! on the website of the store "Sport-Marathon".

• Manufacturer website: lasportiva.com
• LA SPORTIVA Ultra Raptor at Sport-Maarfon

ASICS Gel-Trail Lahar 5 GTX Running Shoes

Purpose: versatile trail shoe with GORE-TEX membrane

During one of the sales, I sat and thought about what to buy from the necessary equipment. Even before I had time to open my wish list, I remembered about wet feet after the recent November assaults on Amuko and Achishkho (only spare socks were saved), as well as spring cycling trips through the Sochi mud, as well as the race to Elbrus, which has been in my dreams-plans for many years . So I came to realize the need to buy sneakers with GORE-TEX.

In general, the theme of sneakers with gore text is another topic! Usually, those runners who think that this is stupidity motivate their opinion by the fact that no membrane can withstand really serious rain and their feet will get wet anyway, and then it is more difficult (longer) to dry such sneakers than ordinary ones without a membrane. I fully agree with these settings, but there is one "but". And this "but" is called SNOW. I have an opinion that all these lovers of mud-slinging gore-tex sneakers run only in warm summer "mushroom" rains and have never seen snow!

The second, more common situation is called "dirt". What kind of sneakers will you wear in the woods if it rained like a bucket at night? Of course sneakers with gore-tex. If you have them of course!

be me a normal person, and not a gear freak, then choosing GORE-TEX shoes, I would take the classic of all times and peoples, SALOMON X ULTRA GTX, and not bathe. But I'm not one of those! The theme of trail running and off-road running is gaining momentum. recent times wildly popular, causing even monsters of the "classic" running market like ASICS to pull themselves up and expand their line of trail and dirt shoes. So I decided to try Asics, otherwise there is only Salomon around, but Salomon ...

The choice of these particular sneakers was simple - a 40% discount during the sale, the presence of my size, well, the performance characteristics of the model suited me - a moderately aggressive tread and a membrane.

Characteristics:

• Optimal use temperature: -5 +15
• Weight of one sneaker 330 g
• Price and year of purchase: $69 (2014)

After the first test in battle, on the ascent to the peak of Bzerpi, I realized that I had done everything right! Of the seven hours of hiking, I spent more than three hours in the snow, and my feet remained dry! I wouldn't feel so good in regular sneakers! I wrote about this at the beginning.

A week after this trip, I tried them on the rocky trails of the Agur Gorge and was unpleasantly surprised at how much worse they hold on smooth stones and rocks than La Sportiva Raptor. Unfortunately, there is no perfect shoe in the world, and these sneakers are no exception. They are not made for this. Specialized Raptor with branded La Sportive rubber, of course, they can not win!

Despite this, I "risked" to go on a full-fledged three-day family trip around Krasnaya Polyana in them. I really needed to test these shoes on a multi-day mountain hike on a trail as close as possible to what will be in Switzerland and finally decide what to take with me on the main summer hike in the Alps, which was supposed to start in two weeks.

Salomon S-lab Sense 3 Ultra SG sneakers - the plague! This model was created for marathon distances on soft earthen ground, and the route to Amuko and Sakharnaya is just that. Stones minimum, no more than 0.1% of the route. The rest of the trail is dirt (almost the entire route passes through the forest zone). On the trail, the shoes held up superbly (SALOMON always excelled in this one!), even on snow-covered sections. Separately, I want to note a comfortable shoe, sneakers sit perfectly. And despite the fact that this was their first test (and immediately what! - From the fire to the frying pan), not a single callus, The only thing I thought was whether I got excited by taking a model without Gore-Tex for these tasks. wet at the end of the day from walking on fresh snow.

• Manufacturer website: salomon.com
• Salomon S-lab Sense SG sneakers in Sport-Maarfon store

KEEN

Purpose: sturdy hiking sandals.

Requirements for shoes in this class: I needed sandals that would not fall apart when climbing the rocks of Petra on our trip to Jordan, and would later be used as a "camp shift" for hiking.

The American company KEEN is a recognized leader in this kind of footwear. In this model, I liked the excellent own, non-Vibram sole. Strong, moderately hard, very cool holds on the rocks. The line system is also well thought out. The foot is fixed very well. It's tough, but it doesn't push. Clip fastener. A thousand times more comfortable than any rubber laces ... At the end of the Tien Shan campaign, the entire final day was spent in them (with a large backpack). Everything is great! Still, it is not for nothing that Keen is one of the world leaders in shoes of this class!

The only negative of these sandals is their weight - more than 400 grams per pair. It is clear that these are harsh strong sandals, and they cannot weigh a little, but sometimes you really want to take a pair of light sandals with you to change your shoes at the end of a hiking day into something light. Apparently not far off the purchase of the second pair of sandals :)

P.S. After seven years of use (!!!) I can say that I am surprised by the fantastic durability of KEEN sandals. They went on hikes with a 25 kilogram backpack, and various trips, and in Sochi, where I have been living for the last three years, these are generally my everyday shoes. In general, fellow tourists, I highly recommend KEEN!

Material: Synthetic leather, Gore-Tex membrane, Vibram sole.

In addition to almost daily wear in the summer in the city for almost 6 years (!!!), KEEN sandals were actively used in the following trips:

Characteristics:

• Optimum use temperature: +25 +20
• Weight: 230g for one sandal
• Price and year of purchase: $70 (2008)

ACCESSORIES

Trekking socks

Purpose: classic tourist (trekking) socks

Many underestimate the importance of quality hiking socks. In fact, the "right" socks play just as much of a role in keeping your feet comfortable on a hike than good boots. Bad cheap socks will roll up and the foot will sweat and rub on the foot. Nobody likes corns. I'll put it another way: buying good expensive shoes and saving on socks is the biggest stupidity you can think of. "The miser pays twice" - this saying is exactly about this case!

It may seem that modern high-quality trekking socks cost some incredible money - about 1,500 rubles per pair, but believe me, it's worth it! Some socks have been with me for more than five or six years!

I tried to count how many pairs of Lorpen trekking socks and ski and sports X-Socks I have at the moment, but I got lost on the sixth pair. Short for the heat and high and long for cold weather, of different density and composition (wool, synthetics) - all this is used depending on the specific trip.

From the interesting: despite the almost complete victory modern technologies, as a pair of sleep socks (in a sleeping bag) I still take my grandmother's knitted, spiky wool socks! They are not as tight on the leg as sports shoes, and the legs are well rested. In addition, prickly hair additionally irritates the surface of the skin, thereby increasing microcirculation. In short, these socks are very warm!!

Characteristics:

• Material: wool, synthetic, blended
• Optimal use temperature: -30 +30
• Weight: about 50g
• Current price (summer 2015): from 1000 to 2000 rubles per pair

• Trekking socks Lorpen in Sport Marathon

Waterproof (membrane) socks SEALSKINZ

One of my recent purchases! I plan to use it as an NC in case I accidentally wet my shoes. In this case, you just take off your wet trekking sock and put on this one instead. Due to the fact that the sock does not get wet, the foot instantly becomes warm and comfortable even if the boots themselves (or sneakers) are completely wet. The second case of application is "sock for the morning." Tourists know that early in the morning in the alpine zone, on the grass and in the forest, dew often falls and it is very unpleasant to get your feet wet right away (at this time we usually walk in sneakers or light sandals over a trekking sock). So, for such cases, such membrane socks are just perfect! You put on sandals or sneakers on them and walk without fear of getting your socks wet. Comfortable and warm! I'm surprised I haven't had socks like this before. Now it seems to me that this is a real must have. I will definitely write a full review after the first serious use!

P.S. Models of such socks differ in "thickness". I took myself enough "medium" density and "medium" height (model SEALSKINZ Mid Weight Mid Length Sock), designed for classic mountain hiking cool temperatures.

Characteristics:

• Outer material: 91% Nylon, 9% Elastane
• Membrane: Hydrophilic Membrane
• Inner "lining": 35% Merino Wool, 34% Acrylic, 28% Polyester, 2% Elastodiene, 1% Elastane
• Optimal use temperature: 0 +15
• Weight: about 100g
• This model can be bought at the Sport-Marathon store for 3,900 rubles.

• Manufacturer website: sealskinz.com
• Sealskinz products in the Sport-Marathon store

Downy chuni

Model: RED FOX II

Warm chunies are the best thing you can think of to use in a bivouac after a hard day in the winter mountains. I used to have downy chunies a la North Face (in Nepal, such fakes are called NORTH FAKE, from the English “fake” - a fake), but before Elbrus in May, I realized that ideally, having chunies is much bigger size so you can even wear them over the liner of your favorite LaSportiva Spantik double climbing boots. This combination (liners + downy chuni) gives warmth, comfort and rest to the legs during the rest. I will still use the old "nord fake" of the usual size in summer, not climbing trips.

Characteristics:

• Material: down
• Optimal use temperature: -15 +5
• Weight: about 50g
• Price: $10 (Kathmandu, 2008)

Examples of hikes in which these socks were taken:

MILLET Guetres Nylon

Purpose: classic gaiters to protect the lower part of the legs from snow and rain.

Features: before climbing Mont Blanc, I realized that my "old" Lowe Alpine gaiters do not fit on La Sportiva Spantik boots, there is not enough internal volume at the bottom and the length of the strap. I tried on a bunch of models, only these came up! These leggings also have a metal strap, what a gut!

Disadvantages: Despite the large internal volume at the bottom, the elastic at the top turned out to be very narrow for my calf size. I had to unpick and add a piece of elastic so as not to overtighten my leg. But now, after fitting, everything is 100% perfect! Material: Nylon. Used in hiking: climbing Mont Blanc, snowshoeing in the vicinity of Sochi

• Weight: ~ 200 g
• Price and year of purchase: $45 (2011)

FOOTWEAR PREVIOUSLY USED

Even the best shoes fail sooner or later. Fortunately, this always happened "planned", and not suddenly. I have never had anything “fall apart” during a hike, although my colleagues, shod in "noname" or boots of popular, but budgetary brands of tourist shoes, had such cases and it was, to put it mildly, very unpleasant! My shoes almost always "died" due to the wear of the sole. I don't have any photos or even the names of the hiking boots that I wore on my first hikes, so this section will only be about relatively recent failed shoe models...