Shoes for the terrain - the most important information about the right footwear
It doesn't matter whether you're hiking in the countryside or going on a bushcraft tour - the options for spending your free time in nature are at least as varied as the range of suitable footwear. In order to be able to face the hurdles and high demands of the terrain with the necessary level of safety, it is important not to buy a " pig in a poke " but to get a useful insight into the respective advantages of a shoe. Only with the right shoe can you cope with these sometimes demanding conditions on site and not risk injury. WOLFGANGS summarizes for you in detail what is particularly important in an outdoor shoe.
Risk of injury is often underestimated
The risk of injury in the field is often underestimated by outdoor newbies. " After all, it's just running, " is what they usually say with a derogatory undertone. Just as quickly as this sentence was said, it disappears again when the first injury occurs in the field.
First-class material for off-road shoes
From a material and production point of view, street shoes cannot be compared to outdoor shoes. The resistant and durable properties are particularly advantageous for rough and uncomfortable locations, so that you can always enjoy a feeling of good preparation and safety when wearing them. It does not matter whether it is sharp stones, muddy ground, slippery roots or thorny passages - the robust material can easily cope with all these influences and in this way ensures that you reach your destination without injuries, pain or even blisters.
Most shoes are made from durable nubuck leather or synthetic leather and can also boast a breathable interior. Nylon, nylon leather, leather, membrane - the approaches can be of a different nature, but they all aim at the same goal: moisture and wetness should be transported away quickly and efficiently and the penetration of water should be prevented or delayed. The shoes also have a highly multifunctional character. Regardless of whether it is a longer stay in nature , for example, or a fishing trip to Norway - with the right shoes you are always well prepared on site.
classification into hardness categories
In order to better classify the range of outdoor shoes according to use and to create a good overview, the models are usually divided into categories. This type of division can be seen in almost every manufacturer, especially in hiking shoes. As a rule, the shoes are divided according to hardness. These hardness levels provide information about the possible uses . From this, you can then deduce whether the shoe is suitable for the intended destination or not. The hardness level division from A to D gives even people who are not into the outdoors a quick indication of whether it would be worthwhile buying the shoe or not.
Hardness level A: Hardness level A covers the "light hiking" range and is therefore ideal for easy trekking tours and undemanding bushcrafting trips. With these shoe models, you can immediately see that the material is still quite light and flexible and was therefore made for more solid terrain. Paved and mostly flat paths can be tackled perfectly with this hardness level. More than a daypack is not recommended with this level of shoe cushioning.
Hardness level A/B: With hardness level A/B, however, you experience a slight increase in the range of possible uses. Backpacks up to 35 liters can be transported without any problem. The sole is still quite efficient, but is already suitable for longer tours with steep climbs. Uncomplicated paths in low mountain ranges can already be completed without any problem with this hardness level. Most models have a permanently installed sole that cannot be replaced after wear.
Hardness level B: Hardness level B indicates a very firm structure. The shoe cannot be bent so easily without a great deal of force, which indicates its potential for use. The shoes offer excellent cushioning and are therefore easily suitable for backpacks of up to 70 liters. They can also be used on slightly impassable paths. The shoe can be worn in both low and high mountains and usually offers the option of resoling. Even in light winter temperatures, this all-rounder can be used excellently in combination with thick winter socks.
Hardness level B/C: You can throw yourself into rough, challenging and entertaining winter adventures, which also include steep and slippery passages, with a shoe of hardness level B/C. The shoe is so strong that even shocks above the toe region are barely noticeable. The very stiff and solid sole with extremely high lacing speaks volumes. Higher regions up to 4000 m can be tackled perfectly with it. Many of these models shine with an excellent tread depth and types suitable for via ferratas can also often be found in the B/C category. An extremely robust shoe that no terrain or backpack weight can harm.
Hardness level C: Hardness level C is for icy and even higher regions. Long tours at 5000 meters above sea level can be tackled with the necessary composure with this category. An edge placed on the heels allows the use of crampons on many shoe models in this hardness level. Only very robust material is used during the production process in order to be able to counteract external stress. A deep profile enables sure-footed movement even on demanding and impassable paths.
Hardness level D: With hardness level D you have finally reached the maximum of what is possible, even if the alphabet would certainly have allowed for more leeway. The expedition boots often come with highly insulated and removable inner shoes and are therefore also made for glacier, ice climbing and high-altitude mountaineering tours. They are made to be fully crampon-proof and cannot be surpassed in terms of durability and outdoor robustness. It is usually outdoor professionals who own these shoe models. The shoes represent the basic framework for being able to survive even in extremely demanding situations.
