If you’re planning on hitting the trails this summer, having the right shoes is essential. With the right shoes, your feet will stay dry and comfortable, even if you’re walking through mud or crossing streams. But What Shoes To Wear For Hiking In Summer? First, look at some of the features that make good hiking shoes.
What Shoes To Wear For Hiking In Summer | Let’s Find Out
Material Matters
The first thing to consider is the material of your hiking shoes. Ideally, they should be made of a breathable material like canvas, mesh, or leather. This will help keep your feet cool and dry while allowing them to breathe. You’ll also want to avoid synthetic materials like plastic, which can quickly become hot and uncomfortable.
Cushioning and Support
Nobody wants their feet to ache after a long day of hiking. That’s why it’s essential to choose hiking shoes with plenty of cushioning and support built into them. Look for shoes with arch support, extra padding around the heel area, and thick soles that provide plenty of shock absorption. This will help keep your feet comfortable no matter how long you are on the trails.
Traction
The last thing to consider is traction. Your hiking shoes should have deep tread on the bottom, so they don’t slip when crossing slippery surfaces such as rocks or stream beds. In addition, look for shoes with rubber soles that feature lugs (the bumps on the sole) which will provide extra grip when needed. This can be particularly helpful if you scramble up steep inclines or traverse across loose gravel.
Also Read: Can You Wear Hiking Shoes Every Day?
Types of Shoes To Avoid During Hikes In Summer
Summertime is the perfect season for outdoor activities like hiking. But before you lace up your shoes and hit the trail, you must know what shoes to avoid. Different types of shoes provide different levels of comfort, support, and protection for your feet, which can make or break your hiking experience. Read on to learn about the types of shoes that you should leave behind when hitting the trails this summer.
Running Shoes
While running shoes may seem like a good choice because of their lightweight construction, they lack the necessary traction needed for outdoor terrains that may contain mud, rocks, or roots along the path of your hike.
Running shoes also lack cushioning, making them less comfortable than other types of footwear, such as hiking boots or trail runners, that provide more support and stability while trekking through more challenging terrain types in the summer heat.
Also Read: Are Running Shoes Good For Hiking?
Open-toed Shoes
Open-toed shoes like sandals are an excellent option for warm-weather hikes because they allow your feet to breathe but offer little to no protection from elements like rocks and insects. Additionally, most open-toed shoes don’t have adequate arch support or grip, so you risk slipping and sliding on rocky surfaces or uneven terrain.
Finally, if you wear open-toed shoes while hiking, ensure that they have a toe guard to protect your toes from getting injured by sharp objects.
High Heels
High heels are a big no-no for hiking – both literally and figuratively! Not only are high heels not designed with walking long distances in mind (think: blisters!), but their narrow soles also lack stability and traction on uneven terrain.
Stick with flat or low-heeled shoes for hikes; even if they don’t provide as much height as high heels do, at least you won’t be risking an ankle injury!
Heavy Boots
While it might be tempting to bring along those heavy leather boots that have been sitting in your closet since winter ended, they should stay home during summer hikes. Heavy boots are great for cold weather hikes because they keep your feet warm and dry, but wearing them in warm weather will result in sweaty feet (not fun).
So instead of relying on heavy boots, opt for lightweight sneakers or trail running shoes that keep your feet cool and comfortable during summer hikes.
Also Read: Are Hiking Shoes Good For Walking?
Conclusion
So, What Shoes To Wear For Hiking In Summer? With all these features in mind, choosing the right pair of shoes for summer hikes becomes much more accessible! Keep an eye out for breathable materials, cushioning, and support. Reliable traction when shopping for your next pair of hiking shoes—these features are essential if you want your feet to remain comfortable during those long days out on the trails!