Suggest me a couple of hiking shoes to hike around NSW national parks.
Anyone tried Decathlon shoes?
Anyone tried Adidas outdoor shoes?
Cheers,
Sowny
Suggest me some Hiking shoes for a moderate level hiking in Australia's national parks!
Sowny on 01/05/2017 - 22:54
Comments
One day and Level 3.
I call this as moderate but definitely a one day hiking.
http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tra…
I don't think you'd need special trekking shoes for that specific trail. But it would help getting something with goretex as trails do get wet/muddy. I've just ordered a Merrel Moab goretex myself from Trekkin. Prices are less than 50% cheaper than retail. Here's hoping I get it soon.
I see. I started getting pain in my middle phalanges when I hike with normal running shoes. So I was wondering would a hiking shoe would fix this problem!
Also, do you think we need to go for a shoe with ankle support? Like the one below,
http://m.decathlon.com.au/p/8319097_quechua-forclaz-500-men-…
I have a pair of the Adidas Terrex with goretex and continental sole and love them. I'll always pick lighter shoes with low tops and good tread over hiking boots as over the day, you'll feel every extra gram on your feet. They're also quick dry which comes in handy.
Don't you need a boot with ankle support?
It's a personal preference, I'd always pick a light pair of trail shoes over chunky boots.
Salomon with goretex.
I've stuck with the Columbia Newtown Ridge shoes for about 3 years now - it's gotten me through the Camino, Inca Trail and Kilimanjaro. Have bought them twice for $100 when there was a sale at the Columbia store. Easily the best hiking shoes I've had
Isn't it too heavy for you? When you purchase from online how would you check the fit and comfort?
Nope it's not a particularly heavy shoe, its actually pretty light compared to a lot of other waterproof hiking shoes I've tried on. I've never bought it online, always went in store which I would highly recommend
The most important thing is shoes that fit well and have been worn in before the hike. Don't buy shoes online.
a pair of rossi boots with 2 pairs of explorer socks.
Rossis are not bad on the full scale of quality boots, they use good, tough leather.
2 socks?
1 pair of good socks works quite well- perhaps a pair of thin thermals covered by a thick if you don't have the special purpose hiking socks. That can be a good way to save and on a long walk you may be able to get away with mostly washing the thin under-socks, ideal especially if they are the dry fast (polyethylene) ones.
I always wear 2 pairs of socks. - certainly some thinner under socks would suffice.
main reason - reduce the risk of blisters/rubbing.
Hmm. If that happens, your boots don't fit properly.
But for most of us that's a reality of life, as it's hard to find a set that fit well that are not three times the price of the cheapies.
But also, one's feet change. If you spend a year or three working in the city and then put a set of boots like most of us, the two sock rules (and boots that are a little larger than you might otherwise buy) are not a bad option.
Key to fitment is that the foot is equally supported underneath (no pressure points), as well as snug around their peripheries.
You may need two pairs- one for hot and one for cold/wet.
Australia can be very hot, and your feet take weeks or months to get used to it, so shoes that breathe well and not get over-hot in the direct sun can be invaluable.
But you don't want them to deal with ice and snow in the hills in the South East or Tasmania.
For rainy/wet situations, a (proper) leather boot is as good as any gore-tex'd fabrics and sooo much easier to clean mud off. Lots of Asian ones around made out of cheaper, less durable leathers nowadays.
My tip: Buy only footwear with Vibram soles (though now there are cheap-budget end variants you may need to avoid), and don't be afraid to spend big for serious mountain equipment from Europe. Big brands from the US are not as good but can be cheaper. My old Raichle boots are on their second pair of Vibram soles and have tramped thousands of kms and lasted >20 years now. Ubeleivable grip on rock. Also very comfy, one can go to tropical areas with them too. If they were acceptable in any social environment, I'd not need anything else.
So that mean can mean spending big money, but if you buy cheapies you'll be buying many. A good pair of boots will outlast 20 sets of crap ones and give you confidence in tough conditions.
To save, you can buy new and barely used cheap second hand 'classics' on etsy and eBay. LOL! But you need to know they fit… that's the trouble!
Ah! Can you share the exact link of what shoe you're talking about?
I don't have any links. Did you search and find anything yet?
By Gore-tex'd fabrics I mean avoid any water-resistant, 'one-way' or 'breathable' fabrics, they are great marketing terms but all are basically plastic membranes that invariably leak at the seams, go bad in the heat, and/or seal your feet up to die.
ie. they are not a good idea on hot days (ever try putting plastic bags on your feet? In 10 mins they get will pretty wet without you even doing anything…
I have low cut Merrells with Vibram soles for this (Blue Wings), the soles have lasted ages, the shoes are comfy and do what i want. I also have some hiking boots, but I prefer the low cut shoes for sure, the kind of walks i end up i don't really need the extra ankle support and the extra weight gets noticeable. Plus i find I get sore feet/heels driving a car in them.
I'm often hiking up and down mountain bike trails shooting photos and the merrells do the job I want, over wet surfaces, in slippery soil, etc.
I'm lucky that merrells seem to fit my feet well, that's i reckon the main thing in a shoe, that they fit well.
I use a pair of salomon trail running shoes. I tend to stay away from stiff heavy ankle boot.
The most important thing is fit and comfort.My first pair of hiking boots was good on flat and incline. on declines, my toes get mashed into the toe cap (front of the shoe) and it eventually hurts.
There was another pair that cupped my heal in an unusual way that it was mildly uncomfortable.
I ended up with a pair of salomon trail running shoes.
I would like to hike in vibram five fingers, but the fabric material are cannot quite endure the shrubs and bushes well.
I sometimes twised my ankle while hiking, that's the thing making me look out for something with ankle support!
x2: that's good advice ;-)
As always - try out shoes before you buy them!
If you're ever in Europe/Germany, visit a SportScheck, SportSchuster or Globetrotter and try some shoes on - they have the biggest range. Then you'll know what size you need for particular models.
I generally don't buy into the Gore-Tex hype, especially for shoes meant to be used in Australian conditions. You want shoes that can breathe - and even if they get a little wet in the occasional stream - they will dry out much more quickly without a waterproof membrane.
Some brands/options for low-cut shoes:
* Meindl Caracas (non GTX version) [Germany]
* Merrel Capra (if you can find these anymore - they have a totally different fit to their other shoes for my feet) [USA]
* Salewa Mountain Trainer (non-GTX) [Germany]
* La Sportiva [Italy]
* Lowa [Germany]
* Hanwag [Germany]That said, for more serious hiking trips, I swear by my Meindl Air Revolution Ultras. I've used these on multiple summer trips in the Austrian alps and they hold up super well.
They are still made in Germany, and the "air active" footbed really works wonders to keep your feet cool. They have a Gore-Tex membrane, which might be useful if you're trekking in alpine areas when there's still snow in summer, or on muddy paths. They also have really great ankle support and a Vibram sole ("Meindl Multigrip® 3 by Vibram® with EVA shock absorber" #95A).
In terms of caring for and waterproofing your shoes:
* Sno-Seal [for leather shoes that need serious waterproofing, apply it while the shoes are warm]
* All sorts of Nikwax depending on your shoe's materials: eg Waterproofing Wax for Leather™ Liquid or Nubuck & Suede Proof™
Define moderate. One day or multi day? Level 3/4/5?