What Makes a Hiking Boot Great?

How to evaluate hiking boots and footwear for comfort, protection, and durability.

Choosing hiking boots and footwear is one of the most important decisions you as a hiker or camper will make. They'll either make your trip memorable or miserable. To find what's best for you, ask yourself "What type of hiking do I do?"

Day Hiking (Light-weight)- Do you usually go for short hikes for one to several hours during the week or weekend without a backpack? Then you'll want to consider these. They're lighter, flexible, and breathe better because they're usually made of fabric and split-grain leather. They're comfortable for day outings but you'll become fatigued and your feet will begin to bother you if you try to hike with a pack or for an extended trip because they aren't designed to support you like the hiking boots below.

Backpacking/Hiking (Mid-weight)- Stiffer mid-weight hiking boots provide more support and protection for shorter 2-3 day trips or even day hikes with or without a light to moderate load. If you hike for a few hours and want more support and/or up to three days on or off-trail on easy to moderate trails get a mid-weight leather backpacking boot.

Extended Backpacking (Mountaineering)- The best level of support, protection, and durability for heavier loads and longer trips, but they're also usually heavier. Supports heavy loads of approximately 40+ pounds (could vary with hiking boot). If you hike for more than three days on or off-trail with a moderate to heavy pack on demanding terrain get an extended (heavy weight) backpacking boot. If you need to attach crampons for glaciers check to make sure the boots are compatible before you buy. For cold-weather hiking it's critical to get waterproof insulated boots that breathe to keep you dry.

Full-grain leather and Nubuck suede take water repellant products well but keep in mind that they won't waterproof a hiking boot NOT designed to be waterproof in the first place. The repellant will help shed water but if you're walking through streams or deep puddles you're going to get wet.

Waterproofing

You may or may not need waterproof hiking boots. Consider the environment you usually hike in and how long your trips are. If you do a lot of short desert hiking trips you probably don't need waterproof boots. Actually in a dry environment they'll only make it harder for your feet to breathe (more numerous or heavy layers mean less breathability). Nylon mesh fabric breathes better than leather, but remember you're making tradeoffs for durability, support, and protection.

If you would like to learn more about selecting your next pair of hiking boots and what is critical regarding fit and construction click here. Or take a look at this related article to help say goodbye to blisters caused by poor quality hiking socks.

Marc learned about quality gear just after his pup tent flooded forcing him to sleep in his tiny 2-seat Honda CRX. His hiking equipment & camping gear guides & reviews save you time & money. Subscribe to his camping & hiking newsletter & get the most usable info. FREE! Marc Wiltse. Reprint permission if author, copyright, links & this notice are intact.

The Pros And Cons Of Hitchhiking

The pros and cons of hitchhiking? Pro: cheap. Con: dangerous. It's convenient, but unpredictable. No car repair hassles, but the hassle of standing in the rain, waiting hours for a ride. I hitchiked 20,000 miles when I was young, sleeping under bridges from Canada to Mexico. I loved it, but I wouldn't consider hitchhiking as a primary mode of travel ever again.

There are still times when I put out my thumb. The most recent was in the mountains of Ecuador. My wife and I were visiting Las Cajas National Park, hiking along ancient Incan rock walls. We missed the bus back to Cuenca. There may have been another one coming, but we didn't want to wait until dark to find out. Out went the thumb.

To hitchhike is "Ir a dedo" in Ecuador; to "go by finger." The third vehicle to pass, stopped for us. It was a meat delivery truck, and we were in Cuenca in an hour. When the driver refused to take any money, we left him with a large avacado.

If you ever consider hitchhiking in other countries, ask the locals about it. In Ecuador, for example, I've been told you can't get a ride in the southern part of the country. Also, in some areas it's customary to at least offer something for the ride.

Hitchiking In The United States

The pros and cons of hitchhiking are obvious, and the balance is on the side of the "cons." It's difficult to get a ride now. However, it's still legal in most places in the U.S., except on freeways. The point on the entrance ramp where you cross the legal line is decided by the police officer that tickets you.

At sixteen, I was stuck for hours on a Montana highway. A nice old lady picked me up and explained why I couldn't get a ride. On that same stretch of highway, a few years before, the police found a hitchhiker cooking a driver's heart over a campfire.

Ten years later I caught an item on the news: They were releasing the canibal hitchhiker, now that he was sane. You can see why drivers may be hesitant to pick up hitchhikers. The lesson? Try not to look like a Psycho killer when you hitchhike.

One circumstance it may be useful to hitchhike, even if you never have, is when you need to return to your car after backpacking. Trails often come out of the wilderness in a different location than where they start. Since there probably won't be taxis there, hitchhiking could be your only way back to your car.

This is relatively safe and easy, in these circumstances. National Parks like Yellowstone are almost the only places we've even seen hitchhikers lately, and drivers are comfortable picking up people that are obviously backpackers.

Hitchhiking Safely

Follow some basic safety guidelines. Be prepared for many possible circumstances. Have rainwear, in case you can't get out of the rain. Have food and water, since you never know how long you'll wait for a ride. Bring warm clothing if cold weather is possible. Also, always have a highway map with you.

Use intuition and common sense when hitchhiking, and don't be afraid to say no to a ride. Maybe I shouldn't have taken a ride with that cocaine-snorting guy in Idaho when I was sixteen. Then again, maybe my intuition wasn't so bad. He turned out to be a decent guy, and brought me hundreds of miles closer to home.

Steve Gillman hit the road at sixteen, and traveled the U.S. and Mexico alone at 17. Now 40, he travels with his wife Ana, whom he met in Ecuador. To read their stories, tips and travel information, visit: http://www.EverythingAboutTravel.com

 

What Are The Health Benefits Of Hiking And Trekking?

Today more and more people, especially in Europe and America, are adopting hiking and trekking as a major outdoor event. Not only in these countries, but the trend of hiking and trekking is also increasing in many other parts of the world. But have you ever thought, what are the health benefits of hiking and trekking? Are these outdoor events really beneficial for health? Is hiking or trekking for everyone or has some age bar? Does hiking only has health benefits or are there any psychological benefits too?

These are some questions which quite often strike in our mind. If someone seeks answer to these questions, although most of them are subjective in nature as far as the degree of benefits is concerned, but certainly the response would be positive. Most of the people would immediately say, "Yes there are countless benefits." No doubt, there are many benefits of hiking and trekking ranging from controlling obesity to preventing heart disease to improving the quality of air we breathe.

While many sports activities and games require special equipment or training to get started, the hiking is relatively much simpler and more beneficial than any other exercise. Literally, anyone can put on a pair of shoes along with few necessary gears and equipments and start moving into the woods for a little fresh air--this is called hiking. The scenery, accessibility and diverse nature of hiking trails make this heart-healthy pastime attractive for people of all ages, fitness levels and income brackets. Moreover, except few points, hiking and trekking don't require any special expertise and skills.

Hiking or trekking allows us to maintain our body in good working condition by walking which is really a good exercise. It improves our physical as well as mental health and the list of benefits from hiking and trekking is infinite. Hiking is essentially walking that is considered to be one of the most perfect forms of exercise for your body. You can get a chance to spend some quality time together with the Mother Nature, so it also provides a mental health antidote. Everyone can find trails to suit their physical strengths. And unlike other activities or sports, it is a pursuit that allows people to determine their own limitations.

Many research findings and studies show that hiking is an excellent way to lose extra pounds and improve overall health. To improve overall health, we don't necessarily need to do heavy and painful workouts, but just a short brisk walk of few minutes can be more than sufficient. According to the American Heart Association, it's best to walk vigorously for 30 to 60 minutes 3-4 times per week. But even low- to moderate intensity walking can have both short- and long-term benefits . Similarly, According to Walking for Health, people "won't find a better way to lose weight than walking." The results will be more permanent and pleasurable than any diet or weight loss scheme.

For example, in December, 2001, the US surgeon general called the increased rate of obesity in the United States an epidemic. The report states that 2/3 of Americans are overweight or obese, and the number is increasing year after year. In addition, thirteen percent of children are overweight. The report recommends that communities create safe sidewalks or walking trails to encourage physical activity . Not only these, but there are many more research findings that clearly show multiple health benefits of hiking and trekking.

When it comes to enlist the health benefits, then the list may go endless consisting of several mental as well as physical health benefits, such as losing excess pounds, preventing heart disease, decreasing hypertension or high blood pressure, improving and maintaining mental health, slowing the aging process, preventing osteoporosis, improving the quality of the air we breathe, preventing and controlling diabetes, improving arthritis, relieving back pain (which has become an epidemic in the modern contemporary world along with healthy habits for a healthy life i.e. team building skills, positive attitude, kindness, empathy,

At last but not the least, hiking has countless health benefits and the beauty is that it doesn't cost you much. Moreover, while at hiking you can take other family members and your young children along with you without much difficulty. Indeed, it is a good idea to spend more time with your family and children. For young children, it helps improve their physical stamina and team building skills.

Friends, just go for a hike, and see what we mean. Happy hiking!

Mats

Trekker extraordinaire, Lundkvist brings a scholars scrutiny to his favorite sport. Ever striving for improvement, he teaches and learns about the wilds and trekking. Trekking with him is a pleasure and an exprience not to be missed. Find him at: mytrekkingpoles.com

Hiking Tips

Here are a few tips that are essential to making a hiking trip successful and rewarding. It is important to remember that hiking is usually done away from civilization, so assistance is not at your disposal. This makes safety and planning an essential part of your hiking trip that should not be overlooked. Mapping out your trip is the first and most important part of planning. This will be the foundation to build your itinerary and your supply list, especially if you are taking a long multi-day hike. It is good to stick to well traveled routes like the Appalachian Trail because they are easy to follow and there are many campsites along the way. When you choose a location to hike, do your research. Many trails have information online or you can call the local ranger station for more information about what to expect. Rangers also offer services that can make your trip easier and safer. Some rangers have stations that you can check in with along the trail, and if you do not check in they may be able to contact a relative to make sure that you are ok. You will also need a map to plan where you would like to stay each night. Make alternate routes that you can take if you would like to get off of the trail sooner than expected. Local towns often have buses than can run you to your destination for a fair price. If you are planning an extended hike for 5 days or longer, have a package mailed to a local post office along the trail at the halfway point. This will lighten the burden of carrying all the food you will require. Make sure to include an indulgence like candy or a favorite book to look forward to. Planning for safety is easy, but is very strict. There is always room for a first aid kit and any medication that you may require. Plan for this. Also regular exercise before your trip is an important safety measure. Even if you are in great shape, you probably aren't walking on various terrains for six hours at a time. Take long walks in the morning or evening one - two weeks prior to hiking. Exhaustion is the most common and most preventable problem to have on a trail. Now that you know what kid of trip you have ahead, you can pack accordingly. A backpack with a frame is a must. Overnight bags or messenger bags will not cut it. Framed backpacks come is two forms. Exterior frame packs offer more weight support and versatility, but are bulky. Interior frame packs, also called soft packs, offer more comfort and are more compact, and are a favorite among female hikers. The other equipment you will need to bring are a water purifier, multipurpose tool like a Leatherman or survival knife, canteen, sleeping bag, a pot, first aid kit, compass. There other items that make the hike easier, but these will get you along. There is a lot that nature can provide if you use some creative thinking. Kitchen utensils should also be included to your fancy. Clothing should be minimal to keep you comfortable. Undergarmets are important because you will be sweating more than usual and you don't want to a rash to set in. Socks and such with a polyester mix are the standard for hikers because they are light and they evaporate water or sweat very quickly. Wet socks can make you feet much more uncomfortable. When it comes time to choose food, make sure it is something you will enjoy. Sporting goods stores carry dried meals for every taste. They are light and waterproof, so there is no need to worry about them. When there is a group, it is easier to distribute the weight of other foods such as canned items. Snacks are a staple food for hikers because they are light quickly eaten on short breaks. Trail mix and peanuts are high in energy and satisfy hunger with all natural fats. Lastly, personal items should be kept to a minimum. Playing cards or small nerf balls are very light items that can be enjoyed by a small group. A long book is a great way for a solo hiker to occupy himself when resting. A favorite hiker past time is simply using what you have got by whittling a way at a good piece of wood with a pocket knife. The key to enjoyment during a hiking trip is to do something that you are not accustomed to doing. This will make your experience unique and may drive you to plan more trips.

David is a professional outdoorsman who enjoys sharing his experiences with other enthusiasts. Visit his website Go Hiking for more information!.

Hiking Tips To Help Make Your Outdoor Adventure Lots Of Fun

When you are camping, one of the most fun things you can do is go on a hike. It is great exercise; you can enjoy the outdoors, and you can see beautiful scenery. However, there are some dangers to hiking and you should be prepared for all events in order to remain safe and ensure you have a good time. Planning is essential so that you are not caught in a situation where you are not prepared.

Use a backpack to store your items that you will take with you on a hike. Put heavier items toward the bottom to help balance your center of gravity. If hiking with a group, distribute items equally amongst the group in case of an accident. If a backpack is lost and it was the only one that held the water or food, you might have a difficult time.

Dress appropriately for the weather and bring a spare set of clothing. If it is cold, wear layers and make sure to wear a hat for maximum warmth. Wear two pairs of socks and good hiking boots so you do not slip. Wear sunglasses and use sunscreen. Even if it is cold, the sun can give you a very uncomfortable burn. Also use insect repellant to protect you from pests and bites.

Bring emergency supplies in case of an accident. This should include a first aid kit, rope, a utility knife, matches and a flashlight. Always have plenty of food and water. You need to keep hydrated and nourished during a hike. Beef jerky and trail mix are excellent energy boosting foods and will help get you through the day. Water is essential but you may also pack drinks like Gatorade that have electrolytes.

Do not overdo it. Take frequent breaks and rest when you feel tired. Pushing yourself to exhaustion is unsafe. Use a walking stick to help keep you from getting tired and help you in climbing and keeping your balance. If you feel weak or light headed, sit down, take your backpack off, and eat and drink a little until you feel rested and ready to go on.

Be aware of your surroundings. The picturesque scenery is a great time to take photos or sketch. These can be enjoyable past times but it is also a chance to run into wild animals, snakes and have an accident from not paying attention. Do not venture off trails into brush that may contain snakes or other poisonous creatures. You may want to carry bear repellant and a whistle in case you come across a wild animal. A whistle can also be useful if you fall or are trapped.

Research the area where you will be hiking and plan what you will need to take accordingly. Do not be surprised by sudden climate changes. Take pictures and sightsee. Enjoy the outdoors and have a lot of fun, but be safe and prepared for anything. With a little planning, you should be able to make the most of your hiking experience.

Hello From Cuba (3) - Hiking Vinales And Exploring Nature

Hotel Havana Libre, Tuesday, April 5, 2005, 6:54 pm

On Sunday it was gorgeous. The cold front had finally passed through, the rain was gone and we had a beautiful warm sunny day without any humidity.

My hostess is also a guide for the National Park System and Vinales is a nationally protected natural habitat. She had a tour planned through a side valley of Vinales (Valle del Ancon) with 3 participants, an older couple from Germany and me.

The tour was fabulous, we got picked up by a local in a taxi and went about 20 minutes outside of town and got dropped off at a local primary school, which had several communist slogans painted on the outside. Political graffiti, paintings and message boards are extremely common in Cuba. Although there is no western style advertising, there are plenty of political slogans (a collection of a few of which I will summarize at a later point).

This is a very strange experience when you come from a Western capitalist country like Canada, and then you see all these political slogans about Communism and defending the Revolution. Truly fascinating indeed, a completely different world.

On our 3 hour trip we walked through local fields, were told about local wildlife, special birds (the Cuban Tocororo, Turkey vultures and other birds. We also heard about local farming which still takes place with human labour, manual ploughs and oxen. We were introduced to crops such as Malanga (pureed and given to babies), Yucca, various types of sweet potatoes, corn and yams.

One of the highlights was a 20 minute walk through a limestone cave through one of the Mogote hills. We saw some interesting stone formations and even strange pale plants growing inside the pitch-dark cave. Our guide had illuminated the cave with a strong flashlight for the 4 of us and it was a pretty easy walk with no cave-dwelling animals in sight, only one political slogan spray-painted in the cave (apparently this was a hideout for the revolutionary army at some point..).

After exiting the cave, we ended up in an uninhabited small valley completely surrounded by mountains and we ran into a local farmer of 60 years, whose leathery face and slim body gave him the appearance of an 80 year old man, evidence of many decades of sun and hard work.

He had a flock of turkeys (with 61 young chicks), a dog and some fields of corn and beans. And he generally spends most of his days working manually in this little valley, completely isolated, sometimes staying overnight in a single hut made from the wood and leaves of the royal palm tree, Cuba?s national tree. No radio, no TV, no sanitation, no kitchen, just a wooden bed with a blanket in a hut with an earthen floor. Again a reminder of how different life can be in this country....

Then we crossed over a small mountain range and back into the Valle del Ancon, where we saw a Casa Campesino, a traditional farm house/museum, which had also been visited a few years ago by Fidel Castro. Next to the farm house is a beautiful river that exits from a cave and 3 young cuban teenage boys were swimming and jumping into the water and having a ton of fun. The entrance to the cave is also surrounded by wasp-hives (if that word exists), so there are tons of wasp dwellings hanging down from the rock formations.

We took the taxi back into town and I had another 3 hours or so before my departure with the Viazul bus. 2 local teenage boys, Rider and Rigo, approached me (truly in the style of the underground economy), offered me to rent a bicycle for $3 and to take me to a Paladar or private restaurant. I thought, why not, they seemed pretty decent. So I took the 3rd bike and rode up with them into the hills above Vinales.

There they introduced me to a local family and the lady of the house served me with a complete vegetarian meal for $8.00. Afterwards I rented the bike for $2 for 1 hour and I rode around Vinales and outside of town a bit to take some photos of the Mogotes. The bike tour, even though extremely short, was a great way of exploring the town and surroundings.

At 4 pm I hopped back on the Viazul bus and went back to La Havana (Havana). At 7:30 or so I arrived at the Viazul bus station and I ended up taking a "Cocotaxi", a yellow 3-wheeler type of scooter taxi with a rounded yellow roof partially covering the 2 seats in the back and the driver in the front.

The Cocotaxi driver was initially fixing his vehicle since a tire had blown out and he was changing the wheels. The ride took about 20 minutes to the hotel and was definitely an experience. He then inisted on inviting me for a drink and I told him immediately that I was not interested in any funny business, that I was a married woman, only here to study Spanish and not interested in romance. (Romantic approaches by Cuban men and women of foreigners are very common here).

He said no problem, he just wanted to talk and we sat down for a conversation that was reasonably pleasant for a while until he started to make the moves on me, some very verbally explicit ones by the way. I never felt physically threatened, especially since he was about as short as me, but I definitely got annoyed with him and he apologized at the end for his behaviour.

Nevertheless that brief experience taught me to curb my friendliness and my openness a little bit with the locals, since things can be very easily misunderstood in this culture....

Another lesson learned....

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions (http://www.travelandtransitions.com). Find unconventional travel information, cross-cultural experiences, interviews with travellers and other inspiring people. Submit your own travel stories & win an exciting Amazon River cruise! "Life is a Journey - Explore New Horizons?

Hiking in Australia

Whether you are new to hiking or an experienced in this area - you should sometime visit Australia. The best thing is that you can visit it during winter season in US and Europe, because the summer is hot in January and surfs are up.

Beautiful scenery of those places leaves no one indifferent. Even though most of the continent is desert, rest of it is a huge oasis. Actually quite a few oasises, featuring very wide range of climates from alpine to tropical rainforests.

Australia is well prepared for hikers. There are car parking lots at the trails. Accommodation is thoughtfully placed and the food is quite international: yoghurts, toasts and great coffee. So you'd never have to worry about anything that can interfere with your contact with nature.

There are very exciting and unique things to see in Australia. During your walk you can see some endangered species, diverse scenery ranging from mountains to deserts, farms, wineries and plantations.

You should really see the pine plantations - it's something unforgettable - like a forest that grows way above you and by the night it gets a lot of suspence - can't really desribe that with words - this is something to see.

The swamps and wetlands of Australia are protected by international laws and that's why you should see it, at least once in your life - who knows - they might be gone someday. So why not take a chance to see it now, before it's too late and you are regretting, but it's too late.

One can never describe in words what you can see from a hill in Australia. Well at least I try. Sometimes a beautiful ocean is there beneath your feet - hundreds feet away from you and you can see ocean as wide as your eyes allow you to. Add some beautiful pines to the imaginative scenery, some green grass and little yachts sailing riding the waves. It's a heaven on Earth. Stop for a moment and listen to the wind - that's when your mind completely rests from the troubles of big cities where at best you can see a few dozen feets until your eye catches another building from steel and glass.

If you are in good shape - try to climb some montains in Australia to clean up your mind and lungs. When you are at the top - you fell like a king of the world, where you don't need to rule - you are just one with whole big world.

While you are at Australia - don't miss the opportunity to walk the cities also. Sydney should really be one of them. Amazing city. Lots of great experience and photos are guaranteed.

Ed Thorn is a webmaster of HikingJoint - the place about hiking around the world.