If you’re an outdoor enthusiast and love to get your walk on off the beaten track, you’ll need the right hiking shoes or boots to ensure you’re not left slipping and sliding the whole time. In this blog post, we’ll help you to select the best pair of hike boots in Australia to match the conditions you’ll be taking them into.
What Type of Shoe or Boot is Best for You?
There are a few factors you need to think about when you’re looking for footwear that’s suited for adventure:
- Tread is a huge contributing factor when making a decision. The more tread you have, the less chance you’ll end up slipping when you’re walking up down hills that have surfaces which are uneven.
- Proper foot and ankle support. This will differ depending on a few things, such as how susceptible your ankles are to sprains and whether you’re lugging a backpack.
- Environment. The lay of the land you hike more often than not will dictate exactly which pair of outdoor boots in Australia will be best for you.
- Breathability can be an important factor when buying hike boots. You will need to consider if the climate you’re heading to is warm or cold. The last thing you want is to be in 40 degree heat with shoes that aren’t breathable!
Styles of Hiking Boots
Low-Cut Boots
Low-cut boots are perfect for lightweight travelling and even terrain. They provide a basic amount of support with little roll resistance for ankles. These boots are perfect for maintained walking trails.
Mid-Cut Boots
Mid-cut hiking shoes are the more common choice as an all-round boot. With a mid-cut, your ankle is supported and protected. This style is ideal for medium trails or when you’re walking with some weighted loads.
High Cut Boots
The high-cut boot is the best option for those on rough and uneven terrain. With high cut boots, your ankle is balanced which allows you to carrier heavier loads. The key when buying a pair of high-cut trekking boots in Australia is to wear them in thoroughly before your next trip away to avoid blisters.
Can I Get a Waterproof Hiking Shoe?
A waterproof shoe is ideal and necessary when travelling in wet, muddy or cold conditions. Water resistant materials vary in their protection. The best water resistant material is full-grain leather, which is very durable and is most commonly used for long trips (Example Trail: Extreme).
Another great water resistant material is Nubuck leather. This material is a little more flexible than the full grain leather and takes less time to wear in. Nubuck leather is full grain leather that has been buffed out, which provides a stylish look of suede (Example Trail: All Rounders).
Lastly, there are many hike boots in Australia that have a waterproof lining. This is a membrane within the shoe that makes it water resistant. This material is used for light hiking and is not ideal for rain or puddles (Example Trail: Alpine & Kimberley).
How Do I Know What is a Good Tread?
Tread on a hiking boot is very important, not only to ensure you’re not slipping in wet conditions, but also to ensure durability and longevity of your hike shoe.
All hike boots are made from a rubber sole, but the best brand is the Vibram sole. A good tread will depend on your conditions and where you are going. For an all-rounder tread in rough and uneven terrain, you’re best to look for a lug patter. These are men’s and women’s outdoor boots in Australia that feature deep lugs to ensure better grip. For steep terrain and mountain climbing, you’re best to look for a heel brake tread. This design has a raised heel, allowing it to dig deeper on declining trails.
Learn More Today
For expert help choosing the right walking boots for Melbourne and Australian conditions, enquire today with the friendly team at Aussie Disposals. Visit us in-store or contact us online today.
