How to choose the best shoes for climbing, walking, etc.?
There’s a wide variety of footwear for the practice of mountain sports, as much variety as terrains exists, weather conditions and levels of difficulty that can be found. Light trekking in open spaces, valley bottoms with tracks in good conditions, mid-mountain trekking with sloped and steep terrain, walking several days with weight in the backpack, etc. ... whatever will be your environment, we will try to give you some keys for the best choice.
Sneakers, mid-height boots or high boots?
Hiking and trekking shoes are comfortable and flexible. Perfect for light activities in the mountains and urban walks around our city or tourist trips.
(Ferrox Pro GTX Lo M’s LOWA®, Haglöfs® L.I.M Low Women and Innox EVO GTX Lo W’s LOWA®)
We can also find “approach or mid-mountain” shoes with more rigid soles and more protections (toes, heel, and instep), these are used on short but technical routes, especially on rocky terrain.
(Haglöfs® Skuta Low W’s, Haglöfs® Krusa and Haglöfs® Skuta Low M’s)
Boots will be the appropriate option in rough terrain, steep descents, winter season or when considerable weight is carried on the back. They will provide support, stability and protection against the elements (sand, small rocks, snow, etc.).
Mid-height boots, although with less protection, combine the best of classic trekking shoes performance with the lightness and comfort of modern footwear. An all-terrain between both worlds.
(Taurus Pro GTX Mid M’s LOWA®, Haglöfs® L.I.M Mid Men and Renegade GTX Mid W’s LOWA®)
Flexible or rigid soles?
The flexibility of the sole will be a good feature in situations where you must walk a lot and the terrain is not excessively technical. The greater the difficulty is, the greater the stiffness of the sole.
Instead of a shoe for each situation, many people choose a multipurpose shoe, but it should be focused on the most technical activity of all those you are carrying out.
