Hiking shoes. What to wear on your feet? A guide to mountain boots What shoes are right for hiking in the mountains

Healthy lifestyle, trips, tourism All of these concepts are gaining more and more popularity today. And each of them, of course, requires a special approach. Even if, at first glance, it seems that you don’t need to know anything special in order to be a tourist, this is not true. After all, if you are serious about tourism, then you need to be “equipped” seriously. Today we will talk about special footwear for tourism - what it is and why it is needed.

To begin with, we note that ordinary shoes are not suitable for tourism. Just imagine - you will have to conquer mountains and make long transitions over very different terrain, and on your feet you will have ordinary sneakers, which, as you might expect, simply cannot withstand such a load. Therefore, in your wardrobe there should be a separate place for hiking shoes.

Best for hiking trekking shoes, or trekking boots. They are very popular among experienced hikers who know that if it is not a two-day outing into nature, but a real hike, it is better not to save on shoes and buy good trekking boots in a specialized store.

But let's dwell separately on the varieties of shoes. After all, if you do not have the goal of devoting your life to tourism, and the upcoming trip is not particularly difficult, you can get by with ordinary sneakers. However, this does not negate careful attention to the choice of shoes.

1. Sneakers and sneakers suitable for ordinary simple hikes that have an uncomplicated terrain, especially good in sunny dry weather. Do not buy sneakers or sneakers that, when trying on right next to you, they will rub your feet while hiking. Try on hiking shoes right away by using a thick terry sock. Lace up well, walk around, if everything is comfortable for you, then use such shoes on a hike.

2. Trekking boots supported by inserted metal or plastic structures. Inside is a moisture-wicking, warm layer of fabric, which includes a special Micro-tex membrane. It is necessary to choose a boot model based on the geographical conditions in which the trip will be carried out. In hikes where there is high humidity, hiking shoes with a membrane lining from a single piece of fabric are used, and in skiing, flat hiking or winter hiking - from nubuck or leather with additional insulation. Trekking shoes are a lightweight option for boots, they are great for hiking in the summer in small mountains or over rough terrain. You need to buy sneakers or boots one or a couple of sizes larger, taking into account a thick warm sock.

3. High-mountain boots in the upper part are made of durable plastic, it protects the leg from external damage and securely fixes the foot. If necessary, this part of the boot can be unfastened, leaving the inner boot. For low-temperature conditions, the inner boots are trimmed with heat-reflecting, silvery layers and specially insulated. The sole was thought out in such a way that snowshoes, skis, crampons could be attached to the shoes.

4. Plateau boots are insulated boots that securely fix the foot. They are equipped with a Vibram sole, which is reinforced with a steel plate. The sole has special welts for attaching snowshoes or crampons. The upper part of the boots is made of soft materials - nubuck with a shock-absorbing additional welt around the perimeter of the boots at the level of the foot, in order to protect against negative influences and from reversible leather. Although many tourists prefer the classics, modern technologies have gone ahead, synthetic boots have come out, they win significantly in terms of their weight characteristics, classic ones weigh two to three kilograms, synthetic ones - about two kilos.

1. moisture resistance. The ideal hiking shoes should be waterproof. Genuine leather or synthetic breathable materials are acceptable. The sole should be stitched and rubberized.

2. Thick outsole with tread. The sole of your hiking shoes should be fairly stiff, thick, with a large tread pattern.

3. High lacing. An important condition for a hike that is safe for your feet is shoes that fit your ankle tightly. If you do not want to earn a dislocated ankle, choose boots or sneakers with high lacing. Moreover, note that these should be laces, and not Velcro or zip fasteners, because only the laces will not break and come off at the most crucial moment.

Let's start by imagining such a situation, you are a tourist, you are walking with a heavy and large backpack on your back, somewhere in the taiga or in some tropics. You have a clearly defined action plan, time for a halt, overnight stay, etc. And suddenly the sole of your shoe is torn, it knocks you off the set pace and course. Instead of sticking to your hiking plan, you'll have to stop, patch up your shoes, and get back on the trail again. This is possible, but your shoes will no longer be your assistant, they will let moisture through, rub your foot and tear again. That is why you need to choose high-quality and proven shoes.

Speaking of soles. Trekking boots and sneakers are specially made with hard and elastic soles for more comfortable movement. Let's say you're in the mountains, where the soil is rather unstable, so the sole should be similar to an SUV tire, the same elastic and with treads.

As for the design of the shoe itself, it must be rigid, otherwise your foot will ride in the shoes, and this is fraught with sprains and sprains that will only complicate your journey.

At the moment, there are many companies that make shoes for a variety of difficulties of your route, but from the proven brands I would like to note: Salomon, Campus, La Sportiva, Asolo and Teva.

To determine the model of trekking shoes, it is necessary to take into account a number of details and factors. Let's go in order.

Route complexity

1. Simple, lightweight- the most common walk in the forest or city in the summer. For such complexity, you can choose ordinary trekking sneakers or sandals. In them you can easily go for mushrooms or firewood, walk around the city, see all its sights. The sandals are made of a special sole with spikes. Due to this, they can be used on a long hike, but only as replacement shoes. Such sandals are made not only by sports companies such as Adidas or Nike, but also by companies that specialize in hiking shoes, they usually have more experience, and the shoes are correspondingly better. Experienced tourists got into the trust of Teva sandals, which are worn in the Crimea and in other warm regions or countries. As you know, our people like to save money and manage to go through their entire tourist route in sandals. Advice to all tourists, you do not need to wear sandals where the climate is not stable or cool.

Let's talk about sneakers now. Sneakers are not as ventilated, but they hold the foot and leg in general better. In them, you will be more comfortable and confident walking on uneven surfaces. Hiking shoes are made with a rubber toe cap that protects your toes from damage. In sneakers for the warm season, mesh elements are inserted to ventilate the foot. We recommend using La Sportiva sneakers for easy routes.

There are sneakers that are completely mesh, such as Salomon shoes. They can be worn when jogging and playing sports, in the warm season.

2. Medium difficulty. Shoes for such complexity can be used on long hikes in the summer. For example, hiking in the Crimea or in the Carpathians, where there are sharp ascents and descents, and where the terrain is rather bad. The difficulty is that you will have to carry a backpack, which will contain food, dishes and equipment for the night, and this is an addition to your weight of about 7-10 kg. Poor footwear can lead to unpredictable injuries, most often to the ankle.

Based on this, shoes made of ordinary leather or nubuck, with durable inserts and a rubberized toe, will suit you. Also, such shoes are made with a high top, which allows you to load the muscles of the ankle well and without injury.

According to the stories of tourists, boots for easy routes wear out very quickly, they can get wet even on the first day of the trip. However, in our country, you can easily find shoes for ordinary easy hikes, but hard hiking boots are hard to find.

3. Difficult level. These shoes are designed for long routes with sharp descents and ascents, and a fairly heavy backpack.

Typically, the upper of such shoes consists of leather, for a good fixation of the foot. The soles of these shoes are hard and almost do not bend. According to experienced hikers, we recommend the Vibram sole. There are firms that use their own design, for example, Salomon uses its own ContaGrip sole. Such a sole is better than Vibram in terms of dampness, but it is inferior to it due to its fragility.

About seams. Never buy hiking shoes with many seams when hiking in areas where there are rocks, as the seams wear down on the rocks at a fairly high rate.

Some models have metal and plastic arch supports that stiffen your foot. A firm sole is used to keep your foot from getting tired on long hikes, and a curved sole is also used for comfort.

For hiking on cold trails, winter boots use an insulating layer. The most popular are Thinsulate and PrimaLoft, which have excellent thermal insulation properties. In non-insulated boots, wear-resistant foam rubber is used.

The lining consists of membranes that allow the foot to ventilate and breathe. Small holes in the membrane allow moisture to evaporate, but they do not allow large drops of water to pass through, which is a significant plus in warm but rainy weather. These membranes include Gore-Tex, eVENT, Sympatex. There are also OutDry membranes, with their help, when the boot gets wet, the water remains outside.

Going on a hike, you need to take care of the equipment. And first of all, you need to prepare shoes for the hike. Why does she get so much attention? Because on foot trips, the main load falls on the legs, which means that they need to be protected and taken care of.

It depends on whether you choose the right shoes. How far and how fast will you get, will your feet hurt, will you get blisters. And often you will have injuries. Properly selected shoes make any journey much easier.

The choice of hiking shoes depends on where and how you are going to go. In the city and the paved path, it is quite possible to get by with ordinary sneakers or sneakers. But as soon as the asphalt ends and the field, forest or mountains begin, it's time to put on specialized hiking shoes.

Firstly, it is more durable and wear-resistant, it is easier to carry multidirectional loads and the owner’s weight increased due to the backpack. Secondly, it protects the legs from injury and damage.

Specialized footwear differs both in the selection of materials and manufacturing technology. Everything is important here: the processing of seams, the quality of the glue, and the impregnation and much more. The more difficult the transition to be made, the more difficult the shoes will be.

For short walks in the outskirts of the city, with a minimum of obstacles and almost full of lack of things, hiking shoes are suitable. The word hiking is just called easy simple walking.

It is a lightweight yet durable shoe with soft soles. It is perfect for walking in the summer. This category includes:

• tourist sandals;
• lightweight sneakers with mesh;
• sneakers with a membrane.

Thanks to the rich assortment of such shoes, you can choose not only a comfortable and durable model, but also quite stylish.

Long hikes in winter and autumn

Trekking boots are the best footwear for long hikes in the forest. By the word trekking, professionals understand such multi-day trips over rough terrain. They involve terrain, long descents or ascents, hills and ravines.

Trekking boots are taller than regular running shoes. This is done in order to at least slightly fix the ankle joint. This fixation helps to avoid dislocations and bruises. And injuries on a hike are the last thing. In addition, they have a more durable and firm sole that prevents chafing of the feet.

In general, trekking shoes are a kind of universal layer between urban and highly specialized shoes. It allows you to diversify the load as much as possible.

Experienced people prefer to wear trekking shoes even for light walks in hot weather. It is also suitable for rather difficult, almost extreme routes. It is also advised to buy novice tourism enthusiasts. For the first time. Until a person acquires special shoes for all occasions.

Often trekking boots are made with a membrane to further protect the shoes from water. The membrane is a special coating on the middle layer of the boot, which does not let moisture in. But at the same time it does not interfere with air exchange.

However, it must be understood that the membrane is neither one hundred percent protection against moisture, nor an absolutely breathable material. With constant contact with water, it will still get wet, and drying such shoes is much more difficult than usual. And the legs breathe in such shoes a little worse than in ordinary ones.

Therefore, professionals advise taking shoes with a membrane only for short trips, or for trips that do not involve prolonged contact with water. In other cases, it is better to choose quick-drying shoes or take care of a special water-repellent impregnation in advance.

In terms of materials, trekking shoes are still often made from natural materials such as leather and nubuck. After all, the skin is really a very durable material, wear-resistant and at the same time allows air to pass through, protects from water. However, it is quite heavy material.

Today, there are also synthetic materials that are not inferior to leather in strength and wear resistance, but at the same time have less weight.

Winter hiking

Winter hiking boots are insulated trekking boots. They are heavier, have a special insulated layer. However, at temperatures up to -10 degrees, it is quite possible to get by with ordinary teking boots.

This is justified precisely due to the greater lightness and less rigidity, which makes movement easier. However, this should not be abused. Non-insulated shoes will not withstand severe frosts.

Mountain hiking shoes

For long ascents and descents, difficult, extreme conditions, specialized climbing boots are used. For ordinary walks, they are very inconvenient: the sole is too hard, the bootleg is high with strong fixation. But for the conditions mentioned above, they fit perfectly.

In some cases, such shoes are made composite: two shoes inserted one into the other. The outer boot in this case is made of plastic, which makes it more resistant to water penetration.

Usually, special attention in climbing shoes is paid to the sole. As a rule, it is multi-layered, often with a steel reinforcement, as well as with a special welt for attaching additional equipment, such as crampons.

Since modern wild tourism takes on more than a variety of forms, specialized footwear is very diverse. For example, there are shoes for hiking in places associated with constant contact with water. Rafting on mountain rivers or routes associated with the passage of a large number of rivers.

Such shoes definitely do not have a membrane, dry easily, but do not accumulate water. These shoes can be supplemented with neoprene socks, which provide comfort to the feet even in conditions of constant humidity.

Another point is a special sole that does not slip on wet stones.

Another type of specialized footwear is rock shoes or just rock shoes. They have a thin enough sole so that the foot feels all the features of the relief. In addition, the sole of such shoes is made of a special material that provides the most durable fixation on the stones.

Shoe covers and leggings

In order to ensure greater impermeability of shoes, there are additional devices, in particular, shoe covers and leggings made of waterproof fabrics. Their task is to prevent water from entering through the top.

As a rule, even for mountain hiking, gaiters are used that cover only the upper part of the shoe. Shoe covers cover the entire shoe, but this is rarely necessary.

Hiking shoe care

Technological shoes, quite naturally, require special care. When buying shoes, it makes sense to immediately contact the seller for advice on care. And immediately you need to purchase all the necessary funds for this. You can also buy specialized water-repellent impregnations in advance.

It is also important to dry your shoes properly. Many dry it on burners or even near a fire. In fact, you can only dry shoes at room temperature, in a natural way. To speed up the process, you can only stuff crumpled paper inside the shoe so that it absorbs excess moisture.

The main condition for choosing shoes for a hike is to select it for a specific situation. After all, one cannot say that, for example, city shoes are of less quality than hiking shoes. It’s just that in the city there are not so many obstacles and loads waiting for us, which means that there is no need for more durable shoes.

Also, do not go out of town in running shoes, especially in fashionable sneakers with foot destabilization. For fitness, such shoes are really good, since such a sole contributes to better work of the leg muscles. But on a campaign, destabilization can be very expensive: you put your foot on a stone, you look for balance, but there is no balance. There is a high risk of falling and injuring yourself.

Another point is that they never go hiking in new shoes. Therefore, you should not buy shoes just before going out. First, you need to break in your shoes. This will require several weeks of short, half an hour walks around the city. This time will be enough for the material to start to get used to your foot, but not have time to start rubbing your feet. If the shoes are not previously broken in, the trip will end with legs worn out in the blood.

Are you going on a hike in winter or summer, through a forest or a swamp, or into the mountains; it can be a bike trip, or rafting, so shoes are chosen accordingly. There are no universal shoes. And it can't be. Each type of shoe is designed for something.

When hiking, the legs are under a lot of stress. In order to protect your feet from injuries, and so that they do not get tired for a long time, you need to choose the right shoes for a hike. Shoes should be chosen based on the conditions of the trip. Are you going on a hike in winter or summer, through a forest or a swamp, or into the mountains; it can be a bike trip, or rafting, so shoes are chosen accordingly. There are no universal shoes. And it can't be. Each type of shoe is designed for something.

SNEAKERS
Sneakers are ideal shoes for hiking on a flat surface. For example, on the road it is best to walk in sneakers. Soft, comfortable, mobile, light. An important plus of sneakers is the price, cheap sneakers can also be good. In general, if the hike is for several weeks, then it is best to take a pair of sneakers in addition to the main shoes. On daytime halts or overnight stays, put on sneakers, and ventilate and dry the main shoes. But sneakers are not suitable for every terrain. For example, it is very inconvenient to walk in a swamp or wetlands. But in the mountains, on the contrary, it is convenient - the ankle is movable, the foot is easily controlled. Sneakers are not always suitable for our forest, as we have a lot of wetlands.

TREKKINGS
Trekking boots are trekking boots, something between sneakers and boots. In general, at the moment there are so many different models of trekking that they no longer look alike. Trekking comfortable, soft, light enough. Much stronger and more durable running shoes.
Their main disadvantage is the price. Good trekking is not cheap. It is also important that it is more difficult to care for them than for sneakers. Trekking bikes use a special membrane in their design to absorb and remove moisture. But if you scoop up water with your foot several times, then this membrane may deteriorate. For trekking, a variety of products are sold - gels, sprays, powders. Drying them by the fire is strictly contraindicated. Some species can be used in the same way in winter.

BOOTS
Boots are the most versatile footwear. Swamp, forest, mountains, flat road - boots can go through all this. Another question is at what cost. In the mountains, boots, of course, are not very comfortable. In the swamp, they are simply irreplaceable, but in the taiga, you don’t look like anything else. Good boots can be inexpensive. The main advantage of boots is ease of use, low cost, and reliability. The main disadvantage is heavy, not very comfortable. It takes a long time to get used to boots, but if you are already used to it, you won’t find better shoes. Ideal for winter hiking. Shoe covers are a necessary thing, but not for everyone. Basically, they are only needed by watermen - fishermen, water tourists

BELTS
Bertsy are boots with a high berets. The height of the tibia varies, but mostly - up to the middle of the lower leg. It is lighter than a boot, just as durable and impact resistant (unlike sneakers and trekking), easy to use, and unpretentious in maintenance. High tibia allows you to fix the ankle, which is important - the possibility of dislocation of the foot is practically excluded. In swamps, berets are not very comfortable: by the end of the day, the skin gets wet, the lacing clings to all kinds of branches. In the mountains, wearing them is generally contraindicated - in the mountains you need a movable lower leg, and in the berets the ankle is fixed, so you can’t dislocate it, but a fracture of the lower leg is quite possible. For winter hikes, insulated berets are needed. Berts are heavier than sneakers or trekking boots. Your feet don't breathe well in them. And generally speaking, you need to get used to them, as well as to boots. For example, I’m used to berets, and I don’t see the best hiking shoes.

What shoes to choose? When choosing shoes, one must proceed from the conditions of the hike and individual requirements (weight, care, etc.). Personally, I use berets. I have winter and summer ones. Winter - insulated with fur, summer - with a cordura top. When choosing berets, you should pay attention to the sole - the sole should be soft, but durable, stitched. The soft sole wears out quickly, but does not slip on ice (glass, tile, linoleum). The protector must be deep. It is very important that the tongue is hemmed high: the higher, the better. Ideally, the tongue is hemmed to the very top, but it is acceptable if it is hemmed just above the ankle. If the tongue is not hemmed, or hemmed low, the berets will draw water. You should also give preference to models with a soft upper edge of the beret. In the standard "army" model, it is hard and rubs the calves. In order to avoid this, you should beat off the edge of the tibia with a mallet. The same applies to boots. Shoes should be chosen taking into account the fact that you will wear them with a woolen sock, that is, half a size-size larger.

When choosing any shoes, remember the rule - the fewer seams - the less they leak. In general, shoes allow water to pass through the seams, so choose models with the fewest seams, that is, the fewer pieces of leather used in sewing, the better.

If you buy leather shoes (boots, boots, boots), pre-treat it. To increase the water-repellent properties, you can impregnate the skin and seams with melted goose fat, shoe polish, in general, with something that repels water. I just saturate the berets with cream. Impregnation is not the same as lubrication. It is necessary to impregnate the shoes with cream several times, until completely absorbed. It's in new shoes! If this did not work out right away, be sure to dry the shoes before impregnation. It takes me half a tube of cream to impregnate a pair of berets.

For hiking, well-worn boots with low heels, preferably with grooved soles, are the best shoes. Boots should be spacious enough to fit a felt insole and a thick sock (woolen). You can take shoes one number more than usual. If they are too loose, you can put not one, but two insoles in them, or put on another cotton one over a woolen sock. Before hiking, boots should be soaked several times with a special ointment for sports and hunting shoes sold in sports stores, or with any unsalted fat. This is done in the following way. A layer of fat is applied to the boot with a clean cloth, and then it is slightly heated on gas. When the fat is absorbed - it seems to the eye that it just dried out - you need to apply another layer and warm the boot again by the fire. But be careful at the same time - as soon as the lubricant dries, you must immediately apply the next layer, otherwise the skin may warp from the heat. This procedure is repeated several times. During the heating season, you can, after lubricating the shoes, put them under the radiator for the night. This method is safer for boots, but the smell from them will last all night. It must be borne in mind that if too much fat is absorbed into the shoes, then their quality may deteriorate - the leather will become too soft. Therefore, if, with strong pressure on the skin of the boot, fat begins to be squeezed out a little, then further impregnation must be stopped. If the boots are stiff or form folds (most often transverse at the toes or longitudinal at the ankle), it is useful to put them in a thrust.

To do this, the toe part of the boot must be tightly stuffed with paper (it is best to roll it into tight rollers), and insert some object into the back that provides thrust, for example, a glass jar. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that it is inserted tightly and straightens the folds on the skin. To do this, the jar itself is covered from the outside with paper rollers, wooden blocks, in general - with any suitable items that are at hand. In addition, shoes must be broken in by walking in them. A common mistake made by tourists when choosing shoes is that they are purchased literally on the eve of the trip. As a result, worn legs, blisters, naminas. So, any shoes with low heels are suitable for hiking. Low shoes are worse: they do not hold the ankle. It is good to use basketball shoes with a thick insole when hiking. However, it must be borne in mind that when wet and then dry, the sneakers shrink very much. Therefore, when purchasing sneakers for a hike, you need to choose their numbers two more than ordinary shoes. At home, they should be soaked under the tap and then dried. Then the sneakers will acquire the size that they actually take on a hike. If at the same time they turn out to be a little large, then in them, as in boots, you can put a double insole or pry off a second sock. Semi-sneakers and tennis shoes are also suitable for hiking, but their drawback is that, like low shoes, they do not hold the ankle. High-heeled shoes are categorically not suitable for hiking: you simply can’t walk any significant distance in it across rough terrain. Various sandals and sandals are also not suitable. In field conditions, the leg “walks” too much in them, and the straps, as a rule, are not reliable. Even less suitable for hiking are mules and slippers. Even ordinary slippers with thin soles are uncomfortable for hiking. It is easy to bruise your fingers in them, stumbling upon the roots of trees or potholes in the road; on hard ground, they quickly beat off and the heels begin to hurt; finally, they do not protect well from sharp objects that may accidentally get caught on the road. For hiking in the off-season, during the rainy and muddy seasons, rubber boots have proven themselves well. They should also include a felt insole, and if the size allows, then two. You can put a woolen sock (one or two) in boots. If felt or fur socks are sewn for boots, then they can be worn in the snow, at least until it becomes too deep.

Ordinary army-type tarpaulin boots did not take root in campaigns. They are too heavy for summer and don't have the waterproofing of rubber boots for off-season hiking. On a hike, any tourist shoes should be dried periodically. Even in dry weather, it can get wet on the inside from sweat, on the outside from evening or morning dew, from an accidental step into a puddle, etc. wind. If there is dry hay nearby, stuff it into your shoes. Drying shoes near a fire, which beginner tourists love to do, should be done with great care. Under the influence of heat, shoes can easily either burn out, or lose elasticity, crack. Learning to take care of shoes drying by the fire is not easy. Not without reason, there was a saying among tourists that a person becomes a real tourist not earlier than he burns three pairs of shoes at the fire. Therefore, it is generally not recommended to dry shoes directly by the fire. It is much better to place it a little to the side where warm air comes (but not heat, not sparks). At the same time, care must be taken that warm air penetrates into the shoes. To do this, it is usually put on sticks stuck into the ground, after removing the insoles for separate drying. If there is any doubt that the heat for drying is too high, it is better to move the shoes further away without hesitation. In the end, let the shoes remain a little damp, otherwise you can stay without them at all. All this, however, does not mean at all that you can do without drying shoes at all. Shoes thrown at random do not have time to dry overnight, even if the night is dry. Damp shoes easily rub your feet, and in the off-season can cause colds and even frostbite. By the way, it is very useful to have a second pair of shoes with you in case the first one still deteriorates during drying, or the tourist wears out his foot and he needs more spacious or softer shoes, or, finally, just in order not to sit barefoot, while your shoes dry. On long hikes, given the possibility of shoes failing, experienced hikers take a second pair without fail. For Sunday hikes, it is enough if the second pair is captured by one or two people, depending on the size of the group.

The choice of boots for trekking is a very responsible task, you cannot rely on the fact that any boots of average price will allow you to successfully complete trekking or hiking. You should familiarize yourself with the main aspects of choosing hiking boots before buying them.

The topic of hiking shoes is very relevant, because it is the right pair that will allow you to enjoy the trip as comfortably and safely as possible, without distracting you from foot troubles and making difficult terrain more accessible and passable.

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In the last article, we have already covered the topic in some detail, today we will look at shoes in the "heavy weight" - boots for trekking, mountain hiking and climbing.

Let's get started first.

Trekking boots- high (from the ankle and above) specialized shoes for walking and climbing on difficult terrain in any weather. Made from artificial and (or) natural materials of increased strength and wear resistance and equipped with a specialized outsole with developed lugs for confident traction on a variety of surfaces. In models for mountaineering or difficult mountain tourism, the sole may have a special design for securing crampons with a rigid or semi-rigid fixation. The characteristic features of many models are also: elongated anatomical lacing for better leg fixation; improved protection against moisture; protection of the top from mechanical damage; protection of the boot from the ingress of foreign objects. Sole (most often from a specialized manufacturer Vibram) with a deep self-cleaning tread.

For a successful choice of shoes, you need to imagine for what conditions this or that type is best suited. When do sneakers end and boots start? Of course, there is no universal recipe. The general trend towards lighter equipment and faster trails is leading to more running shoes. Personally, I have repeatedly met people in sneakers far above the snow line in the mountains and I myself have repeatedly gone in sneakers to the winter Toubkal (4167m). However, sneakers will never completely replace boots even in summer tourism, let alone winter tourism. So, when can we clearly enough assume that it is necessary to take trekking (mountain) boots on a hike, going at or on time, or in another case?

We have to move on a very difficult terrain - rocky surfaces, scree slopes on small and medium-sized stones. The boots will protect your ankles from painful impacts on the rocks, and your ankle from sprains.

It will be wet and muddy. If you often have to walk knee-deep in water, then boots will not save your feet from getting wet. But wet grass, muddy logging roads, frequent crossings of streams, heavy rainfall just scream to you: take your boots!

Snow, cold. There are almost no options. No, of course you can take more serious sneakers, leggings, warmer socks, thicker insoles ... But do we need it? If a couple of days for a trip, then okay, for an experienced tourist this is a way out, but if not? We take boots!

Classification of hiking boots

Classification, of course, is a very conditional thing, but it will help us to decide a little. Now there are a lot of models on the market and it is possible to choose shoes for your specific tasks. You can buy a universal pair "for all occasions", but you need to be prepared for the fact that, like any compromise, it will lose to specialized solutions. This option is perfect for a user who does not travel too often or an experienced traveler who goes on a long trip with a variety of conditions.

Below is an approximate division of trekking boots into main classes, which will allow a beginner to “focus”, which is very important when choosing - good boots are not cheap.

LIGHT TREKKING BOOTS

In fact, a "transitional link" from the world of sneakers to the world of "serious" trekking shoes. Just a trekking shoe grew in height and became a boot. Main distinguishing features: relatively soft sole for bending and torsion; lightweight upper materials, often a combination of thin leather/reverse and synthetic inserts (the upper is rarely made from a single piece of material, usually it is multi-component); light weight; often a "sneaker design".

They are well suited for light trekking where there is no continuous snow cover, for simple rocks, viaferat, they will also show themselves well in the city. After the sneakers, you will immediately feel better fixation, confidence in ankle support, which is especially noticeable when carrying a heavy backpack over uneven surfaces.

UNIVERSAL TREKKING BOOTS

As the name implies, this is the most versatile and common type of hiking shoe. It’s more like just “trekking (or mountain) boots”, because when people talk about hiking boots, they mean them first of all. To some extent, these are shoes "for everything" - in such boots you will see tourists in any corner of the world, they are often used even in the heat, if increased protection and fixation of the foot is required. This type of footwear is chosen for both summer and winter, especially when a rather difficult hike is planned. But best of all, it will manifest itself at moderate temperatures - from + 15-20 to -10-15 degrees.

The main distinguishing features - the sole is quite rigid, with a deep tread, but still it is not as "oak" as in heavier models and in specialized mountaineering shoes. It flexes when you walk, so you can walk long distances in these boots without any extra effort. Also, the sole is thick enough to, on the one hand, hide a multi-layer structure that can reliably support the foot of a person of any weight with a heavy one and be wear-resistant, and on the other hand, have good enough thermal insulation that allows hiking on solid snow or ice cover. As a rule, the sole of universal trekking boots does not have special devices (welts) for hard-fixed crampons, but they can be used with regular, “soft (universal)” crampon bindings. Ice climbing is best done in specialized shoes. The top of the boot is often leather (in this variety, the classic still prevails), sometimes combined. There are models made from one piece of leather. They are distinguished by special endurance and improved moisture protection, but more expensive. Usually such shoes have an average height, but lovers of high shoes can really find such an option. There are also options for hunters and military with a specific design - sometimes they are also bought for hiking.

In general, it is in this segment that the choice is so extensive that it makes the purchase more difficult than easier. Therefore, the better you imagine your “perfect boot” before purchasing, the easier it will be for you in the store.

BOOTS FOR HEAVY (DIFFICULT) TREKKING

A general name commonly used for hikes that involve frequent and long travel over very difficult terrain, climbing (often using climbing techniques). Also, these boots are used for movement in cold conditions. This is a kind of symbiosis, a "transitional link" between trekking shoes and specialized shoes for high-altitude and technical mountaineering. This type of boots is especially popular among experienced mountain tourists, because they have to move around the highlands and sometimes make several rather difficult ascents during the hike.

What characterizes such shoes? In appearance, it looks more like ordinary trekking boots, but at the same time it is more powerful and heavier. The most reliable materials are used - thick leather, Kevlar, ABS plastic. The outsole is already almost completely rigid, often with cat welts, but the profile and tread are still more "sharpened" for walking than for climbing.

In other words, these shoes are quite niche, such a division is generally very arbitrary, since the line between this class and mountaineering shoes is very blurred.

CLIMBING BOOTS

This is a rather specific class of shoes, primarily intended for technical (with the use of special equipment and on difficult, usually vertical terrain) and high-altitude ascents to the peaks.

KEY FEATURES. These are usually the most innovative shoes, using the latest advances and technologies in the design (even if the boot looks classic on the outside), with the maximum degree of protection for the foot - after all, conditions in mountaineering are very extreme. Design and construction can often also differ from what we are used to; as a rule, bright colors of shoes are used. Now on the market there are many extremely lightweight designs in which low weight and ultimate functionality come to the fore compared to the resource of the boot. Of course, such shoes are more expensive than just trekking shoes and at the same time are not so comfortable for long walks on flat terrain due to a very stiff sole with a relatively flat profile. This form allows you to conveniently move along the rocks and engage in ice climbing in crampons. To fix the latter, mountaineering boots are equipped with special welts in front and behind, or only in the back (on lightweight models). It is in this type of shoes that natural materials have recently been actively replaced by artificial ones. The fact is that the latter better meet the main criterion of mountaineering - the most reduced weight with maximum functionality. The resource here is secondary. Therefore, modern fabrics, rubber, plastic and composite materials are increasingly replacing very strong and wear-resistant, but heavy leather. Climbing boots often have additional insulation - after all, in the mountains, at altitude, it can be very cold all year round.

In boots for technical mountaineering, the main emphasis is on the convenience of climbing in them on the most difficult terrain and lightness of construction. A good fit on the leg is achieved by a special shape of the last and a long lacing from the toe. The sole often has a special climbing zone with a smooth toe tread for better grip on the rock.

In high-altitude climbing shoes, the most important criterion is maximum thermal insulation. Boots for climbing eight-thousanders can withstand frost down to -60 degrees for some time! However, they weigh quite a bit. Often these shoes are also used for polar expeditions. It has a multilayer structure and is usually made only from artificial materials.

WHAT TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHEN BUYING

WHERE TO BUY? Everything on the Internet is now cheaper than in the store. But even experienced tourists and climbers who have changed more than one pair of shoes can make a mistake when choosing in an online store. It is not recommended to buy your first pair or shoes from a manufacturer you do not know on the Internet. Remember that the miser pays twice. At a minimum, you will have to return a pair that you have been waiting for from several days to several weeks and order a new one. Therefore, if you do not have much time for such feats, buy in large equipment centers with a good assortment and qualified personnel. Keep in mind, however, that each center distributes a certain number of manufacturers, and it is precisely for the purchase of products from these manufacturers that you will be persuaded in every possible way. Of course, you can try on in the store and order elsewhere ...

RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVISORS. Most beginners have more experienced and reputable friends who are happy to help with advice when choosing equipment. But often their advice is categorical and categorical. Take THIS and period! Why? Because it suits me, so it suits you. It is better to stay away from such advisers. Only you know about the features of the structure of your leg - fullness, height of rise, some individual features require you to choose a comfortable shoe "for yourself". A competent seller will definitely ask you questions about the features of the structure of your leg and your preferences, and only then will help you with the choice. Even very good manufacturers have different pads. You need to choose the one that is right for you. Choose shoes carefully, usually they are bought for more than one year.

SHOE SHOULD BE MEASURED! Travel shoes need to be measured very carefully. Do this at the end of the day with swollen feet and use it to try on hiking socks. Before buying, you need to spend at least 10-15 minutes in laced shoes. Shoes should "sit down" on you and be comfortable right away. Do not hope that it "spreads" and "sits down". If you experience discomfort in the store, most likely you will have problems later.

FOOTWEAR AND INNOVATION. Choose shoes according to your criteria. Do not be fooled by fashionable and bright designs and unverified manufacturers. In new, revolutionary models, there is always a risk of serious disappointment. Do you want to become a tester of new ideas for the manufacturer for your own money with an unknown result? This is a dubious idea, which I recommend to abandon. Proven solutions won't make you get off track or get into health trouble on a long hike. So be careful.

MEMBRANE. For high trekking shoes nowadays, the membrane is something that is present “by default”. In 95% of cases, a membrane in a boot is really worth recommending. Only it is better that it be a membrane from GORE-TEX or EVENT. But if you are going to a VERY wet region, for example, to Norway or Kamchatka or somewhere else, where rivers often cross knee-deep without taking off your shoes and many times a day, that is, if you are guaranteed to get your feet wet many times during the trip, then you don't need a membrane! Choose shoes without a membrane and with a smooth leather liner. Such shoes can be dried on a hike, unlike boots with a membrane, which you will still try to dry (including over a fire) and which you will simply ruin. And remember - the membrane requires care and careful operation.

PROTECTION. If you're buying shoes for tough hiking, look for models with solid rubber protection at the bottom of the boot. This will significantly extend the resource and save your legs. I am glad that the "rubber band" has recently become a trend. For simple trekking and the city, boots may be without additional protection.

TONGUE. When choosing, pay close attention to the design of the tongue. This is often an area for manufacturer innovation. They often try to experiment with the tongue and not always successfully. Don't fall for the marketing bait! The tongue should be comfortable from the very beginning, this is a “risk zone” and you need to be very careful when trying it on. Many manufacturers offer the ability to adjust the height of the tongue. It's pretty convenient. Make sure the tongue does not cause discomfort - the best shoes are those that after a few minutes you stop noticing on your foot.

USE AND CARE OF YOUR BOOTS

I won't write anything new here. Keep your shoes as clean as possible, especially the inside. When hiking, use every opportunity to dry your boot and remove the insole. Remember that even the most beautiful membrane “breathes” rather conditionally, and even the most beautiful girls sweat their feet. From time to time, treat the inside of the boot with hygiene sprays, wipe with antibacterial wipes when hiking. Dry your shoes very carefully. Just in the shade in the wind or in the sun (but with feeling, do not overheat). Try not to overdry it and do not put it on a hot battery. Many civilized shelters are now installing special dryers for shoes, you can also have your own, from ski boots. You can also stuff slightly damp shoes with paper at night. If water just leaks out of the shoe (say, you fell into a stream), first wipe the inside with a hiking towel as thoroughly as possible, then with napkins or toilet paper, only then begin to dry. When sitting near a cozy fire, remember that synthetics are very bad at sparks and high temperatures. This is especially true for shoes with a membrane.

Shoes "out of the box" usually have a water-repellent treatment (often referred to as DWR). Over time, it is wiped with various abrasives like dirt, washed off and begins to get very wet. Even if there is a membrane inside, it is still unpleasant. Therefore, apply a water-repellent coating yourself at home. The necessary funds for this are sold in equipment centers and the Internet (be careful with the latter). There you also need to purchase means for washing shoes (especially if the shoes are with a membrane). It is better to clean shoes by hand, the machine is not as effective.

REMEMBER that trekking boots are only part of the system, which also includes socks, gaiters (or shoe covers), as well as crampons, or an ice ax (on climbs). Only competent complex use of tourist equipment will help you to create maximum comfort when traveling even over rough terrain. Much also depends on your skills. Good luck to everyone and happy travels! The road will be mastered by the walking one.

SITE MENU

ASOLO Fugitive GTX Trekking Boots

My new go-to boots for multi-day hikes and trekking from summer 2016. Each tourist has his own criteria and requirements for boots. I have only three main requirements for shoes of this class - that they sit comfortably, are not heavy and not very hot. Still, I go most of the trips in the vicinity of Krasnaya Polyana, but here it is mostly hot here. Having measured everything that is possible, I again, with great surprise for myself, settled on Asolo. The choice of shoes is generally a hell of a subjective matter, but it turns out that the Italians guessed very well with the block - it was too great they sat on my leg with a rather narrow heel. Prior to that, for eight years (!!!) I went in an almost complete analogue - the release of 2008, in which I went trekking to the Everest base camp and from the bottom of my heart I was in the vicinity of Krasnaya Polyana (for example, like this and like that) and even wrote about these boots. Read it. In short, these are light (see weight!), not hot (little leather) and practical (again, no leather) trekking boots. For me, this is the main thing.

Of course, there are disadvantages! Fortunately for me, they are not essential or even not important at all. Firstly, and this is a consequence of their merits, not only leather, but also many synthetic materials are used for lightening. As a result, boots are not as well “formed”, “sit down” on the leg, as pure leather ones. Therefore, the choice of such boots in size and last should be taken more seriously than those made of leather. Just because they fit perfectly on my foot doesn't mean at all (or rather, doesn't mean at all!) that they will fit you.

The second minus is more significant - the sole of these boots, due to ASOLO's desire to launch a model with a lower price on the market, is made from their own rubber, and not bought from VIBRAM. Let me remind you that in the past shoes, it was the sole that became the bottleneck. It was due to complete wear (tread wear) that I was faced with the need to replace the boots. But, the truth is that the sole "passed" more than 1000 kilometers, which, you see, is not bad at all!

For mountain tourists who go categorical mountain hikes, the lack of a “rubber band” around the perimeter of the bottom of the boots may also be a minus of the boots. Such a rubber band is designed to protect the bottom of the boot from cuts on the sharp edges of the "fluff", which are found in abundance on categorical mountain passes, and not on trekking trails. I can only say one thing - these are trekking boots. If you are looking for more serious shoes for sports mountain trips 2nd or 3rd category of complexity, pay attention to models of the type (hereinafter referred to as the catalog of the Sport-Marathon store) - ZAMBERLAN 960 Guide GTX, SCARPA Kinesis Pro GTX or BESTARD Breithorn Pro.

In a couple of years, when the boots do more hiking, I will write a more detailed review! While I went to them along the Abkhazian Arabica, and climbed Agepsta (the report will be later).

Features of the 2016 ASOLO Fugitive GTX trekking boots:

• Upper: Suede 1.6 - 1.8 mm thick with Cordura inserts
• Outsole: two-component Asolo Syncro
• Optimal use temperature: -10 +20
• Weight: 680 g for one shoe size 42
• Year of purchase: 2016

• Boots ASOLO Fugitive GTX and for 14,790 rubles in the Sport-Marathon store
• All trekking boots in Sport-Marathon store
• Manufacturer website: asolo.com

Haikin boots SALOMON X ULTRA MID 2 GTX

Trekking boots can be unnecessarily heavy and stiff for hiking on easy terrain. Lighter and softer hiking boots are perfect for such cases! And since we go on such trips very often, it is understandable why shoes of this class are an eternal hit in tourist stores.

With a mid-height and optimal, not too stiff sole, they are great for light trekking and hiking, and the presence of a membrane makes such shoes a great option. for walks and hikes in cool, muddy and wet weather. It is interesting that it was shoes of this class that were mine. the main winter shoes when I lived in Moscow! The GORE-TEX membrane protects against wet snow and rain, while the right trekking socks with wool content provide sufficient comfort in temperatures of -10 -20 degrees.

Once again choosing such shoes (and a pair of shoes of this class lasts an average of three years, since they are perhaps the most frequently worn shoes of all), I returned to Salomon again. Whatever one may say, the legendary Salomon last is distinguished by its incredible fit and comfort. I put it on and didn’t take it off, I immediately carried it to the cashier =))

Characteristics of the SALOMON X Ultra Mid 2 GTX boots:

• Optimum use temperature: +15 -10
• Weight: 460 grams per shoe
• Membrane: GORE-TEX® Performance Comfort
• Sole: SALOMON Contagrip
• Price and year of purchase: $150 (2016)

This pair of boots I have just recently, but the previous pair of SALOMON X Ultra Mid GTX, which I wore in 2006-2008, was used, including while traveling in Montenegro, on a hike in the Carpathians, while climbing Achishkho in the fall of 2007- go. Earlier in this class of shoes (I used that somehow very quickly fell into disrepair - the outer rag quickly broke and started to leak, and the sole held very sucks on wet terrain) I climbed the highest waterfall in the USA, walked at the foot of the Austrian Grossglockner glacier and went on a weekend hike around Lagonaki.

• Manufacturer website: salomon.com
• SALOMON X Ultra Mid GTX in Sport-Marathon store

SALOMON Scrambler FG Cold Weather & Snowshoe Boots

These Salomon winter boots are distinguished from classic hiking boots by a high, thick sole and high rubber band. Thanks to this, the boots are very warm and at the same time not afraid of dampness. This last can be very wide, which allows you to use them with a thick toe without fear that the leg will be cramped (the main cause of frostbite). The high shin of the boot protects well from snow, but for serious winter walks, of course, you should use gaiters.

Characteristics:

• Material: Leather, high rubber sole
• Insulation - Thinsulate BQ
• Optimal use temperature: -15 -30
• Weight: 735 g for one shoe size 42
• Price and year of purchase: 140 euros (2006)

Of the weaknesses, I would note, in my opinion, still a soft sole. For snowshoeing and walking on more aggressive terrain, a stiffer sole would be nice!

From the links to the hikes in which I used these boots, I will give three: snowshoeing in the Adyl-Su gorge, Elbrus region, a winter walk along the Krasnoyarsk Pillars and acclimatization exits while climbing Elbrus in May. And although now I have lost interest in snowshoeing, got carried away with ski touring and moved south to Sochi (it was very cool to sit outside all day watching the competition in them), I am glad that I have boots in the closet at minus 30 degrees!

• Manufacturer website: salomon.com
• Winter shoes in the Sport-Marathon store

SNEAKERS

In recent years, sneakers have firmly entered my hiking life! Having replaced heavy equipment with modern and light equipment and moved to Sochi, I increasingly began to go short, one- or two-day hikes and use sneakers for this. Unlike Siberia and the highlands, here in Krasnaya Polyana there are good trails, and light equipment does not require serious foot support. For the same reason, I like to walk in the Alps in sneakers - the trails are excellent there, and the backpack is light! And, of course, cycling trips - in serious, multi-day trips, specialized shoes are required (maybe even "contact" shoes), and for my one-two-day light rides, sneakers are just right!

Sneakers LA SPORTIVA Ultra Raptor

Purpose: mountain shoes for stony (rocky) mountain trails

The disease called Fast & Light is gripping me more and more! Who likes to carry a heavy backpack? Nobody! Here I am, starting to prepare for the realization of my dream - “100 mountain kilometers in two days” I realized that in order to cover such a distance, very correct shoes are needed - light, but as reliable as possible on mountainous terrain. After trying on the line of LA SPORTIVA sneakers, I settled on the Ultra Raptor model. And the last is the most comfortable for me, despite the fact that in general, all the shoes of this Italian brand are quite narrowed, and the purpose of this model is “ultra long mountain distances” - exactly what I need!

Characteristics:

• Optimal use temperature: +5 +30
• Weight of one shoe 343 g
• Price and year of purchase: $130 (2013)

Since the purchase, all one-day mountain and hiking trips with rocky and stone areas I go only in them and I can say with all confidence that THESE ARE THE BEST MOUNTAIN SNEAKERS!!! On rocky mountain trails they hold fantastic, they just stick!! They do not keep only on wet roots and smooth river stones with lichen growths. But nothing holds them ... And the level of depreciation is generally space. Your knees will thank you!!

The most interesting thing about these shoes for me is the tread life. It is very interesting how long the sole will last, because miracles do not happen - to achieve such an effect of "diligence" La Sportiva used in this model a Vibram sole with special "pimples" made of rubber that is softer than the main part of the sole. We assume. So far, there are about 150 kilometers in the standings and tread wear is no more than 20%!

• Advantages: Fantastic grip due to the rubber material and tread pattern, excellent cushioning, excellent protection of the foot (rubbing and reinforcement at the toe), support and stability due to the support elements in the last, chic workmanship from La Sportiva.
• Minuses: without gore-tex (although La Sportiva also has such a version), compared to the ultra-light SALOMON S-lab Sense 3 Ultra SG, they seem heavy (the difference between 260 and 340 grams, believe me, is significant!), sometimes you want a deeper tread in case of mud Well, they cost like an airplane!

Since the shoes are not cheap, and at the same time they are awesome in their niche, I will probably save them and try to use them only for routes with predominantly rocky and rocky terrain, and for forest hiking I will use other models of sneakers. In addition, as the last loshara, I managed to make a mistake with the size of these sneakers, taking half a size smaller than I need and I can’t take them for extended multi-day hiking, so as not to knock off my nails. So far the LA SPORTIVA Ultra Raptor has been used on the following hikes:

Some photos from my hikes in LA SPORTIVA Ultra Raptor shoes:

LA SPORTIVA Ultra Raptor
hiking in the Alps

LA SPORTIVA Ultra Raptor outsole

LA SPORTIVA Ultra Raptor
on the rocky part of the trail

Update! Since the spring of 2016, La Sportiva has added to its lineup a model that will probably become the new hit of the trail line - the Akasha model. Unlike the Ultra Raptor, they have exactly the same tread pattern (deeper, but not excessive) that seems to me the most versatile and ideal - the Frixion XT tread should provide maximum connection on any type of soil: on soft and wet ground, rocky ledges or traverses . Take a look at this model! on the website of the store "Sport-Marathon".

• Manufacturer website: lasportiva.com
• LA SPORTIVA Ultra Raptor at Sport-Maarfon

ASICS Gel-Trail Lahar 5 GTX Running Shoes

Purpose: versatile trail shoe with GORE-TEX membrane

During one of the sales, I sat and thought about what to buy from the necessary equipment. Even before I had time to open my wish list, I remembered about wet feet after the recent November assaults on Amuko and Achishkho (only spare socks were saved), as well as spring cycling trips through the Sochi mud, as well as the race to Elbrus, which has been in my dreams-plans for many years . So I came to realize the need to buy sneakers with GORE-TEX.

In general, the theme of sneakers with gore text is another topic! Usually, those runners who think that this is stupidity motivate their opinion by the fact that no membrane can withstand really serious rain and their feet will get wet anyway, and then it is more difficult (longer) to dry such sneakers than usual, without a membrane. I fully agree with these settings, but there is one "but". And this "but" is called SNOW. I have an opinion that all these lovers of mud-slinging gore-tex sneakers run only in warm summer "mushroom" rains and have never seen snow!

The second, more common situation is called "dirt". What kind of sneakers will you wear in the woods if it rained like a bucket at night? Of course sneakers with gore-tex. If you have them of course!

If I were a normal person, and not a freak in the field of equipment, then choosing shoes with GORE-TEX, I would take the classic of all times and peoples, SALOMON X ULTRA GTX, and not bathe. But I'm not one of those! The theme of trail running and off-road running has been gaining wild popularity lately, as a result of which even such monsters of the “classic” running market as ASICS have pulled themselves up and expanded their line of shoes for dirt and trail. So I decided to try Asics, otherwise there is only Salomon around, but Salomon ...

The choice of these particular sneakers was simple - a 40% discount during the sale, the presence of my size, well, the performance characteristics of the model suited me - a moderately aggressive tread and a membrane.

Characteristics:

• Optimal use temperature: -5 +15
• Weight of one sneaker 330 g
• Price and year of purchase: $69 (2014)

After the first test in battle, on the ascent to the peak of Bzerpi, I realized that I had done everything right! Of the seven hours of hiking, I spent more than three hours in the snow, and my feet remained dry! I wouldn't feel so good in regular sneakers! I wrote about this at the beginning.

A week after this trip, I tried them on the rocky trails of the Agur Gorge and was unpleasantly surprised at how much worse they hold on smooth stones and rocks than La Sportiva Raptor. Unfortunately, there is no perfect shoe in the world, and these sneakers are no exception. They are not made for this. Specialized Raptor with branded La Sportive rubber, of course, they can not win!

Despite this, I "risked" to go on a full-fledged three-day family trip around Krasnaya Polyana in them. I really needed to test these shoes on a multi-day mountain hike on a trail as close as possible to what will be in Switzerland and finally decide what to take with me on the main summer hike in the Alps, which was supposed to start in two weeks.

Salomon S-lab Sense 3 Ultra SG sneakers - the plague! This model was created for marathon distances on soft earthen ground, and the route to Amuko and Sakharnaya is just that. Stones minimum, no more than 0.1% of the route. The rest of the trail is dirt (almost the entire route passes through the forest zone). On the trail, the shoes held up superbly (SALOMON always excelled in this one!), even on snow-covered sections. Separately, I want to note a comfortable shoe, sneakers sit perfectly. And despite the fact that this was their first test (and immediately what! - From the fire to the frying pan), not a single callus, The only thing I thought was whether I got excited by taking a model without Gore-Tex for these tasks. wet at the end of the day from walking on fresh snow.

• Manufacturer website: salomon.com
• Salomon S-lab Sense SG sneakers in Sport-Maarfon store

KEEN

Purpose: sturdy hiking sandals.

Requirements for shoes in this class: I needed sandals that would not fall apart when climbing the rocks of Petra on our trip to Jordan, and would later be used as a "camp shift" for hiking.

The American company KEEN is a recognized leader in this kind of footwear. In this model, I liked the excellent own, non-Vibram sole. Strong, moderately hard, very cool holds on the rocks. The line system is also well thought out. The foot is fixed very well. It's tough, but it doesn't push. Clip fastener. A thousand times more comfortable than any rubber laces ... At the end of the Tien Shan campaign, the entire final day was spent in them (with a large backpack). Everything is fine! Still, it is not for nothing that Keen is one of the world leaders in shoes of this class!

The only negative of these sandals is their weight - more than 400 grams per pair. It is clear that these are harsh strong sandals, and they cannot weigh a little, but sometimes you really want to take a pair of light sandals with you to change your shoes at the end of a hiking day into something light. Apparently not far off the purchase of the second pair of sandals :)

P.S. After seven years of use (!!!) I can say that I am surprised by the fantastic durability of KEEN sandals. They went on hikes with a 25 kilogram backpack, and various trips, and in Sochi, where I have been living for the last three years, these are generally my everyday shoes. In general, fellow tourists, I highly recommend KEEN!

Material: Synthetic leather, Gore-Tex membrane, Vibram sole.

In addition to almost daily wear in the summer in the city for almost 6 years (!!!), KEEN sandals were actively used in the following trips:

Characteristics:

• Optimum use temperature: +25 +20
• Weight: 230g for one sandal
• Price and year of purchase: $70 (2008)

ACCESSORIES

Trekking socks

Purpose: classic tourist (trekking) socks

Many underestimate the importance of quality hiking socks. In fact, the "right" socks play just as much of a role in keeping your feet comfortable on a hike than good boots. Bad cheap socks will roll up and the foot will sweat and rub on the foot. Nobody likes corns. I'll put it another way: buying good expensive shoes and saving on socks is the biggest stupidity you can think of. "The miser pays twice" - this saying is exactly about this case!

It may seem that modern high-quality trekking socks cost some incredible money - about 1,500 rubles per pair, but believe me, it's worth it! Some socks have been with me for more than five or six years!

I tried to count how many pairs of Lorpen trekking socks and ski and sports X-Socks I have at the moment, but I got lost on the sixth pair. Short for the heat and high and long for cold weather, of different density and composition (wool, synthetics) - all this is used depending on the specific trip.

From the interesting: despite the almost complete victory of modern technology, as a pair of sleeping socks (in a sleeping bag) I still take my grandmother's knitted, spiky wool socks! They are not as tight on the leg as sports shoes, and the legs are well rested. In addition, prickly hair additionally irritates the surface of the skin, thereby increasing microcirculation. In short, these socks are very warm!!

Characteristics:

• Material: wool, synthetic, blended
• Optimal use temperature: -30 +30
• Weight: about 50g
• Current price (summer 2015): from 1000 to 2000 rubles per pair

• Trekking socks Lorpen in Sport Marathon

Waterproof (membrane) socks SEALSKINZ

One of my recent purchases! I plan to use it as an NC in case I accidentally wet my shoes. In this case, you just take off your wet trekking sock and put on this one instead. Due to the fact that the sock does not get wet, the foot instantly becomes warm and comfortable even if the boots themselves (or sneakers) are completely wet. The second case of application is "sock for the morning." Tourists know that early in the morning in the alpine zone, on the grass and in the forest, dew often falls and it is very unpleasant to get your feet wet right away (at this time we usually walk in sneakers or light sandals over a trekking sock). So, for such cases, such membrane socks are just perfect! You put on sandals or sneakers on them and walk without fear of getting your socks wet. Comfortable and warm! I'm surprised I haven't had socks like this before. Now it seems to me that this is a real must have. I will definitely write a full review after the first serious use!

P.S. Models of such socks differ in "thickness". I took myself enough "medium" density and "medium" height (model SEALSKINZ Mid Weight Mid Length Sock), designed for classic mountain hiking cool temperatures.

Characteristics:

• Outer material: 91% Nylon, 9% Elastane
• Membrane: Hydrophilic Membrane
• Inner "lining": 35% Merino Wool, 34% Acrylic, 28% Polyester, 2% Elastodiene, 1% Elastane
• Optimal use temperature: 0 +15
• Weight: about 100g
• This model can be bought at the Sport-Marathon store for 3,900 rubles.

• Manufacturer website: sealskinz.com
• Sealskinz products in the Sport-Marathon store

Downy chuni

Model: RED FOX II

Warm chunies are the best thing you can think of to use in a bivouac after a hard day in the winter mountains. I used to have downy chunies a la North Face (in Nepal, such fakes are called NORTH FAKE, from the English “fake” - a fake), but before Elbrus in May, I realized that it would be ideal to have chunies of a much larger size so that they can even be worn over the liner from your favorite LaSportiva Spantik dual climbing boot. This combination (liners + downy chuni) gives warmth, comfort and rest to the legs during the rest. I will still use the old "nord fake" of the usual size in summer, not climbing trips.

Characteristics:

• Material: down
• Optimal use temperature: -15 +5
• Weight: about 50g
• Price: $10 (Kathmandu, 2008)

Examples of hikes in which these socks were taken:

MILLET Guetres Nylon

Purpose: classic gaiters to protect the lower part of the legs from snow and rain.

Features: before climbing Mont Blanc, I realized that my "old" Lowe Alpine gaiters do not fit on La Sportiva Spantik boots, there is not enough internal volume at the bottom and the length of the strap. I tried on a bunch of models, only these came up! These leggings also have a metal strap, what a gut!

Disadvantages: Despite the large internal volume at the bottom, the elastic at the top turned out to be very narrow for my calf size. I had to unpick and add a piece of elastic so as not to overtighten my leg. But now, after fitting, everything is 100% perfect! Material: Nylon. Used in hiking: climbing Mont Blanc, snowshoeing in the vicinity of Sochi

• Weight: ~ 200 g
• Price and year of purchase: $45 (2011)

FOOTWEAR PREVIOUSLY USED

Even the best shoes fail sooner or later. Fortunately, this always happened "planned", and not suddenly. Not once did anything “fall apart” directly on a hike, although my colleagues, shod in "noname" or boots of popular, but budgetary brands of tourist shoes, had such cases and it was, to put it mildly, very unpleasant! My shoes almost always "died" due to the wear of the sole. I don't have any photos or even the names of the hiking boots that I wore on my first hikes, so this section will only be about relatively recent failed shoe models...