How can you ensure each hiking session is a successful one? With hiking one of the most popular recreational and physical activities in the United States, this is a question that sees quite a wealth of different answers. One hiker might emphasize the need to stretch thoroughly before hitting the open trail, while another hiker may find sunscreen the number one element toward a successful walk. Whatever your personal regimen is, there’s one factor that unites all hikers together — a pair of high-quality trail walking boots.
How Expensive Are Trail Walking Shoes?
A common concern among many is that of pricing. We all want to save money, after all, and casual hiking boots are often more expensive than their more mundane counterparts. The average retail price of walking shoes back in 2014 was around $50, though this number can fluctuate depending on your personal brand preference and just how high quality you want to go. The same year saw consumers spending more than $1 billion on camping equipment, with a significant portion of this expenditure veering toward bags, backpacks and shoes.
How Common Are Hiking Boots?
Worried about your options? It’s time to put those fears to rest. America is a hiking culture and all that entails is easily reflected in the clothing departments of countless outlets, malls and specialty stores. It’s estimated over 20 billion pairs of shoes are produced every single year — however, nearly 300 million are thrown away at around the same time. Whether or not you find yourself throwing out your pair of shoes depends heavily on the quality you buy and how well you take care of them throughout the week.
How Do Shoes Affect Your Health?
Did you know a good pair of shoes can actually bolster your physical health? Likewise, a worn out pair of trail walking shoes can actually worsen your overall physical state and contribute to frustrating, short-term problems. Carrying an amount of weight on your feet takes anywhere from four to six times more energy than carrying the same weight on your back — this means you should find lightweight shoes that support you rather than drag you down. Factor in how much time you spend hiking every week and you’ll have a better idea what to expect from your unique pair.
How Often Should I Hike?
Hiking is a fantastic way of enjoying the great outdoors and getting physically fit all at once. Only 20% of American adults meet the standard public health recommendations for physical activity through walking or jogging, that of which is suggested five times per week for at least 20 to 30 minutes. The number of calories required for hikers to maintain their body weight during a typical backpacking day is around 5,500, to boot, so keep this in mind if you’re interested in shedding a few pounds while you’re at it.
How Do I Find The Right Shoes?
Hiking boots for men, hiking sandals and waterproof hiking boots for women all have one major feature in common — they should be comfortable, lightweight and snugly fit. Allow 1/2 inch (or the width of your index finger) between the end of your longest toe and the very end of the shoe for maximum comfort. It’s also recommended by the American Academy Of Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation that you replace your shoes every 350 to 400 miles. In other words, every six to seven months to keep you at your physical best. With a pair of good trail walking shoes on your side, there’s nowhere you can’t go.
