Hiking boot

A hiking shoe is a special shoe that is used primarily for hiking, mountain climbing or other slight movement in the wild. He often is characterized by a good water tightness, has a non-slip profile and is robust. Most of the shaft extends from hiking boots to above the ankle (such as protection against twisting the ankle ). The term hiking boot is not exactly differentiated from terms such as hiking boots or trekking shoes. Also hunting boot is very similar to the hiking boot in spirit often.

Depending on the application, whether lowland hiking or mountain climbing, and by geographic and climatic application, various models from lightweight hiking shoe or desert used to crampon resistant hiking boot.

Purpose

Hiking boots are designed to protect and relieve the foot. Especially with hikes are the feet of a very high load, whether as a result of the soil ( uneven, slippery, etc.) or unusual weight load ( backpack ), which is why they need additional protection in order not to prematurely fatigue or even injury (usually the ankle ) to suffer. For this reason, hiking boots are built different from other shoes, have a more or less very resistant sole and are usually about ankle high. Since the claims between a desert tour and a high mountain use but are very different, the hiking boot manufacturers Meindl in the 1970s so-called use categories developed ( from "A" for light hiking boots for a walk in the city park to "D" for the high mountain use ). Corresponding to the categories, the shoes can be optimized. For example, the lightweight hiking shoe has a very flexible sole and a nylon shank, whereas the high mountain boots with crampons, a board-like sole, coupled with a thick leather shaft has. There are also special walking shoes such as desert boots with puncture-resistant scorpion Nylonschäften and extremely high breathability or shell shoes made ​​entirely of plastic ( with liner ) for use under extreme conditions.

Processing, materials and durability

Hiking boots are manufactured either in a stitched or glued into a style. The majority of hiking boots available today is ( made ​​fachsprachlich AGO - style, of Another Great Opportunity that since 1911 the then first options of the bonded style so called ) in the bonded construction method, primarily because these shows cost advantages. But that's also functional aspects are connected: For example, the inner sole of a hiking shoe glued are made ​​of plastic, exactly the requirements ( bending elasticity on the size and purpose ) can be customized.

Stitched hiking boots are built in the British sphere of influence after the so-called Veldtschoen - style ( originally invented by the South African hunters frame construction for shoes), in the Alpine region in the double-stitched style (very heavy mountain boots also trigenäht ).

For the outer shaft either leather ( leather or suede ), or synthetic fiber (nylon) or a combination of both is used ( nylon with Raulederbesätzen ). When leathers are used, these are vegetable tanned (usually are shoe uppers mineralgegerbt ) and very thick. As food ( = inner shaft ) are either Kunstfaserfilze ( needle felt Camprell ) or leather or a combination of both ( the most strain of leather, the front shoe from synthetic fibers) used. Since the 1980s, the so-called "climate membranes " are increasingly incorporated into hiking boots. These are thin sheets that come as a laminate with the lining in the shoe and waterproof promise, without preventing breathability (welding in the form of escaping water vapor). Their functionality in footwear is controversial.

The durability of the shaft depends primarily on the number of its seams. Every seam (even if it is carried out as usual with better hiking boots triple) is a potential weak point: there water can penetrate, there the stem will break first. A second factor, the material used is important. At the most durable is leather, the suede when they are working with the flesh side out, and the removal ( rubbing out ) allow of surface damage, which is excluded for smooth leathers. Nylonschäfte are less durable and are therefore built into so-called lightweight hiking shoes are not intended for use in boulder fields with a lot of friction of the stones on the shank.

For the sole towards a rubber belt ( weatherproof rand ) is built around running around the shoe at the bonded hiking boots. This restricts the breathability of a, which is why he should not be too far up the shaft rich, but provides the connection between the upper and sole good mechanical protection and prevents there reliable water penetration. At sewn shoes there is no such additional protection.

As soles come below the absorbing midsole exclusively rubber profile soles used, because they provide the best adhesion and have a long shelf life. Vibram is the world leader (Italy ), but other manufacturers offer relatively good soles. There are two types of soles: the flat ( replaceable by each Schuster ) and the so-called molded soles with hochgebogenem edge that can be replaced at the factory usually only the manufacturer. Meanwhile, the profiles and rubber compounds are also used for special purposes optimized ( ice hiking, snow, etc.).

For the lacing - always using a non-water rapid, friction resistant ( chemical fiber ) lace - both eyelets and hooks ( hanging hooks ) and loops used. In the lower part of the lacing eyelets or loops are mostly used in the Transition to the ankle and upper shaft area is often an offset tensioning hooks, which can fix the laces conditionally used. In the upper part of the lacing open hooks are used and some manufacturers use loops with a pressed metal ball, which is to minimize the friction of the lace when tightening by rotation and thereby facilitate tightening. Both systems allow flexible adjustment of the lacing to the foot, the leg circumference and the intended use ( walking uphill, walking downhill, etc.). To prevent slipping of the shoe tongue ( "tongue" ), they can be incorporated by means of an open hook attached to it in the lacing with.

The midsole is made of polyurethane and is wedge-shaped damping for shock absorption, that is stronger than the forefoot area under the heel. PU ( polyurethane) deteriorates over time. The material is subject to over the years slowly progressive hydrolysis. Depending on storage conditions, the brittle absorbing wedge within 7 to 10 years from within more and more, regardless of whether the shoes are used or not, and without that this process would be visible from the outside. You then scratches with a fingernail the absorbing wedge in, crumbles the completely destroyed PU out. In this respect, older, rarely used hiking boots should be tested appropriately before a tour. Destroyed damping wedges can be replaced by the repair service of the manufacturer. According to the manufacturer the material of the damping wedges to have been improved so much the last few years that it now holds a shoe life.

Care

Walking shoes are often subject to particular strain, which is why care is not sufficient with normal shoe care products. Special importance is attached to the impregnation. Walking shoes should be re-impregnated regularly. For general care of leather hiking boots very thinly applied leather fats or waxes are fat. All major brands carry such products in the range.

Caring for leather hiking boots with fats requires a lot of experience because it can lead to over-enrichment lightweight, making the respiratory activity decreases and the shaft can lose a total strength. Simple and unscrupulous therefore is the use of fat grow. Pure waxes that are also available for these purposes, are not so advisable, because they do not nourish the leather (resulting in embrittlement ) is not as good adhesion and protection film on the leather surface (resulting in water leakage ).

Since it can lead to chemical incompatibilities of different care products with each other ( and also to the inserted into the leather during tanning hydrophobicizers ) (mutually canceling effect ), it is recommended not to change the type of maintenance products without need. Thus, the shaft leather can get used to a Imprägnierungs-/Pflegemittel and reinforce this through the regular use its effect.

For care -free leather hiking boots are brushes ( for mechanical cleaning ), a gentle soapy water and / or specially offered for this type of shoe care products ( as sprays ).