Hiking is one of the healthiest and most relaxing activities there is. It’s a great way to get out of your routine, relief stress effectively and improve your mental health while getting some great exercise. As a result, it is one of the few things in the world that can simultaneously improve your overall health and quality of life. In order to enjoy yourself though and reap all these benefits, you have to do it right and above all in a responsible and safe manner. Throwing water and a couple of snacks in a backpack before setting for this amazing trail you read somewhere, without any preparation may be a bad idea. Therefore, here is a hiking guide that will not only make your hikes safer but also significantly more enjoyable. Let me start by saying that hiking is for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re fit or if you’ve never exercised. You can still walk a flat trail in the woods and enjoy the calmness around you while unwinding and spending time with people you like or finding your inner peace by hiking solo. You can get the same benefits from even the simplest trails as you would from hiking a day on the Pacific Crest Trail or the Camino de Santiago. First and foremost, hiking boots The most important aspect of hiking is this. Hike in a good pair and you’ll never give them a second thought. If you make a mistake, they will remain in your mind throughout your torture. You can hike in boots or in sport shoes, the important part is to have a good fit. Some people try the first boots that look good on the shelf (they look like they can walk up a mountain by themselves, right?), put them on, walk around the shop for a bit and finally buy them.
That is a terrible idea. The reason for this is that it abandons the most crucial aspect of hiking (walking). As you will read further on, you never want to leave things to chance when you go out there, no matter how easy your hike will be.
The proper way of doing this, is to first find a good pair of thick socks. I have several pairs made from merino wool and synthetic materials and I prefer the former. Their job is to provide a cushion between your foot and the shoe and also to make a snug fit possible while eliminating pressure points that can hurt your foot during prolonged walking. They tend to be a bit expensive but you don’t need more than a pair or two for starters.
You should always try new hiking shoes in the socks that you will hike with. It’s okay if you have to go up half a size from time to time. Put both shoes on and tie them properly. Take a few steps around and check to see that your toes don’t touch the front of the shoe while there is still room for them to move up and down in the toe box. Also check for any tightness on the sides. There are shoes for flat feet and models for high arched feet. Try at least 3 different pairs before you make a decision (ordering from the internet is a bad idea unless you’ve owned, or at least physically tried the same model before).
Try walking down the shop’s ramp if there is one. When going downhill, a boot that seems to be comfortable can often cause your toes to touch the front of your foot, damaging your foot. That’s why sometimes a pair that seems the most comfortable initially might not be the perfect for your foot shape.
Last but not least, hiking should never be done in brand-new footwear. Don’t leave things to chance. Walk in them at least for two or three days before going for your first hike. As you get more experienced, you will know which of your pairs is more comfortable for a short trail and which is maybe not that comfortable but will be better for multi-day hiking trips. Additionally, weight is a factor.
