Expert Advice on How to Choose the Right Womens Outdoor Shoes for Your Needs
As a walker, looking after your feet is one of the most important things you can do. Choosing womens outdoor shoes can be often confusing, but getting them right can mean the difference between a comfortable day walking or a painful and some cases, dangerous walk. Unlike buying regular shoes where aesthetics are often the main factor, womens outdoor shoes need to be chosen for a purpose. It's important to consider a range of essential qualities including:
- Flexible - It's important that you are able to bend and twist the shoes. While taking a step, your foot will flex as you roll through a step from heel to toe. If the shoe is too stiff, your food will fight it with each spet, which can lead you to end up with numb toes, shin splints, and other problems.
- Flat - Outdoor should have a relatively flat heel, although you may not be able to recognize this by simply looking at the shoes. Inside the shoes, it may have more or less drop between the heel and the toe. Ideally, the shoes should have a heel drop of fewer than 8 millimetres.
- Not flared heel - while walking, people tend to strike with the heel first, so the reason not to want a big flared heel. Instead, a slightly undercut heel is preferred. A flared heel adds extra stability, the reason why it's commonly found in runner shoes that need stabilization.
Why choose an outdoor shoe over walking boot?
Well when compared to walking boots, outdoor shoes offer a lightweight option. Similar to boots, there is a range of outdoor shoes that specialize to perform even better in different conditions such as flat hiking and scrambling. Walking shoes are perfect for routes are relatively flat, where heavier boots could slow you down and cause fatigue. With less ankle support offered, walking shoes are less restrictive and more nimbler, versatile and flexible.
Leather vs Non-Leather
Most of the walking shoes uppers are made up of either leather, suede or fabric, and sometimes they can combine two fabrics, Leather walking shoes are often the heavier option out the three whilst often is the lightest. Leather womens outdoor shoes are also the most durable and are naturally waterproof. Suede uppers will be highly breathable and lighter than traditional leather uppers. Walking shoes made from fabric are very lightweight and flexible, but they are not as durable as leather walking shoes and needs regular reproofing.
Waterproofing
Any moisture that builds up within your walking shoes can cause rubbing that can lead to discomfort and blisters, so keeping your feet dry is vital. If you plan to use your walking shoes in a hot, dry country, then a lightweight shoe without a waterproof membrane may be the best option. However, it's important to consider that when walking in a warm climate your feet will sweat. Buying a shoe that incorporates a breathable membrane will allow the perspiration to be drawn away from the foot, leaving it dry and blister-free.
Waterproof walking shoes come in two different forms. Leather shoes are naturally waterproof; these shoes will require reproofing over time. The second is the use of a waterproof membrane in the lining. The most popular membrane used is Gore-Tex for its industry-leading waterproof and breathable membranes. These will require less treatment than leather but will still need washing to maintain its waterproofing.
Approach vs Walking Shoes
Although the design and construction of both shoes are often very similar, there are few characteristics that differentiate them. Approach shoes are built for security when scrambling on talus or traversing rock slabs. They are intended to be used on light climbs or bouldering on backpack trips- very few walking shoes will have a sticky rubber sole appropriate for this use.
When it comes to durability, approach shoes win as they are intended to be used in abrasive, rocky terrains. The shoes upper is generally made from nubuck leather, reinforced by a protective toe cap made out of sticky rubber. Approach shoes also have a sticky sole, often made from softer abrasion-resistant rubber then that found on hiking shoes. This rubber formulation creates more friction on smooth rocks.
Trail Running Shoes
Trail running shoes differ from normal running shoes with a more aggressive tread and a sole that wraps over the front of your toes. These shoes are great for hot and dry climates, where walking shoes just do not cut it, and the difference in weight and comfort is significative. Trail running shoes are generally made from synthetic fabrics instead of natural fabrics (such as leather) so they tend to offer superior breathability, which means your feet will be kept dry. These shoes have a grippy sole that allows users to navigate the slick, uneven, rocky and muddy terrain. When it comes to waterproof characteristics, only a handful of train running shoes are waterproof. This makes them great for walking in hot and dry climates where you expect to sweat a lot.
