Lightweight Hiking Boots
or Hybrids
 For the purpose of our discussion, lightweight hiking boots will refer to hybrid boots. Hybrids consist of a combination of leather and fabric. The leather portion is at the bottom of the boot usually rising an inch or two up the side. The upper part of the boot is usually a man made fabric of polyester or nylon.
Leather lugs on the bottom of the boot provide traction. The deeper the lug, the better traction. These, of course, are useful mostly on rough terrain and are not necessary, or even desirable on sandy or dirt trails. Advantages include the obvious, their weight. Being lighter in weight these trekkers make for a more comfortable hike with less fatigue. Additionally, they provide good ankle stabilization in less-than-severe conditions. They provide enough support for a moderately heavy pack. This boot is not optimal if you plan to be crossing deep streams as any water deeper than the leather bottom portion will result in wet feet. As hybrids wear they tend to split at the seams where the leather and fabric are sewn together. However, they should be good for several hundred miles. As with all boot choices, fit is paramount. Be sure that you try your boots on and walk around the store to ensure a good fit. A few tips for fit include: - One finger's width should fit behind heel
- Heel should not feel sloppy for slip around when you walk
- Once laced up, when you kick the toe gently against the floor, you should not feel your toes hit the front of the boot
These lightweight trekkers are a popular choice due to their versatility. They are heavy enough to carry a heavy pack, yet light enough to minimize fatigue. They provide good ankle stabilization without excessive weight. If you tend to have weak ankles or hike in moderately rough terrain, a lightweight hiking boot might be your best choice.
Return from Lightweight Hiking Boots to Hiking Boots
Return to Ultimate Ultralight Backpacking
|
