Choosing clothes and shoes before going for a trip is interesting job, but at the same time it also causes many annoying things that cause us headaches when we lack professional knowledge and are affected by noisy information.
R.T Travel will guide you in choosing the best hiking shoes. In order for you to clearly understand the features of the product, do not buy the wrong product for the wrong purpose. Many people confuse mountaineering shoes with military shoes, boots, leather boots, work boots while the nature of these shoes is completely different. The intended use is also completely different. After reading this article, hopefully you can at least see the difference between a pair of specialized shoes for climbing.
Why are shoes a particularly important item for tourist?
- The easiest thing to understand, the shoes always accompany us when traveling, 
- Using the right shoes makes it much easier for us to conquer goals such as mountains, forests, roads, cliffs...
- Shoes keep feet warm when cold.
- Shoes protect feet from obstacles on the way.
- For most specialized waterproof shoes for climbing, it helps to keep feet dry.
- Another very important use is that shoes are an indispensable fashion item, so are hiking shoes.
Mountaineering shoes come in many varieties, styles and functions to better serve specific purposes, but in general, they are all built and have the same basic components, just different in nature. ingredients for each purpose use. To choose the right shoes for your purpose, you need to keep the following points in mind:

1. WATER RESISTANCE OF HIKING SHOES, TREKKING SHOES
Not all climbing shoes are waterproof, there are shoes that are not waterproof but have quick-drying, water-draining properties. Choosing shoes that are waterproof or not depends on the intended use. In a weather environment like Vietnam, the waterproof type is much more popular.
- The waterproof technology used for outdoor clothing and accessories is extremely complicated, it is difficult, so in this feature the difference between Chinese imitation shoes and genuine shoes is very important.There are many waterproofing technologies for climbing shoes, but the most popular one is known as Gore-Tex - a material technology used by many brands, less popular like Sympatex,
Comfortex… except for a few big-name brands that use their own material technologies such as Jack Wolfskin with Texapore, Mc.Kinley with Aquamax, Columbia with Omni... but in general all the above technologies have special characteristics. The common point is waterproofing (that is, preventing water from seeping in from the outside but still being able to escape steam, helping to ventilate). Usually, the name of the waterproof technology will be attached directly to the shoe, so when buying shoes we should see if the shoes use waterproof technology or not and what technology is it?

The technologies used are often labeled on the uppers (pictured: Gore-tex technology on Eider shoes and Texapore technology on Jack Wolfskin shoes)

However, "waterproof" does not mean "completely waterproof", many people expect too much from the waterproof ability of climbing shoes, so they carelessly stand in the water and then be disappointed when about 1 minute after the water. started to seep into the shoe. Need

It should be remembered that climbing shoes are not rubber boots, one-way waterproofing technology has a threshold of permeability. Waterproofing only works great when you use it correctly. Accordingly, so that the water will not penetrate into the shoes in time, you should walk continuously, so that between 2 dips the shoes are outside the water, and when soaked for a long time, the water will have time to penetrate the layers. material inside the shoe.

- How to know if the shoes are waterproof or not? To check if the shoe is waterproof, we look at the tongue (the upper part of the cushion on the instep, in the middle of the 2 rows of eyelets) to see if it is connected to the shoe body, if these two parts are separate. From top to bottom, it is 100% sure that the shoe is not waterproof, and if it is adjacent, it is likely that the shoe uses waterproof technology. The one-piece sealed design is a must for a waterproof shoe, which prevents water from flowing through the eyelets.
The tongue part is connected to the shoe body into a closed block, which is a sign of a waterproof shoe
2. Slip-resistance of TREKING SHOES 
- Shoe sole - the most important part for climbing shoes. It is the part that determines the function of the shoe. Choosing the design of the shoe sole must be suitable for the terrain and roads we go, each type of travel has different roads and terrains, according to which dozens and hundreds of specialized shoe soles for outdoor use. life. But to be able to buy yourself all kinds of shoes for different needs is very expensive, so here I only talk about how to choose the most popular and versatile types.
- The soles of climbing shoes are usually made from rubber with good abrasion resistance, harder, less elastic than ordinary running and sports shoes, but still soft and elastic much better than other types of shoes. protection (however there are some types of drainage
Quick-drying specialized for use in the dry season - hot, it is still as gentle as running sports shoes). When participating in climbing and trekking activities, your shoes will operate with more intensity, impact and friction, so the soles of climbing shoes are required to be harder, more durable, to reduce wear and tear. wear and tear, better foot protection.
The surface of the mountaineering shoe sole is made of wear-resistant rubber with ribbed lines for adhesion and anti-slip
- Is the deeper the spike, the better the slip resistance? Contrary to what many people think, the anti-slip concept of the sole of a climbing shoe does NOT depend on the style and size of the sole, but depends on the material, the manufacturing technology of the sole, and the sole of the shoe. Made of rubber with a rough surface and very high grip. To test, we can put the shoes on a flat surface like a tile floor and then move back and forth to see that the shoes cannot slide smoothly on the surface, but will stick and be difficult to slide.
The size and depth of the sole only determines the terrain, the deeper the sole, the larger it is used for soft terrain, subsidence such as swampy, sandy ... Hard terrain such as rock, gravel, clay. hard soil), asphalt roads, concrete roads... should use low, few and shallow spikes. The main purpose of these designs is to maximize the contact area of the shoe sole with the road surface. Depending on the terrain you are going to go, choose the right shoe sole.

- There is a type of shoe sole that used to be very popular in the Vietnamese market due to the disastrous misunderstanding of both sellers and buyers - shoes with pre-installed steel plates, often advertised as specialized by sellers. For climbing, help prevent slipping. The ad is not wrong, its features are true, but it can only be used with only one terrain, on ice and snow, the steel sheets will plug into the ice and help grip on the ice very effectively,
But with other types of terrain, it is absolutely not recommended to use because it will have the opposite effect. Usually the steel sheets on the soles of these shoes have the ability to fold in when not in use, but the jagged, hard rubber soles of these shoes are also non-stick, not suitable for use in locations shape other than ice, the weight of this shoe is also quite heavy, due to the unnecessary steel plates. If you do not have to use it for ice climbing, you should avoid this type.

- The most popular and genuine shoe sole technology for mountain climbing is Vibram - the technology used by many shoe manufacturers, besides there are X-Grip, FX-Grip, etc. Big brands with names age using their own type of technology such as Jack Wolfskin and MeinDl with the sole of the same name, Columbia with the Omni-Grip, etc.
3. INSIDE LINDERS
- This component creates comfort for the wearer but often very few users notice, most people go to choose shoes just look at the outside of the shoe and then put it on and try it on without caring about the inside.However, most types of climbing shoes are composed of many layers, the innermost layer is usually quite thick and smooth to bring comfort to the wearer, but in each type of shoe, the inner layer is different and this difference is not determines the purpose or terrain of use, which is often related to the climate and temperature when used.

- Usually when choosing shoes, we should choose a type with an inner lining that is soft and elastic, helping to hug the foot without causing restraint, and the thickness and elasticity of the inner layer to help create a flexible space even when you are wearing a shoe. Choosing the right shoe size, moving according to the movement of the foot and ankle, reducing friction helps reduce the risk of foot blisters due to a lot of movement. The inner lining of climbing shoes is usually quite thick and made of Air mesh to help ventilation
- The inside of the shoe is most commonly made of Air mesh, which is a fabric with quite large holes (such as a mosquito net), this material helps to breathe, release steam, not underfoot but quite smooth.

- Snow shoes: This type has a very thick lining, the innermost part usually uses fur or cotton material, the purpose is to keep feet warm when walking in cold weather such as ice, snow ... Mainly used in areas in temperate countries with cold climates, this type is not usually used in Vietnam.

4. CHOOSE HIKING,TREKKING SHOES LOW CUT OR HIGH CUT?
- The question that we get A LOT, almost for all new people buying climbing shoes for the first time. To understand why manufacturers make so many collar sizes and how to choose, we need to understand the characteristics and features of different types of shoe collars.
Mountaineering boots typically come in three sizes of collars:

Low cut: This low-cut shoe often offers maximum flexibility and comfort, especially for newbies. The shoe collar is cut below the ankle to make the ankle comfortable to operate, walking, running and jumping is easy, nothing more restrictive. Low-cut mountaineering shoes with advantages such as lightweight, easy to carry, more agile feeling. However, the problems encountered when using low-heeled shoes are not pleasant at all, you may have to accept a little water, a little dirt or a little mud will get into the shoes, this is very difficult to avoid. when the collar is just below the ankle. When you are active like running, jumping, or if you carry a heavy backpack on your back and the shoes don't fit your feet, it is very likely that your heels will often slip off. The fact that the shoe collar is cut below the ankle means that nothing will be left to protect your ankle anymore, the risk of ankle sprain is quite high when walking in complex terrain, especially for amateurs. Low-cut shoes are often suitable for professionals who need flexibility, light trips, in the dry, hot season, cycling, walking...
Mid cut (Ankle-neck): This is usually the preferred type because it can overcome the weaknesses of low-cut shoes quite well, protecting your feet well from dust, soil, sand, water, mud. and also contributes to reducing the chance of ankle sprains when riding on rough terrain. Mid-cut boots are often suitable for long trips, a little bit of adventure, or when carrying a rather heavy backpack.
 High cut (ankle high – boots): The optimal solution for amateurs, very long and arduous trips with a super heavy backpack on their back or when facing very bad roads full of mud. muddy, wet and rough. High cut protect you very well against the attack of soil, sand, mud and water, which are very uncomfortable if caught in the shoes on long trips, and protect your ankles from getting hurt. serious when you miss a step. However, the high ankle boots will also reduce the flexibility of the ankle,
Sometimes new people who are not used to it will feel very uncomfortable and constrained with high-heeled shoes, so if you decide to choose a pair of high-heeled shoes for your trip that you have never worn before, you should go. Buy it about 1-2 weeks in advance, then wear it every day when going to work or school so that your feet get used to that feeling, this will help your trip be more perfect.
 
5. HOW SHOULD CHOOSE SHOES SIZE? 
The job of choosing shoe size seems to be simple, but many people make mistakes. The most common thinking is that the shoe size and the shoe size will be the same, but actually choosing the most comfortable mountaineering shoe is a bit more complicated. To know the answer, you must first understand the interaction between the foot and the shoe when moving.

- With normal shoes you wear every day, wearing shoes that are a bit tight is hardly a problem, but if the shoes are a bit wide, it is a problem. Normally, you "wear shoes" more than "wear shoes", the frequency of foot activity is very low. But when going on a hike or climbing a mountain, things don't happen like the usual
On a normal day, your feet will have to work continuously with carrying the weight of your body and backpack and constantly rubbing against your shoes, causing your feet to expand, a little bigger than usual. The problem arises when the foot expands faster and more than the shoe, if you choose a climbing shoe that is too close to the foot, you may encounter the following risks: Blistering due to friction, blackening of the toenails due to pressure compression with the toe of the shoe (this is common when walking downhill), pain in the toe joints due to compression. If the above problems get worse, you may have to break up the journey.

- How should I choose my shoe size? The right advice is that you should choose a mountain shoe size 0.5 to 1 size larger than the normal shoe you usually wear every day. But saying that is a bit general and may accidentally cause you to choose the wrong shoes that are too big for you.
if there is enough space for your fingers to slip in and reach the bottom and when you remove your fingers, bring your heel back to touch the heel, then the tips of your toes are not touching the toe. or very light touch (you should probably trim your toenails) then that shoe size is for you.

NOTE: The shoes are too big for your feet if your fingers don't need to wriggle at all to reach the bottom easily, and if the fingers are too difficult to get in or can't reach the bottom of the shoe, it means shoes are a bit tight.

- There are some questions that when wearing such shoes, the foot keeps slipping inside the shoe, caused by the incorrect method of tying the shoe and usually only with low-cut shoes, because with a difference of 0.5 to 1 size for Climbing shoes are not so wide that the foot can slide comfortably inside. When tying your shoes, you must make sure that the heel is close to the heel of the shoe, then you tie it tight TO THE LAST lace (many people have a habit of skipping the last 2 eyelets). For mid-rise and high-neck shoes, the neckline that is at or above the ankle will hold firmly to the ankle when fastened.
6. CAN WE USE NORMAL SHOES FOR HIKING/TREKKING? 
- The answer is absolutely can. There is a famous saying that “just keep going and you will get there”. Mountaineering shoes as well as other specialized outdoor equipment and clothes only make it easier, more comfortable and safer for us to conquer difficult roads and milestones, but not decide what we can do. or not, what determines that is the will and ability of each person. There are people who are equipped to their teeth but still give up midway, but there are people who are equipped with nothing (Porters are an example) and still conquer again and again. But that's a pretty subjective opinion. For those who are not professionals, the best advice is to equip all the necessary things to ensure your trip will be a success.
 There are many friends who ask about using military SHOES to climb mountains, even to climb Fansipan. This is a very harmful mistake for amateur backpackers, stemming from information on the Internet, the advice of "sketchy experts"  Nightmare for first time climbers. You will find that when someone asks about any equipment for traveling, they will advise the first sentence is "army clothes", from picnic clothes, shoes, backpacks, personal tools .. . military equipment for them is number one. Of course, because aside from the fact that they are big fans of military equipment, most of them are professionals (professional here means traveling a lot), and have a very good ability to endure hardship. But you are not them.
- It is lame to compare specialized climbing shoes priced at around 1 million VND with shoes designed with the maximum saving criteria of the Vietnamese army for about 60 ~ 80 thousand VND. There is no denying the durability of army boots and the toughness and hardship that our soldiers have to endure, but that is because the country is poor, unable to be equipped as well as developed countries.
Maybe you forgot the important thing - you are NOT a soldier, it becomes extremely difficult to wear a simple dark shoe consisting of only canvas and a hard rubber sole to conquer strenuous roads like Fansipan. hard work, which can lead to danger (because the hard rubber sole of army shoes does not achieve the required grip), the hard canvas of army shoes is not waterproof and is not carefully lined inside like other types of shoes. Other hiking shoes can easily make your feet cold from wetness, blistering from friction, and the subsequent trip may turn into an ascetic one. Of course, it is possible to climb the mountain with army shoes or other normal shoes such as bata shoes, or even sandals, if the route is quite light and dry, but leave it for long and difficult arcs. suffering like Fansipan, Bach Moc or Ta Nang-Phan Dung, you should think very carefully, unless you definitely have to really like to challenge yourself, like the hard work along the way.

After reading the article, are you confident enough to choose for yourself a satisfactory pair of hiking and trekking shoes?

Wish you have fun and interesting trips!