Are military boots good for hiking? This is certainly one question that every Hiker wants to know the answer. With unique features such as durability, sturdiness, and its unique looks, Military boots are without doubt an easy choice for people in the Military. However, Hikers seem not to be left out in the love for such boots.
So are military boots good for hiking?
Yes, Military boots are a very suitable option to consider if you intend hiking, they are quite durable and usually provide adequate ankle support. It is however important that you keep your environment in mind when you are choosing one. Furthermore, ensure that comfort and quality should influence your choice for hiking and backpacking.
What Then Makes Military Boots Ideal For Hiking?
Having established the fact that Military boots are indeed ideal for hiking, it is important to highlight a few reasons why this is the case.
- If you are the type of person whose ankles are quite prone to injuries or perhaps has suffered some level of injury there before, military boots should help in protecting you with support and stability.
- Military boots are also suitable if you have tweaked ankles as a concern.
- Military boots also help if the load you are lifting is perhaps too much for your body.
- If you are perhaps taking a slow hike through challenging terrain, Military Boots are quite useful as well. You will get to appreciate them as you spend more time hiking.
- Every hiker should have safety as a priority, hence wearing military boots means greater security against creepy things such as serpents.
- They also provide additional support for your leg muscles especially if you are a beginner with Hiking.
Military Combat Boots Vs. Traditional Hiking Boots
When it comes to choosing to purchase the ideal footwear for trekking, backpacking or hiking, you have the option of either choosing Military Hiking Boots or the normal hiking boots.
The best way to make a perfect choice would be to take out time to carry out proper research. Understanding the dynamics as well as the disadvantage and advantage of both types of footwear would help you in making the ideal choice. Here are a few distinct features that should help you;
Traditional Hiking Boots
Hiking footwear undoubtedly would be the first choice when it comes to footwear for hiking. They are usually quite rugged in appearance, which gives the impression that they are perfect for that purpose. The design of these boots is in such a way that they provide grip, stability, and balance to your legs in terrains and trails that are uneven.
Furthermore, ankle injuries are averted based on the sturdiness which the thick sole of the boots provides. Also, easy grip on uneven surfaces is provided by the traction which the boots offer, while the materials used in making the soles and other parts of the boots helps in providing weather resistance.
Military Combats
Military boots are usually synonymous with Military men and women; however, this does not mean that any regular person cannot use them. It doesn’t matter if you are in the construction industry, Mining sector or even a Hiker, Military boots do quite a good job.
Among other unique features, Military boots are reputed to be quite versatile, durable, and flexible thus providing its user flexibility, versatility, and durability. Because there are quite several military boots out there in the market, it is imperative that you make your choice based on the environment you are seeking to explore.
One way to look at this is that for someone in the construction industry, the choice of boots will be such that has a hard exterior. However, if you are making use of military boots for hiking, you may want to go for the one that provides you support and flexibility. It should, however, be noted that the majority of military boots are not designed in such a way as to have the same level of effectiveness as hiking boots.
More often than not, a large number of people compliment their military boots using an insole to provide additional support. It should, therefore, be noted that military boots can indeed be considered a good option if you consider the above-listed information.
What Should You Consider When Searching For A Good Hiking Boot?
Before you even answer the question; are military boots good for hiking? You should have it at the back of your mind that certain things should influence your choice of boots. These factors include the components, the types, as well as the shoe fit.
The fit
When it comes to choosing the ideal boots for your hiking, comfort, and space is imperative. Hence, you should not only be looking for a boot that fits you and looks good on you, but you should also be concerned about having enough space for your toes to move.
Type of boot
There are different kinds of boots you can select from within the hiking category. First and foremost are the traditional low-cut models that come with rather flexible midsoles. These are best suited for long journeys. Also, we have the day hiking boots which are best suited for short trips, they are mid-to-high-cut models, it should be noted that they do not have the sturdiness that a backpacking boot has.
Finally, backpacking boots, on the other hand, are fashioned to carry out rather strenuous journeys where the heavier load may be involved.
Components of Military Boots
Five components in a Hiking boot should be of interest. These are the upper boot materials, the midsoles, the internal support, the outsoles as well as the Crampon capability.
What Should You Consider When Choosing A Hiking Boot?
What is the terrain like?
When it comes to every outdoor activity, it should be noted that certain things dictate what we should wear. Hiking is not any different in this regard. The surrounding environment dictates everything.
The terrain you intend to explore should dictate the type of boots best suited for your adventure. What type of terrain are you looking at; a desert terrain or perhaps a rural flatland or rugged mountain terrain.
A fatal mistake any hiker could make would be to strike a mismatch between the footwear and the environment he or she is looking to explore.
Climate
Furthermore, as far as selecting a hiking boot is concerned, the climate is one factor that can never be overlooked. It is indeed a rather smart move to factor in the type of weather you may encounter during your time out.
More often than not, waterproof boots are a top choice in this regard. They are usually well suited to handle most of the climatic conditions you may encounter. It would also interest you to note that there specific boots design for certain climatic conditions.
First and foremost are the Desert boots that are designed to handle the excessive heat while also preventing sand from getting in. in addition to this are Jungle boots which are quite suited for the wild and should help manage wet conditions. Finally, there are combat boots that are designed for cold climatic conditions.
You can get great tips by watching this video as well:
Choosing The Best Fit For Your Tactical Boot
Naturally, our feet are bound to swell as the day goes by; this is in addition to the stress that accumulates from our different activity. These and others make it imperative that we take extra care to create some room for our feet.
Several health concerns may arise from tight footwear. Some of these concerns include; Bunions, Blisters, ingrown toenails, corns, plantar fasciitis, etc.
Of the aforementioned conditions, one that readily comes to mind as quite concerning is Plantar Fasciitis. The reason for this is that it is quite common among serious hikers and can cause a whole lot of damage.
This condition is one that is caused by the inflammation of a tissue band that is located at the base of your foot. This usually results in a dull and consistent pain that may also have a stabbing feel.
How Do You Choose A Military Boot That Will Help Prevent Plantar Fasciitis?
- To prevent Plantar Fasciitis, rubber soles are better because they provide the needed extra cushioning that helps in absorbing otherwise counterproductive forces.
- It is also advisable that you go for boots that have deep heel cups
- Finally, ensure to go for boots that give you additional support around the midsole area and does not bend easily.
Conclusion
With the many relevant information contained in this article, I am sure that the question; are military boots good for hiking should not be difficult to answer at all. The simple fact as contained in this article is that Military boots if chosen based on the tips contained in this article make a great choice of Hikers.
References:
https://www.wikihow.com/Buy-Hiking-Boots