As the name suggests, light hiking shoes weigh less. This is made possible by their special construction, which focuses on comfort and flexibility. Nevertheless, the easy processing is not suitable for every hike.
Classic hiking shoes are characterized by a high shaft, a thick sole and robust materials. This makes them particularly durable, and the solid treads also protect your feet from damage to health when going up and down. They are therefore always the better choice for demanding tours in the mountains. However, if you only want to take a long walk in the forest or take your dog for a short walk on uneven terrain, light hiking shoes are usually sufficient. But what exactly does the term actually mean? And what are the advantages and disadvantages of the models?
This is what distinguishes light hiking shoes
So-called light hiking shoes are reminiscent (at least visually) of sneakers because they are similarly light and low. But in contrast to ordinary sneakers, the ankle-deep shoes offer more support when hiking. And also offer more protection against dirt and moisture. In addition, the shoes have a flexible sole due to their construction, which ideally protects you from sharp stones – but still allows your feet to roll softly. For this reason, light hiking shoes are suitable for all routes that are marked blue (i.e. easy) in many hiking guides.
Other features that characterize light hiking shoes are as follows:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the models?
In fact, lightweight hiking shoes offer many advantages, but they also have some disadvantages. You can read what they are here:
Compromise to light hiking shoes: mid-cuts
In contrast to light hiking shoes, so-called mid cuts have a slightly higher cut, but have a lower shaft than “normal” hiking shoes. For this reason, the medium-heavy models are mainly recommended for easy mountain tours – or when you need better protection for your ankles. Of course, the mid-height trekking shoes are (depending on the manufacturer) also available with a breathable, waterproof Gore-Tex membrane.
This article contains so-called affiliate links. There is more information here.
