What is the difference between hiking shoes and mountaineering shoes

Outdoor sports are now becoming more and more popular. The equipment for outdoor sports is becoming more and more complete. There are different sportswear for different sports occasions. So what is the difference between hiking shoes and mountaineering shoes? In fact, many people think that there is not much difference between hiking shoes and mountaineering shoes, but from a professional point of view, there are still some differences. Let me give you a detailed introduction below.

Usually the most obvious thing is that hiking shoes are usually low-waisted, because hiking shoes are designed for walking on roads with better conditions and for long periods of time, so the protection provided by the soles of hiking shoes is to protect your feet from sweat and breathability, which is an important reason why hiking shoes can be worn as casual wear in the city; while hiking shoes are all high-waisted, which can protect your ankles from sprains on uneven roads, and more importantly, the soles of hiking shoes are harder in texture.

The structure of hiking shoes is to provide users with better hiking technical support. A pair of professional hiking shoes generally looks like this:

1. The front and rear edge patterns of the front and rear soles are designed to grip the ground and rock more firmly.

2. The main function of the subsequent patterns is to brake and effectively promote walking.

3. The lines on the left and right sides are used to prevent side sliding.

4. The middle part of the outsole and the front part of the heel are the steering balance braking areas.

5. The drainage grooves on the outsole can efficiently drain rain, snow, water and mud out of the outsole, further improving the anti-slip and shock-absorbing effects of the outsole.

Hiking shoes consist of an upper and a lining. The upper is usually made of leather, nylon, or a mixture of leather and nylon. The lining is usually made of artificial material or soft leather, and some shoes are also padded to improve warmth and comfort. Although man-made materials are becoming increasingly advanced, full leather uppers are still the best. Leather is not easy to deform, and its waterproof, breathable and warm properties are better than any artificial material. A good pair of shoes is usually made of a whole piece of leather (except for the heel and tongue), so such shoes can maintain a relatively good shape after being worn for a period of time.

The above introduces some differences between mountaineering shoes and hiking shoes. In fact, the main difference between them is that hiking shoes are made of softer material and are more suitable for walking on flat roads, while the soles of mountaineering shoes are harder, so they are more suitable for walking on mountain roads. In fact, whether it is hiking shoes or mountaineering shoes, the most important thing is whether they are comfortable and fit. It is not the case that the more expensive the shoes, the better the functions.