As 2020 draws to a close, Queenslanders are breathing a collective sigh of relief. With many of us being in lockdown and having to social distance, we missed out on a lot of time with family, friends and colleagues. However, one bright spot to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic is the fact that many of us took to the great outdoors when times were tough. With her excellent views and endless opportunities for social distancing, Mother Nature became a source of solace for many people. As a result, we have plenty of new bushwalkers set to join in the fun in the coming year.

Being in touch with nature is wonderful and walking offers numerous benefits. However, it’s also of the utmost importance to ensure you’re equipped with the proper gear to keep yourself safe and comfortable. On that note, let’s take a closer look at the best advice for beginners picking out their first bushwalking footwear.

Why Do You Need Proper Shoes For Bushwalking?

You need proper shoes for almost any activity—basketball, tennis, running; you name it! Bushwalking is no different. Proper shoes will ensure your feet and legs are protected as you embark on your journey.

The rigid sole of bushwalking shoes is quite thick. This helps to prevent injury to your feet, knees and ankles as you cross rugged terrain with a backpack. Proper bushwalking shoes evenly distribute your weight and the weight of your bag, making for a safer, steadier, more comfortable walk.

Bushwalking shoes are also designed to protect your feet while letting them breathe, and keep bugs, insects, and small, sharp rocks out. They lace up well above your ankles and create a barrier against external elements. This is especially important if you’re walking in areas where there are snakes or spiders, as they won’t have easy access to your feet. It also means you can tuck your pants into the top of them for added protection, which is something you can’t easily do with trail running shoes.

Plus, purpose-designed bushwalking shoes are far more durable than regular footwear, so they’ll last significantly longer outdoors than regular trainers or sneakers.

The Differences Between Trail Shoes And Hiking Boots

There’s a great debate about the differences between trail shoes and hiking boots. However, the main differences between the two can be summarised into the following points:

• Hiking boots have thick lugs that can gain traction in soil and a variety of other surfaces. Trail shoes offer minimal traction but grip on the fly. However, they won’t have the same level of traction that hiking boots have when moving at a slower pace.
• Hiking boots offer foot and ankle protection when bushwalking. Trail shoes are lightweight to ensure a fast pace can be maintained for longer mileage.
• Trail shoes are designed to be versatile for several uses, whereas hiking boots are heavier, and specifically designed to slough off mud, water and snow.
• If you’re bushwalking in a colder climate, hiking boots are more practical as they keep your feet warmer. However, if you’re in a warmer climate, trail shoes make for a cooler option.

Why Fit And Support Is Important

When it comes to bushwalking, blisters are the enemy, as are injuries. Therefore, the fit of your shoes and the support they provide is incredibly important. These factors need to be considered, as they go a long way towards helping you complete several hours of adventure. Your bushwalking shoes should fit snugly and not rub, and should keep your feet in place with every step. If your footwear doesn’t tick these boxes, you’re likely to have a painful and unpleasant hiking experience.

Wearing trail shoes or hiking boots that are comfortable, fit properly, and support your feet will prevent blisters and calluses, and reduce the chances of twisted ankles and torn ligaments. Fit and support in your footwear is important, as these factors can protect your joints by offering adequate shock absorption when you’re navigating tricky terrain. Without shock absorption, you risk sustaining serious injury to your knees and ankles. Just like proper cushioning in running shoes offers added protection for the feet and legs, the shock absorption properties of hiking boots do the same on rough terrain.

While all the above is to be considered, everybody is different, so there are no steadfast rules on fit and support. Some walkers prefer a more roomy fit and wear an extra pair of hiking socks, while others prefer a tight fit that doesn’t allow for any give. Just make sure whatever bushwalking footwear you choose fits properly and provides the necessary support.

Terrain Considerations

Again, when it comes to picking the best bushwalking footwear, there are no hard rules. Instead, it’s about finding the shoes that work best for you, and keep you safe and comfortable. Similarly, when buying bushwalking footwear, you need to consider the terrain you’re most likely to traverse.

Consider the following factors:

• Will your feet get wet?
• Will you need protection from plants and bugs?
• Do you prefer a slower hike with plenty of ups and downhills?
• Do you prefer fast-paced hikes with easy-going surfaces that can be quickly navigated?

The answers to these terrain-related questions will go a long way in helping you find the right footwear. If you require a sturdy shoe with thick protection because you’re likely to find yourself in rugged terrain, pick a hiking boot over a trail shoe. However, if you prefer fast-paced hikes with an easier faster to navigate surface, then a good pair of trail shoes is probably better suited for you.

Finding the best bushwalking footwear doesn’t have to be a difficult or daunting task. All you need to do is carefully consider where, when, and what you’re walking on, and what the different fit of each pair of shoes offers.

Whatever your choice of footwear, it will be a good investment if it suits the bushwalking adventures you’ve got your eye on. Over time, you’ll amass plenty of wonderful memories exploring the great outdoors—without the blisters, and with minimal insect bites!

Author

Megan P Howard
megan.howard@findmyfootwear.co

Megan started her writing career specializing in educational copy in the fitness industry, covering a wide range of topics and is an editor for Find My Footwear. When she’s not writing, you can find her hiking the outdoors or signing up to run a 5K.