It’s that old hiker’s saying: “A pound on your feet equals five pounds on your back.”
Many who are first thinking of backpacking consider the weight on their back as the most difficult aspect of a trip. And while a backpack itself may weigh more than shoes, the energy output expended per pound of shoe is much higher than for a backpack.
Walking remains the most popular aerobic activity in the United States. More than 145 million adults include walking as part of their physically active lifestyle, with about six to ten adults having reported walking for at least 10 minutes within their previous week.
Hiking is a sport that demands a good pair of shoes. Most will invest in at least one pair of hiking boots and the options the shoe industry presents shows that. There are hiking sandals, walking boots, light hiking boots, interceptor boots, and even trekking sandals. The numbers reveal that 20 billion shoes are produced annually, with 300 million pairs thrown away each year.
One type of shoe that is proving useful in trails or slushy city streets is the water proof shoe. A water proof shoe is generally made out of a type of material that prevents water from getting into the sole of the shoe, or inside at all. This can appeal to hikers who are traversing through a trail that is flooded or across a stream to get to the next section.
Womens waterproof walking shoes provide another aspect: Walking through city streets. Many are designed out of leather that repels water and are stylish, making them easy to go well with any particular outfit. With womens waterproof walking shoes or men’s waterproof walking shoes, the utility allows for feet to remain dry amidst whatever terrain is being walked, even if just for a standard exercise.
Adults need at least 150 minutes of aerobic physical activity per week. Many are choosing walking, which can provide a nice workout that is easy on the joints when compared to other, more intense physical activities. When a backpack is added in hiking, a hiker may need as much as 5,500 calories to sustain his or her body weight.
According to the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, a person should replace their shoes every 350 to 400 miles, or once every six months. Shoes can take on a great deal of wear and tear, depending on the activity and the amount of force being put on the shoe.
Finding the right shoe, whether it is in the category of womens waterproof walking shoes or men’s waterproof hiking boots, takes trial and error. The general rule is that you should allow the width of your index finger in terms of space (about 1/2 inch) between the end of your longest toe and the end of the shoe. If two sizes are close but not quite there, go with the larger sized shoe.
