|Wanderung| Newsletter - essential footwear ZZ

Essential footwear
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By Bob Manson

Search and rescue groups have seen a large number of ankle injuries as well as
other more serious injuries resulting from falls over the last few years. One of
the primary causes is simple: Inadequate footwear.

When hiking in mountainous terrain you can encounter tree roots, loose rocks,
boulder fields, scree and talus, snow, ice, mud, uneven ground, steep slopes and
slippery ground, and various combinations of these at the same time - and that
is just on the trails. In order to have a safer and more enjoyable hike, proper
footwear is essential. Obviously proper fit and waterproofness are important,
but proper footwear will also have several key features: good tread, stiffer
sole, and good ankle support.

Good tread is the kind that will not gum up with snow or mud, which can result
in a loss of traction. It will allow you to get a grip when the ground gets
slippery, steep and loose. Some of the newer rubber compounds in use also give
the benefit of remarkable grip when walking over rock.

A stiffer sole will allow you to kick steps into snow on the uphill, and stomp
steps in on the way downhill. They will also help ensure microspikes and the
like stay firmly in place. On uneven ground a stiffer sole offers a more stable
platform and reduces foot fatigue. They don't generally need to be full stiff
shank, but anything better than what a running shoe offers is better.

Good ankle support can help prevent injury when moving on uneven ground,
especially when that ground changes without warning, such as a rolling rock.
They provide support that can prevent or reduce the severity of an injury
resulting from a slip or stumble. They can also help provide more stable footing
when moving on steep and uneven ground, preventing the slip in the first place.

Many of the "light hikers" currently on the market do not offer all of these
features adequately. It's worthwhile to shop around to find something suitable
to the type of hiking you will do. Remember that if you don't wear proper
footwear while hiking, you are simply increasing the risk of injuring an ankle,
or worse.