Mountain boots

Climber's outfit should include the right shoes, designed specifically to overcome the long path, taking into account the mountain landscape. To this end, specialized mountain boots have been created that can withstand significant loads, provide safety, which retain heat and protect against moisture.

Mountain boots have certain varieties, they are determined by the complexity of the hike, primarily the height that the traveler plans to climb and, accordingly, the air temperature.

• Walking (or tourist). Such models are designed for lifting to a small height. The main task of such shoes is ventilation. High-quality boots are equipped with a special Vibram sole. Similar products are quite appropriate to use as casual shoes, provided that they fit into your style of clothing.
• Heavy Tracking Shoes (travel of medium difficulty). These boots occupy an intermediate place between models for amateur tourists and professional climbers. They are equipped with a heel edge, providing additional stability, the already mentioned sole Vibrammembrane Gore-texeliminating moisture inside the shoe.
• Models for technical mountaineering (designed for difficult climbs). These models are very durable, always have podkosolnichnyh lugs and stiff soles. If necessary, you can choose a warmer shoes for the winter.
• Climbing boots (Issued specifically for climbing altitudes over 5 kilometers). Their characteristic feature is two-layer: the upper layer protects from snow, and the lower layer retains body heat. In these boots, there are also pectoral welts, the sole Vibram.

Specialized mountain boots have special technological details:

• Membrane firmware that is designed to prevent moisture from entering the shoe. In this case, steam from sweat with active walking is freely discharged.
• Specialized outsole that provides the best grip on an icy, rocky or damp surface. An intermediate sole made of nylon and polyurethane foam helps to increase cushioning when jumping. In addition, a special calcaneal tubercle (anti-shock) also softens shock loads.
• When fastening cats, rigidity is increased by built-in metal plates up to 2 mm thick.
• The insoles that come with mountain boots, if necessary, can be changed to more functional ones - fabric ones with a rubber bottom. Rubber provides immobility of the insole, and textiles serve much longer than the paper counterpart.
• Accessories are blocks that facilitate uniform tightening of the laces, making it easier, stoppers between the top and bottom of the lacing.
• Bottom protection. Shoes with it do not take on a very aesthetic appearance, but, nevertheless, it is extremely useful (increases the life of the shoes and their waterproof properties).

The most popular material in the production of mountain boots is genuine leather. It is given special properties - increased strength, water resistance, and also a "breathing" structure. The advantage of this material is also that over time it takes on the anatomical shape of the foot.

Another wear resistant material - nubuck. However, it is softer and thinner than skin. Suede, as a rule, is used for the production of hiking and hiking boots.

Synthetic textiles are also used to make shoes for climbing trips. It provides lighter weight products, a stylish design, and also often combines seemingly incompatible properties. This, for example, Fly tec - an elastic material with excellent ventilation properties, treated on both sides with a water-repellent composition. Schoeller keprotec - also waterproof lightweight but extremely durable fabric. Schoeller dynamic - Textiles combining polyamide and lycra.

There are a number of leading shoe companies for climbing. They introduce the latest technological developments into production, in addition, they always provide an extended warranty on their products.

German brand Lowa, leading its history back to 1923, is popular all over the world, shoes were tested in the most extreme conditions by travelers, participants in expeditions. Mountain boots of the brand are distinguished by a unique block, which seems to adapt to the foot without distorting the foot. The company for the first time in the world began to produce vulcanized soles.

Brand shoes Asolo embodies the results of innovative technologies that are constantly being improved. The company owns the development of the system ASOFLEXlater - AFS. Mountain boots AsoloDesigned for professional athletes, climbers, durable and lightweight, are presented in a large number of models.

Company Meindl also produces high-quality shoes that fully meet the needs of the modern market. For example, the warmed model of mountain boots became famous Cumbre, a Alien 1.0 received the title of best shoes of 2011. The innovative development of the brand is self-forming shoes: under the influence of the heat of the human body, the shoes take the form of a foot, filling all the voids.

Bundeswehr mountain boots for (created specifically for the German armed forces) are produced by the company Haix. These shoes are made of calfskin of the highest quality, while the sole is made of vulcanized rubber. The tread does not leave a mark on surfaces even with very strong impacts. Thanks to membrane technology GORETEX legs always remain dry. The quick lacing system saves time when in a hurry. The trauma of the boots is almost reduced to zero - even when performing risky maneuvers, the leg will not turn up. This shoe is easy to walk on toes and squat.

BOREAL - A well-known brand that produces sports shoes designed for professional climbers and tourists. All products BOREAL made of high quality raw materials, have a minimum number of seams. Years of research have led to the creation of many patented developments.

First of all, you should determine the complexity of your trip, choose sports shoes depending on it (and design, colors, materials are already secondary). After all, you simply will not be able to climb icy and rocky surfaces in light tracking products. Similarly, heavy brutal boots are not suitable for amateur tourists.

The most important element of mountain boots is the sole. For trusted manufacturers, this Vibram, which is already a guarantee of quality, because they will not put expensive soles on questionable shoes.

Also pay attention to the insole, because the comfort of shoes depends on it in many respects. Ideally, it should have anti-fungal and anti-allergic treatment.

Evaluate the lacing: it provides the foot with stability, protects the muscles from overwork and trauma.

We also note that mountain boots are not recommended to be bought through the online store, since these shoes require careful fitting. Products should sit on your feet optimally comfortable, otherwise you can’t avoid the appearance of corns and blisters later on. The size of the shoes should be slightly larger than yours (let there be a gap between the heel and the back part about the thickness of a finger), because when you descend, your fingers will inevitably rest on the toe of the shoe and pain may be in tight shoes.

Be sure to measure these shoes on a toe. There are special socks for mountain travel. Made of synthetic material (cotton is not suitable because it absorbs moisture, increasing the risk of corns formation), they have thickenings in the necessary places.

Shoes of different companies have different heights and widths. When trying on, make sure that the heel rests on the back, but does not come off the sole. Shoes should fit the leg tight, but do not squeeze it in some places.

It is especially important to maintain expensive mountain boots in a functional state. There are simple rules for caring for them, the main thing is to follow them regularly.

• Do not dry these shoes on an open fire (for example, on a fire), as well as under the scorching sun. Natural drying is optimal at a temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius and 65% humidity (using a newspaper, fan, on a peg). In this case, do not forget to pull out the insoles.
• At least once a year, treat climbing shoes with a special tool, and immediately before hiking, use impregnation to restore the waterproofness of the boots.
• If your model is walking, then after walking around the city, wipe your boots to get rid of deicing reagents.
• Shoes with a membrane must be lubricated with specialized products for this type of shoe.

Mountain boots have a high top made of durable textile, which reliably protects against the ingress of snow inside. The sole is equipped with special devices that help climb the snowy mountain slope. In addition, the shoes have a stylish design - the contrasting color harmoniously combines with a jacket, helmet and backpack.