Lightweight Hiking Boots
Goretex - Electron Microscope Image from WikiMedia
I want lightweight hiking boots.
I want waterproof hiking boots.
I want comfortable hiking boots.
Am I asking too much?
What should I buy?
As a brand, Gore-tex makes all kinds of lightweight, waterproof outerwear, but when it comes to hiking boots, it is the goretex fabric that is used as the boot liner that I’m looking for. Hiking boots constructed with goretex liners are lighter, more flexible and just as waterproof as full grain leather boots, but better. A few manufacturer’s that have taken advantage of the incredible benefits of Gore-tex are Asolo, Danner, Merrell, Patagonia, Vasque, Scarpa, Lowa and Timberland
For years, full grain leather boots were the best hiking boot you could buy. Of course the waterproof wax coating needed to be applied, rubbed in, and buffed (repeatedly). Leather boots are also heavy on the feet, and require a lengthy break-in period which usually consists of numerous blisters and callouses. Needless to say, you wouldn’t want to go on a lengthy hike over rugged terrain, in a new pair of leather boots. Not only will your feet will be a long time recovering, but you probably won’t be too enthusiastic to hit the trail again any time soon.
Fortunately for you, advances in material science (thank you Bob Gore) have made modern hiking boots lighter, naturally waterproof, more flexible and naturally comfortable, all thanks to Goretex.
Being a naturally waterproof and breathable (liquid water is repelled while water vapor passes through) fabric means that heavy full grain leather uppers can be replaced by a much lighter split grain leather and nylon mesh. This combination of materials also makes the hiking boot more flexible. Increased flexibility leads to a shorter break-in period allowing you to immediately hit the trail and enjoy your new hiking boots, without the worry of blisters or callouses (provided that your hiking boot is properly sized and fitted).
Another advantage of goretex being lightweight, is that it allows the boot manufacturer to increase the strength of other parts of the boot. This could mean molded inserts for enhanced ankle support, EVA and rubber blended midsoles for greater stability, or deeper lugs for better all terrain traction.
As I hiked down theBright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyonwearing my Vasque hiking boots, my feet stayed cool, comfortable and dry. They stayed just as dry when hiking down the Virgin River in the Narrows of Zion National Park. As soon as I’ve hiked my way through this pair of boots, you can bet my next pair will be goretex boots also.
Never been to Zion National Park? Then check out this trek through the Narrows (much further than I managed to get).
