Hiking Boots have evolved greatly over the last thirty years with many improvements and changes in technology increasing the comfort, quality and durability of the walking boots that take us through mile after mile of arduous conditions and multitudes of terrain. Over at Outdoorworlddirect, they offer a large selection of modern walking boots using the latest technology implemented into them to ensure that your feet remain dry, warm and comfortable over those long and difficult walks in the hills.
Outdoor World Direct are the specialists who can assist you, so read further into the article to find out about the differing technologies in outdoor footwear and how they can improve your outdoor activities and visit the informative outdoor footwear section for further details at: (www.outdoorworlddirect.co.uk/acatalog/footwear.html)
Technologies such as Ion mask are modern developments that have been integrated into outdoor footwear.
Hi-tec footwear was the first outdoor company to make use of this technology by implementing the Ion mask into their successful range of lightweight footwear.
Ion mask technology is added to the surface of a walking boot enhancing the waterproofing ability as water will no longer absorb into the leather of a boot. Instead the boot becomes easier to clean, repels water and is still breathable. This in turn increases the quality of lifetime of the materials used to produce the boot, therefore increasing the product lifetime for the consumer.
The weight of hiking boots have been decreased dramatically with the evolution of technology, original leather walking boots used to weight five times the amount a modern day boot would weigh.
Although these boots outlived any of their modern day rivals, they were heavy, clumpy and mainly uncomfortable for the first 500 miles of walking.
Using lighter weight leathers such as nubuck, the weight of walking boots has been dramatically reduced, leading to higher comfort which enabled customers to walk faster and further than possible ever before.
Hi-tec were once again the first company in the outdoor market to bring the ‘lightweight’ philosophy into hiking and walking boots creating the Hi-tec Trail walking boot, an ultra light and comfortable boot, (www.outdoorworlddirect.co.uk/acatalog/Hi-Tec_Footwear.html).
Since then, each company has produced its own range of lightweight outdoor footwear each with differing benefits such as comfort or performance.
Durability is definitely a factor that has changed in the outdoor footwear industry, a pair of walking boots could last up to forty years. Indeed some of the staff in store at Outdoor World Direct mentioned they had customers with walking boots older than they were.
Nowadays you are lucky to get five years out of a pair of hiking boots, this is simply because the leathers and materials aren’t as tough as they used to be, mainly due to the demand for lightweight walking boots.
Additionally, the leather does not need to be as thick anymore due to advances in waterproofing technologies with the likes of gore tex and sympatex coming into the marketplace and revolutionising the way anything is waterproofed.
The introduction of gore tex spun the outdoor footwear industry on its head, the gore tex lining is a membrane that sits inside the walking boot, a bit like a sock.
It is fully waterproof for up to 30,000hh. Many companies such as ‘Brasher footwear’ swear by it and implement it into all their high end footwear, (www.outdoorworlddirect.co.uk/acatalog/brasher_footwear.html).
Used right across the outdoor industry in footwear, clothing, rucksacks and even socks, Gore tex has become a phenomenon in the outdoor industry and is highly regarded by most keen outdoor activists as the best waterproof and breathable material.
Overall technology has been a major factor in the growth of outdoor footwear as it has helped to increase the comfort, quality, waterproofing and breathability of hiking boots.
Here at Outdoorworlddirect.co.uk, we endeavour to help you find the best walking boots or shoes that are ideal for you and your outdoor venture, therefore do not hesitate to ask for our specialist knowledge on the subject, (www.outdoorworlddirect.co.uk/).