Are you tired of having an otherwise perfect hike ruined by waterlogged boots? If so, this guide is for you. Here are 5 ways of keeping your boots dry while hiking.
Take Them Off When Crossing Rivers
Rivers are beautiful, there’s no denying that. Many of the most amazing and utterly gorgeous hikes to be found will require hikers to cross a river or stream at some point. If you’re lucky, there will be a well-built and sturdy bridge erected for you to cross. However, this won’t always be the case.
Needless to say, getting a little bit wet isn’t going to hurt you, but it can make the remainder of your hike a lot less comfortable. Generally, the kind of outdoors enthusiasts who enjoy hiking won’t be afraid of getting a bit wet. But getting your boots wet can ruin the rest of your hike! It is therefore best to just take your boots off when you need to cross over water.
Avoid Boggy Terrain
It isn’t always obvious how waterlogged and boggy the terrain in front of you is. If you feel that the ground underfoot is becoming increasingly saturated with water as you travel across it, you should consider turning back, especially if you aren’t prepared for this kind of terrain.
Boggy terrain, such as marshlands, isn’t just going to be wet. It will also likely be uneven terrain and won’t be very firm beneath your feet. This increases the chances of falling, and potentially getting more than just your boots wet!
Scout Out Your Route
The more you know about the route you are going to walk, the better prepared you will be for it. Of course, walking the route in order to get an idea of what it’s like so that you can walk it, is paradoxical to say the least. However, there are a number of ways you can go about ascertaining what the hike you are planning on taking is going to be like. You can, for example, look for other hikers experiences online, or use Google Maps to scope it out.
Stick to the Trail
Any experienced hiker will be able to tell you a number of wondrous stories of heading off the obvious path and finding some completely undiscovered gems of nature. Wandering off the beaten path can be a fantastic way of making new discoveries, however, it also increases your chances of encountering difficult terrain and conditions.
Invest in a Good Pair of Hiking Boots
Even if you do everything that you can to avoid getting your hiking boots wet, there are still no guarantees. It pays, quite literally, to invest in a pair of good hiking boots. This will mean that, should your boot enter water, it is less likely to soak through. Investing in a good pair of boots also means that they will have a considerably longer lifespan. You can find advice on identifying the best pair of shoes for you by visiting Authority Shoe.
Hiking is supposed to be one of the most enjoyable ways of keeping fit and getting exercise. Unfortunately, few things can ruin a good hike the way that a pair of waterlogged hiking boots can. Getting your boots wet isn’t just uncomfortable either, it can encourage the formation of blisters.
