Hiking 07 Jul 2006 07:45 am
Cheap Hiking Boots For Starters
A Cheap Hiking Boot is Ideal for Beginner Hikers
Hiking is a great exercise for anyone who is sick of the city and wants to commune with nature. There isn’t much equipment that you need when you are just starting out, a pair of hiking boots and a backpack for your water bottle and you’re good to go. Even at this bare minimum of equipment, hiking boots can burn a real hole in your pocket. It is best to start with a cheap hiking boot at this point.
The A to D of Hiking Boots
There are four classes of hiking boots, hiking boots start at A and go up to D. The classes are meant for different kinds of terrain; class A and B boots resemble sneakers and are suitable for light terrain. Class C and class D boots are meant for heavy-duty hiking, some class C boots come with a fixture for crampons and all class D boots can be used with crampons.
As you can guess the cost of the boots increase as they go up a class. There will be a huge difference in the price of a class D boot and a cheap hiking boot in class A. It is doubtful that you will need a class D boot as you are starting out, after all this is what mountaineers who climb Mount Everest use!
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Hold Out for Expensive Boots
Do you remember that exercise bike that is now a clotheshorse or what about the ab machine that’s taking up space in your bedroom? The point is that sometimes we lose interest or the commitment to follow through with an activity. You don’t want to have to kick yourself later for those expensive hiking boots that sit forlornly in your closet. You’d definitely feel better if it was a cheap hiking boot.
Expensive hiking boots are an investment that you should hold out for. Wait until you know for sure that you love hiking and that it is really worth it, for now settle for a cheap hiking boot. Once you have established that you really do have a keen interest in hiking you can upgrade your boots.
Start at the Beginning
As with everything, hiking is best if you start at a beginner level and gradually ease yourself into the higher levels. A cheap hiking boot is also best used on beginner trails. If you skip ahead and try terrain that is not meant for someone who is new to hiking you may not enjoy yourself and give up too soon. A cheap hiking boot may also not hold up too well on rough terrain.
So to get the best out of your introduction start slow and don’t bother to show off expensive hiking boots, a cheap hiking boot will do fine for now, think of expensive boots as a goal your are working towards.