If you've spent any time on the trail at all you'll understand how important it is to keep your feet healthy.
Even if everything is comfortable and functioning properly, if you have a developing blister on your foot you're going to be hurting for the rest of the trip.
If you forgo wearing a pair of athletic shoes and invest in a quality pair of trekking shoes you're much more likely to enjoy the trail and avoid feet-related injuries.
Before buying a pair of trekking shoes or boots you should understand that they come in a couple of different breeds.
If you educate yourself you can easily identify the different styles and narrow your choices.
Your first choice is that of light weight hiking shoes, or day hikers.
Day hiking boots are typically low or three-quarter cut in ankle support.
This style is most appropriate for use on shorter, day-focused hiking with a small day-pack.
Most low-cut, lightweight hiking shoes are made from a blend of man-made materials, providing greater breathability.
The second choice you'll discover is that of the more robust backpacking boots.
This style of trekking shoe is almost always high-cut to provide increased protection and support on longer backpacking trips.
Although, genuine leather is found on some day hiking shoes it is more commonly found on the heavy-duty boots engineered for longer excursions.
Characteristic of both heavier-duty boots and light weight trekking shoes are the knobby lugs found on the sole.
Although the pattern and material composition change from shoe to shoe, their core function is to provide more grip and holding-power across uneven and varied terrain.
Higher quality trekking shoes will feature Gore-Tex or some other breathable and waterproof liner.
This material is ideal for wicking moisture away from the foot and keeping it dry.
Dry feet are happy feet and typically blister-free.
Everyone hikes and backpacks differently.
Some like short, day hikes out to a point of interest or overlook.
Still others throw their backpack on and go for miles-on-end to reach a remote series of fishing lakes.
Regardless of the type of outdoor adventure you choose, a great pair of trekking shoes is the ideal footwear to keep you stable, upright, blister-free, and moving down the trail.
Once you're sold on the value of wearing a good set of hiking boots, you'll want to become familiar with the many different types.
Knowing the type of hiking you will do most will help you ultimately choose the right pair of trekking shoes for you.