When it comes to outdoor adventure sports there are few that can match hiking for popularity. Perhaps this has to do with the accessibility of hiking and the fact that America has set aside a very large portion of land for public parks and recreation. One of the most popular activities at these public parks is, of course, hiking. Hiking can be done in conjunction with camping, sightseeing or any number of other activities and thus it is not surprising that a great number of consumers own or have looked into hiking shoes or boots. While some consumers are tempted to opt for the biggest, thickest set of hiking boots with rigid steel toes, there are other options that should not be overlooked.

Consider the virtues of light hiking shoes over the average set of steel toe hiking boots. The weight alone is great exercise for those that are not getting enough time in the gym but for the rest of us who do not want to develop legs of steel after only hiking a single mile these footwear titans might be overkill. While there are certainly situations in which heavier, thicker and taller hiking boots may be advantageous the truth is that true hikers and those who spend a good deal of time in the great outdoors will know full well when these situations are likely to happen. The rest of the time most reasonable people opt for light hiking shoes.

Lighting hiking shoes have a few factors that work in their favor. The first is that they combine a reasonable level of protection in a relatively light form factor that allows for extended hikes through scenic parks without creating constant strain on resources such as water. Being light means less strain on the legs and body as a whole which means less consumption of valuable and heavy resources as well as less pit stops. It also means less rest breaks and greater distances can be traversed in any given period of time.

Another advantage to light hiking boots is that they are multifunctional. One might look completely absurd wearing thick hiking boots complete with a pronounced steel toe to school, work or shopping but light hiking shoes have the capability to blend in with a number of outfits and surroundings. That does not mean that light hiking shoes are appropriate to wear to the prom, but they certainly can handle more situations that their larger counterparts.

Of course there are downsides to choosing light hiking shoes as well. In addition to the more limited protection when compared to full blown hiking boots, light hiking shoes can also be somewhat expensive for their size. This is mainly due to the lightweight material used to make light hiking shoes as well as simple supply and demand.