Fall comes, the leaves turn red, and the soil is softened by the moisture in the air. It is that perfect time of year for walking, whether it's through the woods, mountains, or even right at home in your backyard. But what you don't know is, you may not be wearing the right shoes for your walking pleasure. It depends heavily on the type of walk, and how much you want to spend on shoes, but fitness.com would like to give you some tips on proper footwear for your walking adventures.
In previous years, the industry has come up with different types of shoes from hiking, to jogging, to sprinting, leaving it hard to determine what the best all around walking shoe might be for you. Walking has always served as a purpose: going on a trip, searching for a job, or going to the store. Walking as a leisure activity, the so-called functional free hiking, only started with the Enlightenment period in the 18th Century with the onset of the natural enthusiasm of the bourgeoisie. The first documented pleasure hike, however, dates back to the year 1336 when The Italians Francesco Petrarch and his brother climbed approximately 1900 meters high, up "Mount Ventoux" situated in the French Provence.
Some hiking links:
Hiking in the mountains
http://de.fitness.com/articles/912/wandern_im_hochgebirge.php
Cross-country
http://de.fitness.com/articles/158/ueber_stock_und_stein.php
Epo without doping
http://de.fitness.com/articles/906/epo_ohne_doping.php
According to estimates of the German Hiking Association 34 million people in Germany alone walk for enjoyment on a regular basis. The Migrant Association as an umbrella organization of the mountain and hiking clubs stays alive with the help of over 200,000 volunteer walks and consists of over 600,000 members. Walking in Germany is not only the miller lust; it is the desire of the Meiers, Schmidt and Klein, and it is the Germans' favorite hobby. Today, hikers are also more commonly found with GPS-equipped devices or even digital hiking maps.
But, Fitness.com wants to start with the basics: proper footwear. Because nobody wants to live with foot injuries and blisters from improper shoes.
The Italians for starters have a long tradition of shoemaking, and as Alpine residents, they are forever mobile. Therefore, many of the quality brands for hiking boots come from what is known as the boot country, and not only because of its country's shape. La Sportiva and Scarpa are two reliable producers - whose products are pricey but reliable. The advantage of the 'Evo Trango S "by La Sportiva, for example, is that it is not only for hiking, but also for climbing. It is comfortable, but strong. But these shoes can be priced around $350.00. The "Cristallo GTX" by Scarpa has been around for a little less than $300.00. This, however, is strictly a walking shoe. Those looking for a shoe that is not only for hiking or climbing, but for everything, you can look at multi-functional Footwear Performance XCR "by Hanwag. These shoes generally can go for under $200.00. Hanwag is also a German company with a long tradition of outdoor footwear. And for all walkers a much cheaper alternative that is recommended: The outdoor boots "crystal" of the Italian manufacturer Kappa which can be purchased for under $60.00.
Fitness.com wishes you a lot of fun on all your walking adventures! Get out and enjoy life in comfortable shoes!
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Walking: Not Only a Need, but a Desire
