![]() ![]() To learn more about crampons, read our Crampons: How to Choose article. When you shop on REI.com for men’s mountaineering boots or women’s mountaineering boots, narrow your search by crampon compatibility. If you plan to do mountaineering or winter backpacking, having compatible boots and crampons is essential for your safety. It reduces your chance of sliding during steep descents. Heel brake: This refers to the clearly defined heel zone that is distinct from the forefoot and arch.Widely spaced lugs offer good traction and shed mud more easily. Deeper, thicker lugs are used on backpacking and mountaineering boots to improve grip. Lug pattern: Lugs are traction-giving bumps on the outsole.Hard outsoles increase durability but can feel slick if go you off trail. Additives such as carbon are sometimes added to backpacking or mountaineering boots to boost hardness. Rubber is used on all hiking boot outsoles. They protect feet from getting bruised by roots or uneven rocks. Plates: These thin, semiflexible inserts are positioned between the midsole and the outsole, and below the shank (if included).They vary in length some cover the entire length of the midsole, while others only cover half. Shanks: These 3–5mm thick inserts are sandwiched between a boot’s midsole and outsole to add load-bearing stiffness to the midsole.Polyurethane is generally firmer and more durable, so it’s usually found in extended backpacking and mountaineering boots.Midsoles use varying densities of EVA to provide firmer support where needed (e.g., around the forefoot). EVA is a bit cushier, lighter and less expensive.The most common midsole materials are EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) and polyurethane. A stiff boot won’t allow your foot to wear out by wrapping around every rock or tree root you step on. Stiff boots might not sound like a good thing, but for long hikes on rocky, uneven terrain they can mean greater comfort and stability. The midsole, which provides cushioning, buffers feet from shock and largely determines a boot’s stiffness. Insulation: Synthetic insulation is added to some mountaineering boots for warmth when hiking on snow and glaciers.Vegan: Vegan-friendly hiking boots and shoes are made without any animal ingredients or byproducts.Downside: The reduced breathability created by a membrane (compared to the ventilating mesh used on some nonwaterproof shoes) may encourage feet to sweat on summer days. Waterproof membranes: Boots and shoes billed as “waterproof” feature uppers constructed with waterproof/breathable membranes (such as Gore-Tex® or eVent®) to keep feet dry in wet conditions.Downside: They may show wear sooner due to more stitching on the outside of the boot. They are lighter than leather, break in more quickly, dry faster and usually cost less. Synthetics: Polyester, nylon and so-called "synthetic leather" are all commonly found in modern boots.It’s also fairly flexible, yet it too requires ample time to break in before an extended hike. It is very durable and resists water and abrasion. Nubuck leather: Nubuck leather is full-grain leather that has been buffed to resemble suede.The benefit is lower cost, however, the downside is less resistance to water and abrasion (though many feature waterproof liners). Split-grain leather "splits away" the rougher inner part of the cowhide from the smooth exterior. Split-grain leather: Split-grain leather is usually paired with nylon or nylon mesh to create a lightweight boot that offers excellent breathability.Ample break-in time is needed before starting an extended trip. It is not as light or breathable as nylon/split-grain leather combinations. It’s most commonly used in backpacking boots built for extended trips, heavy loads and rugged terrain. ![]() Full-grain leather: Full-grain leather offers excellent durability and abrasion resistance and very good water resistance.Materials impact a boot’s weight, breathability, durability and water resistance. Hiking Boot Components Hiking Boot Uppers ![]()
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