Right boots are friends of hiking and hunting. There are some people who love hiking and there are some people who love hunting.
But, in the case of choosing the boots, many people get confused. They just can’t differentiate between the hiking shoes and the hunting shoes, detailed difference and comparison are listed in some professional review site such as thehuntingfiles.com. Here we just give an approximate version to you as reference.
The differences between these shoes are given below to help to know more about them.
Difference Between Hiking Boots And Hunting Boots
1. Fitness
This is the first major difference between these two boots. In the case of hiking shoes the fitness of the shoe facts a lot. The uneven places are unpredictable. You can slip anytime and an accident can happen. Hiking shoes must always be fitting. If your leg or the ankles don’t get the necessary support, your hiking experience may be bitter.
Hunting shoes are for hunting in different places. Hunting requires a well fitting shoe rather than a tight fitting shoe. Narrow hunting boots are only suitable for those with narrow feet. In reality, hunting shoes should always have some room for air. If you are going to hunt on hill areas, only then you require a hiking boot. Otherwise, strong sole and soft collared boots are best for hunting.
2. Insulation
The second difference is the insulation. Insulation means, how much your boot is weatherproof.
Hunting boots require far more intense insulation, than the hiking boots. For hunting, you may have to sit at one place for hours. If you are at a cold place, your feet will need more deep insulation. The blood circulation varies in different people. For hunting a good shoe with great insulation can save your feet from water and snow.
Hiking boots should also have proper insulation. But, the level of insulation would be different. Suppose, you go for hiking and you have to cross a river. Here insulation may be a temporary factor. You won’t stand in the river for long hours. But, in the case of hunting a hunter may have to stand long hours in the water for his prey.
The insulation may be synthetic insulation or it may be rubber insulation. But, the hunting boots insulation should always be greater than the hiking boots.
3. Ventilation
Hiking shoes must have good ventilation. But this doesn’t mean that the hunting shoes don’t require any ventilation. Both types of shoes require proper ventilation. But there is a mild difference between both types of ventilation.
Hiking boots remain at constant use. Hiking means your body will get minimum rest. In this case, if your boots don’t ventilate properly, your feet may have blisters. You will be uncomfortable on your journey. Whatever be the weather, your feet should always have proper ventilation.
Hunting boots also require ventilation. But, the hunting boots’ breathing is more important. When somebody goes for hunting, his feet may become sweaty. The person may have to stay in one place for a long time. If the hunting boots allow proper air circulation, the person can hunt comfortably.
4. Toughness
Hiking boots should definitely be tough. All the hikers rely on their boots and if their boots fail, their hiking would fail. Different types of materials are used to make tough boots. Rubber boots, mountain boots, synthetic boots are among some popular boots. To survive under all types of weather, a tough pair of hiking boots are truly required.
In the case of hunting boots comfort-ability facts a lot. Hunting boots should be tough but they should also be equally comfortable.
A hiking boot’s toughness should always be much better than the hunting boots.
5. Shapes
Shapes of hiking boots are unlike the shapes of hunting boots. There are low cut models, mid-cut models and high cut models. The hiking boots are chosen by people depending on their place of journey.
Hunting shoes have classifications like – upland, high country and multi-purpose. These boots are quite different in their shapes than the hiking boots.
Hiking boots are preferred for their ankle support and hunting boots are preferred for their comfort and protection.
The difference between hiking boots and hunting boots are explained above. Just remember the above facts before buying either of these types of shoes. Most people buy the wrong pair and they suffer later.
But in reality, it’s easy to differentiate between the two. The above information will surely help you to buy the right pair of shoes, according to your need.