How did hiking footwear technology change over the years? Our obsession with spending time outdoors leisurely walking from place to place didn’t truly take off until the 20th century. Around that time, shoemakers began adapting footwear in response to the growing interest in hiking to provide adventurers with more security and traction while on the trail. Since then, technology has evolved at an ever-increasing pace, meaning that hiking boots today offer drastically more fidelity and better performance than preceding models. Interested in finding out more about hiking boots history? Read on!
Hiking Boots History: Early Days
Before the advent and popularization of cars in the early 20th century, walking was the primary mode of transportation. As such, hiking wouldn’t be understood as an enticing pastime for a very long time. Hardly anyone considered it an activity worth their time since it inherently involved doing more of what they already were forced to do to get around daily
Moreover, people back then enjoyed precious little leisure time, with most of their days being spent on work or the upbringing of children. Of course, that would gradually change as machinery saw increasing commercial use, freeing up the workers’ time to busy themselves in other ways.
It was only after World War I that the idea of hiking as a recreational activity began to take hold. The shoemaking industry had created a stockpile of military footwear designed for long treks and marches, which, for lack of better options, became the default for outdoor trips into nature. Though they offered more stability than the contemporary congress boots or bluchers, the comfort level certainly didn’t come close to what we enjoy today.
Mid-Century Developments in Hiking Footwear Technology
As demand grew, cobblers began responding to the public’s need for more comfort and sturdiness. Early hiking boot designs laced up anywhere between just above the ankle and slightly below the knee, but high-laced models would gradually fade into obscurity
As for the material used, 100% leather hiking boots were the norm back then. However, due to the extremely limited on-trail grip and comfort that left much to be desired, synthetic outsoles eventually became staples. In addition to providing more traction, introducing synthetic materials greatly reduced production costs
Then, the first groundbreaking innovation would hit the market. In 1937, Italian Vitale Bramani established Vibram, a company still active today and renowned for their rubber lug soles – a major innovation in hiking footwear technology.
Gradual developments in other aspects of shoemaking involved using more lightweight and synthetic materials. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, hiking shoes became more specialized to provide better functionality, paving the way for further refinement and more weight placed on ergonomics.
The GoreTex Revolution
Despite numerous improvements, even the best hiking boots could not strike a balance between sufficient protection against water and breathability – one or the other had to be sacrificed
Once Bob Gore entered the game with GoreTex and introduced polytetrafluoroethylene, a new polymer that combined the best of all worlds, everything changed in the hiking world. GoreTex became the gold standard almost immediately, as choosing hiking boots no longer involved a choice between waterproof or sturdy.
GoreTex’s galvanizing entry into the market stirred other manufacturers to include these new developments in their designs as well. No self-respecting hiker would tolerate durable hiking boots that also didn’t offer a significant degree of breathability. This also spawned other synthetic materials, leading to the rise of ethylene-vinyl acetate, a modern staple renowned for shock absorption capabilities. Eventually, the role of leather became almost marginalized, pushing it to the sidelines as primarily a filler material for aesthetics or shoring up the boots in the most critical areas.
Modern Hiking Footwear
Today, choosing hiking boots doesn’t require compromising on any quality. Modern technology has evolved to cater to a variety of outdoor activities, allowing for the ultimate personalization. Thanks to foam cushioning, waterproof membranes, and enhanced durability, hiking in comfort is the modern standard.
And while the general shift toward versatility satisfies the needs of the enthusiastic day hiker, accessorization for demanding conditions has also come a long way. Specialized features such as crampon compatibility, insulated linings for cold weather, and reinforced toe caps for rocky terrain cater to adventurers tackling more imposing challenges to meet the most rigorous demands of outdoor exploration.
The Takeaway
Hiking boots constitute a definite must-have piece of gear for any hiker. Whether packing light for a speedy backpacking trip or heading out for multi-day cross-country trekking on the Appalachian Trail, your feet require adequate support. Fortunately, today’s hiking footwear technology is miles ahead in quality compared to its humble beginnings. We hope you enjoyed this quick look through hiking boots history!
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