The Key Differences Between Hiking And Trekking Shoes

Nowadays, trekking and hiking are becoming popular outdoor activities among all ages of people. But you might question that aren’t both the same? Hiking is considered a long walk on well-maintained trails and predetermined roads. In contrast, trekking is considered a long walk through the wilderness or remote areas, with rugged terrain and more difficult conditions. Since trekking lasts more than a day, it is included in most camping activities and thus is more challenging than hiking.

You need to understand the difference between hiking and trekking, especially the difference between hiking and trekking shoes as each activity requires different types of shoes. In this trekking vs hiking shoes guide, you’ll learn the differences that will help you provide your customer with the best shoes for their needs.

A] What Are Hiking Shoes?

Hiking shoes are designed especially to protect the foot and ankle during outdoor activities such as long walks on trails. These shoes are made of durable materials such as leather, synthetic fabrics and rubber. Hiking shoes are designed in a way to protect your feet from rough wilderness terrain and provide comfort, support, and good traction on rough, steep, slippery, wet, and muddy terrain.

As compared to trekking shoes these shoes are usually light in weight. This lightness is achieved by the choice of upper materials and less cushioning.

Hiking shoes can also be used during activities such as:

Backpacking: They provide better grip and stability, reducing the risk of injuries while carrying heavy loads for long distances.
Trail Running: The cushion used in these shoes offers better support than regular running shoes, which gives better grip on uneven terrain and provides extra protection while running.

B] What Are Trekking Shoes?

Trekking shoes are designed for difficult hikes in mountainous terrain. They are more robust and durable than hiking shoes. Trekking shoes are designed with a thicker sole with a high cut around the ankle to provide extra support and stability on rocky or uneven paths.

These shoes are designed to be comfortable, with cushioned insoles and shock-absorbing soles to reduce the impact on your feet and legs while hiking on long trails. They are made with durable and synthetic materials, which provide water resistance, breathability, and protection from rough terrain. These special features prevent leg pain and sore feet, providing support during long walks, jumps and rock climbing.

If you are looking to stock up on the quality trekking shoes, consider looking up a reputed trekking shoes distributor in India with a proven track record.

Trekking shoes can also be used during activities such as:

Mountaineering: Trekking shoes can be utilised for moderate mountaineering treks.
Travelling: As trekking shoes consist of cushions, they can be used during travelling since the activity requires long walks while exploring the city.

If you are interested in learning more about hiking vs trekking shoes? Then listed below are key differences that should help you understand these shoes better.

C] The 8 Key Differences Between Hiking And Trekking Shoes

Weight: Hiking shoes are lightweight and made of materials like mesh, leather, or synthetic materials for ease of movement. They are a good choice for day hikes when reducing backpack weight is important. On the other hand, trekking shoes are made with a combination of leather and synthetic materials for added support and protection, making them heavier than hiking shoes. They are ideal for longer hikes or more challenging terrain where foot protection and stability are crucial.
Durability: Hiking shoes are designed with lightweight materials for short hikes on less demanding terrain, so they are less durable as compared to trekking shoes which are made with premium materials such as leather and designed to provide support in rough and rocky terrain.
Support: Hiking shoes are designed to provide moderate support around the ankle and the arch. This helps to prevent injuries and ensures a more comfortable hike. In contrast, trekking shoes often feature a stiffer midsole and more robust construction which provides support on steep inclines and rocky terrain.
Traction: Both the shoes are designed with a tread pattern which provides traction, but hiking shoes have a lower profile outsole providing good traction on trails and other flat terrains whereas trekking shoes have deeper and more aggressive tread patterns, designed for challenging terrain to provide better grip and stability on steep and uneven surfaces.
Breathability: Hiking shoes have breathable uppers made of mesh or synthetic materials to allow air to circulate and keep your feet cool and dry. On the other hand, trekking shoes are made with leather material to provide better grip and protection which causes it to be less breathable than hiking shoes.
Water resistance: Materials such as mesh and synthetic are not water resistant, due to which hiking shoes are less water resistant. On the other hand, trekking shoes are designed with uppers made of leather, or other waterproof materials that provide excellent protection against moisture since it is used for challenging terrains therefore it is a need for trekking shoes to be water resistant.
Purpose: The purpose of hiking shoes is to provide support and protection to your feet while navigating through rough and uneven terrain whereas the purpose of trekking shoes is to provide support and protection to your feet while navigating through rough and uneven terrain.

While this should help you understand the difference between hiking shoes and trekking shoes, listed below are a few factors that can help you select the right shoes for your inventory.

D] Trekking Shoes Vs Hiking Shoes: How To Choose The Right Shoe For Your Customers?

We understand how challenging it can be to recommend the right trekking or hiking shoes to your customers. Here’s a quick guide that’ll help you make better suggestions.

Determine the customer’s needs: Having a detailed knowledge of products is essential to understand the needs of customers. This will help you provide your customers with shoes that fit well and meet the needs of the customer. Additionally, it is also important to choose a vendor who has an expert knowledge about the shoes and can guide you in offering great service to your customers. So, you should collaborate with expert shoes manufacturer in India and they’ll help you get started.
Consider the fit: When people wear ill-fitted shoes they might experience discomfort while performing activities and could also increase the chance of injury. Therefore, it becomes your duty to provide them with the right shoe fit for their needs.
Check the support: To ensure the comfort, it’s vital to offer shoes that provide ample support to lower arch and ankle, while also preventing foot fatigue. A shoe that incorporates proper cushioning and breathability features can greatly enhance the user’s hiking experience by reducing pain and discomfort.
Look for features that match the activity: It is important to provide your customers with shoes that match the requirements of their chosen outdoor activity. Factors such as breathability, weight, water resistance, cushioning, and materials play a critical role in selecting the appropriate shoe. Understanding the unique needs of each activity is vital to providing the right product. ShopTribe India offers different products that suit the unique needs of your customer, including the shoes for mountain trekking.
Take into account personal preferences: Personal preferences play a crucial role while making the buying decision. Few customers may look for a certain brand, colour, pattern or style whereas some have specific needs or preferences due to health issues or lifestyle choices. Learning about the customer’s needs will help you to recommend the right shoe and build trust with your customers.
Provide education and guidance: Providing knowledge to the customers can help them to make informed decisions. This will also help you to stand out among the competitors, and look like an expert. It will build authority and trust among your customers which will lead to repeat business, resulting in increased revenue.

You also have to keep in mind that hiking and trekking are not only great outdoors activities that can help people experience nature, but also considered great for workout. While we have got you covered for hiking and trekking, if you have to recommend shoes to your customers for other types of workouts, you can refer to our guide: How To Find The Best Workout Shoes For Every Exercise.

Conclusion

Hiking and trekking shoes might look the same but they both fulfil different requirements for outdoor activities. As we have discovered, there is a notable difference between trekking and hiking shoes. While hiking shoes are lightweight, they do not offer the same level of water resistance and durability as trekking shoes, which are made with more robust materials. These differences may seem small, but it plays a major role while performing the hiking and trekking activities. ShopTribe understands these differences and provides products that align with the needs.

Also, it’s crucial to offer customers a wide range of products and provide expert guidance on the pros and cons of each option, to help them make an informed decision. This approach can help ensure customer satisfaction and build long-term relationships with customers. Are you looking for a trekking shoes supplier for your business? You should get in touch with us today, we can help you stock up on trekking shoes from premium brands.

Furthermore, if you are just starting out and looking for guidance on setting up a shoe retail business, we have got you covered. You can refer to our detailed guide on How To Start A Shoe Retail Business In India.