BEST HIKING SHOES AND BOOTS
Your best hiking shoes or hiking boots should essentially keep your soul and soles in a perfect happy relationship! Period. Whatever budget you have this is all that counts. If you are planning to go for an African safari, you have a double reason to make sure you have the right and also the best hiking shoes or boots.
Lets sort issues first. What is the difference between hiking boots and hiking shoes. While these two share (or they may share) a lot of similarities in construction e.g. in treads the main and noticeable difference is that hiking boots are hardier, strong and they are cut above the ankle, to offer protection in tougher terrain.
Hiking shoes on the other hand are lighter and have a lower ankle cut. Basically they are for walking on lighter terrain but they should provide the same sturdiness, breathable material, flexibility, water resistance and comfort like a hiking boot.
So which are the best hiking shoes or boots for your African safari? The answer depends on what are doing in Africa:
With 13 years of operating nature safaris in Kenya, our specialty being walking holidays, bird watching and responsible wildlife viewing, we have had the pleasure of seeing clients enjoy many hours on their feet because they made the right "sole" decision. We have also seen some whose souls were foul because of poor selection of soles!
Some advise to guide you in selecting, packing the best hiking shoes. Mind you we are not promoting a brand, we are discussing practical shoe sense as part of African safari clothing:
3) Are hiking sandals good substitute for hiking boots? Forget the marketing hype, sandals leave your feet exposed to acacia thorns which are found in most safari camps, walking or birding sites. You only need one thorn through your feet to have your safari ruined.
Click here to read more about the best hiking shoes, African safari shirts, hats and trousers.