Holiday backpacking has been a cheap travel option for decades. This mode of travel comes in handy for tourism trips that are all about sightseeing and pleasure. It can also help students on a budget find their way home for the holidays. Holiday backpackers are skilled enough to slip gifts amongst their travel gear, but the goal is to keep the pack lightweight. Surprisingly, it is possible to pack light enough for backpacking travel without sacrificing footwear. Doing so will take a little education on footwear for backpacking (and maybe provide some holiday ideas for gift-giving).
Importance of Weight
Everything that the backpacker takes on any trip must fit into a backpack that is hefted along the entire trip. Clothing, weather protection, first aid, bedding, entertainment tools, travel planners and more must fit into the sack without adding too much weight for the backpacker. The shoes that you choose for the trip are no exception. The shoes must be durable enough to walk for miles, but made of a material that lightweight and can fit in a small space. Backpackers travelling in warm weather areas choose sandals like Birkenstock Sandals because they fit the criteria. Manufacturers such as Inov-8 make very light shoes that are very durable as well.
Weather Concerns
Not every backpacking trip will take you through warm climates that have no precipitation. Chances are good that you will get caught in the rain. This is another area where the footwear you choose can come in handy. Backpackers can borrow a page from the hiking handbook when travelling through wet climate zones. Choose footwear that whisks moisture away from the foot, keeping it as dry as possible until you can reach a place out of the rain. Look for shoes that have a Gore-TEX inner lining. The Gore-TEX company makes shoes that are moisture resistant, lightweight and comfortable enough to slip into your backpack for the trip. Look for their walking shoes, as the backpacking shoes are designed for hikers.
Versatility and Comfort
The amount of walking that backpackers perform requires a shoe that will be comfortable on the foot. Blisters and chaffing are unacceptable. Travellers need a walking shoe that performs with the foot. They also need shoes that will stand up to the terrain. Backpacking in mountainous regions presents different footwear challenges than travelling on a paved road. The terrain also means the difference between choosing hiking shoes over walking shoes for comfort. Another comfort consideration is breaking in the shoes before the trip. Take several strolls around the house in the shoes to break them in before the trip and avoid sore feet.
Protecting and Supporting the Foot
Many backpackers tend to look toward canvas throwaway shoes for their trip. However, it is a mistake to do so. Those throwaways do not provide your foot with the support it needs to ward off pain and injury. Choose shoes or sandals that have wide soles to prevent against rolling your ankle. High top shoes are best for ankle support and Gore-TEX makes them with its special weatherproof lining. You can also find backing footwear that is supportive and can still fit into your backpack. Terra Fi’s walking sandals do have supportive systems for the ankles and protective thick soles that are also comfortable for long treks.
Whether you are backpacking to save a buck or trekking during your villa holidays, be sure to consider your footwear very carefully. Overlooking this important component could lead to aches and pains that will definitely derail your much anticipated holiday backpacking trip.
