Hiking was voted the fourth-most popular outdoor activity in 2017, and its popularity shows no sign of declining.

For people who enjoy hiking during the colder months and climates, it would be wise to invest in a pair of boots ready for all terrains, including walking on ice. True ice boots are very different from standard hiking boots, or even standard winter boots, and it’s unwise to use other kinds of boots to walk on ice. Danner Striker boots make for an excellent option for winter hikers.

The following will help you understand the critical differences between ice boots and other types of boots for men and women. You will also learn what things to look for in good boots for walking on ice.

What You Should Look For

When you’re planning on hiking in places where you may be required to walk on ice, it’s important to make sure you’re wearing boots made for winter conditions. Otherwise, you risk slipping and falling, and possibly sustaining injury from what should have been a fun expedition.

As you’re shopping for ice and winter boots, you should be on the lookout for the following features:

• Traction: the outsole, or bottom of the boot, should be thick. It should feature deep treads, so you have plenty of traction while walking on ice.
• Flexibility: besides being thick, the boot should be flexible (most winter boots are not). This will allow your feet to adjust to various terrains.
• Lining: the boot’s lining needs to be suitable for cold weather. They should be designed to keep heat in while letting moisture out so that your feet stay warm and dry.

Striker boots are lightweight, flexible, and very warm, with a -40 degree rating.

What You Should Avoid

It’s tempting to use regular boots for winter hiking, but this is a very bad idea. Boots designed for fall or spring wear aren’t durable enough to handle harsh winter conditions. Boots not made for ice walking, including regular winter boots, don’t have the traction necessary to safely walk on ice or snow. Additionally, even boots that are very warm will often lack waterproofing features, which are needful in winter conditions.

Any experienced hiker will tell you it’s worth spending a little extra to get the right boots for the job. If you’re hiking in the winter, and especially if you’re walking on ice, get the boots that are made for it, such as Striker boots for ice.

Quick Tip

Along with the above factors to consider, it’s worth taking some time to think about the insulating material used in boots. Cheaper boots won’t have good insulation, even if the material is quite thick and bulky. On the other hand, a patented material like Thinsulate, which is featured in Striker boots, makes for an excellent lining for winter boots.

Conclusion

Even though it's still summer, preparing for the winter hiking season is essential. Keep the above tips in mind as you shop for the perfect winter boots for your hiking expeditions. Remember: when you’re out in nature, it’s incredibly important to have the right gear with you. By skimping on quality, you could be risking your life, so make sure you have the right things before you go out into the wild.