How to choose multi-activity shoes

26 June 2008 16:04

Get the right shoes on your feet, and you’re set for biking, hiking and scrambling in comfort.

Heel counter
Pinch the base of the upper at the heel between thumb and finger. Good heel support is essential for all multi-activity footwear, particularly if used on uneven ground, as blisters may develop without it.

Laces
So that the laces are comfortable on the top of the foot, look for a well-cushioned tongue. This should be of a bellows design so that it fits neatly inside the shoe and prevents water creeping in down the sides of the tongue.

Uppers
Thick leather uppers are likely to be most durable type. Open-weave mesh is sometimes used to improve breathability, while waterproof linings will ensure dry feet. You can see how breathable the upper is by holding it to your mouth and blowing into it.

Toe box
Grab the shoe at the toe and press your thumb down into the toe box from the top, end and sides. If it’s solid throughout you have maximum protection, which is ideal for walking on rocky paths, but if it’s soft the shoe is best kept for casual use.

Rubber rand
In order that the join between the upper and the sole doesn’t wear or break down after use on rough terrain, look for a rubber rand that protects this area.

Outsole
Compare the thickness of a pound coin to the depth of the grooves on the sole. If the grooves are shallower than the pound coin, the lugs won’t provide much grip – particularly in mud and on grass – and they’ll also wear down quickly on harder surfaces.

Cushioning
You can judge how good the underfoot cushioning is by simply standing in the shoes, raising your heels and then thumping them down hard on the ground. More cushioning is usually best for general use, walking and running, but for cycling and scrambling a stiffer sole with less cushioning is better.

Midsole
To compare the midsole flex of different shoes, grab each shoe by the toe and heel, and bend the toe towards the heel, then twist the toe while holding the heel firmly. Some lateral rigidity is good when walking on rocky paths, trail-running and biking.

Fit
No shoe is worth having if it does not fit properly. The inside should be around 13-15mm longer than your foot. You can estimate if the shoe is the right size by putting your foot inside it with the laces loosened off, and then roughly measuring this gap by placing a finger down the inside of the shoe at the heel. The upper should be a snug, comfortable fit around the foot.