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Definition: Approach Shoes

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:49 -0800

Designed for scrambling up steep and exposed rock while being able to travel long distances, an approach shoe is a cross between a hiking boot and a rock climbing shoe. Most often used in mountaineering sports, the shoes are given their name because they reference the approaching path the wearer must take to get to a rock climbing destination. Depending on the area, the approach can be a mixture of walking, hiking, and scrambling up rocks.

Because there is often steep and exposed terrain (meaning there is a drop-off on one side of the path) encountered in rock climbing approaches, the shoes are more than just a hiking boot with a sticky rubber sole. The laces of an approach shoe usually extend down the entire area of the foot - like a climbing shoe - to ensure a snug fit that is helpful for getting up rocky terrain.

Approach shoes have a specialized sticky rubber sole that can adhere to rocks on a steeper gradient than a hiking boot would. The outer area of the shoe that surrounds the toe area - called the toe rand - is also made with this same sticky rubber for extra protection against scuffing and to perform well in situations where climbing is necessary.

Compared to a hiking boot, the sole of an approach shoe is made from softer rubber to ensure flexibility for scrambling up rocks. If you compare the sole of a hiking boot to an approach shoe, you'll notice that a hiking boot usually has deeper set lugs to ensure greater traction on dirt and ground. The flat, smoother surface of an approach shoe adheres better to rock than the lug soles of a hiking boot does - especially on slab terrain, which is vertical, flat rock lacking natural places to grip.

Which Fall Activity Burns More Calories?

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:30:05 -0800

Even though the days are shorter, there are still a lot of ways to burn calories in the crisp Fall air. But do you know which activities burn the most? Take my quiz to find out. All calorie calculations are based on a 130-pound woman.

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Gear Review: Nike ACG Wildedge GTX Shoe

FitSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:00:23 -0700

I'm a big fan of Nike's All Condition Gear (ACG) line. If you're into climbing, hiking, or trail running, this shoe line has something for you. When at the Nike store recently, I noticed that my Wildedge approach shoes are now on sale. This shoe, a mixture of a hiking boot and climbing shoe, is now $65, marked down from $110.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Nike's ACG line and to celebrate it, Nike rolled out some pretty cool versions of the Wildedge shoe - a modern twist on the vintage Wildwood shoe that was popular in the '90s. I was immediately drawn to the line because of all the cool colors offered. Most hiking and approach shoes are pretty boring and come in two colors - all-over brown or green. Although I did settle on the ones that have brown and green in them, I think the colors are a lot brighter and flashier than any other hiking shoe I've seen. I also love the fluorescent pink swoosh on the side.

To see how these shoes perform, read more.

Along with being aesthetically pleasing, the Wildedge shoes perform well, and after trekking in them for over six months, I have to say I am a happy customer. The shoes are really lightweight and waterproof, two things that are important to me when backpacking. What I'm most impressed with is the sticky sole, which provides major traction with its .44 sticky rubber, creating a surface that grips onto whatever I'm hiking up. They're also super comfortable - I've hiked in these shoes for hours with no complaints, and even did an hour on the treadmill with them when I accidentally brought the wrong shoes to the gym.

Hike the Hill: Preventing Knee Pain

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:00:28 -0700

Fall is the perfect time to hike. There's a cool breeze, the fallen leaves make the trail even softer, and once you reach the pinnacle, you'll be amazed at the gorgeous foliage across the horizon. I love to try out new mountain trails, but find that the steep inclines and declines can be really hard on my knees. If this sounds familiar, don't let achy knees keep you off the trail. Here are some ways you can prevent pain to these joints.

Make sure your footwear is supportive. Sneakers provide cushioning, but they won't stabilize your ankles, which can also help to prevent your knees from turning out. So wear trail runners or hiking shoes that go over your ankle.
Invest in a pair of trekking poles. They look like ski poles, and when you use them to help you ascend and descend, they take some of the weight and work out of your lower body, and share it with your arms and back. So not only will you get more of a total body workout, but it's less demanding on your knees.
Go easy on the gear. Even though a little pack may not add a ton of extra weight, downward force on your knees can reach eight times the weight applied, so even five extra pounds can add 40 pounds of pressure to your knee joints. For a day hike all you need is water, some food, an extra layer, and your cell phone. If you have to bring along more, ask a helpful friend to carry it in their pack.

For more great tips, keep reading

Hiking Dos and Don'ts

FitSugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:00:01 -0700

Hiking is a great way to spend a Summer morning or afternoon. With breathtaking views and breathtaking climbs, it's a natural workout that feeds the soul while challenging the body. An hour of hiking burns around 355 calories! After filling your pack with essentials, review a few important pieces of trail etiquette when you read more.

Don't

Do hike with friends. It's more fun and safer than hiking alone.
Do pack snacks, water, a cell phone, and a map or GPS device if the hiking trail is new to you. Also bring along rain gear and extra layers just in case.
Before heading out, tell people where you'll be. I know it's a morbid thought, but if anything happens to you, you want people to know where to look for you.
Do stick to the dirt trail. It'll keep you safe and it will protect the natural environment.
If nature calls, and you need to go number one, do so far away from the trail and any natural water sources. If you need to go number two, dig a hole first. Use nature's toilet paper (dead leaves) and bury it all when you're done.

Don't wear new hiking boots since you can end up with painful blisters.
Don't disturb animals or their homes. If you see a beaver dam, just be an observer, and take a few pics if you want.
Don't pick flowers or other plants.
Don't let your dog off leash if it's not allowed, as there may be fellow hikers on the trail who also have dogs or who are afraid of them. If you are allowed to let your pooch off leash, don't let him go too far ahead. You want to be able to clean up after him.
Don't blare loud music or talk loudly. Fellow hikers come to enjoy the quietness of nature, so be respectful.
Don't be a litterbug. Pack a small garbage bag so you can keep track of your trash and pick up after other messy hikers.

Depressed? Ecotherapists Say, "Go Take a Hike!"

TresSugar — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:30:00 -0700

Although some depressed people think they should see a psychotherapist or get meds prescribed (or both), psychologists from the burgeoning field of eco-therapy have a simpler prescription: go outside and mingle with nature.

We humans, they argue, evolved to interact with nature and the outdoors, but beginning with the Industrial Revolution two centuries ago, we've largely become alienated from that world. Now that more than half of the world's population lives in cities, and those lives are increasingly taken over by computers and BlackBerrys (or iPhones), some people don't go outside at all except to travel from their homes to their offices. In fact, eco-therapists say that when their patients' begin writing in a nature journal to record how much time they spent outside, their records are pretty pathetic: most people spent less than 15 to 30 minutes walking to and from their cars!

I went on a long weekend in Yosemite recently, and although I'm not the type who loves not bathing for four days - it was wonderful not to get one email or phone call. Instead, I slept soundly from hiking so much and woke up looking at mountains, trees, and woodland creatures. We don't all need to go camping to cure the blues, though. Researchers have found that simply taking a walk outside every day could have the same effect as an antidepressant in treating moderate depression. I believe it.

Take a Hike and Take These 10 Things

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 06:00:34 -0700

Hiking is not only a fun way to spend time with friends and family in the Summer, but you'll burn 355 calories each hour. Before you head out on the trail, you'll need some gear, so check out these hiking essentials.

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Can You Burn Off Those S'mores?

FitSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:30:00 -0700

One thing I love about camping and backpacking is that you stay very active, from pitching tents to building fires to hiking. So I don't have to feel guilty about enjoying a few s'mores.

Of course, lounging around the campfire isn't going to burn off those calories, but a few good old-fashioned camping activities will. Take my quiz to find out how much you have to work to feel better about those choco-marshmallow treats. (All calorie calculations are based on a 130-pound woman.)

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Do You Avoid Hills?

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:00:20 -0700

Whether you're hiking, running, biking, or rollerblading, we can all agree that hills are tough. Both uphills and downhills have their challenges, and it's definitely easier to stick to even terrain. So tell me . . .

Take a Hike to Entertain and Engage Your Youngster

LilSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 09:00:38 -0700

Fresh air, green leaves and singing birds can put anyone in the mood for a good hike. In addition to the aerobic exercise hiking provides, it's a great way to spend some quality time with family and friends. Given a tot's natural curiosity about their surroundings, kids make excellent hiking partners, if parents go into the activity realizing that they might not reach their end point, mileage or exercise goals during the outing.

Hiking with children involves frequent stops, sedate trails and some extra gear. Youngsters normally focus on the excitement of a new experience rather than the destination so finding a local trail or creek to walk along will suffice.

To capture their curiosity, be sure to bring along "tools" that will help your lil one gain the most from the experience. Butterfly nets, assorted plastic containers for storing pebbles and leaves, a canteen and a magnifying glass will add intrigue to the excursion. The outing should also provide many opportunities for capturing memories – either through the eye of a camera or a notebook where kids sketch their surroundings.

For more information on what parents should pack when hiking with their offspring, read more.

Packing for a hike with kids is no easy feat. Depending on the ages of the tots, diapers, snacks and changes of clothing should be packed – even for the shortest of outings. Safe Kids USA also recommends the following precautions.

Keep first aid supplies and emergency phone numbers handy, and know where the nearest phone is located. Cell phones might not work in remote areas. Let friends and relatives know where you’re going and when you’re coming home.
Dress children in layers of clothing to help prevent heat-related illness and hypothermia. A child’s body temperature changes faster than an adult’s.
Never let children hike alone.
Don’t push kids to go on a longer or more strenuous hike than they can handle. Exhausted children are more likely to fall, wander off or otherwise get injured. Bring plenty of drinking water or sports drinks and high-energy snacks.
Kids should wear hiking boots and clothing that offers protection from scrapes, bites and poisonous plants. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, apply insect repellent to a child’s clothing and exposed skin.
Apply sunscreen rated SPF 15 or higher to your child’s exposed skin 15 to 30 minutes before going out, and reapply frequently. (It is possible to get a sunburn in cloudy conditions.)

Most of all, it's important to remember that the hike is a journey. Getting out in the great outdoors with your wee ones is an ideal way to spend the day.
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