What equipment do I need?

Which hiking boot?

Shoes are one of the most important pieces of equipment when hiking and mountaineering: an ill-fitting, old, faulty or unstable shoe can turn a tour into a horror trip or even a disaster: It starts with blisters and ends with accidents. The shoes differ from all other pieces of equipment in that you cannot take them off or change them during the tour. It is usually worn for the entire duration of a hike. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the purchase of shoes.

A mountain boot should offer:

• Sufficient stability and robustness
• Light weight
• Flexible rolling behavior for comfortable walking
• Water-repellent upper leather with as few but well-made seams as possible
• Vibram rubber sole with a pronounced lug profile.

Tips for buying shoes:

• running in! In order not to get tired of the first tour with aching feet and blisters, the shoes should be broken in beforehand. Most good mountain shops offer the possibility of possibly exchanging shoes – in clean condition, of course. After the first "attempts" in the area or short walks, you can try short hikes.
• The socks: In addition to the footwear, the choice of socks is also crucial. They should be made of fibers that absorb moisture. Dry feet are important to prevent blisters from forming, because moisture softens the horny layer and the feet become more susceptible. If your feet sweat a lot, you should also have a second pair of socks ready.
• Blisters: If you tend to have pressure points in certain areas, you can mask them with a pressure point and blister plaster as a precaution. The pressure point should be treated at the latest when there is a local feeling of warmth or friction. In addition to special blister plasters, there are also pressure protection rings that are placed around the damaged area. A blister that has formed should not be opened because the liquid it contains offers the tissue good conditions for healing. If the blister does open, it should be disinfected and covered with plasters.

The right expert advice before you buy

Our guests can rely on the know-how of our regional Sports shop Auer To fall back on.
You will be served by the Auer family with no pressure at all. The advantage, as a cobbler, Mr. Auer knows where the shoe can pinch, or helps to make your shoe "pressure-free".

Important or forgotten hiking accessories can also be obtained here