Types of shoes
The ABCD system is an extremely useful system for checking which shoes are suitable for you. We use it on our website. In recent years, however, more and more shoes have been added that are more difficult to categorise. They are often designed for specific activities. That is why we also use filters on our website that refer to these activities. Below, we briefly explain these activities.
High-altitude tours: a shoe made for alpine trekking has a very stiff sole and is crampon-friendly. This allows you to cross glaciers, for example. These tall shoes are suitable for high-mountain treks, provided the terrain is not among the most technical. The - compared to expedition shoes - slightly more flexible sole makes them less suitable for ice climbing, for example.
Approach: approach shoes are made for the approach routes to climbing areas. The experienced climber can also get by with this shoe on easier climbing outings. The approach shoe has a relatively stiff sole and offers the user more grip than the standard hiking shoe.
Bikepacking: Shoes suitable for bikepacking are comfortable for both walking and cycling for a longer period of time. They often have a stiffer sole than regular hiking shoes, which ensures better transfer of power while cycling. Sometimes these shoes have special attachment points for bike pedals.
Expedition: Made for the high mountains, these high shoes with an extremely stiff sole are the ideal shoes to tackle the most technical challenges. Expedition shoes often have an integrated gamasche (gaiters covering the bottom and top of the shoe) and are also suitable for ice climbing.
Nordic walking: These shoes are specially designed for a relatively large settlement of the foot, typical of Nordic walking. Thus, the heel of a Nordic walking shoe often offers much more cushioning than that of a regular walking shoe. In addition, the sole is also a lot more flexible and the heel cap significantly lower.
Speedhiking: Speedhiking involves completing a challenging trail in a natural environment as quickly as possible, traversing both mountainous and flat terrain. A key feature of these shoes is that they are lightweight and have a good fit to wear comfortably while covering long distances. In addition, they often have a flexible sole that provides grip and stability on a variety of terrains. They often also have extra reinforcement at the heel and toe to protect the feet from bumps and abrasions while climbing and descending.
Trekking: Shoes suitable for trekking provide support for use off the beaten track in low and mid-mountain terrain. The shoes also provide comfort required on multi-day hikes with often a large pack on the back. This results in a sturdier sole, a higher shaft and often extra protection at the toe and heel.
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