All about hiking shoe soles and grip

Climbing shoes are also an extreme example when it comes to the tread. Like Formula 1 race tyres for dry conditions, (called slicks), climbing shoes have no tread, the rubber surface is smooth. This gives maximum rock contact, but would soon become slippy on muddy ground or gravel. This is why most natural terrain requires a sole tread with a distinctive tread pattern.

Mountain boot and hiking boot soles use a clever combination of ridges and welts, known as lugs, with deep indentations between them. There are many different types. And for each and every area of use or activity, there is a matching outsole. Market leader Vibram offers more than 1000 different Vibram soles types for outsole shoes alone. And it divides its Vibram sole rubber compounds into eleven different categories. According to Vibram, the actual number of different compound types is much higher. At the end of the day though, they all have the same goal – to make trekking or hiking boots grip.

As shoemakers, it’s our job to equip each shoe with the right sole. HANWAG alpine mountain boots have sole treads that differ from our lightweight hiking shoes for flatter terrain for instance. To this end, we develop soles together with our suppliers, such as Italian sole manufacturer Vibram. Most of these Vibram soles are exclusive to our collection.

It’s worth sparing a thought for the soles when buying a new pair of shoes. Do they match your intended area of use and the kind of tours, hikes or activities you plan to use your footwear for?

Many hikers and walkers prefer to stick to paved trails or easier paths in flatter regions or lower mountain ranges. This generally means that a more dynamic sole profile is not required. Lower tread depth also means less weight and more comfort. The sole design is flatter to provide a comfortable, efficient roll-off and there is no marked heel.

Example: The HANWAG Blueridge Low ES hiking shoe is equipped with the HANWAG Hike Pro sole that was custom-designed for us. With its 4 mm tread depth, it gives sufficient grip on finer gravel, mud or grass. The large tread blocks with their wide contact area give this sole the best grip for paved trails and damp, slippery paths. In addition, it provides extra walking comfort. The sole has no distinctive heel, which also helps the shoe to roll-off smoothly and evenly.

Higher up in medium mountain ranges and in the foothills of the Alps, the paths and trails get steep and slippy. There are no well looked-after gravel paths here. Instead, you’ll find muddy trails, rough scree and smooth, worn roots. Hiking here requires footwear with a more rugged, non-slip sole. The best grip hiking boots have soles with a prominent heel that gets a firm grasp on the ground to prevent you slipping when walking downhill.

Example: Our Trek Light HANWAG Tatra Light boot comes with an Integral Light Vibram sole. Its tread lugs ensure good grip even on slippy terrain or deep scree. Thanks to the wide channels between the lugs, the sole does not get clogged with mud as quickly. The heel section also has exceptionally large lugs to help you brake on mountain descents. A cushioning shock absorption zone at the rear of this hiking boot sole delivers extra comfort. At the toe there is a flat area for greater precision on rock. This sole is ready for the mountains.

On a trekking tour, you need to be prepared for anything. You’re likely to encounter everything from soft, boggy ground to hard-packed trails or scree-covered slopes. You might even be travelling cross-country where there are no marked paths. In the rain, rough terrain can become a very slippery business. When you’re carrying a heavy pack, the consequences of a slip could be nasty. This is why trekking boot soles have to meet highest demands and be exceptionally versatile. They also need to offer a smooth roll off, to prevent legs from getting too tired on long treks.

Example: The HANWAG Alaska GTX trekking boot has a Vibram Fuora sole. With its 6 mm tread depth, it offers good grip in soft, deep muddy terrain, such as you might encounter on trekking tours in Scandinavia. The extensive surface area is an advantage to stop you from sinking in too deep. Its abrasion-resistant rubber compound prevents the tread from wearing out so quickly on long tours. And the many lugs ensure good grip on all types of terrain. The marked heel and braking tread blocks in the middle of the sole prevent slipping when you walk downhill.

In high mountains and alpine terrain, you want soles that go that extra mile. Slipping could have serious consequences. The soles on our alpine models offer superior grip and precision on diverse terrains. Their deep, sharp lugs give good traction on loose scree and in névé snow. The marked heel helps you brake when going downhill. As alpine tours (Hochtouren) generally involve rock sections with a certain amount of climbing, these soles have a large, flat climbing friction zone at the toe.

Example: The HANWAG Omega GTX has a Vibram Alpin sole. It has a 7 mm tread depth that meets all the requirements of a high-alpine sole. The overall shape of the sole is long and narrower, particularly if you compare it with a trekking sole. This gives better precision at the front of the foot when climbing on rock and is better for edging when traversing sideways.

Winter hiking and snowshoe touring need more grip than the rest of the year. Snow and ice are challenging for shoe soles. This is why footwear geared to winter conditions often has a specialist winter sole. They are literally the winter tyres for your outdoor adventures.

Example: The HANWAG Bluestrait ES is the ideal boot for everyday winter use, from walking the dog all the way to moderate winter walks. In addition to its waterproof EcoShell membrane and warm, inner lining, this mid-cut boot has a Fiberbrake outsole that was developed specifically for HANWAG. Its special rubber compound does not harden in the cold. Instead it remains soft and grippy down to -15°C. Cool innovation: The special tread blocks (six on each sole) are made of fibreglass-reinforced rubber. They act like sandpaper and get a firm grip of even icy ground. Furthermore, the dynamic outer tread blocks ensure good grip in snow and slush.