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Best Hiking Boots in Ireland
Best Hiking Boots in Ireland
Hiking is a popular outdoor activity in Ireland, known for its stunning landscapes and challenging terrains. A good pair of hiking boots is a key component to any successful hiking trip. This article will explore the best hiking boots available in Ireland, focusing on their features, comfort, durability, and price.
Importance of Hiking Boots
Comfort
When hiking, comfort is paramount. A good pair of hiking boots support your feet and ankles, reducing the risk of injuries. They also help to keep your feet dry and comfortable, regardless of the weather conditions.
Durability
Hiking boots are designed to withstand harsh conditions. They are made from durable materials that can handle rough terrains and weather changes. A durable hiking boot will last you for many hiking trips, making it a worthwhile investment.
Traction
Hiking often involves traversing slippery and uneven terrains. Hiking boots are designed with soles that provide excellent traction, reducing the risk of slips and falls.
Best Hiking Boots in Ireland
Now, let's dive into Ireland's best hiking boots.
1. Berghaus Hillmaster II GTX Technical Hiking Boot - Men's
This boot is designed for the serious hiker. It features a waterproof Gore-Tex lining and a durable leather upper, ensuring your feet stay dry and comfortable. The boot also offers excellent traction, making it ideal for all terrains.
Price: €199
2. Berghaus Hillwalker II Goretex Hiking Boot - Men's
This boot offers a combination of comfort, durability, and traction. It features a Gore-Tex lining for waterproofing and a durable rubber outsole for excellent grip.
Price: €169.99
3. Berghaus Supalite II GTX Technical Hiking Boot - Men's
This boot is designed for those who value comfort and lightweight. It features a Gore-Tex lining for waterproofing and a supalite sole for excellent traction.
Price: €199.99
4. Columbia Bugaboot Plus III Omni-Heat Mid-Calf Insulated Boot - Women's
This boot is designed for women who love winter hiking. It features an Omni-Heat reflective lining that keeps your feet warm in cold conditions.
Price: €160
5. Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II Hiking Boot - Men's
This boot offers a combination of comfort, durability, and style. It features a waterproof construction and a durable rubber outsole for excellent traction.
Price: €99.99
6. Grisport Gamekeeper Men's Leather High-Leg Stalking/Hiking Boot
This boot is designed for those who value durability and style. It features a high-leg design and a durable leather upper.
Price: €199.99
7. Hi-Tec Altitude Pro RGS Waterproof Hiking Boot - Men's
This boot offers a combination of comfort, durability, and style. It features a waterproof construction and a durable rubber outsole for excellent traction.
Price: €199.99
8. Hi-Tec Altitude VI i Waterproof Hiking Boot - Men's
This boot is designed for those who value comfort and lightweight. It features a waterproof construction and a durable rubber outsole for excellent traction.
Price: €112.99
How to Choose the Right Hiking Boot
Size
Ensure the boot fits properly. It should be snug but not too tight, with enough room for your toes to move.
Material
Consider the material of the boot. Leather boots are durable and waterproof, while synthetic boots are lighter and often cheaper.
Brand
Consider the brand of the boot. Brands like Berghaus, Columbia, and Hi-Tec are known for their quality and durability.
Conclusion
Choosing the right hiking boot is crucial for a successful and enjoyable hiking trip. Consider factors like comfort, durability, traction, and price when choosing. The boots listed in this article are some of the best in Ireland, offering a range of options to suit different needs and budgets.
FAQs
What is the most important feature of a hiking boot?
The most important feature of a hiking boot is comfort. A comfortable boot will make your hiking trip more enjoyable and reduce the risk of injuries.
Are expensive hiking boots worth it?
Expensive hiking boots often offer better quality and durability. However, there are also affordable options that offer good value for money.
How often should I replace my hiking boots?
This depends on how often you hike and the conditions you hike in. Generally, hiking boots should be replaced every 800-1600 kilometres.
Can I wear running shoes for hiking?
While running shoes can be used for light hiking, they lack the support and durability for more challenging terrains.
Do I need different boots for summer and winter hiking?
Winter hiking boots are insulated to keep your feet warm in cold conditions. Summer hiking boots are lighter and more breathable.
Alert! Invasive Pacific Pink (Humpback) Salmon in Ireland
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has issued an alert for any sightings of Pacific Pink Salmon in Irish Waterways.
Sponsor the Irish U20 Coarse Angling Team & WIN a Trailer of Wood
We are proud & delighted that our very own Donagh McSherry has made the Irish U20 Coarse Angling Team for the 2nd year running.
The team will be travelling to the World Championships in Portugal in August. Unfortunately, only a small proportion of their costs are covered, so the lads need sponsorship (of which we are one), plus looking for any donations - no matter how small - to contribute towards the considerable costs involved in sending the team to represent their country.
OpenSeason.ie Welcomes Forge of Lures Jerkbaits to Ireland
OpenSeason.ie Welcomes Forge of Lures Jerkbaits to Ireland
The Mayfly - Born, Mate, Die - All In The Same Day!
Now that we're in Mayfly season, OpenSeason.ie takes a quick look at the life cycle of this fascinating creature
FAQ: Choosing Sunglasses - Which Colour Lens?
One of the most frequent questions we at OpenSeason.ie get asked is “What’s the difference between the different lens colours?”, followed by “Does it make any difference what pair I choose?” So we thought we’d try to answer these questions – hope you find it interesting!
Sunglasses are an essential accessory for protecting our eyes from the harmful effects of the sun's UV rays. However, not all sunglasses are created equal, and choosing the right pair is crucial to maximise their effectiveness in different light conditions and activities.
But before we start talking lens colours, can we take a minute to bang on about polarisation? We only ever stock Polarised Sunglasses here at OpenSeason.ie – for the simple reason that they are the single most effective way to cut glare, improve colour contrast and depth perception, and reduce eye-strain from squinting. They work by blocking horizontally-polarised light, which is the main source of sun-glare and as such are ideal for outdoor sporting activities (fishing, hunting, boating, skiing), but also farming, golf, driving, etc. You’ll see sunglasses for sale all over the place every summer – in our humble opinion, if the swing-tag doesn’t specify “polarised”, then don’t bother wasting your money!
Now, onto lens colours. Believe it or not, the colour of your lenses is more than just a question of looks, fashion or personal taste. Each colour works best in different light and weather conditions, so we’ll go through these now:
Brown/Amber Lenses
Brown/Amber lenses improve contrast, making them ideal for fishing, as well as hunting, driving, farming, horse racing, golfing or boating, as they heighten contrast against water, green landscapes or blue skies. At OpenSeason.ie, Brown/Amber tends to be our best-selling lens colour.
Black Lenses
Black lenses are also very popular, as they have that cool, classic look. They are ideal for very sunny conditions and provide the highest level of shade, making them ideal for people whose eyes are super-sensitive to very bright light. They work for a wide range of activities, from driving and cycling to beach trips and outdoor sports. However, it is worth noting that black lenses may not be suitable for low-light conditions, as they can make it difficult to see in darker environments.
Grey/Smoke Lenses
Grey lenses are suitable for both cloudy and sunny days. Dark enough to provide good protection from glare, grey lenses also provide the best colour-perception of all the lens colours, making them the ideal choice for nature watchers, but also great for a whole range of outdoor activities, including driving, tennis, football, soccer, etc.
Blue Lenses
Blue tinted lenses enhance contours around objects and improve overall colour perception, while also bringing a calming effect on the eyes. They are ideal for snowy conditions, water sports or sunny outdoor sports (practitioners or spectators), as they cut glare significantly. Blue are also good in low-light, misty, foggy and snowy conditions.
Yellow Lenses
Yellow lenses, as well as looking distinctive, are particularly suitable to those wishing to focus on moving objects in low-light, hazy weather conditions. They are often used by pilots, cyclists, mountain bikers, as well as skiers, hunters and tennis players. Like Blue lenses, this shade is particularly useful in fog, haze and other lower-light conditions, as it provides superior contrast.
So, hopefully you have all of the information you need to make the best choice for your activity and likely weather/light conditions! Be sure to take a look at our great range of Polarised Sunglasses, which come in a range of lens colours and are ideal for any activity you may get up to this summer.
https://www.openseason.ie/collections/sunglasses
Enjoy the summer, whatever you get up to!
Kevin & Loraine
FAQ - Dapping for Trout in Ireland
Dapping is a fly-fishing technique that allows only the fly (not the leader or tippet) to gently touch the surface of the water. It is considered to be one of the oldest forms of fly-fishing, first described in The Compleat Angler in 1653.
It is a skilful, effective and targetted method of catching trout, as it allows you to present the fly in an almost-perfect imitation of how flies naturally land on the surface of the water, often jumping off and landing again and again. It is often thought to be the ideal way to catch larger, smarter and warier brown trout. In Ireland, dapping is done primarily in lakeboats, with the boat set and allowed to drift along, kept in position with the oar. It is also a useful technique on rivers, over river pools and in conditions with thick cover or banks that make back casting difficult.
How to dapp successfully:
- Stay out of but close to the water and do your best to minimise your movements.
- Make sure your line is reeled in, with only a small section of your leader & tippet out.
- Slowly extend your rod, dangling it over the area you believe (or know) the fish are in.
- Keep observing, while you slowly lower your fly until it is barely touching the water surface.
- If there is no wind, lightly move your rod, so the fly gently bounces off the water.
- When the trout takes the fly, wait a moment before setting the hook.
What Tackle Do I Need?
Dapping can be done with any Dry Fly and Floatant, or indeed a real live fly on a a small hook (Size 8 would do very nicely). To know which fly you should use, simply observe what's buzzing around at the present time.
For lake dapping, you'll ideally need a specially-designed Dapping Rod - a long telescopic pole-type rod, usually around 5m in length. If dapping in a river area with overhanging trees and cover, you'll need a shorter rod so as not to tangle with the vegetation.
Any standard Trout Fly Reel will do the trick or you can even use a Spinning Reel.
Check out our Dapping Tackle Collection, where we have grouped together all the gear you will need to try out this technique.
And - like any angling method - Dapping takes time, patience and not a little practise, but it's a really great one to try.
Let us know how you get on!
Kevin