What is the Best Footwear for Your Outdoor Activity?

There are many types of footwear on the market today depending on what activities you enjoy and what suits your needs as an individual. From posh parties to the beach to a casual shopping trip, what you wear on your feet distinguishes who you are. A day hiking the trails can be a disaster with the wrong footwear.If you are the type of individual that enjoys a number of outdoor activities but none serious enough to warrant specific footwear for each sport, then a multi-sport shoe is for you. This type of footwear is ideal for that walk in the park, a light day hike through a well traveled trail, a fun game in the field, and is a definite life-saver on vacations. It allows you to multi task your activities and gives you enough support and versatility to not limit your enjoyment.If you are more of an enthusiast and have an adrenalin-like craving then Approach Shoes are the ticket. They are great for those mountain visits with their excellent rock scrambling traction and climbing potential, yet stylish enough to cruise the mall. The soles of these shoes are made out of a sticky rubber and more closely resemble a climbing shoe than a hiking shoe. Approach shoes where intended to give a climber or mountaineer a comfortable yet solid footing for those short or long traverses to your climbing area. These shoes are not to be confused with climbing shoes. Though many climbers prefer them on easy multi terrain climbs, they are no substitute on difficult climbs.Then there are your beach activities. Whether you are playing volley ball or just swimming, sport sandals are a good choice. There are many makes and models to choose from. These types of sandals are also referred to as "Mandals", because they are primarily worn by men (or in New Zealand slang "Jandals"). They are constructed with many types of materials. Synthetic fabric and leather is widely used along with a rubber treaded sole. These sandals sometimes have a removable rear heel harness to minimize foot slippage and are ideal for beach sports. They enable the user the mobility to maneuver over rough terrain and not have his or her sandal come off.If you are just cruising the beach and do not need the support and versatility that a sport sandal offers, then a "Flip Flop" is perfect for you. It consists of a rubber (usually) sole held on to the foot by two pieces of material ranging from plastic to leather called thongs. These thongs extend from the inner and outer side of the foot to the gap between the big toe. There is no strap to the heel and the sandal moves up and down, creating a "flip-flop" sound.Flip-Flops (thongs) are very prominent in the surfer culture. They are becoming everyday footwear in the cities as well. Flip-Flops have stood the test of time and are growing more and more as some of the most popular footwear for the summer.When choosing footwear for outdoor activities, ensure you consider the climate and the requirements of the activity. Does the activity call for extra traction, more ventilation, more insulation or more support? Above all, pick a shoe that will keep your feet comfortable. Choose the right shoes now and enjoy your outdoor activities even more.

Underrated Outdoor Activities in New Zealand

Forget Lonely Planet's idea that the White Lady - a mobile burger bus - in Auckland is the top thing to do in the City of Sails. And maybe while you're in New Zealand you want to stray from the hot tourist spots and give bungy jumping a miss.New Zealand may be known for many things, including adventure sports and hobbits, but there are a huge number of outdoor activities in this country that are hugely underrated.Stream hike through Piha Gorge - While it's close to the Piha Valley Track, unless you knew about this turn off, you'd most likely miss it. Get your feet wet on this hike through the Piha Stream and wade through rushing rivers and climb waterfalls up to Piha Gorge. The bonus of this great walk is that it's close to Auckland and can be an easy day trip while you're in the city.Drive along Wellington's south coast - Wellington is a gorgeous city whose views are nothing if not impressive. After visiting the cultural epicentre, drive along the rugged south coast beach and view the red rocks, little bays and New Zealand's native fur seals. If you're lucky, you'll also be able to see the Bluebridge Ferry coming into the Wellington Harbour after travelling across the Cook Straight.Picnic on top of Mt Eden at night - After the Sky Tower, there are arguably no better views of Auckland's skyline than the top of Mt Eden after dark. If the weather's nice, pack a picnic dinner, open up the car doors, and eat with the views in the background while listening to a little music. The bonus is that the mountain doesn't get over-crowded at night so it's a great place to take a date!Jump off the wharf at Maraetai Beach - This sandy, shelly beach has become popular with local families for a fun day out. There's a public boat ramp and, on a hot summer's afternoon, there's no better experience than jumping off the wharf and into the sea. Just make sure you do this only during high tide!Walk the fossil forest at Curio Bay - The wonderful Caitlins Coast in the South Island is one of the country's best kept secrets. And one of the main towns in this area, Owaka, is home to the ancient fossilised forest, which is exposed at Curio Bay during low tide. See petrified fern fronds, leaves, tree stumps and logs. This is an absolute must in the South Island as it's the world's most extensive Jurassic fossil forest, stretching 20km.There's so much this country has to offer, both as tourist attractions and hidden gems. But no matter what your itinerary, make sure you book your New Zealand accommodation to experience the best this country has to offer.