Hiking boot impacts on woodland trails

ABSTRACT:

The effects of two types of hiking boots on erosion of woodland trails was compared. Hikers wore conventional lug-soled boots or boots with a corrugated rubber compound sole. The trails were used at two intensities, 600 passes and 2,400 passes per plot at weekly intervals over a 6-week period. No significant differences between the two hiking boots were detected in comparisons of yields of organic matter and eroded soil from the plots. However, significant differences in yields were found in a comparison of hiking intensities. Differences in yields also occurred between all treatments and untreated plots under field conditions, which were controlled for slope, soil type, canopy cover, and overland runoff. Residual effects of hiking wear on these trails persisted 41 days (until onset of leaf fall) after hiking ceased.