Hiking is more popular than ever among young and old alike. But what is it that they find so fascinating about hiking? The Gore-Tex brand explored this question in-depth and came to a surprising conclusion: hiking is synonymous with happiness. The majority of respondents (39 percent) said that they most associate the activity of hiking with pure joy. Thereafter, they chose relaxation (32%) and fitness (19%).

Hiking provides the perfect balance

Asked why people go hiking and what they enjoy most about the activity, almost half the respondents answered “experiencing nature”. 47 percent of survey participants pack their backpacks in order to enjoy the beauty of nature. For a quarter, hiking means one thing above all: reducing stress. Whether it's recovering from a demanding business meeting or taking a break from daily routines, 25 percent of Germans turn to a hike in order to relax. 27 percent of Germans switch off best when spending time with loved ones, followed closely by hiking (24 percent). Most prefer taking time out on a hike as a couple, with 37 percent of respondents hiking mainly with their partner.

This was preferable to going out with family (28 percent) and friends (22 percent). Just 13 percent of Germans enjoy hiking alone. Most Germans consider hiking shoes to be the most important part of their kit. For more than two thirds (61 percent) of respondents, the right hiking shoes were an absolute necessity. Snacks (52 percent) and backpack (49 percent) took second and third place. For 42 percent of hikers, the wrong footwear can have a negative impact on the entire experience. Only bad weather was mentioned more frequently (50 percent of respondents) as a disruptive factor. Along with fit (65 percent), 63 percent* of those who participated in the study attached particular importance to the breathability of their hiking shoes.

The Gore-Tex brand was inspired by this need to develop a technology with which hikers can set off on tour in moderate to warmer temperatures without getting hot feet. Footwear with the new Gore-Tex Surround product technology is all-around breathable due to the open sole construction, where moisture and warmth can escape more quickly out of the shoe via side ventilation outlets. The 34 percent* of hikers who attach particular importance to waterproof footwear will find that this innovation offers the best of both worlds. Thanks to the Gore-Tex membrane which completely surrounds the foot, no water can penetrate the shoe from outside.

www.gore-tex.de/surround

About W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Gore is a technology-driven company focused on discovery and product innovation. Well known for waterproof, breathable Gore-Tex fabric, the company’s portfolio includes everything from high-performance fabrics and implantable medical devices to industrial manufacturing components and aerospace electronics. Headquartered in the United States, Gore posts annual sales of more than $3 billion and employs more than 10,000 associates with manufacturing facilities in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan and China, and sales offices around the world. In Europe, Gore started its first business operations only a few years after the Enterprise's founding in 1958. Gore now has locations – sales offices as well as production facilities – in the key European countries dedicated to serving the markets of all of Gore's product divisions. Gore is one of a select few companies to appear on all of the U.S. “100 Best Companies to Work For” lists since the rankings debuted in 1984. For several years now, Gore has also been voted one of the best workplaces in Europe and has been ranked on top workplace lists in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Sweden.