Back to Glossary
camping
Lug Pattern
What is a lug pattern?
A lug pattern is the arrangement and design of raised rubber treads on the sole of hiking boots or trail shoes that provide traction and grip on various outdoor surfaces. The pattern typically consists of differently shaped and sized lugs (knobs or ridges) strategically placed to maximize grip while hiking on rocks, dirt, mud, and loose terrain. Deeper, more aggressive lug patterns offer better traction on soft or muddy surfaces, while shallower patterns work well on hard-packed trails and rocky terrain.