Talk:Tag:route=foot

Distinction between route=foot and route=hiking

I think the distinction between route=foot and route=hiking is a problem (currently the template says that hiking routes need hiking boots). Did someone check if the tags are really used differently? My impression is that route=foot is more British and route=hiking matches American English. Also, here in Indonesia the local people walk barefoot on routes that are very difficult for me even with hiking boots. --Jeisenbe (talk) 04:18, 11 January 2020 (UTC)

In the UK, we use foot and route as described. They are certainly not just differences between British and American English. Typically routes around towns on paved roads would be tagged foot, whereas those up mountains would be tagged hiking. There is a grey area in the middle, and the definition provided is suitable for our use. I accept it may not fit what goes on in other countries.

I assume the original creators of the distinction did not even imagine barefoot hikers. My guess is that they assumed a difference between street footwear and hiking footwear. Many long distance hikers in the U.S. west now use a variety of running shoe called "trail runners" to hike hundreds of kilometers per pair. Boots for long trail hiking are considered too heavy. Wegerje (talk) 02:36, 30 November 2020 (UTC)