HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PAIR OF HIKING SHOES OR BOOTS:

“I firmly believe that with the right footwear one can rule the world.” 

-Bette Midler

 

And Bette is absolutely correct. The foundation and stability of your every step begins where the “rubber meets the road,” or trail, to be exact. Having the proper gear is essential for any activity, especially adventures that can sometimes take us far away from home… on foot. The most important investment you will make for hiking or backpacking is your footwear.

Choosing a pair of hiking shoes or boots is an elimination process. Have a good understanding of the terrain, particularly if you will be hiking on rough, rocky, rooty trails vs. smooth surfaces. Will you be taking light day hikes or backpacking on rocks with a heavy load? Evaluate the benefits and risks of waterproof/breathable models, which tend to dry slower and hold more heat, or a fast-drying, ultralight shoe that provides less support. Picking a shoe that will work for every activity is a tricky and unlikely endeavor.

Choose quality footwear with the proper support for your hike, the terrain, and your specific needs. After you identify the style of shoe or boot that is best for you, the most essential consideration is that they fit well. A great-fitting boot can eliminate pain, soreness, and blisters.

The first step is to seek professional help. Randomly buying stuff on the internet is okay for some things but could be a long shot for finding high-quality, well-fitting shoes or boots unless you already know the brand or shoe works for you. Also, purchasing footwear is not the place to skimp. You will benefit exponentially from investing in the health and happiness of your feet.

Often shoe retailers will let you try shoes and return them if they are not suitable for you. If not, I will walk around indoors (for sometimes days) testing shoes before taking them on a walk outdoors, depending on the return policy. If you already wear insoles or orthotics, bring them to try on shoes. Also, it is important to try on footwear with the socks you intend to wear with them. Since socks vary significantly in thickness and cushioning, they can dramatically change how shoes or boots fit.

When comparing options, walk around the store, up and down an incline or stairs. Consciously evaluate how much movement there is inside the shoe and if there are any uncomfortable sensations. In any walking footwear, you should be able to wiggle your toes easily and have a thumb’s distance between the end of your toes and the end of the shoe. Footwear should fit snugly but never tightly. You should not feel any seams or stitching, and they should feel comfortable.

Feet also fluctuate in size slightly depending on how much you walk or stand, weather conditions, and hormonal fluctuations in the human body. All of these considerations can make shoe-buying extremely challenging. The best time to try on shoes is late afternoon or the evening when your feet are at their highest volume after walking around all day.

Most shoes will slightly loosen up after wearing and breaking them in, but don’t buy them anticipating this. Never buy shoes that feel too big or too tight right out of the box. Unfortunately, you never know exactly how well the shoes or boots ultimately fit until you have worn them a time or two …or three… on a hike.

However, do not get discouraged. It is easier than ever to research online first, read reviews, and then finally, do your own experimentation. Exploring brands online beforehand will be helpful since you know which brands or styles will most likely work for you. Some brands are known for having a wider toe box and others for being a more narrow fit. Every foot is unique and different, and there is no perfect shoe that will suit everyone. In fact, I think it’s a miracle we can walk into a store and find shoes to fit anyone!
(Don’t know if you have a narrow or wide foot? Those funny-looking metal measuring devices commonly found in shoe stores can give you helpful information about what size and width to try.)

 

TYPES OF WALKING, HIKING, & BACKPACKING FOOTWEAR & THEIR CLASSIC USAGE:

  • Running/Walking shoes are the least supportive, have little to no break-in period, and are the best choice for pavement and other hard surfaces. Because they are at least partially made of a mesh-style material, they are typically fast-drying. They generally come in a variety of stability and cushion options.
  • Trail runners/ low-cut hiking shoes are great for walking, trail-running, light day-hiking, and ultralight backpacking because they have the most flexible soles, dry quickly, but are only minimally supportive. These are popular with ultralight backpackers when speed and endurance are a priority.
  • Mid-cut day-hiking/backpacking boots need minimal break-in time, are suitable for day-hiking or lightweight backpacking, and are reasonably supportive. They generally have great traction because of the thick, deep lugs on the outsole.
  • High-cut backpacking/mountaineering boots are great for heavy loads and multi-day backpacking trips. They take longer to break in and will be much warmer in cold temperatures (read: hotter in warm conditions) and can remain water-repellant for more extended periods of time. Heavy leather boots take significantly longer to dry thoroughly than their lighter-weight, synthetic counterparts. The higher ankle protection and stiffer soles contribute to the stability and support they provide. Stout boots generally have excellent traction because of the thick, deep lugs on the outsole.

FOOTWEAR MATERIALS:

  • Full-grain leather is relatively heavy, needs the most break-in time, and is the least breathable but has the highest water resistance and durability.
  • Nubuck leather is commonly found in hiking boots, featuring many of the same qualities as full-grain leather but with more flexibility. Nubuck has a rough texture that will become smooth as it wears.
  • Split-grain leather is typically lighter but less resistant to abrasion and water.
  • Synthetic materials (and “Vegan” materials) are usually much lighter, need little to no break-in time, and cost significantly less; however, they are much less durable and are the least supportive.

WHAT IS GORE-TEX®?
Many boots are sold as “waterproof and breathable” because they have a waterproof membrane lining, such as the brand Gore-Tex® or eVent®. Many footwear brands have their own proprietary waterproofing method. However, footwear rarely remains entirely waterproof in extended wet conditions, and waterproofing will slow the drying process.

PARTS OF A SHOE: THE MIDSOLE

The midsole provides the cushioning that prevents your feet from feeling every rock and root and creates rigidity in the shoe or boot. A stiffer boot will give you more stability and acts as a shock absorber. A more flexible midsole will be less stable and provide less protection on rough terrain.

PARTS OF THE SHOE: OUTSOLES

The outsole of a hiking boot is made of rubber and sometimes mixed with other materials for durability. The pattern of ridges on the outsole is called the lug pattern. The deeper and thicker the lugs are, the more traction the boots will have. Modern advances in shoe technology now offer new options, such as specialized materials that make shoe tread grip wet and slippery surfaces much better than they once did.

 

“One shoe can change your life.” 

-Cinderella