How to choose the right hiking shoes: the ultimate guide
Good quality comfortable hiking shoes can mean the difference between a fun, enjoyable hike, and a hike that ends with bruises, blisters, and soaked feet.
But how does one find a pair that fits her needs and style preferences? And what should you even pay attention to when buying hiking shoes?
While in the past your best bet was a pair of leather boots that didn’t take too long to break in, today, there is a wide variety of shoe types, brands, and fits to wear on your outdoor escapades.
Let’s run through some common questions to help you pick the perfect pair for your next hiking adventure.
Comfortable hiking shoes are especially important for hikes longer than 10 kilometres
Do I really need hiking shoes?
Picture this: you finally booked that first outdoor vacation. You’re all fired up, researching the best hikes in the area and how long they’ll take you. They seem fun but you can’t help but wonder: do I need actual hiking shoes to do them?
The honest answer is: not necessarily. You need a shoe that protects your feet while being comfortable and not too heavy — and that doesn’t always need to be a hiking shoe.
Say you decide to go hiking in Madeira. The trails are not very difficult and you know you’re quite a sporty person. In that case, a pair of running sneakers can work just as well.
But you need to know that running sneakers have their limitations. And while they may be fine for flat and easy trails — such as those in Madeira — they can be straight-out dangerous to wear in more challenging conditions.
In the end, your choice of footwear should always be determined by several factors. These include the terrain you plan to hike on, how many days you want to hike, how much distance you’ll cover, how much weight you’ll be carrying on your back, and, last but not least, your fitness level. Let’s unpack that in more detail.
Running sneakers are perfectly fine for easy trails on a dry sunny day…
…but remember that your feet will get soaked if you step into water (speaking from experience)
What are the different types of hiking footwear?
Having one available boot type to hike in is a thing of the past. These days, you can be really picky about the weight and material of your shoe and tailor it to the kind of adventure you’re after. These are the three most common types of hiking footwear.
Trail runners
Trail runners are a more durable version of running sneakers that provide more traction. Some outdoor enthusiasts prefer them for their comfort, light weight, and a wide variety of styles and colours.
They’re nice for easy, dry forest trails or situations where you don’t expect to carry much weight on your back. Their nearly feather-light weight allows you to keep a brisk pace. The shoe is more breathable, making it a comfortable option for a warm day.
Are you completely new to hiking? Are you not sure whether your legs and joints have the strength and stability to tackle trails with less support for your feet? Then you may not be the best candidate for trail runners.
Hiking shoes
Hiking shoes have the lighter weight and comfort of trail runners combined with the support of their sturdier bigger sisters, the hiking boots. You can find waterproof, breathable options.
Low-cut hiking shoes are the perfect middle ground and they’ll serve you well on most types of hikes. I’ve used mine for short loops around pretty lakes as well as for various 10+ kilometre hikes around the Alps.
Good hiking shoes will get you far on most easy & medium trails in the Alps, even as a beginner
Hiking boots
Hiking boots have a higher cut and are typically a bit heavier. They’re recommended for situations where you plan to carry a heavy weight on your back and/or if you have some issues with leg/joint strength and stability.
The extent to which high-cuff boots actually provide better support for the ankle has been debated though, so speak with an expert if you’re unsure and try out what works for you.
What hiking boots are perfect for, though, are conditions like mud, snow, or water. A good pair will keep your feet dry and warm even as you hike through all three.
Hiking boots are my choice of preference for hikes with large elevation differences
What components are hiking shoes made of?
Dissecting the different parts of hiking footwear, all engineered and crafted to perfection, is definitely a fascinating undertaking. But you don’t want to get overwhelmed, especially if you’re just starting out with hiking. That’s why we’ll stick to basic shoe anatomy.
These four components (if any) are the only ones you need to be familiar with as a recreational hiker:
The Upper covers the top of your foot including your toes, the sides, and the heel. Whichever material the manufacturer chooses for the upper will determine the shoe’s durability, weight, water resistance, and breathability.
The typical choices of material include the durable and abrasion-resistant but heavy full-grain leather for backpacking boots, the softer and more flexible nubuck and suede, or a mix of synthetic materials which tend to be lighter and easier to break in — but are also less durable.
The material of the upper will determine many of the shoe’s characteristics
Hiking boots with waterproof membrane are a good choice for the winter
Between the inner and outer layer of the upper is where you will typically find a waterproof-breathable membrane like GORE-TEX.
Reinforcements, like a heel protector or a rubber toe, are added to make the hiking shoe more durable and to maintain fit.
Midsoles are the cushions under your feet. They absorb shock and determine how stiff a shoe is. They’re typically made from nylon or EVA.
The outsole is the part of the shoe that touches the ground. Its main role is to ensure good grip and traction (aka ensuring you don’t slip on a rocky terrain or get stuck in mud). It is most commonly made of rubber.
How do I choose the right hiking shoes for me?
Now that we have all the theory behind hiking shoes out of the way, let’s turn to practice. That is, choosing and buying a pair of hiking footwear for your next outdoorsy trip. Here are the most important considerations and tips to guide your decision-making.
What surface will I be hiking on?
The exciting thing about hiking is that you can experience all kinds of landscapes and terrains, from narrow rocky paths high up in the mountains to cushionlike forest trails lined with moss.
There are three types of terrain you will likely encounter:
Easy trails are those trails that are stable and flat with the occasional little hill. Think for example a path through a forest or a valley. Light and flexible shoes are ideal for this terrain.
Uneven trails are those you’ll find in the mountains. It’s those where you have to look out for small or larger rocks and tree roots, and where you’ll encounter considerable ascents and descents. Hiking shoes or boots both work for this terrain.
Hiking the Swiss mountains usually means hiking on uneven terrain
Last but not least, you can hike off-trail. This normally unmarked terrain requires the most of your attention and concentration and can include crossing rivers and climbing over obstacles. A durable, high-cut hiking boot is a good choice to wear off-trail.
The general rule of thumb is the trickier and more technically difficult the terrain, the sturdier shoes, and the stiffer outsole you should opt for.
A higher cut can provide support for your ankle and reinforcements will protect your toes and heels while increasing the durability of your shoes. However, these shoes are also heavier.
How heavy will my backpack be?
Carrying just a few essentials is always more comfortable than having all your belongings on your back. When the load on your back is light, go for light and flexible hiking footwear.
For longer treks where you’ll need to carry not only water and snacks, but also your bedroom, kitchen, and wardrobe, opt for sturdier shoes with a higher cut for extra stability.
Should I choose waterproof hiking shoes?
Waterproof hiking footwear is amazing in the winter. After all, you don’t want to take five steps through a snow drift just to feel your socks completely soaked.
In the summer, they can work perfectly fine as well. I use my hiking boots with a GORE-TEX membrane in both seasons. After all, I don’t have the luxury of owning 10 pairs of hiking shoes each perfectly tailored to one specific hiking condition.
If you plan to hike in both summer and winter and can only buy one pair, I’d say go for waterproof.
But if you plan to only hike in the summer months, you may wish to put more emphasis on breathability rather than water resistance for your footwear. With breathable shoes, your feet can get wet faster, but they can also dry quicker. Water-resistant shoes that somehow end up soaked will become heavy and waterlogged.
I’ve put my Lowa hiking boots to the test in all kinds of conditions, from a 20+ km hike in the heart of Triglav National Park in the middle of the summer to a glacier hiking adventure in Iceland in the winter
How do I find the right fit?
Even if you find the perfect shoe type based on the terrain and distance of your hike, none of it will matter if the shoe doesn’t fit right.
The number one way to find a good-fitting hiking shoe? Go to a local store and try on as many pairs as possible.
Some shops will have devices dedicated to measuring the length and width of your feet to help you find the right size. You will also likely find ramps with different types of terrain to test out the shoe in conditions somewhat close to real life.
Tips for finding perfect hiking shoes
Here are nine handy tips to help you find your perfect match:
Try on hiking shoes at the end of the day. Our feet tend to swell throughout the day and you don’t want to end up with shoes that are too small.
To start off, try a pair that is half a size or full size bigger than you would wear with normal shoes. This allows space for thicker socks and for your feet to swell.
Bring socks that you’re actually planning to wear for a hike. If you use socks that are too thin, you might end up buying shoes that are too small.
When you slide your foot to the front of the shoe, there should be enough space for your index finger to fit behind your heel.
That being said, your foot shouldn’t be sliding inside the shoe on an actual hike and your toes should not be in contact with the front of the shoe.
Make sure your heel fits well. If it feels loose on the sides when the shoe is undone, the heel is too wide.
Walk around the store to experience what the shoe feels like.
Experiment with different shoe & sock combinations. Maybe a bigger shoe with a thicker sock fits better, or perhaps you prefer to wear thicker socks on top of thinner ones to prevent blisters.
Can’t decide between two sizes? Go for the bigger one. Our feet tend to swell, especially on longer hikes, so you want to leave some extra room.
If you choose well, you’ll have a pair of hiking shoes that will last you for years to come
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Choosing a pair of hiking shoes can be just as adventurous as actually hiking in them. But don’t get scared away by the amount of information. Go to the store, talk to the shop assistant, try a pair out and with time, you’ll know what works best for you.
What is your experience with finding hiking shoes? Share your tips below!