The Beginner’s Guide to Selecting Hiking Footwear
- hikewmeg
- Apr 26, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 31
Oooo…
This is the thought that crosses my mind every time I see new hiking footwear on display each season. I never considered myself to be the kind of girl that just can’t resist a great pair of shoes. As it turns out, I just hadn’t found the right ones yet!
I love hiking boots! You might even say that they’re my one “shoe” love… Yes, more puns.
I recall shopping for my first pair and being quite overwhelmed though. I had no idea which pair of hikers to choose, or if I was getting the right fit. I am not kidding when I say I flip-flopped on four different sizes for a whole month before I finally settled on my beloved Vasque Breeze 3 boots (RIP).
To help take some of the guesswork out of buying new hiking shoes, let’s look at a few key points.
Types of hiking footwear
Special considerations when buying
Fitting tips
Types of Hiking Footwear
The three common choices of hiking footwear, and each type has its own pros and cons:
Trail Runners
Hiking Shoes
Hiking Boots
The suitability of the shoe comes down to what kinds of hikes you want to do, and your own needs and preferences. I have hiked in all three types of footwear and ultimately, I am a boot girl, but there are specific things that I like and dislike about all three of them.
Trail Runners
Trail runners have the advantage of being lightweight, grippy, and generally quite comfortable. They have extra features that make them well suited to moving quickly and nimbly over rough terrain.
They’re an extremely popular choice in the Thru-Hiking community (People who hike one trail for weeks or months at a time). People who know they will pack light (below 30lbs) may also prefer trail runners.
Trail Runners are great when you want to move quickly. They often have springy foam in them that is meant to help return energy into each step.
Pros:
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I did have a successful winter hike wearing a pair of Brooks Cascadia Trail Runners, but I almost got cold feet…
It was March, and I couldn’t help but appreciate the unusually warm day as we made our way up the unique ice walk of Grotto Canyon. My ice crampons easily gripped the surface of the frozen river, however as I eyed the trail ahead of me, I started to become a little worried.
Sneaky, slushy little ice pockets began to form on the trail. Picking my way around them became more difficult as we continued— the slush deceptively deep in some parts.
On our return to the trailhead, I began to feel confident that I’d escape unscathed!
YIKES!
My right foot suddenly plunged through an ice hole. Dangit…
I grit my teeth, anticipating cold water on my toes. I waited… and when all I noticed was a slight ambient chill and no moisture, I clicked my heels and thanked the powers that be for great waterproofing!
My foot remained dry, and while I found the shoes comfortable, I won't be doing a winter hike in trail runners again.
Hiking Shoes
Hiking shoes strike a great balance between a trail runner and a heavy-duty boot. Sometimes they're referred to as low cuts.
Pros:
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Hiking shoes have a lot of versatility and can handle a good variety of trails.
If you just want to hit a nice uncomplicated dirt trail for a few kilometers, shoes are a great choice.
If you know you'll want to hike more challenging trails though, with roots, rocks, uneven footing and maybe some water obstacles, then you may want to consider a boot.
That terrain is exactly what my boyfriend and I encountered while hiking the Jacques Lake trail (shown on left) in Jasper National Park! The photo doesn’t do it justice!
The Jasper Discovery trails (shown right) here though are nothing a pair of shoes can’t handle!
Hiking Boots
Hiking boots can come in a few different ankle heights. Mid cut, which come to just above the ankle bones, or high cuts that can rise several inches higher than your ankle bones.
Mid cut boots are the happy middle ground between having a protective shoe, while also being sturdy and supportive.
Pros:
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If you are an individual who does not hike in very difficult terrain, but suffer from ankle problems or old injuries, a mid cut boot is a great option.
You’ll still have lots of support, stability, and flexibility. You also won't have to splurge so much on a bigger, heavier boot.
Boots can also be truly waterproof, meaning they have no way for water to get in or out other than the opening at the top. This also means they may not breathe, so if they do become wet, watch out.
They can take several days to dry out properly, and that’s when they’re not being worn.
Case in point, my Lowa backpacking boots got soaked one trip. They took a full week to dry, even with newspaper to help absorb the excess moisture.
Considerations When Shopping
Speaking of waterproof footwear, this is one of the considerations you’ll want to think of when you shop. Waterproofness, and how much stability and support you need are all things to keep in mind.
Waterproofness
Depending on your typical hiking area, you may want to consider waterproof footwear. Or maybe not if you live in a desert! If you do decide to purchase waterproof footwear, make sure you also pick up the appropriate waterproofing product for your boot material (ie: Suede, leather, fabric etc.)
You should apply this product prior to your first wear.
"Hang on Meg, you just said some boots are already waterproof. Are you saying we need to double waterproof the boot?"
Yes! This is because the breathable, waterproof membrane inside the boot or shoe is attached to the collar (around the opening) only, and “floats” between the other layers that make up the footwear.
As a result, the outer layer of your footwear may not yet be waterproofed, so it's best to do so before they become dirty from use.
It should also be noted that there are advantages to wearing footwear that is not waterproofed. Your feet will breathe better, and shoes that become waterlogged will typically dry faster. Remember that damp feet can be a factor in blister development.
Sorry about the foot photo! But I wanted to share an example of how waterproof footwear can cause hiccups. The leather boots I was wearing didn’t breathe at all. It was a very hot, humid day and we had hiked 18km.
Despite my sock layering system, I still developed a hot spot. Luckily I had some Blist-wool, which prevented the hot spot from turning into a full on blister, and I wrapped it up when we got home.
(Problems with blisters? See my sock post for some blister prevention tips!)
Stability and Support
I have discussed stability and support a few times, but what exactly does that mean?
Well, stability comes from the sole, cushioning, and the basic model (or factory mold) of your footwear, and how flexible or rigid it is.
Stiffer soles mean more stability and less forefoot movement. Flexible soles mean more foot movement, but less stability.
If you try to flex a boot and it is very rigid, that boot will have more support than a shoe that flexes easily.
What about support? Support comes from the cuff of the boot and how rigid or soft it is.
By having a part of the boot that you can lace firmly into place around your lower leg and ankle, you are creating a flexible yet sturdy bracing system. This can limit the natural movement of your ankle and foot though, so be aware of that.
You do need to take care that you don’t lace your boots super tight around your ankles all the time.
I developed achilles tendonitis because of constant rigid lacing on my Vasque boots. It took a lot of physiotherapy and patience to fix it up.
Trying on Footwear
When you’re finally ready to try on some footwear, keeping in mind these key points will help you.
Shop after you've walked a lot. Your feet naturally swell throughout the day and will give you a more comfortable fit overall. Shopping in the morning may lead to shoes feeling tight later in the day on account of the swelling.
Wear the socks you'll be hiking in to get the best feel and correct size. Most stores have clean pairs of hiking socks you could use if you forgot your own.
You'll want a little bit of wiggle room. If the shoes/boots feel just snug enough, try on a half size larger. Again, your feet will swell, and they will naturally splay more when you carry a pack.
Make sure your toes don't bang the front of the shoes. Do a toe tap test or walking on an inclined ramp if the store has one available. Banged toes mean an improper fit which can lead to toenails becoming damaged.
If anything in the footwear feels annoying, consider it carefully. An annoyance can become agony after 5 kilometers.
Final Thoughts
There are a ton of extra features on footwear to consider, and ultimately you'll form your own preferences about the ones that work best for your needs. If you're ever unsure, you can always speak to an in-store expert to learn more about all the smaller technical features. Once you’ve settled on footwear:
Take them on shorter outings first to break them in.
If something doesn’t feel quite right, you can always try insoles to adjust the fit.
Some stores will let you field test. If you're not happy with your footwear, you can return or exchange it (within reason).
Be mindful as your body adjusts to technical footwear. Allow your feet and legs time to get used to new boots so you stay comfortable on trail!
WARNING: If you are ever hiking and experience pain, or persistent issues afterwards, seek a doctor or physiotherapist to help you. They can assess your stride while you wear your hiking footwear and help you get back on track! Nobody wants to spend summer rehabbing an injury because you started off on the wrong foot.
There are many varieties of footwear on the market, and there are always exceptions to some of the pros and cons. As much we just love how much certain shoes might look, remember to consider:
Support and Stability
Waterproofness
Durability and foot protection
Runners will let you travel light and fast, a hiking shoe will offer you more protection without compromising on flexibility, and boots will offer you the most protection.
I am addicted to boots, but you may love trail runners. Whatever you decide, make sure they are comfortable for you and suit your needs! As always, enjoy your adventures, and happy shoe shopping!
~Meg
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