Finding the best hiking shoes will help you get the most out of your hikes, whether you’re a regular hiker or are brand new to hiking. High-quality hiking boots will keep you traversing the trails without injury and pain. This article will discuss what to look for in hiking boots, considering comfort, support, traction, and weight, to help you discover your best hiking shoes or boots.

Types of Hiking Footwear

Having a choice is a beautiful thing—but between all the different hiking shoes and hiking boots, it can be overwhelming knowing where to start!

Hiking Shoes

Hiking Shoes are essentially souped-up running shoes that offer solid protection and tread with great flexibility in the soles. Hiking shoes are a great option if you are planning on hiking well-groomed trails. If you have a long history of rolling ankles, however, you may prefer boots due to the upper calf protection.

A benefit of finding the best hiking shoes is they won't take long to break in, especially when compared to hiking books, meaning you’re less likely to get blisters if you wear them right away for longer periods. They also come in many different designs, meaning that you can showcase your sparkling personality with colorful and unique shoes. Day hiking shoes are easy on the budget, too, making them accessible.

Hiking Boots

Hiking boots are certainly the most popular option when it comes to hiking. Hiking books offer very good support for the foot and ankle, and are usually heavy, weighing 3 to 4 pounds.

These boots do take some getting used to, as you will need to break in their thick material. But it's worth it! During your treks with hiking boots, you’ll notice plenty of stability and you won’t be slipping or sliding. Boots are great due to their impressive support of the ankle. Hiking boots are typically best for hikers wearing heavier packs and going on longer or more treacherous trails.

Hiking boots come in the popular lengths of mid- or high-cut. Mid boots cover the ankle, allowing a wider arc of movement and high-cut boots completely cover the ankle and extend a short distance up the shin.

Consider the material of your hiking boots. If you opt for the wrong fabric, your feet may get very hot, uncomfortable, and even cramped. The most common materials are:

Synthetic: Made of nylon and polyester, making them easy to break in. These are light and dry faster if they get wet, but are less water-resistant.
Split-grain leather: These are usually made with half leather and half synthetics that are breathable. However, split-grain leather is not very water-resistant or durable.
Full-grain leather: Full-grain leather is popular for its durability, making it excellent for unsteady terrain. However, full-grain leather is less breathable and very heavy.

What you lean towards when choosing footwear needs to factor in your foot shape and type, any injury history, and your body weight. You should also choose hiking shoes or boots based on the trails and conditions of the hikes you will be tackling, and if you plan on walking or running.

How Should Hiking Shoes Fit?

The first part to solve: your size. Head to a local sports shop and have your feet properly measured. They will take into account your foot’s length, width, and arch. Getting your feet sized often is important because feet sizes can change. With age, the ligaments in your feet lose elasticity, feet skins get drier and thinner, and you lose fat padding from the bottom of your feet.

Ideally, you should have a thumb’s width of space between your longest toe and the end of the insole. The best hiking shoes and boots should fit snugly everywhere.

While wearing the shoes of your choice, wander around the store, doing some jumps and lunges and other moves to see how they fit while moving. Be sure you don't feel any uncomfortable bumps or seams. There should be no pinching across your foot.

How To Break In New Hiking Footwear

Thankfully, most hiking shoes and boots these days are pretty much ready to go right out of the box. That being said, you will still want to break them in, especially if you opt for stiffer boots. You can begin by wearing them around your home, then for short neighborhood walks, and start slowly wearing a backpack with you, so you can mimic a hike. Hiking shoes take less time to break in but it’s still good to alternate them with your regular running or walking shoes for at least a few days while your feet adjust.

Where to Shop for the Best Hiking Shoes and Boots

I love online shopping as much as the next person, but when it comes to shopping for the best hiking shoes and hiking boots, you should opt for an in-person visit to a sports or outdoor store. This is because nothing beats putting them on your feet, being able to properly feel the sizing and shape, and getting an opinion from a professional. Here are a few outdoor stores to get started:

What To Look For When Shopping

Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind when searching for the best hiking shoes or boots:

Be ready to try! While it is always a good idea to research before heading to the shop, you may try the hiking shoe or boot on and it might not be the right feel. Avoid catering to just “big” brands. Instead, try them all, as cheaper or less popular hiking footwear may fit your feet better. Always try them on with the socks you plan to wear. This will give you an accurate depiction of the sizing as socks can be thick. Also, if you wear any orthotics, bring them, as they impact the fit of the boot. Post-hike, you have to thank your main powerhouse, your feet. Your feet will be tired and sore, and that is normal but with the right pair of shoes, the pain should not be extreme. Any sharp or lasting pain may mean that your shoes do not fit properly
Shop in the afternoon/evening. Trying on hiking shoes in the afternoon means you've been walking for some time, so your feet will be warm and they will naturally swell. This is a good time for picking hiking boots as a lot of people tend to wear a half or even full-size larger to account for feet swelling on long hikes. Also, the shop professionals will probably tell you this but always buy for your larger foot. Most people have different-sized feet, so buy the size that fits the larger one.
Never keep your shoes next to a fire or in the hot sunshine. If you want to dry your shoes, never keep them near the fire or hot sunshine. This will damage the material, especially if it is full-grain leather, as this can weaken the glue and bonding, causing the layers in the shoe to break apart.

Aside from picking the right trails for your hiking level, finding the best hiking shoes is one of the most important decisions you can make for hiking. You want to protect your feet so you can continue to enjoy the beautiful outdoors for years to come.

Do you have a favorite brand of hiking shoes or boots? Follow and tag @Runstreet on Instagram in your fitness posts to share your gear and workouts and get cheered on. Happy hiking to you!😊🌿

Marissa Del Mistro is a writer, editor, and always on the hunt for the perfect workout. Marissa absolutely loves trail running, dancing, and cycling. When she’s not writing, Marissa loves cooking, podcasts, traveling, and exploring her home in the beautiful unceded Coast Salish Territory of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ nations.

How to Find the Best Hiking Shoes