Hiking Shoes Buying Guide
When choosing hiking shoes, it’s important to cater your footwear to the types of terrain you’ll be in, the distances you plan on going, and the weight you plan on carrying. Here are some other important factors to consider.
Cost
With hiking gear, the reality is: you get what you pay for. Footwear is no different. Expect to pay anywhere from $80 to $200 for a quality pair of hiking boots or shoes made with durable materials.
Especially if you have flat feet or are prone to foot issues, it’s important to prioritize key features like arch support and advanced cushioning. They may come at a higher cost, but your feet will thank you. By investing in your hiking shoes, you’re investing in your all-around hiking experience.
Material
Hiking shoes generally come in one of two main options: leather uppers, or synthetic materials.
Leather is a super durable, naturally water-resistant and high-quality material. And it does an excellent job withstanding abrasion caused by rocks, trees, and rugged terrain. It’s also known for its ability to absorb and diffuse moisture.
Synthetic upper materials and mesh fabrics, on the other hand —be it polyester, nylon, or faux leather— are very lightweight, have little to no break-in period, and dry very quickly. They’re not as durable as leather constructions, however, and tend to need replacing sooner.
Style & Comfort
From traditional hiking boots to lightweight trail runners and hiking sandals, there’s a hiking shoe out there for every style. Regardless of the type of shoe you’ll be donning, ensure comfort is at the forefront by knowing how hiking shoes should fit.
Now, although people with arch issues and flat feet will generally benefit from footwear with extra arch support, shoes are a very personal decision. There are plenty of flat-footed hikers, for instance, who prefer minimal drop shoes (shoes with little or no heel rise and hardly any arch support) for helping strengthen and rebuild their arches.
Fact is: there’s no one Cinderella slipper for flat-footed hikes, and it may take time to figure out what option works best for you.
Tread
Just like a good car tire, the tread, or outermost layer of a hiking shoe sole, provides traction, extra grip and support on a variety of terrain. Keep in mind that tread designs vary from shoe to shoe, and there are notable differences in the depth of lugs, their patterns, and the type of rubber used.
While some hiking shoe models feature “multi-purpose” treads suitable for everyday trails, others offer more specialized designs for uneven surfaces and technical, rocky terrain. Softer rubber soles and shorter lugs are generally best for slippery surfaces and rock grip, while deeper, wider lugs are meant for loose rock, mud, and snow. Unless you plan on doing a bit of everything, match your tread to the terrain you plan on being in most often.
Arch-Support
The insoles of your hiking shoe are responsible for providing arch support. For alleviating pain and discomfort associated with flat feet, you’ll generally want solid, defined arches and a support midsole. If the hiking shoes you like are perfect but you still crave more arch, know that you can purchase specialized removable insoles, too.
Cushioning
Cushioning in a shoe mainly aids in shock absorption, while adding extra comfort. That’s critical for hiking, since you’ll often have to bounce through rough terrain, and you’re on your feet for hours on end.
There’s also your backpack weight. Chances are that if you’re hiking anything over a mile, you’ll be carrying a pack with snacks, water, a first aid kit, and other essentials. If you’re going longer distances and camping overnight, you’ll be tacking on things like a tent, sleeping bag, and food storage. All that extra weight puts pressure on your feet. Extra cushioning helps absorb all that impact force and provides all-day comfort.
Waterproof Protection
From stream crossings and muddy terrain to surprise thunderstorms, you’re bound to encounter water in some form when logging trail miles.
So is there a perfect pair of waterproof hiking boots out there for keeping your feet dry? Not exactly. What some shoes have in waterproof protection they lack in breathability. So it’s important to rank which is more important to you based on your local climate or where you’ll be hiking.
Many hiking boots, for instance, feature waterproof “membranes;” think Gore-Tex and similar. These are amazing for wet weather, snowy hikes, or trails with plenty of water crossings. But they’re usually not the most breathable materials, especially in the heat.
Summary
For flat-footed hikers of all ages, Merrell’s Moab 3 Mid balances comfort, support and value like no other. All in a rugged, waterproof package that is truly hard to beat.
If weight and being quick on your feet are more of a concern, though, I recommend Salolmon’s Outpulse Gore-Tex shoes. Or, go the trail runner route with the Hoka Speedgoat 5’s. Both offer agility without compromising a strong arch.
Now, if sandals are more your jam, look no further than the Chaco Cloud Z’s. They’re one of the few sandals that can be trusted to support weak arches on longer hikes.
