How to Choose Hiking Shoes: A Beginner's Guide

How to Choose Hiking Shoes: A Beginner's Guide

Our guide to choosing hiking shoes will ensure you enjoy every step of the trail. How to choose the perfect pair

Shoes are a hiker's most important piece of equipment. Inappropriate or ill-fitting boots or shoes can ruin a day on the trail and leave you wincing with every step. But with a dizzying array of choices, from lightweight trail running shoes to double-layer plastic mountaineering boots and everything in between, it can be confusing to know where to start.

How to choose hiking shoes

To make your decision easier, we have put together a beginner's guide to choosing hiking boots.

Know your requirements

Before you consider the following, first consider when and where you will be hiking and what the conditions and terrain will be like. If you're only planning day hikes in dry weather, you can probably opt for lightweight, low-cut hiking boots.

However, if you're planning some multi-day hikes, you'll likely encounter a wider range of trail and weather conditions and should consider some heavier mid-cut shoes or boots.

Vladyslaw Starozhylov/ShutterstockLow-cut or approach hiking shoes

For something more challenging like a high-altitude hike to Everest Base Camp or even an Aconcagua climb, you're better off with a waterproof leather or even a double hiking boot. As a rule of thumb: the higher you go, the larger and more durable your hiking boots should be.

Ultimately, you're more likely to make a good choice if you first research the expected trail conditions and terrain.

Ankle support

You can choose between low, mid and high cut ankle braces. The higher the support, the more rolling resistance you have for your ankles, but it comes with a trade-off: less range of motion, heavier, stiffer material, and potentially less comfortable.

Low-cut hiking shoes (sometimes called approach shoes) allow your ankles greater freedom of movement, but are less rigid and provide less support. Low-cut shoes have more flexible midsoles, are lighter, and work well for day hikes when you're not carrying a heavy backpack. However, some long-distance hikers, particularly ultralight backpackers, prefer low-cut or even trail running shoes. Lightweight shoes help reduce fatigue, but are not as durable.

Mid-cut shoes are exactly what they sound like, falling somewhere between the two, usually up to your ankle bone. Mid-height shoes may be ideal for longer day hikes, over more challenging terrain, or shorter backpacking trips with lighter loads. They tend to flex more easily than high-cut boots, but obviously offer less support.

Atlas & BootsMy newest pair of high-top hiking boots

High-cut boots support your ankles and are the safest form of hiking shoes, but are heavier and less flexible. They are designed for hikers who carry heavier loads on multi-day tours deep into the backcountry. They become stiffer, more robust and more stable on uneven or technical terrain. They are also more durable and last longer. However, they can make your feet hotter, sweatier and more tired over longer distances.

Fit

The most important thing is that hiking boots fit well. It's the difference between blisters and happiness on the trail. Hiking boots should fit snugly everywhere, but not be tight anywhere. There should also be enough room to wiggle your toes.

alt=“Try on hiking boots in the store”>RossHelen/ShutterstockHiking shoes must fit well

When choosing your hiking shoes, try them on with the socks you plan to wear at the end of the day (since feet typically swell and are at their largest throughout the day). Don't be surprised if the most comfortable fit is slightly larger than what you would normally wear. My hiking boots are half a size larger than my normal shoes.

Finally, when you try on your hiking boots, take a good walk around the store and make sure you can flex your toes. Walk up and down stairs and ideally an inclined surface. Many outdoor stores have man-made trails or even treadmills where customers can test out shoes.

Waterproof

Since I live in the UK where it can rain all year round, I always opt for leather hiking boots. Leather offers the highest level of water resistance and durability. However, they are not as light or breathable as synthetic boots and take longer to break in.

Atlas & BootsMy Lowa hiking shoes

My latest boots are a pair of Lowa Renegade, a popular choice here in the UK as they are relatively light, flexible and perform well in British mountain hiking conditions. I also have a pair of approach shoes that I use for day hikes when I know the weather will be dry.

flexibility

Unless you regularly go on multi-day hikes, you probably want something reasonably pliable. When Kia bought her first pair of hiking boots, she initially wanted to buy something as durable as mine. She tried on a pair of stiff leather boots in the Cotswolds and thought they were the right choice.

Atlas & BootsA lightweight pair of Keen Terradora was far more appropriate for Kia

Luckily there are plenty of experts in the Cotswolds, one of whom was quick to point out that the boots were too stiff for her delicate feet. He poked the tip and showed her that she could barely bend her toes. After discussing their intended use, he instead suggested a lighter pair of mid-cut Keen Terradora boots, which have since proven ideal.

Choose THE RIGHT SOCKS

After all, good hiking boots can be let down by bad socks. Thin socks or sneakers are likely to rub and cause blisters and other discomfort.

Atlas & BootsWe recommend Smartwool socks

It's generally best to avoid cotton as it retains moisture on the skin, which combined with friction causes blisters. Instead, opt for moisture-wicking fabrics like polyester or wool socks like Smartwool.

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