How to select hiking shoes: a guide for beginners

How to select hiking shoes: a guide for beginners

Our guide to choose from hiking shoes ensures that you can enjoy every step of the way. How to select the perfect couple

Shoes are the most important piece of equipment from a hiker. Unsuitable or poorly sitting boots or shoes can spoil a day on the trail and have it flinched together with every step. But with a dizzying selection, from light trail running shoes to double-layer mountaineering boots made of plastic and everything in between, it can be confusing to know where to start.

How to select hiking shoes

In order to make the decision easier, we have put together a entry-level guide for choosing hiking shoes.

Do you know your requirements

Before you deal with the following points, first think about when and where you will hike and how the conditions and the terrain will be. If you only plan day hikes in dry weather, you can probably choose light, low -cut hiking shoes.

However, if you are planning a few days of hikes lasting several days, you will probably come across a wider spectrum of trail and weather conditions and should consider some stronger mid-cut shoes or boots.

Vladyslaw Starozhylov/ShutterstockLow cut or approximately hiking shoes

With something more challenging like a height hike to the Everest base camp or even an aconcagua ascent, you are better off with a waterproof leather or even a double mountain shoe. As a rule of thumb, the higher you go, the larger and more durable your hiking shoes should be.

Ultimately, it is more likely that you will make a good choice if you first find out about the expected trail conditions and the site.

Ankle support

You have the choice between low, mid and high-cut ankle bandage. The higher the support, the more rolling resistance you have for your ankles, but it goes hand in hand with a compromise: less freedom of movement, heavier, stiffer material and possibly less convenient.

Lowly cut hiking shoes (sometimes also referred to as boarding shoes) enable their ankles to give greater freedom of movement, but are less stiff and offer less support. Lowly cut shoes have more flexible intermediate soles, are lighter and are good for day hikes if they do not wear heavy backpack. Some long-distance hikers, especially ultra-light backpackers, prefer low-cut or even trail running shoes. Light shoes help to reduce fatigue, but are not as durable.

Medium cut shoes are exactly the way you listen to and fall somewhere between the two, usually up to their ankle bones. Half -high shoes may be ideal for longer day hikes, more demanding terrain or shorter backpack tours with lighter loads. They tend to bend more easily than high -cut boots, but obviously offer less stop.

Atlas & BootsMy latest couple cut up hiking shoes

Highly cut boots support their ankles and are the safest form of hiking shoes, but are heavier and less flexible. They are designed for hikers who carry heavier loads deep into the hinterland on multi -day tours. They become stiff, robust and stable on uneven or technical terrain. They are also more durable and last longer. However, you can make your feet hot, sweating and tiring over longer distances.

Fit

The most important thing is that hiking shoes fit well. It is the difference between bubbles and happiness on the trail. Hiking shoes should be close everywhere, but nowhere should be tight. There should also be enough space to wiggle the toes.

Alt = "Try on hiking shoes in the shop"Rosshelen/ShutterstockHiking shoes have to sit well

If you select your hiking shoes, try the socks that you want to wear at the end of the day (since your feet usually swell during the day and are greatest). Don't be surprised if the most convenient fit is somewhat larger than what you would normally wear. My hiking shoes are half a number larger than my normal shoes.

Finally, if you try on your hiking shoes, take a good walk through the shop and make sure you can bend your toes. Go up and down stairs and ideally also an inclined surface. Many outdoor shops have artificial trails or even treadles on which customers can test shoes.

Waterproof

Since I live in Great Britain where it can rain all year round, I always choose leather hiking shoes. Leather offers the highest level of water resistance and durability. However, it is not as easy or breathable as synthetic boots and takes longer to run in.

Atlas & BootsMy lowa hiking shoes

My latest boots are a few Lowa Renegade, a popular choice here in Great Britain, as they are relatively light and flexible and work well under British mountain hiking conditions. I also have a few approaching shoes that I use for day hikes when I know that the weather will be dry.

flexibility

If you do not take regular hikes regularly, you probably want something somewhat flexible. When Kia bought her first couple of hiking shoes, she wanted to buy something as hard -wearing as mine. She tried a few stiff leather boots in Cotswolds and believed that they were the right choice.

Atlas & BootsA light pair of keen terradora was far more appropriate for Kia

Fortunately, there are many experts in Cotswolds, of whom one promptly pointed out that the boots are too stiff for their delicate feet. He pushed the top and showed her that she could hardly bend her toes. After a conversation about her intended purpose, he instead suggested a lighter couple of medium-high Keen Terradora boots, which have proven to be ideal since then.

Choose the right socks

After all, good hiking shoes can be let down by bad socks. Thin socks or sneakers will likely rub and bubbles and other symptoms.

Atlas & BootsWe recommend smartwool socks

It is generally best to avoid cotton because it keeps moisture on the skin, which causes bubbles in combination with friction. Instead, opt for moisturizing fabrics such as polyester or wool socks like smartwool.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

.