Oh boy, guys. I know waaay more about hiking boots now than I ever needed to. I’m not an expert in hiking boots or shoe design or any of that, but I wanted to research what makes a great hiking boot. It’s such a basic piece of hiking gear, and yet, I just knew they were chunky and clunky (and not gonna lie… kinda ugly? Is it just me?)
Why do this? Well, if there’s anything we can gain a deeper appreciation for during this, Life in the Time of Quarantine (see what I did there?) it’s The Great Outdoors, amiright?
To be fair I was a pretty big fan of forests (I made a whole post about close-up tree photography) and wilderness before the whole lockdown, so this really just presented me with an opportunity to learn more about some of my favorite activities. Since I have been known to hike in these…. #sorrynotsorry (but also don’t hike in those, it’s not a great time.)
So I read and researched and clicked and scrolled and watched and even ended up reading a dissertation on shoe tread… I went too far guys. The internet is a deep, deep hole.
But that’s how we got here.
There’s a lot of info, but I’ve tried to organize it and condense it into something useful.
I also have several links to references where there’s a lot more info from people that understand what they’re talking about more than me, if you want to get your read on.
There’s also some bonus content near the end of the post:
- A list of some of the best hiking boots I’ve found in my research
- A list of movies, centering around hiking, to either inspire you or put you off hiking forever
Please keep in mind that I do use affilaite links sometimes, which means if you buy something through them it supports this blog at no extra cost to you, and I really appreciate it, thanks!
Big 3:
Comfort, protection, & traction
If I can condense a ton of features down to 3, these would be the Big 3 things to look at when you’re choosing a pair of hiking boots. Comfort is important no matter what type of recreation you’re doing. Traction and protection levels are going to rely more on what your trekking goals are.
Basic Terms to Know
This is just a little overview of some terms you may want to be familiar with when you’re evaluating your choice for hiking boots.
- Upper – Everything above the sole.
- Outsole – Probably what you think of as the “sole” a the boot, it’s the rubber outer piece that comes into contact with the ground.
- Insole – The inner base of the shoe, where your foot sits.
- Midsole – The piece in between the insole and outsole. It’s an important piece, as it handles much of the support and comfort for your foot.
- Cut – High, mid, or low cut refer to the height of the boot, and generally reflects how much ankle support you can expect.
- Collar – Foam padding area that adds comfort and support around the ankle.
- Toe Box – The space where your toes sit at the front of the shoe.
- Toe Cap – An extra bumper added over the toe area for additional protection against injury.
- Carbon Rubber – A harder, heavier, and durable rubber used on shoe outsoles.
- Blown Rubber – Air-injected rubber that’s softer and more comfortable than carbon rubber, but that wears faster.
- Lugs – Pieces of the outsole that protrude to create traction.
The Anatomy of a Hiking Boot
You’re most likely very familiar with the basic design of a shoe, but hiking boots are relatively complex as far as footwear goes. There’s a lot of considerations that go into the design of this piece of basic hiking gear.
If you want to be as informed as possible when you pick your boots, I think it’s helpful to more-or-less understand the different parts.
Check out this really nice diagram here.
Basic Characteristics of a Hiking Boot
Weight
The weight of your hiking boot depends on the materials and the design. A boot with more cushion, that has a higher cut, or that is made for more support is going to weigh more.
Wider outsoles and stiffer support materials may be necessary for rougher hikes or backpacking.
Height/Cut
Low, mid, or high cut boots serves different purposes.
Low cut = more flexibility and breathability
Mid cut = slightly more ankle support, possibly with less breathability depending on the materials
High cut = the max ankle support to prevent injuries on rough terrain, additional weight
Outsole design
Hiking boots generally have pretty thick soles compared to regular shoes, but the materials and width can vary.
A wider outsole means more weight, less flexibility, but it also means more stability.
Hard rubber, or carbon rubber, is more robust and durable.
Softer rubber, like blown rubber, creates better traction on tricky terrain, but wears faster.
Materials
Hiking boots are obviously going to be made of several materials, but there’s specific purposes associated with the materials, so you’ll want to pay attention to them in order to find your ideal boot.
Leather, fabric, both?
Many hiking boots and made of a combination of these two materials. Leather provides more durability, is water resistant, and stretches to your foot, making a long-lasting shoe. Fabric aids in breathability and flexibility, but generally won’t last as long.
For waterproof boots there’s also the popular GORE-TEX® option, which is hailed as one of the best, if not the best waterproofing technology for waterproof hiking boots.
For more in-depth info on the construction of hiking boots, check out this link!
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How to Choose A Hiking Boot
Figuring out what pair of boots will work for your outdoor adventures depends on many factors. The truth is, it’s a balancing act. Figuring out where you’ll be, the trail terrain, the weather, your experience level, and what’s most important to you – these are all pieces of the puzzle that can help you land on the right… Foot.
It’s my blog I’m allowed to make puns, don’t @ me, bro.
What Type Trails are You Hiking?
Trail types
- Regularly Maintained Trails – Easy peasy, nature walks, beginners
- Rough Trails – maybe maintained, but still might be rocky, steep, and challenging
- Off Trail – where we’re going, we don’t need trails!
Those are the basics.
You also might be looking into mountaineering, scrambling, or snow hikes if you’re more experienced. For any of those your choice of hiking shoe will probably be pretty specific to that type of recreation. That’s a bit more in-depth than we’re gonna cover here.
One example of a place that might require special boots would be Iceland – an amazing place to hike – especially if you’re going in winter. You can see some of the photos I took during winter in Iceland here, and see a potential packing list (including boots) here.
What is Your Experience Level?
Another very important consideration when choosing your hiking boots is your experience level.
Are you…
- A backpacker?
- A nature hike enthusiast?
- A casual trailhead visitor?
- A rugged outdoor explorer?
Work Your Way Up
You might think:
More challenging trail = heavier boots
Seems like a given, right? I thought so. That absolutely can be the case, BUT keep in mind –
Hikers that spend a lot of time on the trail and build up to more challenging hikes develop their leg and ankle muscles, which helps prevent injury, and will dictate what kind of boots they’ll use.
This post from the National Parks Foundation has some good tips for backcountry and hiking prep
If you’re less experienced, but looking to go on a more challenging hike, you might need to consider heavier, stiffer boots, that offer more support so you don’t injure yourself.
The drawback to heavier, more protective boots, is that you’ll likely wear yourself out faster. Not a good combination for someone who also isn’t used to more intense treks.
Alternatively, if you work your way up from easy trails (which will naturally allow for lighter boots) and develop your skill and muscle strength, you may be able to get away with lighter boots on those more challenging treks.
This is good knowledge for me because I inherited some truly fantastic rolling ankles.
Here’s just a cool & interesting PDF from AmericanHiking.org
Material and Hiking Environment
Environment is going to be just as important as trek difficulty in choosing a good boot. By environment, I mean desert vs. mountain vs. rainforest.
Will it be wet and slippery, dry and dusty, warm and rocky, cool and damp?
If you anticipate crossing a lot of streams you may need to pay more attention to waterproofing. Waterproofing can be achieved either through material and design, or a waterproofing treatment, or a combination.
If you’re spending a lot of time hiking in warmer climates you’ll want a shoe that keeps you as cool as possible, so may want to avoid waterproof materials since they can decrease breathability and increase boot weight.
Here’s a very basic way to think about your boots and your hiking environment:
| Materials | Concerns | |
| Warm & Dry | Fabric, mesh, leather, combo (soft or hard rubber depending on terrain) | Breathability, weight |
| Cool and Wet | Leather, faux leather, fabric (Softer rubber for grip) | Waterproofing, tread |
Of course not every environment will fit perfectly into these categories, so you’ll have to use your best judgment to choose the best boot for the job. For instance you might choose at a water-resistant boot, instead of a true waterproof option.
Check out this helpful video by the experts at REI:
Boot Fit
Comfort is EXTREMELY important for hiking boots. If you forgo comfort for style or even the most well-rated boot that just doesn’t seem to quite fit YOUR foot, you could make yourself miserable.
To start: Hiking boots will generally have a looser fit than street shoes. This is to accommodate your feet swelling throughout your trekking adventures.
FUN FACT – your feet swell about 5% during a normal day...Is that a “fun” fact? Or does it just make you kinda self-conscious about your feet?
Basically, that means that the best time to get an accurate hiking shoe fit, is in the afternoon, so your feet have had adequate time to, uh… swell.
Things to Look for in Hiking Boot Fit
- Plenty of room in the toe box – your toes should have room to move, and shouldn’t be jammed in front or on the sides.
- If you stand on a downward incline do you still have any room in the toes? Yes? Great! Toes jammed? Size up or next pair!
- Your heel should stay put – even though hiking shoes are generally a looser fit than street shoes, your heel shouldn’t be sliding around as you walk.
- How’s the fit with socks? – Try your shoes without socks first, then test them out with socks to see if they become too tight.
Here’s a post that goes into more detail on picking boots and checking the fit
Once you get a good pair of hiking boots, don’t forget that you’ll probably still want to break them in with some easy walks, otherwise you might end up halfway up a mountain with painful blisters!
Injuries and How Good Hiking Boots Help Prevent Them
There are plenty of ways you can hurt yourself while you’re out exploring the great outdoors, but a good pair of shoes can go a long way to helping you avoid injury.
Here’s how…
Tread
Shoe tread determines just how much grip you’ll have, and in certain environments with slippery obstacles, the right tread is absolutely critical. I’ve already mentioned that the rubber used on the outsole is made to address different activites, but to refresh:
Hard (carbon) rubber outsole: more durable, stiffer, more protective to the foot, heavier.
Soft (blown) rubber outsole: More comfortable, more flexible, less protective, more grip on certain surfaces, wears down more quickly.
I also took a bit of a deep dive and found a dissertation that addresses the idea of tread and its affect on slips and falls. You can find the whole study here if that’s your jam.
My basic (and I do mean basic) takeaway was that they found that tread orientation had the biggest impact on traction, and that “oblique” – I’m assuming that means “angled” – tread was the most effective.
So look for shoes with angled tread… which is most of them. Ok moving on!
Breathability
Without proper breathability in your boot you’re looking at an increased likelihood of blisters and rashes, not to mention just an uncomfortable trek.
A good boot will be designed to wick moisture from your feet (sounds gross, I know) and absorb it (again, ew), eventually moving it to a place in the material (up toward the top of the boot) where it can dry more effectively.
Shock Absorption
Hiking means going to places where your feet could take a beating. Hiking boots are built to minimize that. Shock absorption takes place, not surprisingly, inside of the boot and in the outsole. So hopefully the bumps and hits will dissipate by the time they reach your actual foot.
A couple common materials used to help with shock absorption on the trail are known as EVA (ethyl-vinyl acetate) and PU (polyurethane). EVA is a soft foam material, while PU is a harder material used where form-fitting or stabilization or necessary.
The right pair of hiking boots will help protect you from…
Blisters
Painful skin bubbles that come from excessive rubbing. The wrong boot fit will let your foot continually rub on a spot until you develop one of these little devils.
Rashes
A boot that doesn’t allow enough moisture-wicking or breathability can create rashes on your feet. The right boot will help absorb and lift moisture off your foot to dispel it.
Twisted Ankles
If you’re planning to maneuver a bunch of rocks, big or small, or trek a space with different inclines and angles, the correct pair of boots will offer support to your dainty ankles to allow movement while avoiding excessive-strain.
Knee twists
Knees aren’t supposed to twist. It’s just something that no one wants. The right pair of trekking boots will help keep you stabilized on whatever terrain you’re attempting so that doesn’t happen.
Check out this bloggers tips on keeping your knees safe
Stubbed Toes
Yes, I realize this sounds a bit pathetic next to TwIStEd kNeEs, but tell me a stubbed toe doesn’t know just how to get to you. They know man, they know what they’re doing. We stub our toe and suddenly all revert to toddlers. Good boots will have the right space in the toe box and even the extra protection of a toe cap to stop most stubbed toes from being that dramatic.
Finding Your Balance
Picking the right pair of hiking boots for you is about picking the best features for your goals. Different goals require different materials and features.
Buying a Boot: Quick Reference List
| Big 3 | Comfort, Traction, and Protection |
| Hiking Environment | Wet, dry, rocky, flat, steep, etc. |
| Materials | Leather, faux leather, fabric, soft rubber, hard rubber, and more… |
| Special Requirements | Water-resistance, waterproofing, high-cut, low-cut, mid-cut, durability, flexibility, breathability |
Check out this page from REI with more info on hiking boots
6 Excellent Hiking Boots
Hoka One One
Hoka has a couple good boots to look at for hiking. I found them on several different lists of great hiking shoes and they generally have very good reviews.
Hoka One One Speedgoat Mid 2 GTX
As the name suggests, The Hoka One One Speedgoat is made for hikers that need a lighter shoe.
Check the price here
Hoka One One Kaha
This version is a more robust hiking boot, with a higher cut and more stability, while still being relatively lightweight.
Both of these boots utilize the waterproof GORE-TEX® technology and Vibram® soles to help give you better traction on tricky surfaces. Both are also available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX
Check the price here
The Salomon series made it to the top of several “best lists” for their comfort, durability and performance in wet conditions. The 4D 3 is available for men and women, but there’s another shoe in this line up I might suggest women look at as well…
Solomon X Ultra Mid 3 GTX
Check the price here
The Solomon X Ultra Mid 3 is highly rated for comfort, despite looking a bit chunky (not that that’s a bad thing) they only weigh 1.83lbs on a women’s size 7.5 US. They do come in both men’s and women’s sizes, but tend to rate hire for the women’s version. See a full review of the shoe here.
La Sportiva Trango TRK GTX
Check the price here
La Sportiva hiking boots in general rate highly across the board. They are on So. Many. Lists. Even though the brand rates well in general, WHICH type of boot is best varies quite a bit. This style rates well for men in particular, but it’s available for men and women. They also have a look that stands out among hiking boots IMO.
Vasque Breeze Lt GTX
Check the price here
This would make the list if only because of the weight. I realize it is more of a “shoe” than a “boot” but it’s gotta be here. It’s a super lightweight hiking shoe coming out well under 1.5lbs. Fortunately that’s not it’s only selling point, it’s also a high-quality shoe in general, with good traction and comfort ratings.
#Expert #Blessed #SirHikesAlot
Is that enough information??? It’s probably too much. Or maybe too little. A for effort?
Please keep in mind I’m not an expert in the evaluation of hiking shoes or outdoor gear. I have a personal interest, I explore that personal interest, I blog about that personal interest. If I got anything wrong please let me know so I can correct it to provide more accurate info.
I wanted to understand the gift that is hiking footwear, and I feel like I do have a much better understanding of it now. Which is nice.
Hopefully there’s something in this pile of info that’s useful to you, if there is, please share it around so the all-powerful Google knows that there’s some value here. Much thanks.
Keep calm and take a hike!
(if you’re currently allowed to… please don’t pick fights with forest rangers for telling you trails are closed…)
BONUS:
Inspiring movies to watch when you take your hiking boots off
(some inspire fear… but still.)
Wild (2014)
Based on the bestselling book, this is an intense movie based on the book author’s real-life solo-hike experience.
The Call of the Wild (2020)
This movie didn’t get the best reviews but I honestly really enjoyed it. It’s not a strictly “hiking” movie but there’s certainly plenty of trekking to be had. Plus it has Harrison Ford and the dog reminded me SO MUCH of my best boy, Zeus. I may have cried.
127 Hours (2010)
If there’s one thing to take from this true-story retelling, it’s TELL PEOPLE WHERE YOU’RE GOING. This movie stars James Franco as a hiker that gets stuck in a canyon and is eventually faced with some truly awful decisions. The last part of the movie is not for the weak stomached.
Tracks (2013)
Interesting how so many movies related to hiking are based on true stories. This one is no exception. It’s about a girl that decides to hoof it (literally, on camels – they have hooves, right?) across a massive expanse of desert in Australia. It’s a movie about a craving for isolation, with beautiful landscapes, but it’s not a light trip.
Touching the Void (2003)
Again, real story. I actually didn’t realize how many of these movies were real stories until I started writing this. This is an amazing and awful true story. It’s pretty famous as well. A pair of men make the intense climb to a summit, only to have everything go wrong on the way down.
Jungle (2017)
I guess they don’t make people’s outdoor adventures into movies unless there’s tragedy involved. This movie still bothers me. Not the movie itself but what happened to some of the people involved. That being said, it’s very entertaining and an incredible story.
Also check out this list of 16 great adventure books
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