When it comes to choosing footwear for a hike there are a lot of factors to take into account. Ideally you want to something that is comfortable yet robust, light but able to handle the hiking conditions. There is no one size fits all though (pardon the pun) and other factors need to be taken in to account. Your foot type is a major factor in choosing footwear; you may have flat feet, you may overpronate on one or both feet, you may even have had an injury on your lower limbs which could affect what type of footwear you will benefit from. Even things right down to your body weight can all have an influence when deciding what is right. What is also important is the need to break in any kind of hiking footwear – don’t think that turning up with brand new boots/shoes will make you happy because, believe me, you will end up miserable and possibly with long term injuries!
In this blog I will look at the pros and cons of the main types of footwear and hopefully dispel some myths around the art of picking a boot or shoe!
LEATHER BOOTS
Material – Full Grain Leather
Pros
- The most durable, waterproof and warmest of all hiking footwear
- High quality leather boots are great value for money and, if maintained correctly, will last thousands of miles.
Cons
- Take ages to break in
- Quite expensive initially
- Not very breathable therefore not ideal for warmer conditions
- Take ages to dry when they get soaking wet
- They are heavy and therefore may sap your energy on longer hikes.
I have a pair of Scarpa Terra GTX walking boots which I have had for around 9 years and have done close to 1000 miles. They are so comfortable and, with thinner hiking socks, are not too uncomfortable in the summer. They offer a good amount of stability and ankle support and have a Gore-tex waterproof membrane.
COMPOSITE BOOTS
Material – synthetic leather or a mixture of leather and synthetic leather. EVA midsoles.
Pros
- Require less time to break in
- Lighter than leather boots
- More breathable than leather boots
- Good durability – on par with a lesser model leather boot.
Cons
- Unlike leather boots, they can’t be resoled and their waterproofing loses effectiveness eventually
- The composite materials mean that they still take a while to dry when soaked.
I like a mid cut boot and my current pair are Asolo Greenwood GV’s which are a mix of EVA and leather. They are water-repellent rather than waterproof but give good grip with the directional lugs on the sole.
HIKING SHOES
A hiking shoe is a mix between a synthetic boot and a trail shoe and have a low cut profile with similar materials.
Pros
- Easier to break in
- Lighter and easier to dry
- Greater range of ankle flexibility
- Tougher construction than trail shoes makes them good in harder terrain
Cons
- Less ankle support making them incompatible with abrasive and rocky terrain
- Heavier than trail shoes
Although not a big fan of hiking shoes, in sunny and dry conditions and on low level hikes, I find Merrell do a fantastic range, in particular the Accentor Ventilator shoe which I used when doing low level hikes in the Pyrenees. I tend to avoid waterproof shoes as I prefer something a bit more breathable.
Of course, no footwear solution is complete without a good pair of socks! There are so many on the market, all offering the best solution but there are a few basics to remember. Your socks need to be breathable, warm in cold weather and stop your boots from rubbing so you don’t get blisters. Paying a little bit more for good quality socks is a no brainer – there’s no point buying amazing boots or shoes if you are then going to wear socks that will inhibit the qualities of your footwear! Hiking socks are usually made of different materials blended together but the best socks feature Merino Wool which is breathable, quick drying and offer antibacterial properties.
Your socks should sit above the top of your boots or shoes to avoid your skin rubbing on your footwear. They should be snug but not tight and should match your true foot size. The level of cushioning is also important. If you opt for a heavy cushioned sock then this is suitable for rougher terrain as it will absorb more impact. They will also be more suited for colder walks such as winter hiking. Medium cushioning provides all round balance of warmth and comfort and light cushioning should be worn when hiking in warmer temperatures.
If like me you don’t like a seam on your toe (I think I am a bit weird in this sense) then opt for a seamless sock such as the Smartwool PHD range. These are my go to socks although I do also like the 1000 Mile range as well as the Darn Tough range.
My final tip for ensuring you get the most out of your boots and socks is to get your feet measured properly! I always thought I was a size 5 until I attended a summer mountaineering course. I noticed that my boots were not very comfortable so when the course finished I went and had my feet measured at Cotswold Outdoor and I was actually a 5.5! Once I broke in my Asolo hiking boots, I was amazed at how much more comfortable everything felt! Any good outdoor shop will offer this service.
So now you are ready for your hike and, in the words of Nancy Sinatra, these boots were made for walking and that’s what you should do!
If you are prone to blisters, I have a blog on how to prevent and treat them so head on over to that for more advice!