How to Choose Hiking Shoes



How to choose the best hiking boots depends largely upon what kind of hike you are taking. Whether it’s the climate and terrain, length of the hike or the activities you’re doing (think: backpacking or day hike?) will determine what sort of boots you should buy. To help you make the best decision here are a few basics to consider before you choose hiking boots. And while our shoe recommendations are specific to women, the tips for how to choose the best hiking boot apply to both women and men

1 LENGTH AND TERRAIN OF THE HIKE

The length of your hike matters when it comes to footwear. So does the type of terrain you’ll encounter out there. A multi-day backpacking trip will require much sturdier boots with better tread and ankle support than an easy to moderate trail on flat ground would need. We’ll cover more about this further on in the article.

            
2 WEATHER AND CLIMATE

The weather conditions and climate of the area will play a large factor in determining what kind of boots to wear. If it’s cold and rainy or you’ll be trekking through streams and snow, waterproof boots are a must to not only keep your feet dry but ward off any hint of hypothermia. Typically we recommend a Gortex-type boot or shoe for most mountain hiking. On the other hand, mesh paneling and ventilation is better for when you are hiking in a hot and humid climate – like Hawaii or Central America.
3 ACTIVITIES YOU ARE DOING ON YOUR HIKE


Different types of boots and shoes are suitable for different types of activities. Some boots, like mountaineering boots, will have high ankle support and rigid soles that don’t allow for much flexibility to help you stay steady. Others, like trail shoes will be less stable on rocky terrain with low or mid cut upper for more movement, however, they won’t hold up as well if you’ve got a full pack.

4 BREAK IN PERIOD

A hiking boot is constructed from heavier and sturdier materials than trail shoes and most others. Whether they are made of all leather or is a mix of leather, mesh and suede, they are more durable, can withstand wear and tear, and built to last longer. For this reason, the heartier the hiking boot the more time it will take to get broken in and mold to your foot. You’ll want to break the most heavy duty hiking boots in gradually and overtime to prevent painful blisters. If you’re breaking in all leather boots, start by taking short walks around the house, the block and eventually on short hikes about a week or two before you wear them out on the trail to soften the material.
You never want the first time you wear a hiking boot to be the first day of your multi-day backpacking trip.
If your boot has a mixed material construction, they will be more flexible to begin with and break-in should only require a couple of short walks.



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