Hiking is a widely recommended and practiced form of physical training. Hunting, backpack camping, orienteering, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, are other sports and sporting activities in which hiking is essential. The ability to walk considerable distances without becoming overtired also improves the enjoyment of such activities as bird-watching, nature walks, field trips of all sorts, and even sightseeing.
However, with the time and passion for hiking, the footwear moves away from bulky boots toward lightweight shoes. Even the trail runners are faster and more comfortable. It has the potential of losing a certain amount of ankle support when carrying a heavy pack or traversing rocky trails, and the weight savings and lightweight feel are worth it for many hikers.
Most of the travelers, trail runners, and hikers pay much attention to their shoes. It is essential to select an appropriate, light-weighted, comfortable pair of hiking shoes. Willing to know about them? Take it easy, because we have lined up everything that you need to know. Still, before that, let us have a quick glance over the types of hiking and their importance.
Types of hikes and their importance
Some might consider hikes as walks. Yet, let us highlight the fact that hiking is something beyond walking. Simply, hiking is a popular natural exercise that develops your physical fitness. It is economical and convenient, and also it requires no special equipment. Hikers can walk as far as they want to go. And again, there is no physical strain unless they walk among hills or mountains. Besides, there are many types of hiking.
Types of Hikes
Hikes are categorized into several types based on their nature, time span, and features as such. Below are some of the most popular hike types, and a glimpse of each. And do remember, whatever the type the hike is, indeed, each of them has fun and a thrill of its own. Hiking clubs you may interested to see.
1. Day hiking
Surely, this should not be something new for you! It is just simple as the name suggests, and is a hike that can be covered within a single day. Thus, they are more focused on farmyards, coasts, waterfalls, or medium-scale mountain ranges. The time of the hike would be limited. Still, the real experience of a hike would remain the same in a day hike as well. However, this is the ideal type of hike for a beginner, since there is less chance for the gear to be a burden in this case.
2. Overnight hikes or weekenders
Overnight hikes, also known as weekenders, are just more complex than the affairs of a day hike. In brief, they would cover an extended time period, which is at least two days. This simply gives a hint that most of these hiking spots are chosen around an area where you can camp. However, your legs will have to carry you a greater distance than on a normal hike in this case. Moreover, the necessities would be complicated as well, with more food, gear, and planning.
3. Backpacking options
Backpacking tends to be a popular form of tourism in the modern world. Besides, it has a series of unique features of its own. To be specific, these kinds of hikes and travels take the form of an independent and low-budget plan, and the hiker would be carrying the gear on his back. High attention to necessities is a significant feature of backpacking, and mostly the hikes would go on for two days or more. However, it may or may not include outdoor camping, and it is up to the hiker to decide.
4. Solo hiking
Of course, you guessed it right! Solo Hiking means hiking on your own, all alone. Thus, your skills, knowledge, and experience are what matters here the most. Further, there is a lot that you should pay attention to as an individual, before and throughout your hike. So, we would not suggest solo hiking for a beginner, since it is certainly a life challenging experience. However, a solo hike creates you the opportunity to hike where you want, whenever you like, at your own phase. Exciting, right?
5. Hikes based on classes
Did you know that there is a certain set of classes for hikes? A small research on it would make you understand that a series of classes are defined considering the difficulty of the hikes. The Yosemite Decimal System is popular in the US, and Canada to rate the difficulty of hikes, trail runs, and climbs. It has got five levels, and below are their details in brief. These classes surely give you a proper idea about your hike beforehand.
1st Class: A low-risk hike on a well-marked trail.
2nd Class: An easy or moderate hike, that doesn’t require technical gear.
3rd Class: Hikes with rugged terrain with large rocks, steep slopes, or a combination of both.
4th Class: A hard hike with a climbing or mountaineering route.
5th Class: Technical free-climbing that requires the whole rock climbing getup.
6. Over forty hiking community
Sometimes, you might not have heard about ‘Over Forty Hiking Community’ earlier. However, it is a private safe space for female hikers, to share their experiences. Moreover, it creates opportunities for the hikers’ questions and also encourages the hikers to explore more. After all, it is an interesting and super useful platform for hikers to get a broad overview of the fun of hiking.
Wanna purchase a new pair of shoes for your hiking gear?
If yes, there are several things that you need to think about. Simply, when selecting the right hiking shoes for you, it is a matchmaking process. Your favorite shoes need to be sync with how and where you travel or hike. Before purchasing them or hiking with them, you better have to be sure whether they are a perfect fit or not. Besides, some might choose to hike with running shoes, but certainly, it should not happen so. Running shoes are for running, and hiking shoes are for hiking. Thus, make sure you make the right choice at the right time.
However, there are things you should think about when you are selecting a pair of hiking shoes from a shoe store. If you are planning to purchase a pair of hiking shoes any soon, of course, it is important that you know about them.
Main Factors to consider when choosing your hiking shoes
There are many and more factors to consider when choosing your hiking shoes. Among them, the below factors stand out from the rest.
1. Types
There are several choices when selecting a pair of hiking shoes, from ultralight trail shoes to mountaineering shoes. So, it is important that you have a clear idea about what they are. You can find more details about the types of hiking shoes in the section below.
2. Components
Components play a major role in fitting the shoes for your legs as well as in providing comfort for your legs when walking. Thus, understanding a little more about what will go into uppers, lowers, midsoles, outsoles, and other parts of a shoe can help you to refine your choice.
3. Fit
No one likes to wear a pair of ill-fitting shoes. Moreover, since hiking is an activity involved with walking, a well-fitting shoe pair is extremely important. So, this happens to be a major factor to be considered when choosing your hiking shoes, and make sure that the pair you choose is comfortable for your leg as well.
And moreover, we thought of helping you solve some common-stream questions as well. Did you too have the following questions?
What about ankle support?
Ankle Support is something that you should certainly pay attention to. Research has shown that wearing the wrong hiking shoes will give you ankle pain. Not only that, but it can even worse and make your chance of rolling an ankle worse. When you are carrying too much weight that your ankles are buckling, then you have got too much weight on your back.
Do water-resistant hiking shoes help?
Most of the waterproofing shoes are another concept that looks good, but it does not do apart from keeping water out, let it in in practical terms. There are hoes with breathable uppers. Shoes with very breathable uppers offer a sense that your feet get wet easily, but the wetness does not last for a longer period. When you are out on the hike, your feet are dryer and less susceptible to blisters. If you search for any PCT or AT hiker, they almost all wear breathable shoes today. So, when you select your footwear, go with breathable uppers and not the waterproof version.
Tips to help you choose the ideal pair of hiking shoes!
Apart from the above factors, we just thought of sharing with you some tips that would help you help you choose the best hiking shoes for a perfect hike.
- Hiking shoes should be comfortable and protect your feet.
A hike goes on for several hours, or even days. Thus, it is important that your feet remain safe and comfortable within your pair of shoes. Moreover, cuts or damage should not happen to your feet from the elements, and you should be able to wear shoes without getting blisters.
- Hiking shoes should be lightweight.
You have to step thousands of times when you hike. Every calorie saved on lifting your feet is more energy to walk farther. So, choosing a pair of light-weighted hiking shoes is essential.
- Try on suitable hiking shoes at the end of the day.
Usually, your feet swell a bit during the day’s activities and will be at their largest then. This can avoid buying shoes that are too small for you.
- Wear appropriate hiking socks. Not only hiking shoes.
You should make sure that the thickness of the socks matches with what you are going to wear. It is also better to go with synthetic rather than slow-drying cotton socks, which are more likely to give you blisters.
- Spend some time with your new hiking shoes.
Before buying your new shoes, make sure it suits you. Take a small walk. Search for an inclined surface and walk on it.
- When shopping online, consider a brand you have worn before.
Although many online hiking shoe stores, most shoe companies repeatedly use the same foot model, so the fit is likely to be similar.
- Change your knot strategy before hiking.
How you lace your shoes can change how they fit in. So, make you find the appropriate one.
Top Picks of Hiking Shoes and Footwear
Of course, there is a good collection of picks for you, when choosing the perfect hiking shoes or footwear. Therefore, it is always better to have a good idea about them before you get into picking the best. Some of the hiking footwear, their characteristics, and recommendations are as follows.
1. Hiking shoes
The most excellent shoes for day hiking are low-cut models with flexible midsoles. Moreover, these are comfortable and durable. Thus, they are suitable for hikers wanting protection and good value. However, for long-distance journeys, some ultralight backpackers may even choose trail-running shoes.
2. Trail Runners
These are lightweight and very comfortable. Further, they look more like sneakers. They also have toe caps to protect your feet from roots and rock. Trail Runners are suitable for hikers wanting the most comfort and best performance. Moreover, it is a popular choice among thru-hikers and ultralight backpackers.
3. Day hiking shoes
This range of shoes from mid- to high-cut models. These are ideal for day hikes and short backpacking trips with light weights. And also, they can flex easily. They require a little break-in time. And again, there is poor support and durability of stout backpacking shoes.
4. Backpacking shoes
These shoes are designed to carry out heavier loads on multiday trips deep into the backcountry. Most of these shoes have a high cut, and it wraps above the ankles for more support. This is durable and supportive and also stiffer midsoles than lighter footwear. These hiking shoes are suitable for on- or off-trail travel.
5. Waterproof Hybrids
Dryer with more protection. Use for winter or cold weather hiking.
6. Hiking Boots
They are heavy but very durable. Hikers want to have them with exceptionally long life and maximum protection.
Choosing between shoes and trail runners
New to hiking? Hiking shoes or trail runners?
Indeed, for the first time hikers, there will be a concern about what to buy as there are Hiking shoes and trails. Keeping yourself upright on tracks while wearing a pack takes a while to master. The following Q&As would help you clear out this doubt.
What is the terrain on your trail or hiking shoe?
Simply the trails require beefier shoes for stability and the ability to stand up to wear and tear. And also, their stout soles can handle abuse from rocks and roots. If it is a beautiful, meandering forest trail, light, and worn shoes will work fine. But, if it is a paved nature trail, even a pair of city sneakers can handle it. If you are planning to hike in cold and wet conditions, your preference will be the warmth and protection of a sturdy shoe with a waterproof membrane, but you can find waterproof trail-running shoes as well.
What matches with your body type?
You should already have a sense of whether your body requires more support from your footwear in general. If it does, and your idea is to add a heavy pack to your overall weight, a reliable, stable hiking shoe may be your best choice.
How fast will you be going or hiking?
Although it is a slow and steady sojourn or a speed hike, you always should wear what suits you. Lightweight hiking shoes make it easier to maintain a brisk pace. That is why many thru-hikers wear them because they need to knock off huge chunks of miles, day after day.
What are the comparisons of traction between hiking shoes?
Hiking shoes generally have thick lugs to bite into the soil and rubber that grips well on various surfaces while light trail runners offer minimal grip. But the rugged and off-trail styles provide similar traction to hiking shoes. Some trail runners also provide a sticky rubber compound for enhanced grip on wet rocks and logs.
We should be aware as many shoes are designed to grip on the fly, and all of these won’t have the same level of traction at a slower hiking pace. It changes with physics when you apply less force on each stride. Double-check the length later by pulling the insoles out of the shoes and standing on them when buying a hiking shoe. Do not forget to have a thumb’s width of space between your longest toe and the end of the insole.
What are the components of Hiking Shoes?
Hiking Shoe Uppers
Materials that take to manufacture will impact a shoe’s weight, breathability, durability, and water resistance.
Full-grain leather
Full-grain leather gives excellent durability and abrasion resistance. And also, it is excellent water resistance. This type is the most commonly used in backpacking shoes built for extended trips, heavy loads, and rugged terrain Full-grain leather is not as light or breathable as nylon/split-grain leather combinations.
Split-grain leather
Split-grain leather is usually combining with nylon or nylon mesh to create a lightweight shoe that gives excellent breathability. The rougher inner part of the cowhide split-grain leather “splits away” from the smooth exterior. The benefit of this type is the lower cost. But the downside is less resistance to water and abrasion.
Nubuck leather
Nubuck leather is full-grain leather. It has been buffed to resemble suede. Its type is very durable and resists water and abrasion. It is also relatively flexible, yet it too requires ample time to break in before an extended hike.
Synthetics
In modern shoes, all polyester, nylon, and so-called “synthetic leather” are commonly found. They are less weight than leather and break in more quickly. It is dry faster, and there is less cost.
Waterproof membranes
Some of the shoes and shoes billed as “waterproof” feature uppers designed with waterproof/breathable membranes (such as Gore-Tex® or eVent®) to keep feet dry in wet conditions.
Downside
When considering the ventilating mesh used on some non-waterproof shoes, the reduced breathability is designed by a membrane, and it may encourage feet to sweat on hot and sunny days.
Vegan
Vegan-is-friendly hiking shoes and those shoes are created without using any animal ingredients or byproducts.
Insulation
Synthetic insulation is used for some mountaineering shoes for warmth when hiking on snow or glaciers.
Hiking Shoe Midsoles
The midsole provides buffers’ feet from shock, cushioning, and largely determines a shoe’s stiffness. When discussing, it may feel like stiff shoes might not sound like a good thing, but this is good for long hikes on rocky and uneven terrain; they can mean greater comfort and stability. A stiff shoe will not give you a chance to wear out by wrapping around rocks or tree roots you step on, and the most common midsole materials are EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) and polyurethane.
- EVA is a bit cushier one, although it is lighter and less expensive. Midsoles use different types of densities of EVA to provide firmer support where needed.
- Polyurethane is a generally firmer and more durable material, so polyurethane is mostly found in extended backpacking and mountaineering shoes.
What gives internal support to the Hiking shoes?
Shanks and Plates provide internal support to the hiking shoes. You can find more details about them below.
- Shanks: These 3–5mm thick inserts are inserted between a shoe’s midsole and outsole to add load-bearing stiffness to the midsole. They differ in length; some cover the midsole’s entire length, while others only cover half.
- Plates: These are thin, semiflexible inserts are positioned between the midsole and the outsole and inserted below the shank if included. They maintain the protection of feet from getting hurt by roots or uneven rocks.
Hiking Shoe Outsoles
Rubber is a common material on all hiking shoe outsoles. Additive materials like carbon are sometimes added to backpacking or mountaineering shoes to boost hardness. Hard outsoles will increase durability.
- Lug pattern: Lugs are the traction-giving bumps on the outsole. Deeper and thicker lugs are there on backpacking and mountaineering shoes to improve and maintain the grip. Widely spaced lugs offer good traction and also the shed mud more easily.
- Heel brake: Heel brake is a completely for heel zone distinct from the forefoot and arch. It minimizes the chance of sliding during steep descents.
Hiking Shoe Fit
Hiking shoes should always fit snug everywhere, tight nowhere, and offer enough space to keep your toes. Accordingly, it is important that you know your hiking shoe size.
It is best to have your foot measures always. Width and arch length measured is necessary when you buy a hiking shoe for you. Another concern is the foot volume. Yeah, it is another way to a good fit. You must get help from a specialist at a store to select what is best for you.
The Bottom Line
If you plan to do hiking, mountaineering, or winter backpacking, having compatible shoes is essential for your protection and safety. Thus, it is important that you pay attention to that. Moreover, we believe that our guide would help you in making your dream of choosing the best hiking shoes. Happy Hiking!
27 comments