How to Choose the Best Boots for Hiking
There are many types of footwear out there. And, with as many types of footwear, there are just as many, if not more reasons to choose which one to fit your situation. When choosing the best boots for hiking there are several things to consider. A few of these are the type of hike, weather, fit, comfort and even the amount of maintenance needed to care for your boots. Here is a guide to navigate these decisions.
Determine Your Type of Hike
There are a variety of hiking boots and shoes available on the market; each one claiming to be the best. For this reason, you need to know exactly what type of hike you’re going on. After all, when you shop prepared, you’re more likely to find the best pair of hiking boots for you (not everyone else).
For example, are you doing a short hike during the day or a long-distance hike in the moonlight? Do you prefer heavy duty boots for extra durability or something a little more lightweight but still uncompromising? Fortunately, there are hiking boots to support all walks of life – or in this case, hikes of life.
And during this guide on the best boots for hiking, we will recommend 4 great options worth consideration.
Boot Features to Consider
Putting all flashiness aside, the elements to look for when choosing a proper set of boots should relate to the terrain of your hike. Once you know the terrain, you can focus on other factors like weather, comfort, fit, etc. Thus, in the section below, we will first discuss terrain before moving onto other hiking boot features to consider before making a purchase.
Terrain
The area you’re hiking in will be pertinent in choosing the perfect pair of hiking boots. Consider what type of load you’re carrying with you (light or heavy?). It’s often best to choose a set of lighter boots, as heavier ones can impact the weight load.
Saloman Men’s or Women’s X Ultra 3
If you’re hiking on a trail well-marked and often traveled, a lightweight boot with a low-cut or mid-cut design is best. The Saloman Men’s or Women’s X Ultra 3 is exactly this.
Not only are these hiking boots one of the best models around, but they’re durable, comfortable and have a great gripping texture for any rocky terrain you come across.
However, the boot does have its drawbacks: heavy loads are to be avoided and the protection at the bottom of the boot fades after time. For this reason, we recommend the Saloman X Ultra 3 for trails already marked out (rather than off-trail hikes).
With off-trail hiking, you’re more likely to come across rougher terrain. You might also be carrying a heavier load. This is why, with extra durability in mind, we recommend the Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX hiking boots.
This boot features ample comfort for rougher trails, water resistance and over the ankle support for any rocks stumbled upon. The underfoot protection is superior for rough terrain and helpful when carrying larger loads.
Weather
Moving on from terrain, weather is another feature to consider when purchasing a pair of hiking boots. After all, you need to acknowledge what kind of boots will be best for your surroundings. For example, if you’re summer hiking, you don’t want overly-insulated hiking boots. Of course, you want enough insulation for proper comfort, but some boots offer more insulation for colder weather specifically.
This can leave your feet drowning in sweat…turning that proper comfort into proper discomfort.
For summer hiking, consider boots with a porous and breathable fabric. This can include mesh, leather, harder rubber and/or other high quality materials. You also need to consider water-resistance. For avid hikers, water-resistance is a good feature to have in case you happen upon watery terrain.
That said, breathability is probably the most important feature in hot-weather hiking, aside from comfort and weight. Without breathability, even the best pair of hiking boots will cause you to sweat. And when your feet aren’t dying in a pool of sweat, your stamina and endurance will increase.
Saloman Quest 4D 3 GTX Hiking Boots
The Saloman Quest 4D 3 GTX Hiking Boots are an excellent pick for hot weather. The fabrics are dual with suede and nylon materials, allowing for the ultimate breathability without compromising durability or quality.
They are lightweight, but still supportive enough for backpacking. They also provide Contragrip technology; allowing for a wet traction grip. In other words: you’re ready to endure rain, slippery slopes and swampy terrains. The Saloman Quest 4D 3 GTX are available for both men and women.
When it comes to winter hiking or hiking in colder weather, boot options will change. There are hiking boots suitable for all weather conditions, but sometimes, it’s better having a separate pair specifically for colder hikes. Merrell, one of the leading producer’s of hiking boots, offers a great option: the Thermo Freeze Hiking Boots.
The Thermo Freeze Hiking Boots are lined with fleece, and fused with mesh materials to keep your feet warm (but not overheated). They’re also waterproof; keeping snow and water out, but still letting your feet release moisture.
Additionally, this is a great boot to have should you come upon any ice, as the Artic Grip technology allows for excellent grip on wet ice. The Thermos Freeze Hiking Boots are mid-length and available for both men and women.
Comfort
In addition to weather and terrain conditions, comfort is another important factor to consider. Every foot is different, and wearing the wrong kind of shoe or boot can lead to atrocious conditions like plantar fasciitis and bone spurs. It can even extend beyond that of your foot – to your knees, back and neck.
For example, some hiking boots offer high arch-support. This is obviously good for hikers with high arches. However, if you wear a pair of high arch boots and you have lower arches or flat feet, you will seriously mess up your feet. And with messed up feet, you can kiss goodbye to hiking.
But don’t stress – there are different ways to assess what kind of shoes or boots you will need. Some shoe stores even offer machines that can digitally detect the best types of shoes for you.
Department stores like Target and Walmart will typically have Dr. Scholls kiosks that can help you as well. Once you know what type of support is best for your feet, you’ll have a better idea of what comfort to factor in when choosing your hiking boots.
Fit
Comfort and fit go hand in hand. Thus, before determining the right fit of hiking boots, you need to choose the right socks. This might seem silly, but socks offer different levels of texture and thickness. Before you purchase hiking boots, you need to be sure your hiking socks will fit into your hiking boots. Certain textures and seams in a sock will also impact overall comfort in a boot.
Instead of buying the average everyday sock, look into actual hiking socks and spend the extra penny to ensure maximum comfort during your hikes. Hiking socks vary in thickness, water resistance and materials, so pick out a pair or pack specific to your type of hiking.
Once you pick out your socks, you can start fitting your hiking boots. In a properly fitting pair, your heel will fit snugly in the back and your toes will have wiggle room in the front.
You don’t want a tight fit in the toes, as you need to account for any bit of movement within the boot. If your toes are smashing into your boot as you hike, blisters and bruises will soon form. And nobody wants blisters or bruises. If you’re unsure of what might be a proper fit, consult a professional.
Maintenance
While maintaining your hiking boots can be a bit of a pain, it’s also very important. After all, if you spent money on a nice pair of hiking boots, you probably want them to last a while.
The quality of your boots and the materials used will reflect how long they last, but maintaining them will help keep them in tip-top shape even longer. And if you don’t take care of them, they won’t take care of you. For tips on maintaining your hiking boots, check out our article: How To Maintain Your Hiking Boots.
Ready, Set, Hike!
After reading this article, you should have a better idea of how to choose the best boots for hiking. All of the features mentioned above will narrow down the best hiking boot for your specific needs. Remember: terrain and weather are huge factors in determining what materials and weight you need in your boot.
Comfort and fit also have a large impact on ensuring your safety and preventing accidents that could keep you from hiking. With the four recommendations listed throughout this article, you’re sure to find a pair of hiking boots perfect for you. Happy hiking!