Whether you're new to hiking looking for a brand new pair of hiking boots, or a seasonal hiker looking to replace your old hiking boots, we're here to help you choose the best hiking boots.
What kind of hiking are you planning to do?
Before you do anything else, ask yourself what type of hiking you are going to do. This will help you with how to choose your hiking boots.
Think about things like:
- Type of terrain you are planning to hike on.
- Will you have a heavy backpack or a light backpack, or no backpack?
- How fast will you hike and for how long?
Types of hiking terrain
3 types of hiking terrain
- Flat: Think about large open spaces, walkable farmlands, and mostly flat surfaces.
- Uneven: This type of terrain is slightly uneven with occasional small hills, but still fairly predictable.
- Wild: These ones are usually very unpredictable, and can go from being fairly flat to high mountains, rivers, rocky terrain and wet muddy fields.
All three of these terrains have variations to them. For example, regardless of whether the terrain is flat, uneven or wild, if you know that it's going to be a wet environment you would want to have waterproof hiking boots.
However, if you're going to a region where temperatures are known to get really hot, you would want to stay away from Gore-Tex products as sometimes these tend to get really hot. For one, you will be hiking so your feet will naturally warm up. In addition, with Gore-Tex products there is less ventilation so your feet can get really hot. In hot weather, it might actually be nice to get your feet a little wet, and with ventilator products you get sufficient air in and out too so your feet stay nice and cool.
Types of cuts
There are three types of cuts:
- Low cut hiking boots
- Mid cut hiking boots
- High cut hiking boots
Some example products of each type of cut below:
Low cut hiking boot
🟢 ⚪️ ⚪️
Merrell Women's Moab 3 Scrap
♻️ 100% recycled laces, webbing, mesh lining and EVA insole.
🥾 Vibram® EcoStep
💨 Merrell Air Cushion
Mid cut hiking boot
🟢 🟢 ⚪️
X ULTRA 4 MID WIDE GORE-TEX
✨ Contagrip® Outsole
💦 Gore-Tex® Membrane
☑️ Enhanced Stability
High cut hiking boot
🟢 🟢 🟢
Toundra Pro Climasalomon™ Waterproof
💦 Waterproof
❄️ Sno-Cat for traction on snow and ice
🔥 Aerotherm™ for added warmth
Flexibility
A very important feature of hiking boots which is often overlooked, is the flexibility of your boots.
When you are planning to hike on flat terrains, it's often better to have flexible and light boots. These two things combined support your feet's natural movements while at the same time don't easily tire you due to the light weight.
However, if you are unsure it's always recommended to wear hiking boots with a more sturdy outsole as this will support your feet better, and provide robust stability.
Size and weight of your backpack
Regardless of whether your hike is a hort or a long one, it's worth carrying a small backpack with some essentials. This would include some water, a light snack and and first aid kit. If you are allergic to anything, it's worth carrying some antihistamine medication in case of emergency.
The speed and length of your hike
Depending on how far and how fast you're planning to hike, you will likely pack a different size backpack.
However, keep in mind that what may be a fast or long hike for you, may be a slow and short hike for others.
So always ask yourself the question whether you feel it's a short or long hike, so that you can choose whether to wear low cut light and flexibile hiking boots, or mid to high cut hiking boots so that you have more protection and good support around your ankles. Therefore, how to choose your hiking boots really depends on your perception of the hiking terrain, the distance and your level of fitness or stamina.
Your fitness level or stamina 💪
Aside from the stuff above, when thinking about how to choose your hiking boots you have to be mindful of your own fitness level and stamina. This is where self awareness comes into play, and it's a really important aspect when it comes to how to choose your hiking boots.
Features of typical hiking boots 🥾
- Sturdy or flexibile: sturdy hiking boots are great for rocky uneven terrains as they give your feet the protection and stability they need, whereas light and flexible hiking boots give you freedom of feet movement and reduce tiredness. In addition, sturdy boots usually last longer due to the nature of how they are made.
- Ventilator or waterproof
- Low, mid, or high cut hiking boots
Socks 🧦
When thinking about how to choose your hiking boots, don't forget their best companion! A pair of good quality hiking socks.
These will help reduce any minor pressure points when you first wear a new pair of hiking boots. However, if you go for a good quality brand like Merrell or Salomon, then you should really not have this problem even with normal socks.
Fit
Now to the important bit. You have to ensure the hiking boots you buy fit you properly. Not too tight, not too loose, just perfect.
Although we are all by now used to ordering online, if you're figuring out how to choose your hiking boots it's worth trying them on in-store first. You can do this at most outdoor retailers who have a brick and mortar presence.
Best way to choose the right shoe size
- Try to go to outdoor retailers toward the end of the day. This is when your feet are at their biggest (due to swelling).
- When your toes are touching the front, and you can fit one finger behind your heel then that should be the right size for you.
- Should you have a half size, e.g., 9.5, 10.5, etc., then always go for the bigger size. This is because during the hike, and especially at the end of the day, your feet swell up a little, and if wanted to make it a little smaller, wear a pair of thick socks or add some insoles!
Hopefully this has given you an idea of how to choose your hiking boots and the things you should consider when doing so.
Let's get outside, let's explore nature, let's breathe fresh and cleaner air! ⛰🥾☀️