Features To Look for When Picking Your Perfect Hiking Boot
If your best friend lives in Southern Utah and you’re in Northern Scotland, their favorite hiking boot might be terrible for where you live. Often times we’re told that this specific model is great or that this new technology is a game changer- but what’s often left out is the context of why these things are important, or not, for your feet. Understanding the purpose and key differences between features in shoes will help you decide on what is best for you.
Materials
I’ve seen all of these features in hiking shoes, day-hiking boots and backpacking boots. There are so many options out there but hopefully this guide will help you feel empowered on your next trip to the gear store.
Mesh, Gore-Tex & Leather
The material you want your hiking shoe or boot to be made of is really going to depend on the type of trail you will be on, the weather, as well as your personal preferences. Let’s look at each material closely.
Mesh is great in warm, dry environments because it’s breathable and lite. They’re less ideal if your feet are going to be getting wet on the regular. With that said, if you’re looking at boots that fit GREAT but are made with mesh and you know you might be crossing some streams a few times a summer, know having wet feet isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially on a day hike. It happens. But if you’re regularly going to be dealing with rain or snow, I’d recommend looking into the other two materials.
Gore-Tex is fantastic in cool, wet environments because its waterproof. The challenge I’ve always had with Gore-Tex boots is that my feet run hot… and I end up with sweaty feet, which can lead to blisters. Some people love Gore-Text shoes though. With Gore-Tex, you can also use a treatment to help maintain the waterproofing capabilities over the years. You’re doing to want to do this fairly regularly if you use them a lot.
Leather is what classic hiking boots were made of and there’s a reason it’s still used today. It’s very versatile in terms of temperature regulation; it’s pretty great in warm and cold environments and it can also be waterproofed. If I had to choose one hiking boot material for myself, it would primarily be made out of leather.
Increasingly, we’re also seeing hybrid models that use multiple materials in one boot. The nice thing about these is that they often use the different materials to keep the shoe lighter or more durable.
Toe Box: Wide/Barefoot, Pointy or Nothing Special
If you ask me, this is where things really start to get interesting. There are a few different styles of toe box and some really specific use-cases for each model. The key is to know what you want and why.
Wide or Barefoot toe boxes are designed for people who have wider feet or who like having plenty of room for their toes to wiggle around. I personally enjoy wearing barefoot shoes as often as possible; I like the mobility it allows my feet. My partner however has to wear wide or barefoot shoes because his feet are, well, wide. Wide or barefoot toe boxes are great in almost any condition, except for steep snowy hills or when have to think about having precise foot placement on technical trails.
Pointy toe boxes are designed for you to be able to kick your foot into snow or secure it between rocks, roots, etc. in on unstable trail. Pointy toe boxes are often paired with a more rigid sole, so you can effectively use your boot as a platform to help you secure yourself on the trail. I wear pointy toe box boots anytime I’m in snow for more than a few minutes of the day.
The ‘nothing special toe box’ is when it’s neither pointy or wide- it’s just the design of the shoe. With these, the main thing is to ensure that your feet feel comfortable. It shouldn’t feel like your toes are shaking around or are too cramped. Shop like Goldilocks.
Vibram vs. Brand-Specific Technology
Grippy soles is what really differentiates a hiking boot or shoe from running shoes. There are really two types of soles we typically see in outdoor shops.
Vibram has maintained a reputation for decades as being the best shoe sole for any kind of slick or technical surface. Their yellow logo can be found on the bottom of a lot of different brands and types of shoes and boots. I’ve got big backpacking boots and cute city shoes with Vibram soles. I can only recommend them.
Some outdoor brands don’t work with Vibram and instead have their own materials. Salomon has contagrip, Michelin tires launched their own soles that can be found on Vivobarefoot Shoes and Salewa’s… and there are more and more. Be sure to check reviews for a brand’s specific sole technology. Just because it has a fancy name doesn’t necessarily mean it’s actually as grippy as they make it out to be. (And yes, I am biased to Vibram soles- but I also go on wet, technical trails a lot!)
Stiffness
This is a bit of a tricky one. As I mentioned before, pointy boots tend to be more rigid because it makes it easier for you to use your shoe almost as a shelf in technical environments. But with that said, you don’t want your boots or shoes to feel like planks of wood attached to your feet or around your ankles. Be sure to walk around the store and if you feel like there is no give, move on to another shoe. Simultaneously, if you feel like your ankle support is floppy in hiking boots, try another pair. That high top is there to do a job, not to look cool.
Now… to the Store!
Go through these categories and make a plan of what sounds right for you. Being prepared will make your trip to the physical or online store so much easier. I’d love to hear from you on Instagram if these tips were helpful!
Related: What to Consider When Picking Your Perfect Hiking Boots