Hi there! Today we will be talking about Hiking Shoes 101.
Choosing hiking shoes can be a confusing task. I mean we all have different feet.
Your partner or friend may have a shoe that they absolutely love and that’s great, but your choosing the best shoe for you can be completely different.
That is why I’m here today. In this article, I thought I would give you some pointers to keep in mind when choosing the best hiking shoe.
Depending on the shape of your feet or the type of support you’re looking for, a different shoe will suit you best.
Without further ado, let’s jump into the article!
For more information on hiking shoes, please check out Merrell. I have been a huge fan of their brand for quite some time now. I have found the comfort and durability is unmatched. Here is a link to their website.
Hiking Shoes 101: Know the Types of Shoes
First and foremost, I think it’s important to discuss the types of hiking shoes before you make a purchase.
Let’s tackle the first one shall we!
Traditional Trail Runner
Around 20 years ago, wearing a traditional trail running shoe was a big trend. Fast forward to present day, the ultralight trail running shoe such as Hoka or the On running has dominated the market.
The reason being is, because these shoes offer outstanding traction and stability without compromising any weight.
Furthermore, these shoes are more versatile if you like to hit the trails on a regular basis.
Traditional trail runners are great for anyone who enjoys hiking or backpacking. I recommend this type of shoe for anyone who has long backpacking or hiking trips planned for the upcoming year. In my opinion, you will greatly appreciate taking the added weight off of your feet.
Super Cushioned Shoes
This is one of the main pillars of hiking shoes 101. You need to find a level of comfort.
Only you can determine how cushioned a shoe is by looking at the stack height. Shoes with a higher stack height are going to be higher off the ground, resulting in more cushion underneath your feet.
Although this type of shoe is great for hikers and backpackers who make comfort their number one priority, these shoes might take a little time in getting used to.
Depending on the traction, they can be effective off the trail but there is no guarantee there. For instance, the Hoka Speedgoats- which by the way is an incredible hiking shoe, has excellent traction.
But something to keep in mind, cushioned shoes are comfortable for extremely long hiking and backpacking outings, and are an excellent choice if you are going to be hiking for miles.
However, I recommend trying them out before heading into terrain that has some controversy to ensure your feet are still somewhat agile.
Traditional Hiking Shoes
Finally, the last type of hiking shoe is true and traditional hiking shoes. These are going to be much heavier but these types of shoes prioritize stability over agility.
These shoes are going to be great for a variety of terrain, but they will not be as nimble as some of the lighter shoes on the market. Just wanted to give you a heads up on that one.
I recommend this shoe only for hikers and backpackers who know they are sacrificing speed and agility. Nonetheless, I have a pair for myself that I absolutely love. But they are not for everyone.
Ankle Support
Let’s talk about ankle support for a minute or two.
Ankle support only comes in handy in extreme situations. Ice climbing boots and technical off-trail expeditions both use high-rise, extremely rigid boots.
This particular style is not productive in the average terrain. I only recommend this shoe if you will be doing some serious winter hiking.
If you are the person that has weak ankles, do you need the high-rise shoe? Not necessarily.
I actually broke my fibula last October in a high-rise shoe walking in the mud. Plus, there has been recent studies that found high-rise boots can actually cause you to roll your ankles more frequently.
Why?
Well this is because you don’t have the agility of a more flexible shoe to save the roll. They don’t always give you the ankle support you need if I’m being completely honest.
What’s going to give you more ankle support? You got it, strengthening the muscles that evert the ankle.
Furthermore, research shows muscles that evert the ankle may activate more slowly in high-top shoes.
This is because you sacrifice the flexibility and agility afforded by lighter trail running shoes. So if this is a major concern of yours, I recommend finding shoes that feel nimble and stable that will actually strengthen your ankles.
For Hiking shoes 101, it’s time to debunk this myth of ankle support.
Understanding the components of a trail running shoe
- Outsole: refers to the bottom of the shoe, where traction (or lack thereof) comes from
- Lugs: on the outsole, lugs are what gives shoe traction and can be in a variety of patterns and of different millimeters
- Midsole: between the outer and inner soles of the shoe – absorbs shock, provides support, and in some cases propels high energy return
- Insole: adds comfort and arch support, can buy custom insoles or certain shoes (Oboz) come with them
- Upper: fabric on the upper outside of the shoe, protects feet from rocks/debris and can increase/decrease breathability of the shoe
- Tongue: gusseted or non-gusseted, a gusseted tongue protects from rocks/debris
Durability
This is a subjective matter, but we will tackle it anyway.
To keep it simple, let’s remember a few things….
The wider the shoe, the less durability you have. Usually, soles that have better-wet grip and traction aren’t going to be as durable because the rubber they use disintegrates faster.
The parts that fail first in a shoe depending on the model, your individual stride, and the terrain. Sometimes the mesh upper blows out the sides, sometimes the toe cap comes off and exposes the front of the shoe to the trail. If all of those components stay fresh for the lifetime of the shoe, the final thing to go is the support collapsing.
Say no to Water shoes or Gortex
It’s time for a common sense approach.
The temptation of a waterproof shoe is understandable, but it comes with some downsides. A waterproof shoe doesn’t breathe as well making your feet hotter, damper and more blister prone. The membrane can crack, and no matter what, the shoe is still going to get wet on the inside. Once it does, it doesn’t dry out nearly as fast as a normal mesh shoe.
Gore-Tex (with a higher rise, e.g. mid or high top shoe) can be good in snow and conditions that are wet/snowy, and temps are not above 40-50 degrees. It will provide an extra layer of protection and prevent the boot from wetting out, but in the wettest conditions, it will either soak through or come in the top, and then it won’t be able to dry out as fast.
Wading through a creek or river and leaving your shoes on might seem like a completely ridiculous idea, but a well-draining and quick-drying shoe works wonders to help you stay speedy and continue moving.
A GTX shoe is designed to protect you from snow on the trail or light moisture outside, not act as a waterproof shield that will protect you from swimming through a stream.
Preventing those Blisters
If there is one thing I hate in this world is blisters on my feet after a hike. It happens to everyone, but we can try and prevent these from popping up.
The best way to prevent blisters is to hike approximately the same mileage (and in similar terrain) in the same shoes and same socks that you’ll wear on your trip.
If you do this you are almost 100% guaranteed not to blister your big hiking or backpacking trip. That is, you can’t blame the shoes for poor fit, or being too stiff, etc. You should have conditioned your feet and/or found that out long before your trip.
Thoughts & Takeaways
And that will wrap things up for today. Hiking shoes 101 is choosing a shoe that is comfortable and durable. You should find a shoe for the terrain that you will be taking on. Don’t compromise weight if you don’t have to. Always determining these factors will help you choose the right hiking shoe and you can stay injury free. I hope you found this article to be helpful. If you have any tips or advice, I would greatly appreciate any feedback in the comment section below.
-CT
