Are Boots The Best Hiking Footwear?

Are Boots The Best Hiking Footwear?

Back in the day, hikers and backpackers didn’t have a whole lot of options when it came to footwear. They had hiking boots, tennis shoes, or work boots. Most opted for hiking boots, an obvious choice at the time. Today, however, we are faced with much more variety. Sandals, shoes, runners, and boots all designed with hiking in mind. With all these options to choose from, are boots still the best hiking footwear?

You’ll find strong opinions across the board for the hiking footwear debate. Some people swear by their classic boots while others won’t wear anything but hiking shoes. At the end of the day, it really comes down to personal preference and the kind of hiking you are looking to do.

Each type of hiking footwear has pros and cons that we will go over. We’ll also touch on the most important qualities of footwear for hikers and backpackers. By the end of this, you should know whether hiking boots are necessary for you or if a different choice is more fitting.

This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of them we will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!

What is Important in Hiking Footwear

The type of shoes or boots you wear on the trail are going to differ from what you wear while running errands. Hiking footwear is going to be working much harder to keep your feet and body safe and comfortable. Below are the key characteristics to focus on when shopping for hiking boots or shoes.

Protection

Even the most well-traveled trails will have sticks, brush, and rocks along the path. You need to keep the bottoms, tops, and sides of your feet protected. Your boots or shoes will need to be tough to prevent tears and punctures.

Comfort

At the office, you can get away with those shoes that rub on your toes uncomfortably. On the trail, you want absolute comfort for your feet. Hiking footwear should be easy to walk in and shouldn’t cause painful blisters.

Lightweight

Just because your shoes should be tough doesn’t mean they should be heavy. In fact, they should be relatively lightweight. Heavy boots slow you down, making you use more energy with every step. Backpackers are always looking for ways to cut weight in their pack, they should also consider the weight on their feet!

Good Traction

The bottom of the shoes that you wear hiking should be good at gripping surfaces. Many trails have water crossings or rocky overlooks, you’re going to want shoes that will keep you on your feet on slick surfaces.

Breathable

Between foot sweat, puddles, rain, and water crossings, you’re going to want something that dries quickly. That’s why breathability is so important in hiking footwear. If your shoes or boots trap in moisture, you’re going to feel uncomfortable and increase your chances of developing blisters. A good pair of socks can help with this, too.

What is Not Important in Hiking Footwear

Much like there are things to focus on when shopping for hiking shoes and boots, there are things that you can put a lot less thought into. This isn’t to mean they aren’t important to some people, that is a matter of personal preference. However, these are a few overrated footwear qualities that can be ignored so long as the other characteristics are met.

Ankle Support

The main reason hiking boots are so tall is to provide better ankle support. However, there is a lot of debate as to whether this support protects your ankle or makes it more likely that you hurt your ankle. Here’s a study supporting the latter. However, if you have any concerns around your ankles or have a history of injury, this might be a debate to settle with your doctor.

Waterproof

Waterproof boots sound great on paper – they keep water out of your boots in the rain and will prevent water from rushing in if you walk through a stream. However, there is a downside to waterproof boots. They are often less breathable, trapping in foot sweat and water when they DO get wet. This makes them take longer to dry and they get much heavier once water is trapped in.

Style

Most good hiking boots out there aren’t designed for a night out. You’ll definitely find some that will fit your style in some way, and you might even find some that you love the look of. However, that shouldn’t be the deciding factor. My current boots are kind of ugly, but fit like a charm. No one on the trail has ever made a rude remark about my fashion sense, though.

Best Hiking Footwear Options

Hiking Boots

These are the classic, high-topped, and thick-soled boots that you see on the feet of many hikers on backcountry trails. They have a tough fabric and bulky shape that is unique to hiking boots.

Find them here for men’s and here for women’s!

Hiking Shoes

Hiking shoes are much like hiking boots, except with a lower cut around the ankle. They are thick and sturdy enough to keep the average weekend hiker’s feet protected but aren’t quite as heavy duty as boots.

Find them here for men’s and here for women’s!

Trail Runners

Trail runners are shoes made specifically for running on the trail. They have the springy, light feel of running shoes but with extra protection. These are ideal for people who want to move quickly or jog on the trails.

Hiking Sandals

These sandals aren’t like the ones you wear to the beach. These have more straps to secure your foot in, denser soles, and better support to keep your feet feeling good on a multi-mile hike. People who like being barefoot enjoy the free feeling of these sandals, but a lot of people only wear these in short spurts. You can find some of our favorite hiking sandals here!

Tennis/Athletic Shoes

A lot of people who only hike on occasion will reserve a pair of dirty, old tennis shoes for their hiking excursions. For people who stick to well-groomed trails and hour-long day hikes, these are sufficient. However, if you’re going to be backpacking for several days, this isn’t the move for you. You’ll need something with more protection and thicker soles.

When Are Boots The Best Hiking Footwear?

Though you might be able to get away with alternative footwear for some of your hikes, there are certainly instances where hiking boots are necessary. If your backpacking or hiking trips tend to fall into any of these categories, you might want to consider investing in a pair of good, sturdy boots.

• All – Season Hiking – If you go hiking year-round, a pair of hiking boots will do you good. In the cold months, thick hiking boots will keep your feet much warmer than hiking shoes or trail runners. If you’re trekking through the snow, you’ll want the added ankle height to keep snow out.
• Off The Beaten Path Hiking – The adventurers who find themselves seeking out the lesser-known trails may benefit more from hiking boots. With uncommon trails, you’re more likely to endure overgrowth, down trees, and other obstacles that appear on a poorly groomed trail. The durability and protection of hiking boots will be needed on these trips.
• Moderate to Heavy-Weight Backpacking – If your backpack tends to be on the heavier side (35+ pound base weight is heavy), you might need the extra stability and balance that hiking boots provide. Their thick soles and wider build provide an excellent base so you can handle a heavier load.

When To Wear Other Footwear

Are hiking boots always necessary? Certainly not. There are plenty of hikers and backpackers who never take a step in a hiking boot. If your hiking typically falls into these categories, you can get away with just wearing hiking shoes or trail runners. However, if you start getting blisters or scratched up feet, you may want to reconsider.

• Mild to Moderate Day Hiking – If you tend to only go on day hikes with not much weight on your back, you can skip the boots. So long as you stick to well-traveled paths and aren’t going out in winter weather, hiking shoes or runners will be a good choice for day hiking.
• Ultra-Light Backpacking and Fast-Paced Hiking – If you’re an ultra-light backpacker or someone who hits the trail for speed, you don’t need boots. In fact, hiking boots will just slow you down! Hiking shoes or runners will be a better fit for your goals.
• Fair Weather, Casual Hiking – Some people hike only on weekends where the weather is gorgeous and they want an hour or two of outdoor activity. That’s awesome! Chances are, you won’t be encountering too many obstacles or challenging terrain on your journey if you keep your hikes short and sweet. Wear what feels the most comfortable to you.

Conclusion

Are boots the best hiking footwear? The honest answer is – sometimes! The type of hiking you do, the conditions of the trails you encounter, and the seasons that you are hiking in all play a role in what kind of footwear you need. Based on everything we covered, you should have a good grasp on what will fit your needs and preferences.

^{Cover photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash}