When to Replace Hiking Boots | Signs You Need New Hiking Shoes
When you find a good pair of hiking boots, it can be hard to let them go. It feels like betrayal to toss out a pair of comfy, well broken in boots that have served you well for many miles. Then there is the fear of having to break in a new pair of boots and dealing with a couple of hikes in something stiff and unfamiliar. All those emotions aside, there comes a time when it is time for a change. But when should you replace hiking boots? Well, below we are going to cover a few guidelines and signs that you need new hiking shoes.
Why Replace Your Hiking Boots?
If you have a good pair of hiking boots, why stop a good thing? When they’re comfortable and treat you well, you might feel the urge to wear those bad boys until they no longer function as boots.
Resist this temptation.
Wearing your hiking boots past their expiration can actually cause a lot of harm. You may develop injuries, blisters, and bad walking form. Depending on your age and health, you might even cause permanent damage to your body.
So it’s best to stay ahead of the game. Replace your boots before they start showing significant wear and before they start causing you pain.
Standard Guidelines for Replacing Hiking Boots
The standard recommendation for when to replace hiking boots is every 500 to 1,000 miles. Now that is a big range, but that’s because there are a lot of things that can impact the lifespan of a pair of boots.
Some brands are lower quality or not intended for vigorous hiking, so they might not last as long as other brands. The types of trails and hiking you do can play a role as well. Certain terrain can put extra strain on your footwear and so can exposure to water and inclement weather. Hiking on paved paths may also shorten the lifespan of your boots because trails are a bit more forgiving and softer than pavement. Another thing to consider is the weight you are carrying. A heavy backpack can cause more wear to your boots than if you were an ultralight hiker.
All these factors weigh into how many miles your boots will be good for. Not to mention proper care and storage of your boots. So take all of these into consideration when evaluating the life of your hiking boots.
If you prefer hiking shoes or running shoes over hiking boots, then you should plan to replace them more often. Around 400-500 miles is the typical recommendation. This shorter lifespan is mainly because running or hiking shoes are often less tough and durable than good ol’ boots. This isn’t always the case, however.
Now, having a mileage range to keep in mind when replacing your boots isn’t always practical. I mean, who keeps a log of how many miles they’ve hiked in each pair of boots they own? One way to think about it is, if you hike around 10 miles or so a week, you should replace your boots every 2-3 years.
If your hiking adventures are a bit less consistent, this may be trickier to calculate. Fortunately, you can do a pretty good job of judging when new boots are needed just by taking a look at them. Here are some things to look out for….
Signs You Need New Hiking Boots
Worn Out Lace Loops/Eyelets
Laceloops or eyelets are the holes that your laces run through. Some boots have metal hoops while others are holes in the boot itself. When you see these loops start to wear down, misshape, or peel away, it is a sign you need new hiking boots.
Worn loops mean that the support is less stable around the ankle. It is tougher to get your boots tight enough to provide the support you need, especially for high top boots. You won’t be able to lace your boots as effectively – the fit wont be as comfortable or snug.
Look for signs of peeling, cracking, or stretching around the loops/eyelets of your boots.
Worn Out Ankle Support
Ankle support in a pair of boots does more than just support your ankle. It also protects your knees and hips. When ankle support begins to wear out, you may develop pain in those areas, blisters, or even a change in your stride to compensate for the lack of support.
You may start to notice the cushioning around the ankle start to wear down or the shape of the ankle collar begins to sag. Sometimes holes even start to wear around the area in the inside of your boot as the padding rubs away.
Cracked Midsole
The midsole is the part of the boot or shoe that expands from the ball of your foot to the heel. In sneakers, it is the foamy piece that lays below your foot but above the outsole. The purpose of this piece is to provide cushioning for your foot and absorb the impact of your steps on your joints.
Over time, this layer begins to lose cushioning. It wears down, compresses, cracks, and even breaks apart as it gets older. When you start to notice visible compression lines or cracks, it is time to replace your hiking boots. Do the press test to put your midsole to the test.
The Press Test
Press the outsole of your boot upward with your thumb. Use enough pressure so that it compresses the way it would if you were walking in them. Then look at the midsole and watch for cracks or compression lines. Fine lines are okay, but big cracks are a bad sign.
Holes or Rips
Ideally, you will replace your boots before they become so worn that they develop holes or rips. Most boots are pretty tough, so unless you set them too close to the campfire, you shouldn’t be developing holes in your boots. They should be replaced before this.
Wearing hiking boots with holes exposes your feet to twigs, branches, thorns, and plenty of other things that can harm your feet. Not to mention water. When you have a hole in your boot, the boot’s ability to keep your feet dry is no longer existent. Hiking in the rain or maneuvering river crossings are no longer enjoyable.
Worn Tread
The tread in your boot is the bumps and pattens on the bottom of your boot that help provide traction. A new boot will have more pronounced tread patterns. Over time, these begin to wear down and become less effective at maintaining grip on surfaces. The bottom of your shoe becomes slicker, causing you to slip and fall.
It is visible when your tread is worn. Flip your boot over and take a look. The tread on your boots is similar to the tread on your car tires. You can notice when they start to wear down. And just life you wouldn’t drive on a car with bald tires, so you shouldn’t walk in boots with a bald tread!
Loose Sole
The sole is the bottom of your boot that makes contact with the ground. Sometimes, this part of a boot or shoe begins to separate from the rest of the shoe. You can curl your toes up and the boot opens like a little puppet.
This causes a whole mess of hazards to a hiker. For one, branches or rocks can get stuck in the opening and cause a lot of discomfort. You might also find yourself tripping over the floppy sole and getting caught up on obstables on your path. Then there is the worst case scenario – the sole of your boot falls off during your hike, forcing you to walk back without the sole protecting your foot.
Once you notice this part of your boot starting to peel away, consider finding a replacement pair.
Frayed Laces
The laces on your boots are important for providing the right fit for your feet. Most hikers will adjust their laces a couple times on their hikes to maintain a proper fit. This means your laces take quite a beating.
Over time, boot laces begin to wear, fray, and unravel. Exposure to mud and water can add to the damage that cause your laces to break down. As your boots get older, you may start to notice your laces starting to crack, fray, or even snap! When this is the case, you should replace your boots or your laces. It can be extremely frustrating to have your laces snap as you try to strap in for the day.
Discomfort
If you’ve been wearing your boots for a while, they are hopefully comfortable boots that you enjoy wearing. Unfortunately, good things rarely last forever. As your boots begin to age, you’ll start to notice new aches and pains from your old reliable footwear.
A main reason for this is that the support and padding inside the boot begins to wear down. That improper support can lead to you compensating for these issues in your stride, shifting your weight differently, and all-around improper hiking form. These issues can all lead to much bigger problems.
If you’re noticing new foot or joint pain from your hikes, your old boots may be to blame. Take note of any ankle, back, foot, hip, or knee pain that suddenly pops up as well as new blisters and hotspots.
Insole Cracks
Insoles are the inner part of the boot that your foot makes contact with. These are typically made from EVA foam and provide support and cushioning for the foot. Over time, these begin to wear as well.
You may start to notice cracks and deep pits in your insoles. We aren’t referring to the wear that removes the brand name or logo from the insoles, but the kind of wear that goes deep and exposes other layers of the insole material. You might also see cracks or tears in the insole. When you notice any of these issues, it is time to replace your hiking boots,
If you don’t address this issue, you may develop blisters, discomfort, and joint pain.
Loose Stitching
Another tell-tale sign that you need new hiking boots is the stitching bocming loose or unraveling. This can be a sign of your boots getting old, or a sign of poor quality or manufacturing issues.
When the stitching in your boots start to fall apart, you may experience leaks. These stitching areas may also stretch into holes. This exposes your feet to the elements and items on the trail that cause cause injury or discomfort.
Cover photo by Tanya Pro on Unsplash
