10 Best Hiking Shoes (Buyer's Guide)

Hiking shoe anatomy: Materials used and their benefits

People often underestimate hiking. While it may seem like a simple walk in the park, it actually requires endurance, stamina, and strength. The type of footwear to use will depend on the kind of hike you plan to pursue and your individual traits.

When it comes to gauging a hiking shoes’ performance comfort-, traction-, stability-, and durability-wise, it all boils down to the shoe’s configuration. To help you pick the best hiking shoe, here are the basic parts of the shoe, the materials commonly used for each, their benefits, and could-be-betters.

 

	Common Materials Used	Key Benefits	Could-be-betters
Upper	Leather (Suede/ Nubuck/ Full-grain)	- Durable (material can last for years) - Stable and supportive - Comfortable overtime (this material most often molds to the shape of the foot over time giving hikers a customized fit) - Feels warm (making it perfect for cold-weather conditions) - Naturally capable of repelling water	-Takes a long time to break-in -Full-grain leather shoes are heavier on the feet -Less breathable
	Synthetic Mesh/Nylon	-Breathable -Dries quickly -Weighs less -A more affordable option -Feels softer out of the box	-Prone to wear and tear -Provides limited support and stability -Tends to absorb water
Midsole	EVA	-Soft to mildly stiff cushioning underfoot -Much more flexible -Lightweight	-Less supportive -Tends to compress over time
	PU	-Supportive (helps when carrying a heavy pack) -Durable	-Feels stiff out of the box -Weighs more
	Nice to know: Some shoes are made with shanks or plates placed in between the midsole and outsole improving its stability. This equates to less foot-fatigue. The plates also prevent bruising underfoot caused by sharp rocks.
Outsole	Soft rubber	-Stickier -Flexible -Lighter -Best used when scrambling in rocky terrain	-Mediocre performance on muddy trails
	Hard Rubber	-Durable -Stable -More protective	-Lacks flexibility -Feels heavy underfoot -Less traction on sleek surfaces like wet rocks
	Nice to know: Deeper outsole lugs offer better grip on muddy terrain and shed debris with ease

 

Difference between waterproof, water-resistant, and water-repellent hiking shoes

When talking about hiking shoes, its ability to repel water is something worth considering especially when your adventure involves snowy or rainy weather conditions and trudging through muddy trails or crossing rivers and streams. However, labels like waterproof, water-repellent, and water-resistant often cause confusion. 

Well, you need not be confused after all. Decoding the labels is actually easy. Check out the table below.

 

	Water-resistant	Water-repellent	Waterproof
General characteristics	a tightly woven fabric that is naturally capable of resisting water upon contact	fabric treated with durable water-repellent (DWR) or hydrophobic chemicals	-fabric treated with DWR -have waterproofing membranes like Gore-Tex and OutDry -have seam-sealed construction for extra protection
Water protection level	low water protection	moderate water protection	high water protection
Water pressure resistance	0-5000 mm (no pressure or moisture)	6000-10000 mm (light pressure)	10000-20000 mm (high to very high pressure)
Weather conditions best used in	light rain shower and dry snow	light rain and average snow	moderate to heavy rain and average to wet snow

 

While waterproofing has its own set of benefits, this feature can be counterproductive especially in warmer conditions. Yes, we’ve all heard of their claims of being breathable. However, the fact remains that waterproof hiking shoes are less breathable than its non-waterproof or water-resistant counterparts. They also feel heavier underfoot.

So, if you’re prone to blisters (like everyone else are), then looking at breathable hiking shoes made of quick-drying materials is another great alternative. In case you’re worried about light rain and the like, you can always buy waterproofing sprays that can turn your regular kicks into repellent ones.

 

Your 5-step guide to choosing the best hiking shoes

After going through all the hiking shoe models in the list, picking the right one might still be challenging. Thankfully, there are a few expert tips which you just need to keep in mind in order to find the right one.

 

Know the duration and the difficulty level of the hike

The difficulty and the duration of the hike are two things you ought to consider when selecting your next pair of hikers. A more strenuous type of terrain will require shoes that are more stable, supportive, and durable. 

When it comes to difficulty, the National Park Service (NPS) classifies the trails into 5 difficulty levels - easy to very strenuous. Below you’ll find what type of shoe works best for each difficulty level. 

 

 

NOTE: The weather condition or season will definitely affect your choice. Hiking during the summer will require you to wear breathable kicks. On the one hand, insulated hiking shoes are recommended for winter hiking.

 

The weight of your pack matters

The load you carry on your back has the most impact on you during your hike. Thus, packing light and bringing just the essentials is always a good practice. 

There are times though that you can’t avoid carrying a heavy pack especially when thru-hiking or backpacking. When the trip calls you to carry loads on your back, make sure to find shoes that offer ample lateral support (disregard this if you have strong ankles).

 

Take a closer look at your feet

Knowing your foot type makes a whole lot of difference. Aside from gauging if your feet are wide or narrow, determining your arch type would also help you figure out which shoe will work best for you.

 

 

Find the perfect fit and right size

Finding the perfect fit and right size can be a bit tricky especially for a first-timer. However, getting the best fit ain’t that hard if you follow these 6 simple tips.

Go shoe shopping in the afternoon. Expect your feet to swell after a day of activities. The same thing happens when hiking. So, it’s best to try on those new hikers late in the afternoon to get the best fit.

Try it on, lace it up, and check for pressure points. There should be a thumb’s width space between your toes and the front of your shoes. If your feet move from side to side, then the hiking shoes are too wide. It should feel snug - comfortable and non-constricting. 

Make sure to try the shoes with your hiking socks on. Bring the socks that you plan to wear with your hikers when shoe shopping. Avoid using cotton since this type of fabric retains moisture and fails to provide insulation. Instead, choose wool or synthetic socks.

Take your preferred insoles or orthotics with you. Default insoles often leave users disappointed. Aftermarket insoles or your custom orthotics can greatly improve the fit of the shoe. If this fails, you can always try another pair from another brand.

Use the ramp and walk up and down. This tests the shoe’s snugness. When you go up the board, observe for any heel lift. When you go down, check if your toes hit the front of the shoes. If your heel rises more than a quarter of an inch or if your toes hit the front, adjust the laces or try sizing up.

Make sure to break in your shoes before your trip. Hiking shoes, especially the heavy, leather ones, require a different break-in time. Start small by wearing the shoes inside your house with your preferred socks. This might feel awkward but in the end, your feet will surely thank you). From there, increase your miles gradually. 

 

 

Learn a few lacing techniques

Knowing a few lacing techniques might sound elementary, but this can actually help you avoid unnecessary mishaps when hiking. Lacing too loose might not give you the support you need while lacing it too tight may lead to blisters and hotspots. Here are a few techniques worth learning to remedy the most common foot problems when hiking.