If the Shoe Fits: Practical Advice for Selecting the Right Hiking Shoe

I get gear questions here and there and selecting the right shoe for hiking is probably one I get the most of. Shopping for the right adventure and/or hiking shoe sounds intimidating in the beginning, but since I’m overdue for some hiking shoe upgrades myself in consideration of some bigger hikes I have coming up, I thought it would be fun to share my selection criteria for shopping for hiking shoes.

If you're going to really get serious about hiking, good hiking shoes are one of the biggest you'll ever make and that's why I don't undermine the importance of taking your time shopping for one. If you require a waterproof one, they could also cost a very pretty penny, and with a lot of options out there, it's best to at least take pause and think about how much mileage you'll be putting on those shoes and do your cost-benefit analysis.

1 Consider what you will be using hiking shoes for, the kind of terrain you intend to be in. Is it pretty much dry? Warm? Wet and rainy? Will you be snowshoeing in them? This will determine if you need waterproof shoes, or if you need a low or a mid boot. Personally, I default to shoes with Gore-tex or other waterproof technology just because one can never really predict the outdoors so better prepare for the worst of scenarios.

2 Do your feet run hot or cold? Mine run terribly hot (i.e. my feet sweat in sandals) so that means I can’t be comfortable in a high boot in the summertime. To someone like me, breathability is important that I would pay a premium for a breathable boot. Maybe you don’t care as much.

3 But whatever boot you choose, a good boot should always have a strong, sturdy ankle. You will be on these shoes hours at a time, on varying slopes and terrain, and it will be a complete nightmare to injure an ankle if you do fall because your boot didn’t have much support.

4 Mid, low or high? This will depend on what kind of hikes you will be doing and how much load you'll have on your back. If you’re backpacking and carrying a substantial amount of weight on your back, above ankle boots with a more rigid exterior will support all that weight. If you’re a day hiker, you would choose differently and maybe a low or mid hiking shoe, or even a trail runneris fine. I would be doing typically upwards of five miles a day I've narrowed my search to mid-ankle boots like the La Sportiva Synthesis Surround GTX pictured above or the North Face Ultra Fastpack Mid GTX below.

5 Consider trail runners if you’re only starting or only planning going on day hikes. A lot of them nowadays come with Gore-tex or similar waterproof membranes so in case the weather turns sour, or in case you have to hike over shallow pools of water, your comfort level will not be compromised. If you do go with trail runners, don’t compromise on ankle support. You never want your ankles exposed. The upside is if hiking does not agree with you, maybe you can start trail running instead!

6 Lightweight boots are high on my priority list especially since the pair I’m outgrowing feel clunky after a few miles. Especially if you’re intending to go on long hikes, the less weight – on your back, your clothes, on your feet – the better. Nowadays, they're making hybrid shoes that have the look, feel and weight of running shoes, but have substantial support. Consider the La Sportiva Synthesis Surround GTX or the Salomon X Ultra Mid II GTX as examples.

7 Hiking shoes have a break in period. You’re supposed to wear them – with socks – around the house or in small walks so they loosen up and conform to your feet. Technology is evolving though and the ones that look like running shoes that I favor are pretty much good to go right out of the box.

8 Brand names that I would trust are Merrell, La Sportiva, Ahnu, and Keen. Salomon, a French brand known more for skiing and snowsports, are venturing into hiking shoes. I'm testing out this brand this week and we'll see how they fare.

9 Style and substance matters – because I believe that reflects the kind of women that we are. I like shoes that celebrate my femininity with me. This is a recurring theme you will find on this blog. I refuse to conform to the idea that the outdoors are only for men or for women who don’t care either way. I have no problem being a chick, and I want my gear to reflect that. And I'm happy to see that female hiking boots vary in color now. Ahnu, in particular, seems to cater to women's styles without compromising on femininity.

10 And the only advice I have remaining is the tried and tested way of buying shoes, be it hiking or otherwise. Try them on. Our feet and arch requirements are so individual that there is no single formula for what would be the best one. Try them on at the latter part of the day when your feet have expanded (as they will when you’re hiking) and with socks that you will likely be wearing on hikes. When you try them on, try walking on inclines (a good outfitter like REI will have platforms that simulate a steep, uneven hiking grade). Unlike climbing shoes which feel like you’re one of the step sisters trying so hard to fit in Cinderella’s glass slipper, hiking shoes are supposed to have a teeny wiggle room at front of the shoe. When you’re descending, you would like to minimize that your toes are rubbing up against the front part of the shoe. If there’s any discomfort on the trial period, these will be amplified even more at the trail.

I would also highly suggest going with a brand with guarantees or at the very least, purchasing from a store like REI who will take your shoes back up to a year should you take them out on the trail and realize that they are not the right fit or they're giving you way too many hot spots. And speaking of REI, the member sale is going on until May 25th, so if you are in the market for new kicks that are on the pricey side, it's your chance to get at least 20% off!

#adventure #gear