How to Choose the Best Hiking Shoe for You
Probably the most commonly asked question among hikers is “which hiking shoe is best?” This is a hotly debated topic; everyone swears by their favourite brands. A glance at social media hiking groups with this question will show you dozens, if not hundreds, of opinions. It is such a subjective topic and opinions are not facts. Is there a way to look at this objectively? Well… yes, and no. Let’s give it a try.
THE NUMBER ONE THING:
One thing that almost everyone does agree on is that the shoes must be comfortable. Feet come in many shapes and sizes, and different brands have different cuts. Trying on shoes from different brands is a must. Salomons are known for generally having a narrower cut than other brands, while Altra’s wide toe box is their big selling point. Either way, the fastest way to ruin your hike is getting blisters, so make sure that your shoes are comfortable. After that, you can start to look for more technical aspects to make sure that the shoe fits your needs.
THE RIGHT (AND ALSO THE L
EFT) SHOE FOR THE JOB:
The next thing to ask yourself when you go shoe shopping is what type of hiking are you going to be doing? Day hikes or overnight? What is the terrain? Do you hike in the Western Cape where fynbos eats shoes like a kid eats sugar? Gore-TexTM or not?
How much support do you need for your ankles, but also underfoot? The mid-sole can differ in stiffness, which equates to difference in support and stability; more stiff = more support.
Something else to consider – shoes have a “drop”, i.e., the difference in height from the heel to the toe (not to be confused with cushioning underfoot). The standard drop for most shoes is 8-12mm. The higher the drop, the more your knees and hips bear the load. A lower drop puts more load on your ankles and achilles tendon.
*Never go straight from a high drop to low drop. You will injure yourself and damage your achilles tendon. Do it slowly, over several months, by dropping in small increments
LOW ANKLE, MID ANKLE, OR HIGH ANKLE?
For on-trail day hikes with a light pack, a shoe with a low ankle cut Is sufficient. This style usually comes with a flexible midsole, breathable uppers, and are light. Trail running shoes generally fit this category.
For longer hikes, even overnight, with larger packs, a mid-cut style is a good place to start. These shoes, approach shoes, have sturdier uppers, a stiffer mid-sole and are more durable than trail running shoes.
For the serious adventurers who go off-trail or on multiday hikes with large packs, the high ankle support hiking boot is what you need. These boots are laced all the way up to provide a tight fit around the ankle. They have durable uppers, thick stiff midsoles and can last for years.
Each style of shoe has their own pros and cons:
| PROS | CONS | |
| TRAIL RUNNING SHOES | – Light
– Breathable – Less expensive – Flexible sole – Great for day hikes on trail |
– Not very durable
– Not waterproof – No support for ankle – Can’t support heavy packs |
| APPROACH SHOES | – Light, but more support than trail runners
– Can be waterproof – More cushioning – Stiffer midsole for stability – More durable |
– More expensive
– Can still be torn by fynbos/rough vegetation – Minimal ankle support |
| HIKING BOOTS | – Most durable
– Firm ankle support – Usually waterproof – Stiff midsole – Great support for heavy backpacks |
– Very expensive
– Heavy and bulky – Need to be broken in |
WHAT ELSE?
Once you know the style of shoe you want, you can have a look at “extras”.
Gore-TexTM immediately increases prices. It is a wonderful waterproofing material for clothing and shoes. However, this does severely impact its breathability. In South Africa, we generally have hot weather, and most people are fair weather hikers. Waterproof shoes are not always necessary. If you do a lot of hiking in rainy conditions, like summer in the Drakensberg, then it may be worth considering.
If you hike in the Western Cape, you’re going to want shoes with durable uppers. While mesh material would be more breathable for those hot summer days, your shoes simply won’t last long in the fynbos!
The grip on your shoe is also something to consider. If you’re going to be doing lots of hiking in wet, muddy conditions large, deep lugs offer more grip. Widely spaced ones help prevent mud from sticking in your boot. Some brands, like La Sportiva, have a dedicated “climbing zone” at the toes of their shoes for scrambling on more technical hikes. The different types of rubbers used by different brands also affect durability and grip (usually one or the other).
When you try on new hiking shoes, remember to try on a few different brands to find the right fit for you. Go at the end of the day (preferably a warm one), as your feet swell during the day (and on a hike). Wear thick hiking socks when trying on the shoes. If you wear orthotics, take those with you. Start with your normal shoe size but also try a size up. Our feet swell when we hike, and you need to have extra room in your shoe to account for this. Walk around in the shoes through the shop and up and down stairs if you can. If you can find an angled walkway, even better. Watch for hot spots (where the shoe rubs), squashed toes or toes hitting the front of the shoe.
SO, THE BEST SHOE IS…
Ultimately, it’s the one that is the most comfortable and suits your hiking needs. It is not necessarily the most expensive one, or the one that everyone else is wearing. Personally, I enjoy La Sportiva shoes, but I know of other hikers who swear by Vivo Barefoot, or Salomons, or Hokas, or Merrells, or Adidas Terrex or…
There are so many options out there. Have fun shopping, and more fun hiking!