There are several key factors to consider when purchasing hiking boots. Below, we break them down so you can find the best hiking boots for your needs.
1. Hiking Boots vs. Hiking Shoes
The hiking boot is quintessential backcountry footwear. Long before venturing into the woods was ever considered fun, explorers would slip their feet into a tough ol’ pair of boots. Compared to a mere shoe, boots offered more protection, better grip, and unmatched durability. And, despite the many revolutions in shoe textiles since then, boots have remained the hiker’s go-to choice.
Today, however, hiking shoes have gained unprecedented popularity. This has to do with modern fabrics and research into the physics of hiking. For instance, while an ankle boot does offer more stability, it restricts flexibility, which can lead to more serious ankle rolls when they do occur.
Many people, including thru-hikers, are opting for lighter footwear just as they’ve opted for lighter backpacks. As the old adage goes, “one pound on your feet equals five pounds on your back.” What it comes down to is this: a hiking boot will be more durable, more waterproof, and create less impact per step. A hiking shoe will be lighter, less tiring to wear, more breathable, and dry faster when wet. Best way to know what works for you is to experiment!
2. Weight
As features increase, so does weight. Things like metal hardware, added insulation, a taller support, and a thicker sole all go a long way in protecting your foot. But these will also contribute to quicker leg fatigue—especially on inclined terrain. If weight isn’t your top concern, you should still determine which features you need and which you don’t. That way, you’re not carrying more weight than you have to.
3. Materials
There are three main categories that materials fall into:
Synthetic
Synthetic is a broad category that includes all man-made materials. Synthetic materials of today tend to perform better in every category, such as breathability, weather-resistance, and durability. Of course, they won’t look nearly as cool as a pair of leather boots.
Suede & Nubuck
Folks often confuse suede for nubuck and vice versa. That’s because both have a ‘fuzzy’ look and feel, since both are made of sanded leather hides. The difference is that suede is the result of sanding the inside of the hide, while nubuck is the result of sanding the outside.
The practical difference is that suede is softer and nubuck more durable. You’ll notice that hiking boots which appear to be suede are actually nubuck. Because of its soft feel, suede is typically reserved for next-to-skin garments like gloves or boot interiors.
Full-Grain Leather
Any good leather boot will be made of full-grain leather—it is the toughest, highest-quality leather on the market. You may be used to seeing the term genuine leather on a lot of supposedly high-end products. Don’t be fooled. Genuine leather simply means that the material is technically leather, but it won’t tell you the actual grade of the leather.
4. Waterproofness
There’s nothing worse than feeling like every step you take is a barefooted one into a puddle. That’s why a boot that can withstand a serious downpour is a must. Always check the boot material construction: GORE-TEX is the most common waterproof fabric, while rubber outsoles like VIBRAM are also waterproof.
Areas of the boot made of a secondary fabric (like full-grain leather) should be treated with a waterproof coating by the manufacturer. You should also check the quality of the stitching, and whether you can lace the boot well enough to prevent water from entering from above.
5. Breathability
After waterproofness, breathability is the next most popular concern. Think about it: the most perfectly waterproof boot will still leave you feet soaking wet from sweat! Carefully consider a boot’s ventilation, as having a foot that can breathe is as important to staying dry as having a boot that repels water.
6. Soles & Traction
Traction is always important. Deeper grooves and multiple patterns on a boot’s outsole tend to provide more traction. That said, better traction also requires a thicker outsole. This is good because thicker outsoles reduce impact; however, they minimize your tactile feel of the trail. It’s important to decide how much traction you need to maintain a good grip.
7. Features
Here are a couple common features:
Rands
Toe and heel rands (more commonly known as toe and heel caps) provide wearers with additional protection against rocks and logs. In hiking boots, a rand is usually made from a thicker piece of rubber or leather, and is a common feature of many models.
Crampons
Crampons are an after-market feature that equip your boots to travel across snow and ice. They are a detachable outsole that consist of a frame and an array of metal spikes (either aluminum or steel), which penetrate into and grip icy/snowy terrain.
Crampons come in many varieties, from flexible to rigid, which vary according to the level of technicality required of them. Make sure the crampons you like are compatible with your particular boot.
8. Fit
Nothing beats trying on a pair of boots to determine their fit. Altitude Sports has an easy return policy, letting you try boots on, determining your best fit, and sending them back quickly and hassle-free to exchange if needs be.
Because all our feet are different, it’s important to go with a pair that feels like they were made for you. For those with wide feet, pay special attention to a boot’s narrowness: if your toes feel squished together, move on.
Winter hikers and thru-hikers should consider sizing slightly up. For the former, you’ll need the extra space for a thicker sock. For the latter, your feet will most certainly swell on the trail from so much hiking. On the other hand, you don’t want a hiking boot or shoe that feels too loose, either—this is a guaranteed road to blister-city.
And try your boots on after 2 PM, when your feet have swollen naturally, as they do every day.
