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Lace ’em up; wax ’em down; stomp on through; move on out. I could go through the whole
lyrical song and dance when it comes to buying hiking boots—what I wore hiking to Everest
base camp, what gets me through a 30-mile day, what kept my feet dry through the South
Asian Monsoon. But you didn’t come here to read my walking resume. Instead, let’s look
at the facts and learn to cut through the mud when you go shopping for your next set
of hiking footwear. Great footwear is the key to great hikes.
If the Shoe Doesn’t Fit, Don’t Wear It
Finding the right hiking boot comes down to fit, weight, and durability. But nothing
matters more than having comfortable feet when you walk—not style, price, or anything
a brilliant salesman tells you. If the shoe doesn’t fit, don’t wear it. Different brands
have different cuts, and the perfect boot for one individual might be the worst for
another. For instance Merrell makes fantastic boots, generally they fit wide feet.
Vasque on the other hand is known for a slimmer design. But it’s impossible to say one company is better than the
other.
- Allow for stretching
I prefer leather boots, and we’ll get to that in a moment. But if you do go with
leather, remember that your boots will stretch as you break them in, sometimes as much
as a half size. For this reason I like to size new boots a little on the snug side.
If you go for a nylon or mesh material, this is less important, and you can choose a
fit that feels right on day one.
- Fitting the heel cup
Your heel should fit comfortably in its little cup in the rear of the boot, meaning you
should feel the curve of the back of the boot matching, not colliding with, the natural
curve of your Achilles tendon. When your laces are tied and your feet secured snugly
against the heel of the boot (because you always lace up a boot with your heel on the
ground and your foot pressed towards the back), your heel should slide up and down no
more than a quarter of an inch. Any more and your boot is too big. And if you feel
something sharp or an uncomfortable rubbing, you can be sure it will feel worse on the
trail.
- Toe fit
Your toes should be about a half inch from the front of the boot and be bound securely
on the sides, right around the end of your arch/ball of your foot. Make sure the boot
flexes in the right place for your foot—at the last knuckle on your big toe. If the
boot’s natural breaking point is ahead of or behind your foot’s, you’re in for
trouble.
- The arch
Lastly, pay attention to where the arch fits your foot. Does it wrap around snugly and
provide the support you need? Or is it too far forward or back, and loose, allowing your
foot to slosh from side to side. One good indicator is the space between the eyelets on
the top of your boot when it’s laced up. If the laces pull both sides together so
they’re touching, the boot is too big for your foot. Not close enough, and you’re
likely squeezing into a suffocating fit. About a half-inch to an inch of space is
best.
One more thing to consider is the type of sock you’ll wear with your new boots. With a
heavy winter boot you’ll need to leave room for a thick wool sock, a lightweight summer
boot and you might just wear a light athletic sock. Try your boots with different sock
types in the store and walk around in them for awhile before buying.
Weight and Durability
Boots come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and it’s not just a matter of choosing which
one looks best or feels best, but which one meets your needs. Who wants to wear a pair
of five-pound leather waterproof boots for a flat summer hike without a pack? You’ll
wear yourself out. But if you head on a multi-day trip with a flimsy pair of souped-up
trail runners, you’ll wind up with blisters, strained calves, and a sprained ankle.
You want a boot that gives you maximum foot and ankle support, but also maximum
flexibility, all with as little weight as possible. This might mean you own several
pairs and can choose which one is best for a certain outing.
- Lightweight
Many lightweight boots are made of nylon or mesh, with leather reinforcements at the
wear points. These are great for hot summer days, short walks, or longer excursions
without a heavy pack. They allow for the most breath-ability and ventilation, are
featherweight, and least expensive. Typically, these boots do not have a metal or
plastic shank to reinforce the sole, and thus remain flexible and sensitive. On the
downside, nylon is less durable than leather is, and there are more seams between
the material types, so you can’t expect them to last quite as long. These boots will
also be less waterproof unless you choose one with a waterproof-breathable membrane
like Gore-Tex; and they won’t provide the ankle and foot support you need for extended
heavy use. Lightweight boots can cost as little as $50 or as much as $150. Generally,
you get what you pay for.
- Midweight
Midweight boots, with a few exceptions, are all leather, allowing for greater durability
and better protection from objects along the trail. The leather is less breathable,
even with a Gore-Tex liner, but can be highly waterproof if treated correctly. Often
the boot is constructed from multiple pieces of leather sewn together, so beware of
possible tear points and potential water leaks. A steel or plastic reinforcement in
the arch or part of the boot sole allows for greater stability and less foot fatigue
on a rough trail, but also allows for flexibility and softer walking. Generally, a
midweight boot is suitable for everything from light walking to summer backpacking,
and they cost between $125 and $225.
- Heavyweight
Beasts of the trail, these are the heavyweight lug sole boots your parents used to wear,
but they’ve gotten better. One-piece leather (or sometimes plastic) construction means
there’s no seams for water leaks, and you get greater ankle and calf support. A 3/4 or
full-length shank makes for a stiff sole. While this is ideal for steep walking,
carrying loads, and snow or ice travel, walking for extended periods on flat terrain
can feel a bit like walking around with your knees locked. Many molded soles fit
step-in crampons (Metal spike contraptions for mountaineering and ice climbing) should
you need them. The boots weigh in at around five pounds, too, so before buying a
pair, make sure you really need them. Before you balk at the $175 to $275 price tags,
remember that these things will last you a lifetime.
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Boots to Buy |
Merrell Blast
At two and a half pounds this is a great lightweight, all-leather hiking boot. It
comes in a men’s and women’s fit, has great tread, and will be soft but
durable. Perfect for long-day hikes, with or without a light pack. $140.
5.10 Mountain Master Approach Shoe
This is my choice for everything from light hiking, to fast-paced summer peak
bagging. They cost about $90, and for that you get a souped-up trail runner with
hiking boot features. Sticky rubber soles make for great traction on and off the
rock (you can climb in these!), and they’ll outlast anything else in their class.
Low cut makes for maximum flexibility. They’re good for long miles and steep
terrain, but not great for carrying a load.
La Sportiva AT
Designed to meet the needs of Appalachian Trail hikers, these things are all
leather, feature a half-length steel shank in the sole, and weigh in at a modest
two and a half pounds. These boots fit a narrow foot well, but will stretch.
Take La Sportiva’s unparalleled reputation for quality and the $155 price tag
and you’ve got a pretty nice mid-weight boot.
Merrell Explorer
On the heavier side of midweight, the Explorer is a nice slim design, all leather
construction, with a heavy enough sole to go tromping through some pretty rough
and wet terrain. Vibram soles give great traction. This boot is ideal for weekend
backpackers and explorers who like to get off the beaten track. $150.
La Sportiva M-Hike
The younger brother of Sportiva’s famous boot, the Makalu, this one comes in just
a little but lighter. It’s a phenomenal choice for heavy backpacking, snow
climbs, and light mountaineering, and will fit crampons should you need them.
The soles are sturdy and great on trail or on the occasional technical rock face,
but they are soft enough to allow for comfortable walking. Despite its appearance,
this is not a full-on mountaineering boot. $225.
Merrell Wilderness
Merrell has been making this boot for a long time, and for good reason: It’s
the classic hiking boot, in both design and function. Sturdy, one-piece leather
construction provides excellent support and high waterproof quality. The sewn-on
Vibram sole provides the best trail traction you can get and is easily replaceable
when your boots outlast the rubber. Once you’ve worn these for a few miles, they
conform to your feet and become a part of you. Try ’em out. $230 and worth every
penny.
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