Finding the right hiking shoes for you

Getting the right walking or hiking shoes for your feet and activity should not be difficult if you think about your purchase and what you want and expect from your shoes.

If you only intend to do short walks on even ground, then shoes often referred to as day hikers will be adequate. This kind of shoe is a more robust version of a sneaker or training shoe and it offers a more profiled sole and rigid construction. It is ideal for walking on good paths or level ground for 3 or 4 hours. It has a stylish sporting appearance and is usually available in different colours.

The type of walking shoe

If your plans include longer walks on rougher terrains, then something more like a hiking boot will be required. This kind of boot is designed to offer extra support to the feet and to prevent twisting whilst improve stability around the ankle area. These hiking boots also make walking whilst carrying a backpack easier and they will be less stressful on the feet, joints and muscles over longer treks.

As a general guide - the tougher the terrain and the more uneven and rugged the path, the higher the shoe upper, the stiffer the sole and the deeper the tread need to be.

Hiking boot materials

Breath-ability, waterproof-ness and durability are important features of any serious walking shoe or boot. There are a number of different materials available that mean that it is now possible to buy a walking shoe that is completely waterproof and resistant to rough treatment, whilst still being capable of allowing the feet to breathe (i.e. allowing water vapour to escape).

Naturally this kind of boot is not cheap, but these purpose designed boots will usually last for many years and really do meet their manufacturer’s claims.

There are several different synthetic materials that are widely regarded as being market leaders in this field and it can be a good idea to see if the boots that you are looking at are manufactured with one of these products.

Examples of (just some) of these materials include - Event, Coolmax, Goretex, Osprey, Equator, Merrill and Bridgedale, but many outdoor footwear manufacturers use their own equivalent. Leather is a natural alternative, but it requires more aftercare and maintenance and offer less breathe-ability.

Shoes or boots that are neither waterproof or breathable will prove a waste of money for anyone intending to take walking up as a serious hobby. The feet are the foundations of the body and, when those foundations are required to function on uneven and rocky terrain and on slopes and hillsides, good footwear is essential.