I still remember my very first mountain hike, the iconic Mount Sinai in Saint Catherine, Egypt. It was an unforgettable experience: the sunrise hues, the breathtaking views, the sense of achievement after the rigorous 750 steps at the end… and the hole it left in my shoes! You can probably guess what happened; I had no idea how to choose hiking shoes. In fact, I didn’t even realize I needed special shoes for hiking in the first place.

In my defense, I was on a trip to Dahab, and I hadn’t even planned to go to Saint Catherine. The whole thing was spontaneous. However, I was young and stupid at the time and didn’t know any better. Now, I take hiking gear on trips where hiking is possible, just in case. And the most important of all is a decent pair of hiking shoes to guarantee your comfort, safety, and the best performance. 

So, if you don’t want to end up with blisters, sore feet, or a hole in your shoes like young Nadine, read along as I guide you through choosing the right hiking shoes. 

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How to Choose Hiking Shoes: Know All the Different Types of Hiking Footwear

Before diving into how to choose hiking shoes, it’s important to understand that there are different types of hiking footwear. Here’s a simplified breakdown that’ll help you get started: 

Hiking Sandals

As the name suggests, these sandals are super lightweight, breathable, and ideal for hot climates or trails that include water crossings. 

• Pros: Fast-drying, breathable, and easy to pack.
• Cons: Lack of toe protection and less ankle support.
• Best for: Summer hikes, travel days, and mixed trains that include water crossings.
• Models to check out: the Teva Women’s W Terra Fi 5 Universal Sport Sandal and the Teva Men’s Hurricane XLT2 Sandal.

Trail Running Shoes

Unlike regular running shoes, these have a great grip with soles made for hiking trails. They’re also super lightweight, flexible, and breathable. 

• Pros: Fast-drying, breathable, and comfortable.
• Cons: Less ankle support and a lack of durability on rocky terrains.
• Best for: Day trips, short hikes, and easy trails.
• Models to check out: the Salomon Women’s Sense Ride 5 Hiking Shoe and the Salomon Men’s Sense Ride 5 Hiking Shoe.

Hiking Shoes

Hiking shoes are low-cut sneakers, but with better traction and durability than trail running shoes, offering the perfect balance between comfort and grip.

• Pros: Good traction, durability, and better support.
• Cons: Not ideal for muddy or extremely rocky terrain.
• Best for: Moderate hikers who want one pair for both walking and light hiking. 
• Models to check out: the Merrell Women’s Moab 3 Hiking Shoe, the Merrell Men’s Moab 3 Hiking Shoe, and the Columbia Women’s Peakfreak Rush Outdry Hiking Shoe.

Hiking Boots

This option offers excellent mid to high ankle support. It also comes with sturdy soles, often weather-resistant, and is designed for long or technical trails.

• Pros: Excellent ankle support, durability, weather resistance, and ideal for rugged terrain.
• Cons: Heavier and take longer to break them in.
• Best for: Long hikes, multi-day treks, mountainous terrain, and backpacking trips.
• Models to check out: the Merrell Women’s Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots, the Merrell Men’s Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boot, and the Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped Hiking Boot.

Alpine Hiking Boots or Mountaineering Boots

If you’re opting for more advanced, technical treks, then you might want to look into these two options. These hiking boots are much stiffer and more robust, specially designed for high-altitude climbing and extreme weather conditions. 

Mountaineering boots are specialized, heavy-duty boots with insulation and stiff soles with crampons for extreme environments; think Everest Base Camp. On the other hand, Alpine hiking boots are a more supportive and stiffer category of hiking boots for challenging, but less extreme terrain.

• Pros: Designed for extreme weather conditions like snow, ice, and high altitude. 
• Cons: Too heavy and expensive, and not suitable for regular hikes. 
• Best for: Technical hikes and alpine expeditions.
• Models to check out: the La Sportiva Men’s Nepal Cube GTX Mountaineering Boots and the SCARPA Men’s Mont Blanc Pro GTX Waterproof Gore-Tex Boots for Hiking and Mountaineering.

How to Choose Hiking Shoes: What to Consider?

Now that you know your hiking footwear, it’s time to learn how to choose the right one for you. To do so, you need to understand that there are several decision factors that you need to consider first. 

#1 Terrain and Trail Type

The first decision factor you need to consider is the terrain type of the hike you’re attempting. If the terrain is flat and on the easy difficulty level, then opt for lighter hiking shoes. On the other hand, if it’s a steep rocky terrain with an uneven surface, you might need to look at hiking boots with ankle support and a good grip. And if you’ll be hiking in a wet, muddy environment, then you’ll need waterproof hiking boots with grippy soles.

#2 Duration and Load

How long is your hike, and how much will you be carrying? You might wear light, breathable hiking shoes for a day hike (if it’s an easy one). Meanwhile, multi-day treks would require sturdier hiking boots with ankle support, especially if the trek’s unsupported and you’ll be carrying a backpack and not just a daypack.

#3 Footwear Material and Water Resistance

The previous two factors will help you decide which footwear material is best for you. Synthetic footwear is lighter to travel with and fast-drying. Meanwhile, leather hiking boots are less breathable, but they’re more durable for more challenging hikes. 

Water resistance is also an important factor to consider. To simplify things, go for a waterproof pair for wet conditions and a non-waterproof one for hot, dry, desert hikes. That said, your hiking style will most likely help you choose the perfect pair.

#4 Breathability and Weight

Breathability is another important decision factor. It often comes with lightweight, but you’d need to trade off protection if you opt for this. It really depends on the climate and hiking conditions, and it’s sometimes a personal preference.

#5 Fit and Comfort

Always prioritize comfort over style to avoid blisters and injuries. For instance, as a tall girlie, I often have trouble finding my size as I have big feet. I wear size 41 in the EU, which is 9.5 in the US, and in some brands, it is 10 or even 10.5! That’s why, most of the time, I look at unisex designs in the men’s department. In fact, both of my hiking boots are men’s boots. So, don’t limit yourself to hiking shoes for women if you have a challenging size. 

My Favorite Hiking Footwear

A decade ago, I had no clue how to choose hiking shoes, and a hole in my Adidas was the physical proof of it. Fast-forward to this day, and I proudly own a couple of pairs that I absolutely love. It only took one travel mishap and a lot of research. Here are my favorite hiking footwear that I highly recommend:

Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus II Suede Waterproof Hiking Boot 

• Even though it doesn’t look like it, it’s actually breathable and waterproof thanks to Columbia’s Omni-Tech technology, which keeps your feet dry and comfortable.
• They’re on the bulky side of hiking boots, but for leather ones, they’re considered pretty lightweight. 
• It offers both good midsole cushioning and a reliable outsole with a decent grip.
• They’re super stylish; they come in different colors as well, but I have the elk/mountain red ones.
• Also available in women’s sizes.

Merrell Alverstone Mid GTX 

• Merrell’s GORE-TEX technology offers enhanced waterproofing and breathability.
• The outsole offers a strong grip, which helped me embark on moderate, rocky terrains.
• This pair is quite versatile; I’ve worn it on mixed terrains, multi-day hikes, as well as day hikes. 
• They barely needed any time to break them in; they’re my comfiest pair. 
• They’re super durable as well. I’ve worn these in Petra, on a multi-day trek in Saint Catherine, and on multiple-day hikes, and they’re still pretty reliable and comfortable.

P.S.If you’re looking for something more robust for a more rugged terrain, the Moab 3 GORE-TEX might be a great upgrade. The Vibram outsole feature offers quality traction, and it’s also a sturdier pair with enhanced support that is ideal for more challenging hikes.

How to Choose Hiking Shoes: Trying and Testing Before Buying

Making sure your choice of hiking shoes is suitable for the terrain(s) you’ll be hiking is not enough. You need to test them out and make sure they’re literally the right fit for you! Here are a few tips on how to choose hiking shoes before buying them:

• Try out the new shoes at the end of the day when your feet are already worn out to see whether they’re comfy enough.
• Wear hiking socks or the ones you’ll be wearing on the hike.
• Always opt for ankle support when choosing the design to minimize the chances of injury.
• Put your index finger behind your ankle to make sure the shoes aren’t too tight.
• Make sure your heel isn’t moving up and down and that it’s well-supported.
• Walk around the store long enough to see how comfortable you are in the pair.
• Break in your shoes by wearing them multiple times before any big hike to avoid blisters.
• Try to buy the shoes at a store rather than making an online purchase, but if that’s inevitable, check return/exchange policies for online orders.
• If you’re a woman with big feet like yours truly, don’t limit yourself to hiking shoes for women. Both of my hiking boots are actually from the men’s department.

In a nutshell…

The best hiking shoes for you depend on your hiking style, the terrain you’ll be exploring, and most importantly, your comfort. Take the time researching and testing available options before you make your final choice. And now that you know how to choose hiking shoes, which ones are you considering? Drop your favorite picks in the comments below!

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• The Ultimate Hiking Packing List: Must-Have Gear and Essentials
• 9 Proven Tips for Hiking Beginners – First Time on Trail

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