A Guide to Choosing The Right Hiking Footwear

footwearhikingoutdoors

Mar 19

Written By Gianluca Todini

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Having the appropriate footwear can mean the difference between a memorable trip or a sore and blister filled nightmare.

But choosing the right pair of shoes and socks for your feet might not be as straightforward as it sounds, so let’s take a look at what you need to know:

# A, B, and C Categories

When buying trekking boots and shoes, you might have come across these letters, A, B and C.

What exactly do they mean?

A : Divided in A low (for shoes) and A mid (for boots). It’s the base category, indicating the footwear is suited for easy to medium level terrain, such as forest trails, hills and low mountain areas.
B : This category applies to sturdier and rigid boots, meant for long distance hiking and trekking with a heavy backpack. Boots in this category are suited for more difficult terrains, like mountain trails. The disadvantage is that they will be heavier and less flexible, as well as pricier.
C : The highest category for footwear, these boots are very rigid and heavy, only really suited for high altitude trekking, as they are much too heavy for any other use.

Categories are a bit generic, meaning two models from the same category could actually be designed for very different uses.

Because of this I don’t rely on them too much, but they are a good starting point.

# Boots, Shoes and Sandals

Depending on the type of terrain and the distance you’ll be hiking, you’ll need a specific type of footwear. Here are the main differences between the three:

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Boots are my go-to option for most outdoor activities. If you can get past the increased weight and the restricted ankle movement, they are the best choice.
Just remember that although the increased support does reduce the stress on your knees and ankles, the increased weight might put an extra strain on your leg muscles.
Shoes are ideal for minimalist and light travellers. They occupy less space inside your bag or luggage, and some models offer the same level of grip you may find on boots. The main drawback is that they offer little to no ankle support.
A broken or twisted ankle in the wild is not something I would recommend, so I would get something with better support if you’re heading for more extreme environments.
Sandals are good for short summer hikes and for sightseeing but that’s it. Their main advantage is of course their breathability, but that comes at the price of exposed skin and toes, as well as a flimsier construction that offers no ankle support.
Models that are made specifically for trekking do often have good soles with effective grip and cushioning, but nothing that can compare to a good pair of trekking boots or shoes.
If you’re planning a serious hike I would leave the sandals at home.

# Materials

Footwear is made with a combination of two materials, textile and leather.

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Leather is the best solution if you want your footwear to last as long as possible, as it outshines textiles when it comes to durability. It will also resist water longer than simple fabric. Leather does however need to be treated regularly with specific care products and is also heavier.
Most leather boots and shoes can have their soles replaced when damaged or overused. Remember to check if the model you want to buy has an “injected sole”, as those are never replaceable!

Textiles are generally cheaper, lighter and more breathable. Keep in mind that water will also pass through them very easily, unless they have a waterproof membrane or treatment. Models made mainly of textile are much less durable than leather, and will usually last a few years with regular use.
I would recommend them for warm climates and easy to medium difficulty terrains.
Most textile shoes and boots cannot have their sole replaced.

# Waterproof or Not?

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Waterproof boots and shoes have a membrane that stops water from coming in.

There are various technologies, the best one being Gore-Tex, followed by brand specific membranes like Texapore, from Jack Wolfskin, or M-Select DRY, from Merrell.

The only disadvantage of waterproof membranes is that they tend to retain heat and moisture inside the footwear. This makes them more adapted to a wet, mild or cold environment rather than a hot and very humid one.

# The Soles

There are two soles in shoes and boots, an insole and an outsole.

Insole: Responsible for supporting the arch and sole of the foot, as well as cushioning and comfort. The stock insoles in most footwear are unfortunately little more than carton and polyester, so I would recommend replacing them with something more ergonomic.
Some brands, like Sidas, make insoles that are specific for different feet shapes and arch height, meaning you can really maximise their effectiveness.

Always make sure that the insole is removable and never stack two on top of each other.
The insole of hiking footwear is always pre-shaped, meaning that a second insole on top would not be sitting flat inside the shoe. This can cause all sorts of stability issues and eventually severe inflammations of the tendons.
Outsole: Responsible for grip and shock absorption. The thickness, tread pattern and the type of rubber that is used will determine how effective your outsole is.
I recommend you go for footwear equipped with Vibram outsoles, they are widely considered to be the best on the market.

# Eyelets

The eyelets are the part of your footwear the laces are threaded through.

For max durability choose a model with metal eyelets instead of tissue. Tissue eyelets will wear overtime because of friction with the laces and will eventually rip. Once broken they are impossible to replace.

# Socks

When walking for a long time it’s normal to build up a sweat… don’t deny it, we’ve all been there!

The moisture created by the foot causes the socks to become humid. They then become heavier and loose cushioning, increasing the friction with the skin, which in turn forms blisters.

Hiking socks are meant primarily for cushioning and to evacuate sweat and moisture, keeping the foot as dry as possible, therefore reducing the chance of developing blisters. They are made mainly of synthetic materials, wool and cotton, each with their own characteristics:

Synthetic: They dry up very fast and are very breathable, but harden and smell terrible after a short use, meaning they need to be changed regularly. Best for short hikes in warm climates.
They can be used for long hikes, just remember to pack at least one pair per day.
Wool / Synthetic: 100% wool socks are very uncommon, and generally have a synthetic component. They dry up fast but are less breathable than synthetic socks. Because of the anti bacterial properties of wool, they remain comfortable and smell free for at least a few days.
These are best for long hikes in mild and colder climates.
Cotton / Synthetic: As with wool, cotton hiking socks have a synthetic component. They are breathable and comfortable but are very slow to dry.
Absolutely avoid 100% cotton socks for that same reason, they will take even longer. These are only good for short hikes in very dry climates.

Our favourite brand for hiking socks is Bridgedale. They offer a range of socks for all seasons and terrains, and we find them to be the most comfortable socks we have tried.

So far we have never suffered blisters while using them, and because most models are made of a wool / synthetic mix, they usually last us up to 3 days on the trail before needing to be changed or cleaned.

You might also enjoy checking out our full article on hiking socks here!