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If there’s one body part that can leave you feeling like you want to call it quits on a hike – it’s your feet. Hiking boots are clearly an essential for any hiker, but there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Your feet are unique to you, and will require a bit of trial and error to find the right hiking boots for your individual needs. Check out our guide on how to choose a pair of hiking boots, including a rundown of the best hiking boot materials, hiking boot brands, and more.
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What are Hiking Boots?
Hiking boots are made to support and protect your feet when walking on tough terrain. Although there’s an increasing trend toward trail runners for lighter, faster hikes, there is no denying the reliability of hiking boots to support you on longer, technical walks. Hiking boots are usually made up of three main components: a grippy rubber sole, a cushioned midsole, and a comfortable upper fabric. The upper is typically constructed from either leather or synthetic materials (or a combination of the two). Many hiking boots will feature a waterproof membrane like GORE-TEX to keep your feet dry in wet conditions.
Choosing the Best Hiking Boots For You
There are many different factors to consider when choosing the best pair of hiking boots for you. Everyone's feet are different, so it’s important to think first and foremost about the size, width and shape of your own feet. You’ll also want to consider the type of terrain and conditions you’ll be tackling in your boots, as well as your budget. We can look at these factors in terms of three main pillars: style, materials and brand.
Hiking Boot Materials
Firstly, it can help to get a grasp on the materials used in the construction of hiking boot uppers. There are four main hiking boot materials available, and each have their benefits and drawbacks.
Full-grain leather: The most hardwearing of all the upper materials, full-grain leather can be found on most traditional hiking boots. Hiking boots with full-grain leather are made to last, and are typically designed for extended trips, tough trails, and heavy loads. Although they take a good few outings to fully break in, full-grain leather can last for over a decade with proper care.
Nubuck leather: A sort-of bridge between full-grain leather and suede, nubuck leather is a softer leather that has been sanded down to resemble suede, providing more scratch resistance. It requires a little more maintenance than full-grain leather because of its softness, but otherwise resists water and abrasion similarly to a full-grain.
Suede: Suede or split-grain leather is the softest and most lightweight leather option. It’s less durable than other leathers, but its softness provides unmatched comfort and a much shorter break-in period. It’s also more breathable than thicker leathers, and comes in at a lower price point.
Synthetic: Synthetic materials like nylon and polyester provide increased breathability, have a shorter break-in period, and offer more value for money. The trade-off for this is reduced durability, and they’re generally suited to less technical trails. As such, synthetic fabrics are often used in combination with leather to provide a balance between weight and durability. It’s worth bearing in mind that synthetics are not water resistant, so many synthetic boots will feature a waterproof membrane which in turn can hinder breathability.
Hiking Boot Styles
Hiking Shoes: Okay, so not technically a boot. But hiking shoes are worth a mention because they are great for lighter day hikes, and especially on hot days. They're less supportive, but are a lot more breathable and comfortable than a boot. Trail runners can also be a great option if going ultralight is your thing. For more info, check out our article on hiking boots vs trail runners.
Lightweight Hiking Boots: This type of boot is usually made with a synthetic/suede upper for breathability and comfort, and can often be lower cut than traditional hiking boots to save on weight. They’re best for day hikes and shorter backpacking trips carrying a light to moderate load, and will suit most types of terrain you’d encounter on a multiday trip.
Heavyweight Hiking Boots: Heavy traditional hiking boots are made to tackle long distances over rough terrain with a heavy load. Usually constructed with tougher leathers and a solid sole, they’ll take a lot longer to break in than most other types of hiking boots. The benefits are that they will last a long time and support both your feet and body through any type and length of trip.
Mountaineering Boots: Mountaineering boots are solid, durable boots designed for the lengthiest trips and most technical terrain. Unless you are venturing high above the treeline in winter, you probably don’t need to consider a mountaineering boot.
Hiking Boot Brand Differences
Scarpa: Founded in the Dolomites, Scarpa is renowned for making quality leather hiking, climbing, and mountaineering footwear. There’s no denying that Scarpa boots are expensive, but they are guaranteed to last in your outdoor wardrobe for years.
Merrell: Merrell is a trusted outdoor footwear brand that prioritises accessibility to the outdoors. They believe that the trail is for everyone, and as such produce high-quality footwear at a range of price points. Their extensive and reliable Moab range has been a fan-favourite for over a decade.
Salomon: Salomon is the master of fast-and-light trail footwear. Founded in the French Alps, they manufacture a range of quality footwear and clothing for hiking, trail running, and snowsports. If you want a lightweight, technical, modern hiking shoe, then look no further.
Altra: Altra’s USP is comfort above all else. Starting out primarily as a running brand to help people run naturally, their product range has evolved to include hiking footwear. Their signature cushioned Zero Drop platform and FootShape toe box provides unrivalled comfort, particularly for wide feet.
FAQs About Hiking Boots
Can You Run in Hiking Boots?
It is not advisable to run in hiking boots. Hiking boots are designed with stability in mind, and are too rigid to offer the comfort that you’ll need to run across technical terrain. Instead, we’d recommend a pair of trail running shoes that will offer more flexibility and cushioning.
Are lightweight boots hiking appropriate?
Lightweight hiking boots are a great option for day hikes and shorter backpacking trips. They can offer more breathability and flexibility than a traditional heavyweight hiking boot, but can still provide adequate support on most types of terrain.
Are hiking boots comfortable?
It may take a few wears, but hiking boots are incredibly comfortable once you have broken them in. Some lightweight synthetic hiking boots require no breaking in at all, but traditional leather boots can take anywhere up to a month. We’d recommend wearing your leather boots around the house for a few hours a day across a week-long period before taking them out on the trail, to ensure maximum comfort.
How do you care for a pair of hiking boots?
To get the most out of your hiking boots, you’ll need to look after them properly. When you return from a hike, make sure that you remove all mud and dirt from your footwear and ensure that they are thoroughly clean. It can also be useful to apply a conditioning or waterproofing treatment to your boots before you take them out, and between wears, which helps to prevent cracking and will prolong the life of your boots. Check out our care guide for more information on how to care for your hiking boots.
Do hiking boots prevent ankle injuries?
Compared with a hiking shoe or trail runner, hiking boots can provide more ankle support on technical terrain when ankle twists and sharp movements are more common. However, do keep in mind that no hiking boot will provide full protection from ankle injury. If you have existing ankle injuries, it’s recommended to check with your healthcare practitioner to advise on the best course of action.
Discover Quality Hiking Equipment at Paddy Pallin
At Paddy Pallin, we stock hiking and bushwalking footwear for all experience levels. Check out our range of men’s hiking boots and women’s hiking boots online, or pop in to your local Paddy’s store to try a few pairs for yourself!
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