Hiking Boots & Footwear: What
Makes a Hiking Boot Great?

Evaluate hiking boots and footwear for comfort, protection, and durability...

Day Hiking (Light-weight)Do you usually go for short hikes for one to several hours during the week or weekend without a backpack? Then you'll want to consider these. They're lighter, flexible, and breathe better because they're usually made of fabric and split-grain leather. They're comfortable for day outings but you'll become fatigued and your feet will begin to bother you if you try to hike with a pack or for an extended trip because they aren't designed to support you like the hiking boots below.

Backpacking/Hiking (Mid-weight)Stiffer mid-weight hiking boots provide more support and protection for shorter 2-3 day trips or even day hikes with or without a light to moderate load. If you hike for a few hours and want more support and/or up to three days on or off-trail on easy to moderate trails get a mid-weight leather backpacking boot.

Extended Backpacking (Mountaineering)The best level of support, protection, and durability for heavier loads and longer trips. Supports heavy loads of approximately 40+ pounds (could vary with hiking boot). If you hike for more than three days on or off-trail with a moderate to heavy pack on demanding terrain get an extended (heavy weight) backpacking boot. If you need to attach crampons for glaciers check to make sure the boots are compatible before you buy. For cold-weather hiking it's critical to get waterproof insulated boots that breathe to keep you dry.

Full-grain leather and Nubuck suede take water repellant products well but keep in mind that they won't waterproof a hiking boot NOT designed to be waterproof in the first place. The repellant will help shed water but if you're walking through streams or deep puddles you're going to get wet.

You may or may not need waterproof hiking boots. Consider the environment you usually hike in and how long your trips are. If you do a lot of short desert hiking trips you probably don't need waterproof boots. Actually in a dry environment they'll only make it harder for your feet to breathe (more numerous or heavy layers mean less breatheability). Nylon mesh fabric breathes better than leather, but remember you're making tradeoffs for durability, support, and protection.

But waterproofing is important if your feet might get wet especially on trips longer than a few hours when you can't change your wet hiking boots and socks. Waterproofing helps to keep your feet dry and helps prevent skin breakdown because wet skin is much more fragile. There are different types of waterproofing and they're not created equally.

Waterproof leather is usually combined with waterproof construction like fewer seams, sealed seams, and specialized stitching to help keep hiking boots dry but you're relying on the precision of the manufacturer to keep you dry. One leak at a needle hole or a worn area that causes a blow-out is all it takes and you're wet.

Waterproof breathable liners like Gore-Tex or a similar product that's built into the hiking boot are the best way to keep dry. Even if an outside seam or needle hole leaks the liner is still between you and the leak. Like anything, how long it works depends on what's protecting the membrane and how well you care for it. If you take care of them right the liner should outlast the life of the boot. Fabric and split-grain boots require liners to make them waterproof.

Another albeit not perfect solution, is to wear Gore-Tex socks inside your hiking boots.

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Fit:

New boots can feel stiff but they should still be comfortable. If one of your feet is bigger than the other get the larger size and then use an extra sock on the smaller foot to adjust the fit. Try out your new hiking boots at the end of the day when your feet are the most swollen with the socks and/or liners you'll be wearing on your trip to check fit before you leave.

Lace up your hiking boots snugly. The ball and arch of your foot should feel snug but you should be able to curl your toes without pain. Your toes should have enough room to move up and down and have room in front so they don't get "smooshed" on descents, and provide protection if you stub your toe but not be sloppy. Your heel should be securely cupped and not move excessively or feel like it's floating, to help prevent blisters. This isn't a time to be vain and get a smaller size than what you really should.

Make sure you break them in before you go on a trip. Light-weight hiking boots need a shorter break in. And if you're a serious hiker heavy-weight boots can take 50+ miles, so you'll definitely want to break them in. Take a few 10 mile day hikes before you go on a long trip.

Hiking Boot Parts:

Gusseted Tongue- No this isn't a new type of of tongue piercing. :-) A gusseted tongue simply means it's attached to both sides of the boot. It helps prevent scree, dirt, and water from working their way inside your hiking boots and bugging the living daylights out of you. :-)

Heel- Your hiking boots should have a lightly padded Achilles notch (cutout) for comfort to avoid chafing your Achilles tendon area above your heel.

Insole- The part that sits directly underneath your foot inside the boot. This offers extra cushioning and protection from shock. Stock insoles that come with most hiking boots and shoes are often less than what they could be. I recommend getting a good insole, they make a world of difference.

Mid-sole- The part of the sole just above the out-sole and below the insole. This layer acts as a shock absorber and can consist of EVA (expanded vinyl acetate) which offers a "cushy" ride but wears quickly or polyurethane which offers a firmer ride and lasts longer.

Out-sole- The outer grippy part of the sole made of rubber or better yet Vibram. Deeper lugs provide more aggressive traction for steep grades and off-trail excursions. Dual-density offer a combination durability and grip.

Rand- A rubber strip just above the sole that runs around the boot to protect the upper from abrasion, and keep it looking new longer.

Shank- Provides support for your arch. Usually made of nylon or steel, nylon is lighter and as an added bonus doesn't embarrass you when walking through airport metal detectors. :-)

Toe Box and bumper- I can't tell you how many times this has saved my toes from being bashed into rocks and/or logs etc.

Uppers- This is the part of the boot that's above and attached to the sole by cement or stitching. It can be made of full-grain leather, split-grain leather (suede), Nubuck suede (full-grain leather that's been sanded to resemble suede), or fabric. Full-grain leather holds up the best, is the most supportive, and is very resistant to water.

To summarize:

Your hiking boots are one of the most important investments you'll make related to your hiking gear and equipment used for camping.

If you're serious, get waterproof breathable liners unless you only do day hiking and never encounter rain, mud, or snow. The extra peace-of-mind is worth the $20 or so.

Light-weight Fabric/suede hiking boots are lighter, more flexible, and breathe better and they trade this for long-term durability, support, and protection. This type of hiking boot would be great for day trips without a pack.

Mid-weights: Mid-weight boots are stiffer and provide more support and protection for shorter 2-3 day trips or even day hikes with no to a moderate load. If you hike for a few hours or up to 3 days, want more support on or off-trail, and hike easy to moderate trails get a mid-weight leather backpacking boot.

Extended Backpacking:The best level of support, protection, and durability for heavy loads and longer 3+ day trips on or off-trail on difficult terrain. Check for crampon compatibility, insulation, and waterproof breathable liners for cold weather.

A light or mid-weight boot is a good place to start for your first hiking boot.

If you're looking for a backpacking boot or a more supportive hiking boot I recommend the Montrail - Torre GTX for women's hiking footwear or the Montrail - Torre GTX for men's hiking boots. And I recommend getting them through Zappos as they've achieved a 97% positive rating by over 50,000 customers on Bizrate since 2000 so they're doing something right. They also offer free shipping, great customer service and a 110% guarantee.

I hope my hiking boots and footwear guide has helped put you on the way to a better trip. :-)