A good pair of hiking shoes is essential for enjoying the mountains with peace of mind and safety. Let's not follow fashion, but our real needs and the advice of an expert salesperson.
Every hiker has, at some point, had to choose a new pair of boots. The first time, as beginners, perhaps too hasty, we left it a bit to chance. Now, attached to those old, worn-out boots, no longer reliable but a souvenir of so many adventures (and so many blisters), we want to make a more considered choice. Looking around, we realise how hard it is to find our way through the sea of offers and features on the market.
How do you choose a pair of hiking boots?
The common denominator of all the choices is walking, or rather, our way of walking. So we must bear in mind which routes we want to tackle, their technical level, the characteristics of our feet and of the way they meet the ground. There is no kind of shoe suited to everyone and to every circumstance, but if we know how to choose among the various solutions, we will find the shoe that is right for us!
Boots for walking long hikes
Walking long routes, for many hours in a row, we will certainly need to carry a big, heavy rucksack on our shoulders. Along the way we will meet different terrain: stones, wet grass, mud and snow. All this puts heavy stress on our ankles, which must therefore be protected by an upper (the part that covers and wraps the foot) that is high and fairly stiff. That stiffness must not be so excessive as to squeeze too much at the expense of circulation, which is why it is better if it is padded at the ankles and on the tongue. A high upper gives us stability and precision in our steps, comfort and safety.
Soles today are all of a good standard; let's remember in any case that they must have a tank-track tread, that is, deeply cut and provided with deep grooves in their rubbery and rather stiff structure. The soles must anchor our feet to the ground, avoiding sudden and dangerous losses of balance or slips.
All parts of the shoe must guarantee good waterproofing. The weakest points for water getting in are the seams, the join between the sole and the upper (the welt) and the tongue. To stop water getting in when it rains or on wet ground, the seams must be kept to a minimum and lined with a Goretex-type membrane, the welt must be sealed with rubber and the tongue must be gusseted.
Important judgements also need to be made when choosing the size of our boots. They will be our “best companions in adventure” for a long time, so we must not rush the purchase. The best time to choose a shoe is the evening, when, after walking all day, our feet are more swollen and tired; we will then be able to pick out the model most comfortable for our feet. Without fear, let's try them and try them again (with the right socks: the ones we will then use), trying to walk and, why not, even simulating a slope (you have to come down from the mountain too!). On steep slopes we push the foot forwards, compressing the toes both at the front and top, where the nails are, and underneath, where they rest. The right size is the one that lets us keep the heel still and leave the toes free to move without touching the toe of the shoe.
Let's not get carried away by fashion and the urge to show off great-mountaineer boots if our goals are less ambitious. People will probably notice us for our look, but our feet will pay the price. Let's try to rely on an expert salesperson, who will certainly be able to suggest the solution best suited to us.
If we have finally found the right boot, let's remember to look after it; when we put our boots away let's make sure they are clean and dry, and not expose them to excessive heat (in huts, next to the stove) or to very low temperatures (outdoors at high altitude). Good maintenance means making them last for many seasons, an excellent reason to protect our investment!
Boots for short hikes...
The situation changes considerably if we are about to walk short routes or very easy itineraries. In these cases we can use low shoes. Our ankles, in fact, will be under less stress given the shorter walking times, a more stable footing and lighter rucksacks on our shoulders. It is also true that wearing this kind of shoe our ankles are less protected, so it is easier to sprain one.
In low shoes, as in high ones, the soles play a fundamental role in grip and stability. To guarantee good grip the soles are Vibram or similar, but they are softer and more flexible, giving the advantage of a smoother, lighter walk.
Comfort makes up for the lower waterproofing of these shoes, which is due to their very shape (when it rains, water gets in at the instep). For good water resistance the outer lining must be Goretex or similar, especially on the seams and at the points most prone to leaks. There are also models where waterproofing is given no importance, all to the advantage of breathability and lightness.
There are, on the other hand, solutions that increase grip performance on rock: smooth rubber inserts at the toe, a more tapered shape, a more flexible sole.
Low hiking shoes are often used for the approaches to rock or ice routes, making the most of their comfort before putting on climbing shoes and/or boots.
Frequently asked questions
Low shoes or boots for trekking: which is better?
It depends on the route. For long itineraries, with a heavy rucksack and varied terrain, you need boots with a high and fairly stiff upper that protect the ankles. On short or very easy routes low shoes are enough: lighter and more flexible, but less protective and less waterproof.
When is the best time to try on trekking boots?
The best time is the evening, when your feet are more swollen and tired. Try them with the socks you will use, walking and simulating a descent: the right size keeps the heel still and leaves the toes free without touching the toe of the boot.