22 Things You Need to Know When Choosing Hiking Boots

I recently looked at my hiking boots and realised that I really need to buy a new pair. The soles are worn, the material on the inside is damaged and the insole is pretty much completely flattened, providing no more support.

Before heading out to the shops to get a new pair, I thought I would do a bit of research first. Just how exactly do you choose the right pair of hiking boots? In this guide, I cover some of the questions I had when choosing my new boots, as well as some other frequently asked questions.

Are Hiking Boots Necessary?

Can I Hike Without Hiking Boots?

Yes, you can hike without wearing hiking boots and may never need a pair of hiking boots depending on the type of hikes you plan on going on. However, you want to make sure that the boots or shoes you do wear have good grip and thick soles to cope with a variety of terrains you will encounter. They should also have a moderate level of waterproofing.

Whilst that doesn’t seem like a long list of requirements, you will be surprised at how few types of shoes will actually fit the bill here. For instance, normal training shoes that you may wear day to day will no doubt be comfortable to wear, but is the sole thick enough to stop it from hurting when you walk over more rugged terrain? Are they waterproof so that water doesn’t leak inside when walking on wetter ground? Do they have a good grip for walking on slippy rocks?

Whether you need hiking boots will depend really on the types of hikes you will be going on. If you’re more of a “Rambler” than a “Hiker”, you might be able to get away with just your normal trainers.

Can I Wear Running Shoes for Hiking?

Yes, you can wear running shoes for hiking. However, if you plan on going hiking regularly and would only like one pair for both running and hiking, you might want to look at getting a pair of trail running shoes.

The reason that standard running shoes can be used is that they come with a thick sole to provide support when exercising and a good grip so you don’t slip, however, they are not designed for use in rough terrains or even through wet patches. As a result, you might find that you end up ruining a perfectly good pair of running shoes when regularly using them for hiking.

Trail running shoes on the other hand are designed to be used on a variety of surfaces, including those you are likely to encounter when hiking in the woods or hills. These would be a better option than standard running shoes if you want one pair of shoes for hiking and running.

Why Are Hiking Boots Important?

Hiking boots are designed to offer better ankle support than normal hiking shoes and standard trainers, significantly reducing the risk of sprained ankles. They also have thicker soles than normal shoes, meaning you get extra protection from potential injuries to the sole of your foot.

In addition to the above hiking boots also tend to have much better levels of waterproofing and breathability, helping you to avoid nasty blisters after you have been for a long hike.

Should I Buy Hiking Shoes or Hiking Boots?

The hiking footwear that will be most suitable for you will depend on the type of hiking you are likely to be doing.

For rougher terrains where there is a risk of sprains, hiking boots will provide more support for your ankles. For more leisurely hiking on flatter surfaces, hiking shoes will suffice. If having a light pair of shoes is important to you, trail running shoes will be the best option.

The following is a comparison between the different types of shoes and when you might want to choose each type.

Hiking Boots vs. Hiking Shoes vs. Trail Runners

Hiking Boots Benefits	Hiking Shoes Benefits	Trail Running Shoe Benefits
Durable	Breathable helping your feet keep dry	Breathable helping your feet keep dry
Foot and Ankle Support	Lightweight making them good for long journeys	Lightweight making them good for long journeys
Warm – good for cold weather hiking	Warmer and cooler options available	Cooler – good for hot weather hiking and running
Good Stability	Comfortable fit	Versatile
Great traction and grip	Great traction and grip	Range of traction options

Hiking Boots Downsides	Hiking Shoes Downsides	Trail Running Downsides
Heavier than options	Less breathable than trail running shoes	Will need replacing often
Bulkier than shoes	Less supporting than boots	Less supportive than boots
Often require breaking-in	Not as light as trail running shoes	Less traction than other options

How Should Hiking Boots Fit?

You’ve probably heard a lot of differing opinions when it comes to how your boots should fit.

As a general rule, hiking boots should fit snuggly everywhere, but not be tight in any places. You should be able to wiggle your toes and your foot shouldn’t move around inside them when walking up and downhills.

Are Hiking Boots Supposed to be Tight?

No, your hiking boots should not be tight. Tight boots can cause blisters between your toes from rubbing, deform your toes and leave you unstable on your feet.

There are several ways that you can avoid buying shoes that are too tight for you:

• Wear the socks that you will also be wearing when trying the boots on.
• Don’t rush making a purchase. It’s much better to take your time and find the right pair for you.
• Try the boots on later in the day. Your feet will swell during the day meaning they will be a larger at the end of the day. Trying them on in the morning risks them being too tight.

Should I Buy Hiking Boots a Size Bigger?

No, you shouldn’t buy hiking boots a size bigger than your normal shoes. You should always try hiking boots on before you buy them to make sure they fit comfortably.

As a general rule of thumb, many hikers believe that the right size hiking boot will be around half a size larger than normal shoes that you buy. However, you really should go and try on any pair of hiking boots you wish to buy to ensure you get the right fit for you.

If you have already bought a pair of hiking boots and think they might be too large, check our guide to work out whether your hiking boots are too large and what to do about it.

Will Hiking Boots Stretch?

If you have already purchased a pair of hiking boots and think they might be a little tight, you are probably wondering whether there is any chance that they will stretch.

The short answer is yes, your hiking boots will stretch, but not by a significant amount. This is likely to happen whilst you are breaking in your new boots and on the first few hikes you take. However, if your hiking boots are very tight, the chances are they won’t stretch enough to be comfortable in the long run.

Depending on where on your foot the boot feels tight, you might still be in luck. The insole of the boot is likely to compress after a few hikes and generally, over time this will become thinner. If the tightness of the boot is coming on top of your foot, the breaking in period might end up fixing this.

The main thing is to not rely on wearing your boots for them to become a snug fit. Make sure you buy the right boots the first time. If you are unsure if you have bought the right boots, make sure you return them as soon as possible, as the store is unlikely to accept them back if they have been broken in and have started to look worn.

How to Break In Hiking Boots

Breaking in your hiking boots is the process of allowing your feet to adjust to the boot, as well as the boot softening in some places on your foot. There is nothing worse than that period of buying new shoes or boots and then ending up with blisters from the boot rubbing on a “soft spot” on your foot.

In order to break in your new boots, I would recommend you follow the following tips:

1. Ensure you have the right size boots. This might seem like a bit of an obvious point, but you would be suprised how many people will opt for a slightly less snug hiking boot just to save some money in the sales. Also, not all boots are made the same, so sizing and shape will vary between manufacturers. Try before you buy!
2. Break your boots in before going for a long hike. Now you have your new boots you might be tempted to head out and hit the trails for a nice long hike. Don’t! This is a recipe for disaster and could lead to you getting some really nasty blisters. Instead, break your shoes in slowly, walking around the house in them for short periods of time.
3. Wear the socks you are going to wear when using them. Wearing the right socks will make sure that your feet and boots will get used to each other under the circumstances that they will be actually used. Using socks that are too thin may lead to problems when you come to final wear them with your hiking socks.
4. Tie up your laces tight. You might be tempted to loosen the laces during the breaking in period to make things a little easier on your feet. Whilst this might feel more comfortable, as your feet will have a little wiggle room, this can cause problems down the line as your boots won’t be broken in properly to how you will wear them.
5. Head out for short walks around the block. Once a little broken in at home, go for a short walk outside to test them out. Do this a couple of times to make sure they are comfortable and broken in fully
6. Go out and enjoy your new hiking boots!

How Long Should it Take to Break In Hiking Boots?

Knowing how long it takes to break in new hiking boots will help you to understand when you can start hitting the trails and going for a nice long hike.

Typically it takes between 1-4 weeks to break in a new pair of boots if you are keen to avoid getting blisters. This does vary depending on the manufacturer and how often you wear your new boots each day.

If you are buying boots that are similar to the ones you already have or are made by the same manufacturer, you might find that the breaking-in process doesn’t take as long. This is because your feet are more likely to be used to this style of hiking boot and might already be broken into your new ones.

Are Hiking Boots Waterproof?

The simple answer is yes, hiking boots are waterproof. Depending on which brand you choose and what material the boots are made from, they are likely to have some level of protection from the elements.

Whilst it can be tempting to buy ultra-waterproof hiking boots, such as rubber, you need to also make sure that you buy a hiking boot that is breathable, which rubber is not.

When going out hiking for a long time and covering a long distance, the boot protecting water getting in is great as you don’t have to be too cautious when crossing small streams or dodging puddles. However, you also need to be able to let any water inside your boot get out, as your feet will get hot and will sweat. If your hiking boots aren’t breathable, the chances are you’re going to trap all that moisture inside your boot. Wet feet will swell and will lead to blisters!

As a result of the hiking boots being made to be breathable, this reduces the impact of the waterproofing they have. in short, you are not going to be able to walk across rivers and still have dry socks!

Are All Hiking Boots Waterproof?

No, not all hiking boots are waterproof. Whilst the majority of hiking boots on the market are waterproof, there are some that are designed for maximum breathability, very much at the expense of being waterproof.

When buying hiking boots, it isn’t a matter of choosing either breathable or waterproof though, you can get hiking boots that strike a good balance between keeping your feet dry from the outside elements and allowing your feet to keep cool. Just remember to check before you buy.

Can I Wear Hiking Boots in the Snow?

When walking in the snow there are two things that you will want your boots to protect you from, getting wet feet and getting cold feet.

To answer the question yes, you can wear hiking boots in the snow, but only if they are waterproof hiking boots. You should also wear a particularly thick sock to help keep your toes warm and potentially gaiters to help improve grip on the slippery surface.

Just like walking through water, you want to avoid too much snow getting over the top of your boot as the sections designed for breathability could let melting snow into your boot and that will lead to wet, cold toes and feet.

Can Hiking Boots be Washed?

After you’ve been for a few hikes, the chances are your hiking boots will be caked in mud. If not, lucky you! If you like a nice, clean looking pair of boots you’re probably wondering whether you can wash them when they get dirty.

Well, you’re in luck as you can wash hiking boots when they get dirty, however, you will need to make sure you use a cleaning detergent that won’t damage your boots.

If you have mud stuck on the sole of your boot, this can be removed pretty easily. Just let the mud dry and then bang them together and the mud will fly off. Washing the top of the boots, however, is a little bit more complicated.

How to Wash Your Hiking Boots

If you need to give your boots a thorough clean, you should do the following:

1. Remove any dry mud from the sole of the boot. Bang your boots together to get the bigger chunks out. Use and old toothbrush and some warm water to remove the trickier bits.
2. Use a suitable hiking boot cleaner. Make sure you check that the hiking boot cleaner you use is suitable and won’t damage your hiking boots. Always follow the instructions on the packaging.
3. Use a brush or cloth to work the cleaner into the boot. You might need to scrub a little here to get stubborn dirt off. Make sure the brus you use isn’t too firm as you could damage the boot uppers.
4. Rinse off your boots after cleaning them under running water.
5. If there is mold on the boot, use a mixture of 80:20 water to vinegar. Make sure you apply this carefully and only where required.
6. To waterproof your shoes after cleaning, apply a waterproof spray after cleaning. There is no need to wait for your shoes to dry, do this whislt they’re still wet for the best outcome.
7. Avoid using other cleaning products such as washing up liquid, soap or other cleaning detergents. These could damage the boot upper and ruin the waterproof membrane on the boot.
8. Don’t be tempted to put your boots in the washing machine. This can damage to boots and the laces could get caught up on the working of the machine.

How to Dry Your Hiking Boots

Now you have cleaned and re-proofed your hiking boots, it’s time to dry them. To avoid damaging your hiking boots during the drying process, I would recommend the following:

1. Remove the insoles from the boots. Set these aside to dry properly and avoid any water being trapped between the insole and the sole of the boot
2. Dry your boots in a place with low humidity. If the area they are drying is too humid they will take longer to dry.
3. Speed up the process by using a fan.
4. Put newspaper inside your shoes to speed up the process. This will help the shoes dry quicker on the inside and help them keep their shape as well. Just remember to change the newspaper is it gets to wet and try to use newspaper without too much ink on it.
5. Store your boots somwhere dry and where the temperature doesn’t fluctute too much. Dramatic changed in temperature can weaken the material over time and shorten the life of your boots.
6. Don’t dry them using direct heat. Drying them by a fire or radiator might dry them quicker, but is can cause rapid shrikinging to the shoes which inevitably will damage your hiking boot.

Can Hiking Boots be Resoled?

If you have a “perfect” pair of hiking boots that are great to hike in, but the soles have worn out, you are probably wondering if you can replace the soles so that you can keep them.

Some hiking boots can be resoled, but not all of them. It varies between the manufacturers whether they can be resoled. It is also worth considering the initial cost of the hiking boot before deciding if it is worth having them resoled.

How Much Does it Cost to Resole Hiking Boots

There are a few options with it comes to having the soles of your hiking boots repaired. Do you want an original manufacturer sole or a standard sole that can be used across multiple brands?

The price of having your hiking boots soles replaced with a standard sole should cost somewhere between £52 – £60 using Vibram soles.

Whether you decide to go down this route really depends on how much you love your boots and (probably) how much they cost in the first place.

Can Hiking Shoes be Used for Running?

Yes, you can run in hiking shoes, with trail running shoes being specifically designed for doing this. With standard hiking shoes or boots, it is still possible to run in them, however, it will get uncomfortable quickly.

Hiking shoes and boots generally are not designed to last as long as running shoes, which are made for regular use of up to 30 miles a week. They are also not designed to take the impact that running has on your joints, so could quite quickly lead to injury.

Hiking boots and shoes are better suited to use for shorter trips on rugged terrain, something which running shoes won’t be good for.

Can Hiking Boots Cause Knee Pain?

Whilst hiking boots will help you take on rough terrain, it is possible that choosing the wrong hiking boots can lead to knee pain, as well as pain in your ankles and hips. To be pain-free, you should make sure you choose a pair of boots that fit you well.

The first issue is that choosing boots that are too heavy for you can be like wearing weights on your ankles. This extra weight means your legs will have to work extra hard to lift your feet and could lead to issues with your knees.

If your boots are a bad fit this can also lead to knee pain. If your foot moves around in your boot because they are too big, walking over rough terrain can lead to jarring and potentially sprains on your ankles and knees.

Summary

Thanks for reading this hiking boot guide. I hope you now know what to look out for when choosing hiking boots and how to look after them.

Happy hiking!