Hiking and mountaineering shoes

How to choose the right hiking boots?

Having good hiking boots is a key element for all types of hikers, whether it's men's hiking boots or hiking boots especially for women. No matter what activity you do: walking in the forest, hiking in the mountains, walking in the countryside, going on treks... if your shoes are hurting you, you're not going to have a good time. Hence the importance of choosing them well!

To begin with, you need to know your needs in order to choose the right pair of hiking shoes. You need to ask yourself the following questions:

Where are you going to practice?

Indeed, there are hiking shoes adapted to each practice:

Hiking

You like to walk in the forest, on easy trails for a few hours or for a day to picnic with your family in the open air. The most suitable shoes for this type of walking are low or mid shoes, rather light and flexible. The advantage is that this type of shoe is often versatile and can even be worn on a daily basis, like the famous Mojito by Scarpa.

The approach walk

Climbers often need to walk before finding their climbing route. There are specific shoes for this practice with a sole that adheres well to the rocks like the TX2 from La Sportiva.

Active hiking

More and more people are doing so-called active hiking in the plains or medium mountains, it is a mix between fast walking and trail. Running a little when it is rather flat and walking uphill. The shoes most adapted to this practice are low shoes flexible and adherent as for example the Challenger ATR 5 of Hoka One One . It is essential to choose well its hiking socks to avoid injuries and blisters

The 2 or 3 day hike

You are going to bivouac for a weekend in the middle of the mountains, so you have to take into account the carrying of the backpack. You need shoes with more support, which remain flexible but with a sole solid enough to support your backpack. Hiking shoes with medium to high uppers are therefore recommended for this practice, such as the Drifter from Asolo.

Trekking

If you are going to spend several days in the middle or high mountains, walking for a long time and sometimes on uneven terrain, this is one of the most demanding activities. We recommend sturdy hiking boots that support your feet well, such as the Trango Tower Extreme GTX from La Sportiva.

There are also mountaineering boots that can be useful for high mountain hikes in difficult conditions!

In what weather conditions?

Weather conditions also have an impact on your choice of hiking boots. In the summer, there are ventilated shoes with grippy soles for hiking in hot weather, including Merrell and Columbia.

In the rain, it's a different story, there is no such thing as a totally waterproof hiking boot, there are always vents to keep your foot from swelling too much during your climbs and guarantee your comfort. However, there are models that are a little more resistant to rain: we talk about water-repellent shoes and waterproof shoes. Water repellent shoes will last less over time (after washing and use) than products with a waterproof membrane such as Gore-Tex or the brands' own developed membranes.

We will help you find what you are looking for on Alpinstore!