Hiking shoes are the foundation of your kit. Chosen well, they ensure proper foot support and grip on the ground, while guaranteeing comfort and safety. This article covers everything you need to know about hiking shoes.
Hiking requires very little equipment, but what you do choose matters enormously — starting with your shoes. Given the kilometres you're about to cover in your walking shoes, and if you don't want your mountain outing to turn into an ordeal, you need to invest in quality footwear: comfortable, durable and suited to your intended use. Between the different upper heights and the various materials used in both the upper and the sole, it's not always easy to find your bearings. Here is a comprehensive guide to hiking shoes to help you make an informed choice on your next purchase — everything you need to know about hiking shoes in one place.
High-cut, mid-cut or low-cut upper?
The upper is the top part of the hiking shoe; it can be low-cut, high-cut or mid-cut — i.e. somewhere in between. The choice depends primarily on the type of terrain you'll be covering, as well as your experience level and the duration of your hikes.
- Low-cut upper: when the shoe height stops below the ankle bone, we refer to it as a low-cut upper. This type of shoe offers great lightness and good flexibility, leaving the ankle free to move. Low-cut hiking shoes are only suited to walks on easy terrain — flat or gently rolling ground — and are not appropriate for steep terrain under any circumstances. For hikes on more rugged ground, ankle support is essential; a low-cut upper is simply not adequate.
- High-cut upper: a high-cut shoe extends up to the ankle and holds it firmly in place. It's the ideal choice for long hikes or treks on steep terrain. Whatever obstacles you face — traversing slopes or picking your way over rocky paths — the ankle and shin are supported and secured. High-cut shoes offer the greatest foot protection; they are the most robust, and therefore the most durable, but also the heaviest.
- The mid-cut upper: a compromise between the low-cut and high-cut, it sits at ankle level. Mid-cut shoes are suited to mountain terrain, provided it isn't too rugged. They support the ankle well (less so than high-cut shoes, obviously) while remaining fairly lightweight and flexible. Like any compromise, the mid-cut sits between two extremes — some wearers may be disappointed not to find the support of a high-cut or the lightness of a low-cut.
What material should you choose for your hiking shoes?
Generally made from leather or synthetic fabric, the upper composition varies from one hiking shoe to another. Explore the materials that make up your hiking shoe.
- Leather: a highly resistant and therefore durable material whose flexibility offers genuine comfort. Leather is fairly waterproof (it can sometimes be lined with a waterproof membrane or treated with a specific process), it holds up well against abrasion and is stiff enough for use on technical terrain. However, it requires regular maintenance and tends to be quite heavy.
- Suede and nubuck: finer and more supple than leather, they are produced by sanding the leather surface. The treatment is applied from the inside for suede and from the outside for nubuck. They are more lightweight and more breathable than leather, but less resistant and therefore less durable.
- Synthetic leather: much more affordable than genuine leather, synthetic leather is nonetheless less supple and therefore less comfortable, significantly less breathable and less resistant to abrasion and sun exposure.
- Synthetic mesh: synthetic fabric shoes are the most lightweight, the most breathable, the most flexible and also more affordable than leather. However, they are permeable and far less resistant, which is why it is essential that they are lined with a waterproof membrane to keep feet dry.
The sole
The sole is the primary point of contact with the ground, so it must provide good traction and solid grip, while delivering enough cushioning for added comfort. In all cases, your shoes must have lugged, non-slip soles.
- The outsole: outsoles can be made from a harder or softer rubber compound. Soft rubber outsoles are more flexible and grip the ground better than those made from harder rubber, but they also wear down more quickly. Harder rubber outsoles, on the other hand, offer greater precision and better foot support.
- The midsole: this is what provides the shoe's cushioning and therefore relieves the arch of the foot, protects the joints and spares the legs. Its role is to absorb impact.
- The insole: from a comfort standpoint, insoles play a very important role. They also enhance cushioning and therefore protection against impact and injury. They can be changed regularly — for example from one season to the next, switching from summer insoles to winter insoles.
The toe cap on hiking shoes
Absolutely essential on rocky terrain if you don't want to end up with battered feet, the toe cap protects your toes while also reinforcing the front of the shoe, helping it withstand wear for longer. The more coverage it provides, the better it protects the shoe, making it more abrasion-resistant.
Hiking shoes with breathable waterproof membranes
They allow your foot to breathe while staying dry. The best-known is Gore-tex®, but there are several options available. Bear in mind that no shoe is completely waterproof (unless it's a rain boot), but there are systems to make them as water-repellent and waterproof as possible — breathable waterproof membranes are by far the most effective solution. They allow perspiration to escape while preventing water droplets from entering the shoe, keeping your feet warm and dry.
How to choose your size?
High cut or low cut, leather or synthetic fabric — you've made your decision on the ideal hiking shoe, now it's time to pick the right size. To avoid blisters from friction caused by shoes that are too large, or sore feet from shoes that are too small, choosing the right size is essential. Unfortunately, there is no universal rule for hiking shoe sizing, even if you often hear "go one size or half a size up from your usual size". While the gap between brands continues to narrow, what holds true for one brand doesn't always apply to another.
The best solution is to measure your longest foot and choose your size based on your foot length. Generally, each manufacturer provides a size chart; if you fall between two sizes, go for the larger one. If you're in a shop, don't forget to put on your hiking socks when trying on the shoes. Once you've laced them up, take a few steps — you should feel comfortable, with no particular discomfort, but your foot should be well supported and held in place.
We hope this article has deepened your knowledge on the subject and given you a clearer picture of hiking shoes — browse the guide to find out more.
