There is certainly nothing more personal than choosing a pair of hiking shoes: everyone has a specific foot shape, a particular feel, and we are — unequally — more or less prone to blisters and other unpleasant phenomena. That said, when the time comes to choose a new pair, you should keep a few essential criteria in mind to avoid making the wrong choice — you can always combine them with your own personal preferences afterwards. The aim of this article is to give you the essential keys to guide your selection and purchase.
Your shoes: your first guarantee of safety
It's easy to understand with a car: good tyres are essential for your vehicle's safety. No one would set off on a long journey with poor quality, worn-out tyres — or worse, tyres bought cheaply without any technical consideration. Well, it's exactly the same with shoes. They are your contact surface during hiking. Moreover, when walking in the mountains or on hilly terrain, even without venturing into mountaineering, the shoe plays a crucial role. Good outsole grip and appropriate stiffness allow you to handle off-camber ground, slippery surfaces such as grassy slopes, wet terrain and snow. Don't forget that the vast majority of accidents result from a fall, slip or loss of balance, and the most affected part of the body is the lower half — with a high concentration of injuries around the ankle and foot.
Let's look together at the 3 safety criteria of a good hiking shoe:
Stiffness:
it is essential for foot support and grip on mountain terrain. It prevents sprains and twists and guides your footing firmly and without hesitation. Stiffness is also essential on soft ground (sand, mud, earth...). In the mountains, a lack of stiffness will, over time, mean a lack of stability — the foot will instinctively try to compensate through muscular effort. Don't hesitate to choose fairly stiff shoes. With a fit adapted to your foot, you won't suffer from a stiff shoe, and you'll find that it delivers both comfort and safety: the ankle-shin area is heavily stressed during walking, and when it isn't sufficiently supported by a stiff, high-cut shoe, it will suffer from the demands of the terrain — much like a vehicle in corners with worn suspension.
Support:
good support is the result of a shoe that fits your foot well, with a high cuff that supports the ankle joint and the lower shin. Good support also guarantees less fatigue over time.
Outsole grip:
the grip of a hiking shoe depends on the quality of the material used and its tread pattern. In general, softer compounds offer better grip on rock and stony surfaces but wear down faster, which can be a drawback. Harder compounds are more durable but can sometimes tend to slip. The aim is to find an effective compromise depending on the terrain, though there are now some excellent outsoles on the market offering good longevity and satisfying rock grip even on wet surfaces.
Beyond the safety aspect, you should of course pay close attention to comfort criteria when choosing your hiking shoes.
Protection / Waterproofing
This is a fundamental point for mountain activities. The key lies in the waterproofing/breathability combination. Some plastic shells are highly waterproof but perform poorly in terms of breathability. The foot perspires during exercise and needs a shoe that is both protective against moisture and breathable enough to evacuate its own humidity. A shoe with poor breathability will cause discomfort from perspiration (with the risk of bacterial growth) and will also create a sensation of cold when chilly temperatures set in on a damp, confined foot.
My experience over several decades leads me to believe that the membrane and inner lining are essential for keeping feet dry. They must be both waterproof and breathable. I've found that Gore-Tex types offer great comfort and excellent quality while remaining in an affordable price range.
Sizing
To choose the right size, keep it simple: as a general rule, for stiff and very stiff shoes, go one size up from your everyday size. For slightly less stiff shoes, half a size up will do. It's also worth dispelling the myth that shoes stretch over time. Check your wardrobe — you'll rarely find a shoe that has grown longer over the years. At most, the fit may widen slightly and the inner padding will compress a little, but if your shoe is too small to start with… It will stay that way! For hiking, if you choose a shoe one size larger than your everyday size, factoring in the thickness of mountain socks, you should be in an optimal comfort zone for your foot.
Other essential components of a hiking shoe
• Self-locking hook: allows you to lock the entire lacing or just the lower section for more precise adjustments, and keeps the shoe firmly in place during walking. You can tighten more on the descent than on the ascent to support the foot. It is not essential, but can be an advantage on the most demanding routes.
• Shock absorption: very important for absorbing vibrations and relieving the hiker's joints and lower back. This is generally provided by the anatomical shape of the shoe and the presence of an insole. For long-distance routes, rough terrain and when carrying a load, the quality of cushioning is paramount. • Upper: You can choose hiking shoes with a high or low cuff. Possibly in mesh, synthetic, split leather, nubuck, full leather... The quality of the material used is essential for the longevity of your shoe and for good support. • Toe cap: A rigid section at the front of the shoe that protects against impacts and reduces abrasion on the toe area.
Finally, one last piece of advice: don't set off on a multi-day trek in a brand new pair straight out of the box! Do at least 5 to 10 outings in them first — this will allow you to confirm there are no issues and spot any problems early, and it gives the shoe time to mould to your foot for optimised comfort. Don't neglect your hiking shoes: they deserve particular care and, above all, a serious and considered choice. There is now a wide technical selection of shoes available for all budgets. CimAlp, for example, has developed a partnership allowing its customers to explore a range of technical and comfortable shoes at reasonable prices. Don't hesitate to check them out before your next trek!
