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 "mix" them with your own personal preferences afterwards. The aim of this article is therefore 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 optimal safety. Nobody would set off on a long journey with poor-quality, worn tyres — or worse, ones bought cheaply with no thought for technical specifications. 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 — without even mentioning mountaineering — the shoe plays a crucial role. Good sole grip and appropriate rigidity allow you to handle off-camber terrain, slippery surfaces such as grassy slopes, wet ground and snow. Don't forget that the vast majority of accidents result from a fall, a slip or a loss of balance, and that the most affected part of the body is, of course, the lower section, 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:
Rigidity:
it is essential for foot support and grip on mountainous terrain. It will prevent sprains and twists, and guide your footing firmly and without hesitation. The rigidity of a shoe is also essential on soft ground (sand, mud, soil…). In the mountains, a lack of rigidity in the shoe will, over time, mean a lack of stability for the foot, which will instinctively try to compensate through muscular effort. Don't hesitate to choose fairly rigid shoes. With a fit adapted to your foot, you won't suffer from a rigid shoe and you'll find that it provides comfort and safety: the ankle-shin area is heavily stressed during walking, and when it isn't adequately supported by a rigid, high-cut shoe, it will suffer from the demands of the terrain — much like a vehicle in bends when its suspension is worn out.
Support:
good support is the result of a shoe adapted to your foot, with a high upper that supports the ankle joint and the lower shin. Good support will also guarantee less fatigue over time.
Sole grip:
the grip of a hiking shoe depends on the quality of the material used and its tread pattern. Generally, softer rubber compounds offer better grip on rock and stony surfaces but wear out more quickly, which can be a drawback. Harder compounds will be more durable but can sometimes tend to slip. An effective compromise is sought depending on the terrain being covered, but there are now some very good soles on the market with satisfactory longevity and 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 rather poor on breathability. The foot perspires during effort and needs a shoe that is both protective against moisture and breathable enough to evacuate its own humidity. When a shoe has poor breathability, you'll be bothered by the damp feel of perspiration (with the risk of bacterial growth), and you'll also experience a sensation of frostbite when cold sets 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.
Shoe size
Choosing your shoe size is straightforward: as a general rule, for rigid and very rigid shoes, go one size up from your everyday size. For a slightly less rigid shoe, half a size up will be enough. Also, it's time to put to rest the idea that shoes stretch over time. Check your wardrobe — you'll rarely see a shoe get 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 begin with… it will stay that way! When hiking, if you choose a shoe one size up from your everyday size, combined with 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: this allows you to lock the lower section of the lacing for more precise adjustments and secures the shoe's hold during walking. You can tighten it more on the descent than on the ascent to support the foot. It is not essential, but can be a bonus on the most demanding routes.
• Shock absorption: very important for absorbing vibrations and thus relieving the joints and lower back of the hiker. This is generally provided by the anatomical shape of the shoe and the presence of an intermediate 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 upper. Possibly in mesh, synthetic, split leather, nubuck, leather… The quality of the material used is essential for the longevity of your shoe and for good support. • Toe cap: The rigid section at the front of the shoe that protects against impacts and also limits abrasion to the front of the shoe.
Finally, one last piece of advice: don't set off on a multi-day trek in a pair of brand-new shoes, straight out of the box! Do at least 5 to 10 outings in them beforehand: first, this will allow you to make sure you're not suffering and that you haven't spotted any problems; second, it gives the shoe a chance to adapt a little to your foot and offer optimised comfort. So 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 giving its customers access to a range of technical and comfortable shoes at reasonable prices. Don't hesitate to take a look before your next trek!
