Best Hiking Boots for Rough Terrain

Best Hiking Boots Buyer's Guide

Happy feet make for happy hiking. Hiking boots are essential to your comfort on the trail. Blistered toes, swollen feet, and sore ankles are no fun. Making sure you have the best hiking boots for the type of trails you enjoy can be a performance game-changer. From hi-tech materials, water-proofing, comfort, and protection, to eco-friendly appeal, there is a perfect fit for every foot.

In this guide, we break down everything you need to know when choosing the best hiking boots for your adventure needs.

What are the Types of Hiking Boots?
Hiking boots can be classified into 3 categories according to their weight or the type of terrain they are designed to traverse.

Trail Shoes or Lightweight Boots

Lightweight hiking boots are designed with light and flexible materials to get you through less rugged trails in dry climates. They are tough enough for day hikes and short overnight adventures with light loads. The use of mesh, nylon, and part-leather allow the shoes to keep a lightweight and lower cost but also compromise the support. The more flexible structure provides less support and ankle stability. They are a great choice for non-technical routes and won’t slow you down.

Trail Hikers or Midweight Boots

Midweight hiking boots are sturdier, higher-cut, and offer better waterproofing than their lightweight counterparts. They are ideal for steeper inclines and muddy tracks. If you are planning to trek more adventurous and uncertain trails, these are a good choice. Although heavier than lightweight boots, they provide the extra protection needed for a comfortable journey.

Hiking Boots or Heavyweight Boots

Also known as mountain boots, these shoes are designed for tough, rocky mountaineering, and heavy backpacking with larger loads. These mountain boots are particularly durable and strong. They provide maximum ankle support, protection, and insulation with stiff soles and thick upper materials. Crampons can be attached to these boots for grip on hard snow and glaciers.

What to Look for When Buying Hiking Boots

Once you’ve decided which type of trekking shoe is best suited to your needs, consider the below factors to narrow down your options.

Weight

For all-purpose hiking shoes, it is best to find a good balance between protection and lightweight. Lighter hiking boots usually offer less protection, stability, and support for arduous terrains but are great for fast hikers who require the least resistance and as little extra weight as possible.

If you are carrying a heavy backpack and trekking rough terrains you need the stability, protection, and technical support of a shoe that is going to come in at a heavier weight due to the specialized materials used in its design.

Stiffness and Stability

Stiff hiking boots provide more stability and less flexibility. This prevents the heel of the foot from dropping on ascents which prevents calf fatigue. This is ideal for mountaineering and technical hikes. If you are wanting to move fast over flat terrains, opt for a shoe with more flexibility and a less rigid design.

Waterproofing

Soggy socks on the long haul are always best avoided. Many hiking boots are waterproof and include a water-repellent coating to assist in water protection. Waterproofing also provides good insulation for those hiking in cold conditions and higher altitudes.

Keeping water out also means that little moisture can escape from inside the shoe. This may result in hot, sweaty feet. A good alternative, if you are wanting to use your shoes in both hot, dry, and cold, wet conditions, is to cover your shoes with a gaiter only when attempting trails in wet conditions. Although the protection may not be as effective as a water-proofed shoe, the gaiters will still keep water, snow, and debris from entering the top.

Breathability

Waterproofing affects the breathability of hiking boots. If you need a shoe with good breathability avoid heavyweight leather hiking boots.

Laces

The lacing system of a hiking boot is often the last aspect to be considered when purchasing trail shoes. They do however play an important part in the comfort and fit of the boots. Choose a lacing system that holds your foot and fit well.

Laces are easily replaceable. They should be considered as an important part of the shoe that allows you to customize the fit, keep the shoe steady, and enhances comfort. Some hardy hiking boots include locking hooks on the shoe that keep the laces in place extremely well.

Outsoles

The reason most people decide to go ahead and get specialized hiking boots as opposed to their regular trainers is for improved traction. Hiking boots are undoubtedly superior when it comes to steep, slippery, and rocky terrains providing a much better grip. Consider the indentation depth and type of outsole material when choosing your hiking boots since they can be specialized for various terrains.

Larger indentations underfoot provide better grip in mud while sticky rubber is ideal for scrambling. There are entry-level options that do well on general combination trails.

Toe Protection

You are inevitably going to kick a rock or a tree-stump along the way, never-mind steep descents which can place a lot of pressure on your toes. Many hiking boots incorporate toe caps or rubber covers for protection in the boot design. Lightweight hiking shoes usually forgo this luxury.

Final Thoughts About Buying Hiking Boots

When it's time for a new pair of hiking boots there is so much more to consider than the color and fashion-forward look of the shoe. Consider the type of terrain you will be hiking, the support required for heavy load back-packing, and the conditions you will be hiking in. Also, take into consideration how technical the hike may be and your fitness level.

Things you can easily swap out after your purchase are laces and insoles, so if you find the near-perfect shoe, remember that you can always make small upgrades to make it a perfectly customized match for your feet.

Best Hiking Boots FAQ

Q:

How much toe room should you have in hiking boots?

A:

Hiking boots should provide space for you to wiggle your toes, but not so much that your feet slide around in the shoes. The space between your toe and the tip of the shoe should be a thumb width.

When trying on hiking boots, wear your hiking socks as they are thicker and your feet will swell during the trek. When the shoe is undone, you must be able to fit one finger behind your heel when your toes are in contact with the front of the boot.

If you seem to be between 2 sizes, always choose the slightly larger one. You can reduce the slight oversize by adding an insole if necessary.

Q:

What is different between hiking shoes and hiking boots?

A:

Hiking boots are geared towards technical, rugged terrains and carrying heavier backpack loads. They are high-top, over-the-ankle boots providing protection and stability. Hiking shoes on the other hand tend to be low-top shoes with light-weight material designs for faster moving and increased breathability in mild weather conditions.

Q:

Should you buy separate insoles for hiking boots?

A:

To optimize the fit of your hiking boot to your specific foot shape replacing generic insoles with your own is highly recommended. Custom insoles can provide the required volume to fill out the boot, improve the fit, provide under arch support, and improve cushioning and impact shock. In the long-run, your insole can make a big difference in preventing discomfort and injuries.