How to choose your hiking shoes?

Do you enjoy hiking and want to buy a pair of hiking boots? Have you just started out and want to know more before you make your first purchase? Our advice will help you find the best solution for you. The right choice of hiking boots will minimise the risk of coming back from your hike with sores, swollen and blistered feet so that you can enjoy your day in the great outdoors.
The answers to a few simple questions can help you make the right choice:

What terrain will I be hiking on?
What will my average pace be?
How long will I walk on average?
How much weight will I be carrying on my shoulders? How heavy will my rucksack be?

Different Types of Terrain

There are many different types of terrain in which to hike or walk, but they can generally be summarised in two macro-types: Trails on easy paths and flat terrain: the ground on which we walk is stable, without particular irregularities, with flat or slightly uneven ground, on dirt tracks, cart tracks or valley floors. Trails of medium difficulty and unstable ground: the gradient starts to become noticeable and the terrain shows the typical characteristics of the mountains: Roots and slippery ground, the presence of stones and pebbles along the way, which require well-secured ankles and sure legs. On these routes, you may also find yourself in extreme situations such as scree or off-piste.

Trails on easy paths and flat surfaces

On easy routes where the terrain conditions allow, it is better to encourage the natural movement of the foot, which is why flexion is very important. The risk of an accident due to an unnatural twisting of the foot is certainly very low, so it is not absolutely necessary to protect the ankle. In such cases, we recommend a low, i.e. lighter shoe with a not particularly stiff sole.

Routes on paths of medium difficulty and uncertain terrain

On uneven trails of medium difficulty and particularly treacherous terrain, the stiffness of the sole is absolutely essential, as it significantly increases the stability of the shoe, but at the expense of flexibility. In this terrain, it is particularly important that our ankle remains protected and well closed, as unnatural twisting and the resulting sprains are very common injuries in the mountains. Although a stiff, thick sole is a guarantee of safety, it can increase the weight of the shoe and lead to greater fatigue in the limbs. Another reason to tackle this type of route with good preparation.

You must always take your own pace and time into consideration.

Distances in the mountains are not given in kilometres, but in walking times. Depending on the difficulty of the ascent, the estimated walking times for the same distance can vary greatly. Time is very important when we talk about trekking, because it indicates how many hours we have to walk with a rucksack on our back and shoes on our feet. The value that we usually find in the CAI trekking tables gives a relative average value that may be lower or higher than our own walking time, but it is still a useful figure to have an idea of what to expect. For those just starting out, it is important not to exceed a two-hour walk with gradients of no more than 300/400 metres. The longer the preparation, the greater the strain can be.

The weight of the backpack

Once we have planned our hike, we will immediately know what equipment we will need. If we are going to be walking for several hours, we should pack in our rucksack everything we need for meals, a good supply of water, and if we are going to spend the night outside, we will need a tent, a sleeping bag and much more. All hikers hope to reduce the weight they carry on their shoulders as much as possible, but as we have seen, this is impossible. If we have to carry heavy loads, it is best to opt for sturdy boots. These offer more stability and protect the ankles. If we are not in top shape, it is always better to start with caution and favour high shoes that protect the ankle better, even on easy routes with little difference in height, and then return to lighter footwear when we are more trained and have more confidence in our steps. Here you will find men's, women's and children's shoes that are suitable for both beginners and experienced hikers.