WITH FLOWERS COMING INTO BLOOM AND SNOW MELTING ON TRAILS ALL AROUND NORTH AMERICA, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME FOR A HIKE. WHEN IT COMES TO Hiking, FOOTWEAR IS NUMBER ONE FOR OUR COMFORT ON THE TRAIL. WE ASKED OUTDOOR WRITER AND AVID HIKER, SHAWNTÉ SALABERT TO SHARE HER INSIGHTS WHEN IT COMES TO CHOOSING THE RIGHT FOOTWEAR FOR THE TRAIL.

The world is filled with beautiful places to explore, from the iconic granite-lined paths of Yosemite National Park, to the snowbound heights of the Himalaya, to the winding desert canyons of the American Southwest. Many urbanites enjoy morning laps around their local parks, families flock to our ever-growing collection of National Parks and Monuments, and more people than ever are learning about – and going – backpacking, partially due to the popularity of books-turned-films Wild and A Walk In The Woods.

Whether you’re in search of adventure, solace, or just a good workout, it’s important to dial in your footwear before hitting the dirt. After all, while our hearts may dream of spectacular trips and our heads may plan them, it’s our feet that are going to end up doing most of the heavy lifting – literally and metaphorically.

With that in mind, here are a few tips to help you find the right pair of hiking boots or shoes, whether you’re hoping to enjoy short day hikes, long backpacking trips…or anything in between!

FIT

When it comes to choosing hiking footwear, it’s fit – not color, brand, or style – that is the most important factor. The best place to start is to understand your feet – know not just your shoe size, but also whether or not your foot runs wide or narrow, and whether or not you have a high or flat arch.

When thinking about the length of your foot, it’s important to make sure that your toes do not hit the front of your footwear when hiking downhill – this is a sign of a too-small shoe or boot, and it will lead to not just pain, but also possible toenail loss from repeated shock. Backpackers may want to go up a half-size to account for foot swell (common after being on your feet for hours on end) and for the slight temporary arch flattening that can occur when carrying heavy weight.

If you have a wide foot, look for a shoe or boot that has a wide toe box, allowing your toes to splay naturally, rather than squeeze together as the shoe tapers. Merrell is a brand known for their roomy toe boxes, and many other brands offer wide-width options. As a general rule, men’s shoes tend to be constructed on a wider last than women’s; for example, I recently bought “men’s” mountaineering boots because they simply fit better!

If you have a narrow foot, the key is to choose footwear that fits snugly enough to prevent your foot – especially your heel – from sliding around, which can cause hot spots that lead to blisters. If you need to tighten the fit a bit further, insoles and different lacing techniques can help keep your heel firmly locked in place to prevent slippage.

USE

Day hiking and backpacking generally call for different footwear. Day hikers and “ultralight” backpackers can get away with a more minimalist, less technical shoe, since they are typically carrying much lighter loads than someone with a full pack and may not require the stability provided by a full boot. Trail running shoes  have the advantages of being very lightweight, quick drying, and incredibly breathable, while still offering good traction (more so than road running shoes) on uneven terrain.

They also generally offer some cushioning, especially in the heel, and the ability to “feel” the ground as you’re walking. However, the latter can be a downside when hiking across rocky terrain where the lack of an internal shank (a structural component that adds stability) means less foot protection, and they offer no ankle support and typically no toe protection. I carry a light pack and have backpacked hundreds of miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in Merrell All Out Peaks. 

The more common choice for day trips is a “hiking shoe” – typically a low-cut hybrid that takes styling cues from trail runners or more traditional hiking boots, while offering elements of both. Hiking shoes usually have an internal shank for stability and added protection in the form of a thick rubber rand or toecap. In contrast to trail runners, they’ll also likely have some sort of gusseted tongue connected to the main upper that helps keep debris out of the shoe, while also offering some degree of breathability via mesh panels, although typically not as much as a trail runner.

While these are going to be heavier than a trail runner, they also tend to be made from more durable materials. A popular style is the Merrell Capra Bolt. 

If you have weak ankles, want more stability, or are backpacking (and are not a lightweight enthusiast), you may want to consider a full hiking boot. They have similar features to a hiking shoe, including lugged outsoles and gusseted tongues, but are designed for even more stability under heavy loads with a higher cut that covers the ankle, a shank that may be joined by a plate (an additional structural component that adds an extra layer of protection from sharp rocks), and the uppers tend to provide increased protection when on rough trail.

While full-on hiking boots are typically much heavier than trail runners or hiking shoes, brands are constantly innovating new materials that provide the traditional benefits of a boot at a lower weight cost.

CLIMATE

The next thing to consider is where you’ll be hiking – the footwear you’d wear in arid Southern California is likely different than what you’d use throughout the much wetter western side of Washington State, and options for cold or snowy conditions will differ from those you’d don in hotter weather.

For hot, dry climates, breathability is key. You want to find a shoe or boot that has at least some mesh in the upper to allow airflow, so trail runners and low-cut hiking shoes are excellent options for day hikes in these areas. If you are backpacking in this kind of climate and want extra stability while still experiencing a good airflow, there are plenty of lightweight, breathable high-cut hiking boots that will do the trick – the Merrell Moab Ventilator Mid has long been a favorite in this category.

In wet climates, you still want breathability, but you also want to ensure your shoes or boots will not “wet out” in the rain. If you are going to be in areas where precipitation is infrequent, you might consider a water repellent or resistant shoe, which will allow more airflow than a fully waterproof one. Both types usually incorporate some element of Gore-Tex.

If you’ll be hiking in snow, you should consider a hiking boot that is not only fully waterproof, but also insulated – popular materials include Primaloft and Thinsulate. The upside is that the insulation will keep your feet warm when you’re not hiking; the downside is that your feet may sweat – as with fully waterproofed shoes, you want to bring extra socks to change into if yours become too damp from sweat.

MATERIALS

A final consideration when choosing hiking footwear is whether you’d like to focus on shoes and boots that are eco-friendly and/or vegan. Eco-friendly footwear tends to be constructed at least partially from recycled materials and vegan footwear is made without using any animal products. A lot of manufacturers are expanding their options in both of these arenas, so the traditional view that hiking boots and shoes should be made out of leather is no longer the rule.

No matter what footwear you choose for your hiking adventures, I hope you’ll enjoy wherever your feet take you!

SHOP WOMEN’S MERRLL

SHOP MEN’S MERRELL