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Hiking boots are the most popular boots option for vehicle-borne explorers for good reason: this type of footwear provides the triple-whammy of comfort, support and protection of your feet, making them ideal for short day walks or longer multi-day journeys.
Of course, it’s not as simple as just buying a pair – boots are available in a variety of styles (high-cut, mid-cut and low-cut), sizes (both in length and width; narrow and wide variants are common within one model), and can be made from synthetic material, or more traditional leather (and all of its forms, such as suede), or a combo of those two. Add in a sturdy, strong sole (Vibram soles are the best, so look for this when trying boots) to ensure the right balance of comfort and support.
Speaking of which, a hiking boot’s main purpose is to support your feet (and, as a result, the rest of you) when you are walking over uneven terain; for what seems a very simple, everyday item, there is a lot of engineering involved in ensuring feet and ankles are well supported, thus making moving around comfortably and efficiently in said footwear a no-brainer – and also avoiding aches, and the dreaded blister(s).
Styles
There are a number of boot styles from which to choose, and it’s well worth trying on a few different ones. Heavy-duty hiking boots are the best bet for those who do plenty of walking; the (usually) full leather construction, sturdy sole (a Vibram sole is also the best option for those looking for longevity and durability from their footwear, while the high-cut (above ankle) style of heavy-duty boots offers the most effective ankle support.
A heavy-duty high-cut boot will also offer more protection from water ingress. And, with proper care, these will last many years. Mid-cut boots are popular due to the lower weight and lighter overall construction, so are ideal for casual walkers and for around camp duties. A low-cut boot is akin to a running shoe in style, with the boot ankle section below your ankle bones.
These are great for everyday use and are usually much easier to break-in due to their primarily synthetic construction. These low-cut boots will also be more flexible overall, meaning you can just throw them on your feet from new and, providing you had a proper fitment, you’re set to go. All the different boot styles offer other non-essential options, with a Gore-tex membrane lining inside the boot one of those.
This membrane is designed to keep water out and is most common in synthetic-material boots, owing to that material’s porous nature; leather’s solidity means a Gore-tex lining is not a must-have.
Materials
There are two material options with hiking boots: leather (and its variants) or synthetic materials. The heaviest-duty boots will almost always be of full leather construction, while mid- and low-cut boots can be constructed of either material. The benefits of leather are many: durability and longevity are the main two, plus leather’s ability to withstand water ingress to a higher degree than synthetic.
Leather boots can be regular leather, nubuck or suede, with these second two being softer in feel and more flexibile, meaning you need less time to break them in.
Synthetic material significantly drops the weight of a boot, plus the material’s inherent flexibility means boots of this construction take less time to break-in. Plus, synthetic material boots are generally cheaper to buy. Synthetic boots are more common in the mid- and lower-cut styles, which means more choices for consumers and kids; having to buy a new set of boots each year as your child’s feet grows can make even the richest of adventurers weep at the repeated expense!
Some boots are a mix of synthetic and leather in construction. This allows manufacturers (and consumers) to utilise each material’s unique features; leather sections are used in the high-wear parts of the boot, while synthetic material will be used in the boot’s mid-section to aid flexibility, with a waterproof membrane added here as well.
Pros and cons
Hiking boots are a great asset around camp, for day walks, or for longer sojourns. The support offered by this beefier footwear – especially around the ankle section – as well as the added traction from the sole, is assurance against rolled ankles and twisted knees on uneven terrain. You will also be surprised at how your feet will feel less tired after a day of exploring, even though hiking boots are heavier than running shoes; the hiking boot’s stronger sole – along with the additional foot support overall – means your foot is actually working less to move you around.
However, it is important not to ‘over-boot’ yourself; a pair of heavy-duty (and heavyweight) hiking boots are of little benefit to those who will spend the majority of their time around camp. For this, your best bet is a lightweight low-cut hiking boot that still offers a grippy, supportive sole and beefier ankle section, but does away with the higher weight. Hiking boots also require maintenance: synthetic material boots will start to smell like a rubbish dump if not regularly washed and cleaned, while leather boots need regular re-treatment to retain their suppleness.
Summary
Regardless of the style or material used, buying a pair of hiking boots is a big job; everyone’s feet are different. To find your perfect pair of boots you will have to do lots of walking between stores and you will have to try many different brands, models and sizes as possible. Shop in dedicated outdoor stores and chat with sales assistants who actually hike in the outdoors – their advice will be invaluable.
expect to pay from between $150 through to $400 for a pair of high-quality hiking boots.
A properly fitted boot should be one that eliminates side-to-side movement of your foot, offers a snug (but not tight) overall fit, with wiggle-room for your toes. Don’t buy a pair of full-leather hiking boots the day before you head off on your adventure; allow plenty of time to wear them in as it will allow the boots to mould to your feet and also allow you to eliminate any trouble spots on your feet that are usually a precursor to a blister forming. The last thing you want is blisters on your feet on your first day of your adventure.
Price range
Hiking boot pricing will reflect the quality of construction; full-leather boots with a Vibram sole will be the most expensive. But, these will last you the longest – I have a pair of full-leather boots that have clocked up 15 years. As stated earlier, nubuck, suede or synthetic material boots – and synthetic/leather hybrids – will cost less and, if from a reputable boot brand, will also last many years.
As a guide, expect to pay from between $150 through to $400 for a pair of high-quality hiking boots from a reputable brand, such as Scarpa, La Sportiva, Asolo, or The North Face. Of course, what you pay will also be governed by the boots’ end-use: for those content with a few day walks and campsite duties, a pair of low-cut hiking boot of synthetic material construction can be had for around $100.
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