"If I could go back in time I would have done it different…" Ah, the wishful thinking of too many hikers concerning footwear. If only you could go back to that day in the outfitters store when you purchased those blister-breeding monsters for your Appalachian Trail expedition. At the time it may have seemed logical to buy a heavy mountaineering boot for day hiking the AT because you wanted great support and you knew they would last forever. Or maybe you figured the pair that was a little snug would eventually stretch, when really you just didn’t want to fork over the extra cash for the pair that fit just right. Ask anyone who’s had a bad footwear experience–it’s not worth total foot carnage or hiking with cinder blocks on your feet just to save a few bucks.

The poor, mangled feet of too many hikers is proof that ill-fitting footwear can cause injury, pain and pure hiking misery. Take for instance the feet of AT hiking enthusiast Jimmy Greene of Athens, Georgia who has hiked the entire length of the trail from Georgia to Maine and is currently in the process of completing another hike from West Virginia to Georgia. In his 1,167 Appalachian Trail miles, he has experienced his share of foot misery from lost and blackened toenails, to ankle turns, to severe blisters from improperly fitting footwear. Some hikers have even ended their trips early just to doctor injured feet. To Greene, hiking the Appalachian Trail means you, "Leave your home and go to paradise," for a life-changing, spiritual experience. Why risk sacrificing such an experience by making a careless choice in footwear?

Weighing your Options

Selecting your hiking footwear is probably the most important decision you’ll make preparing for your trip. So love your feet–they work hard for you. They want to be healthy, happy and blister-free throughout your expedition, so take the time with a trained salesperson to choose properly fitting footwear that suits your hiking plans. Ignore fashion, elude brand name biases, and don’t be cheap. Remember that good looks or good bargains do not necessarily equal a good fit. Make sure you choose durable footwear that fits properly, protects your feet and most of all choose a pair that feels good. Uncomfortable feet means unhappy hiking, so be smart, choose what works best for you and most of all, don’t let your footwear ruin your trip.

Fit comes first. Have your feet measured and allow the person fitting you to thoroughly inspect the overall shape and volume/thickness your feet. Your feet can jump sizes when put your weight on them so they should be measured sitting as well as standing to account for possible foot elongation. Foot motion while walking is important to consider as well, as the rolling patterns of your feet will affect the way footwear fits and feels. You want properly sized footwear that will correctly stabilize and support the feet.

Consider the conditions. Think about the hiking conditions: What will the climate be like? How much will your pack weigh? Will the trail surface be rugged and unstable? Where you will be, the terrain you will be trekking through, and the weight on your back are key factors to consider when choosing footwear.

Go light. Remember your legs have got to carry those things around all day so don’t overdo it. According to hiking fanatic Jimmy Greene, "There’s an old saying that every pound on the foot is equivalent to 5-pounds on the backpack." Go as light as possible to accommodate your hiking conditions, but never sacrifice support, protection, or durability just to shave a little extra weight.

Try, try again. Try on as many pairs as you can handle. Each manufacturer has a different design, so no two pairs of shoes will fit the same. And never settle, even if you think you have the perfect pair. You should consider all your options because a model that you didn’t think would work might surprise you.

How do they feel? Are they uncomfortable? Then forget about ‘em. If they don’t feel good, stick them back in the box and send the salesperson to fetch a different pair. Remember you’ll be trekking the trails, not trotting around on carpeted floor. If they don’t feel good in the store, imagine how those puppies will feel while stomping over roots and rocks mile after mile.

Wear your socks. You want to try your shoes with the socks you plan to hike in to ensure the exact fit. Socks can make a difference in the fit of a shoe, so be sure you try the whole package before heading out.

Don’t let toes bump or heels jump around. Make sure your toes have enough room so they aren’t jammed in the toe box, but not so much room that your heel jumps up and down in the back of the shoe. The store should have an incline board that you can walk up and down to test the fit on ascents and descents. If your toes bump the front of the shoes or your heels hop around in the back, try another size.

Fatten your feet first. Feet tend to swell throughout the day or after exercising, so try shoes on in the afternoon or after walking or running which will account for size increase. If you try on shoes when your feet are smallest your shoes could feel snug after you romp in them a bit. You don’t want those size 8’s to feel like 4’s after a few miles on the trail.

Choosing Your Treads

So know you’re armed with cash and ready to purchase the perfect pair of hiking shoes. You enter the outdoor store, walk over to the wall labeled "hiking footwear" when suddenly your brain is swimming with footwear jargon like "trekking shoes," "mountaineering," "trail runners," and so on. The choices seem endless, so where do you start? Here’s a basic rundown of different categories of hiking footwear you’ll likely encounter in an outdoor retail store:

Sport Sandals

These shoes could be (non-technically) described as the strappy, flexible, rubber or polyurethane-soled sandals that most people refer to as Teva’s or Chaco’s. The more souped-up versions can even be classified in a running category, but most have a flexible sole construction with straps that secure the feet and are intended for water and casual activities in warm weather. Sport sandals without toe loops can be worn with socks, but this still does not provide adequate insulation or protection from the elements.

This type of footwear is excellent for water crossing because sport sandals have an outsole grip construction for traction in water, and dry quickly. Another plus for this type of footwear is that they are excellent camp shoes that give the feet a break and allow them to breathe after a long haul. Some people do hike in sport sandals, however, it’s not recommended. They offer very little protection and support for the feet and ankles. Sport sandals are best for moderate trail hiking, rafting, kayaking and other water activities.

Trail Runners/Approach Shoes

More stable and protective than a basic running shoe, trail runners (sometimes referred to as approach shoes) are mainly designed as off-road running shoes with gripping outsoles for ultra traction and a more cushioned midsole that can double as a hiking shoe. The breathability, flexibility, and lightweight construction of trail runners tempt many people to use them for hiking, but take caution–hiking in a trail runner is not ideal for everyone. According to Montrail Rep John Harvey, trail runners are "only for somebody who has a tremendous amount of miles under his or her belt." By "tremendous amount" he means at least 200-miles and even so, he does not recommend trail runners for someone carrying a backpack weighing more than 30-pounds. Harvey added a person with any ankle problems at all should never wear trail running shoes as hiking shoes due to lack of ankle support.

Yet this is exactly what avid Appalachian Trail hiker Jimmy Greene hikes in. But he’s also a light packer (26-27 pounds) with over 1,100 trail miles of which to speak. However, Greene also doesn’t recommend trail runners for everyone, especially not beginners.

Light Hikers

Usually constructed with a combination of leather and fabric, these shoes are lightweight and offer a variety of cuff heights. Light hikers offer low-top, _-top, and high-top cuff heights strictly to accommodate personal preference. Light hikers are typically constructed with a flexible outsole and are usually adequate for most day hiking or lightweight backpacking. The ankle support isn’t as protective as a hiking boot, but provides more protection than a trail runner. Some may offer a waterproof liner, which usually keeps feet dry, but for the most part, light hikers offer little in the way of water resistance in the upper (everything above the sole) construction. Generally, light hikers are recommended for day to overnight trips.

Hiking Boots

With a more durable and supportive construction than light hikers, hiking boots are the ideal for most hiking and backpacking trips. Most hiking boots are constructed of leather uppers with some type water-resistant protection, and offer a more rugged and protective outsole than light hikers. The more durable construction makes hiking boots heavier than light hikers and thus, harder to break-in. For the most part, hiking boots provide adequate ankle support with an above ankle design and rate as an excellent overall choice for AT hiking footwear (especially for beginners).

Trekking Boots

Even more supportive and durable than hiking boots, trekking boots are designed for extreme support when carrying heavy packs and stomping through rough terrain. These boots are ideal for extended backpacking with aggressive and durable soles and extra protective upper construction. Trekking boots are pretty heavy and are probably not your best bet for AT hiking. These boots are tough to break-in and are almost overkill in regards to weight, protection and stiffness. Trekkers are ideal for backpacking trips with heavy loads for longer distances, such as through hiking multi-week trips.

Mountaineering Boots

Designed to carry the heaviest packs over the roughest terrain, mountaineering boots are the stiffest, heaviest and most protective and durable boots on the market. This also means they are the toughest to break-in and most likely will be the least comfortable. They are designed for the most rugged conditions in the most extreme environments. These heavy-duty boots have extremely aggressive outsoles and many are crampon-compatible. Mountaineering boots are designed mountaineering expeditions and for glacier travel and ice and rock climbing. Bottom line: This is too much boot to hike the Appalachian Trail, but if you prefer to hike in the bulldozer version of a boot then go for it.

Choosing your hiking footwear doesn't have to be a miserable task, as long as you have an idea of what you’re looking for before you hit the store. Take your time, consider all of your options, and remember the tricks to scoring a perfect fit. Be sure to pick the kicks that suit you best, because the footwear you select for any outdoor adventure could either make or break your trip.

Last Updated: Feb 24th, 2006 - 14:18:11
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