Paved paths
How to Choose Shoes for Hiking
Terms used in this guide
OutsoleThe part of the sole that makes direct contact with the ground.
MidsoleThe cushioning layer between the outsole and your foot.
SoleThe entire structure under your foot, including the outsole and midsole.
Stack heightThe height from the ground to the underside of your foot. In this guide, our low, medium and high categories are based on forefoot stack height.
DropThe difference in sole height between the heel and forefoot. A shoe with no difference is called zero-drop.
LugsThe raised shapes on the outsole. Their shapes and depths vary to help grip different surfaces.
Start with your conditions
First, think about these three conditions.
Condition 1: terrainWhat kind of trail will you walk?
Maintained paths, stones and roots, loose rocky ground or rock.
What to look atSole stability, firmness and grip
Condition 2: pack weightHow much will you carry?
A light day pack or equipment for an overnight camping trip?
What to look atStability while carrying your pack
Condition 3: waterHow wet will your feet get?
Think about rain, morning dew and entering water.
What to look atWaterproofing, drainage and drying speed
Even on the same route, your pack and the weather change what you need to consider.
Thinking about footwear for walking
Does light and soft always mean easy to walk in?
Rocky trails
Heavy packs
When you first put on a shoe, its weight and the softness underfoot are easy to notice. Being able to move your feet comfortably is an important part of choosing footwear.
But a pleasant few steps on pavement will not tell you everything about how the shoe works in the mountains.
On stony trails, consider how much protection you want from the pressure of stepping on stones. On long walks with a pack, notice whether the sole sinks too much or feels unsteady when you place your foot. Different situations call for different checks.
By sole, we mean both the part that touches the ground and the structure above it that supports your foot. Some shoes flex readily with your feet; others resist bending and feel firmer.
Compare both freedom of movement and how settled the shoe feels when you put your foot down. Once you have felt the differences in softness and firmness, think about which qualities you want for the mountains you plan to walk in.
The shape alone does not tell the whole story
Low-cut
Mid-cut and higher
Low-cut shoes leave the ankle exposed, while mid-cut and higher footwear covers it. The difference is easy to see, but it does not determine the whole walking experience.
Some low-cut shoes have a firm sole and can feel steady underfoot. With mid-cut and higher footwear, check not only how the ankle is supported but also whether you can move comfortably in the directions you need.
Rather than deciding in advance that mountains require boots or that light walking requires low-cut shoes, walk in them when you try them on. Consider both stability when you place your foot and freedom of movement as you take a step.
Check a suitable shoe on your own feet
Walk when you try them on
Once you find footwear that seems suitable for your plans, check the fit. Suitability for the activity and suitability for your feet are two separate things to confirm.
As well as standing in the shoes, lace them up and notice how your feet move as you walk.
- Are your toes cramped?
- Does your heel lift excessively?
- Are there pressure points at the sides or places that rub when you walk?
- Does your foot move around too much inside the shoe?
Lacing can change how your foot sits in a shoe. But if it feels cramped or presses against your foot, do not simply tighten the laces harder; reconsider the size or shape as well.
After trying several pairs, you may notice that shoes marked with the same size have different toe room and heel fit. They also flex differently and feel different when you put your foot down. Experiencing those differences yourself is part of choosing shoes.
What to look for in each situation
Outsole grip and durability
Dirt trails
Stones and tree roots
Loose rocky ground
Rock
Match the outsole to the ground you walk on, and look at how the shoe is built to withstand contact with rocks and roots.
The protrusions on an outsole are called lugs. On mud or loose soil, they need to bite into the ground and release mud from the spaces between them. Look at spacing as well as depth. Deeper lugs are not necessarily more comfortable on pavement or hard-packed dirt. Consider whether the pattern suits the ground you usually walk on.
On rock, the rubber compound matters as well as lug depth. Even within Vibram's outsole range, different rubber compounds have different characteristics.
For example, Megagrip emphasizes grip on dry and wet surfaces while retaining durability. XS TREK combines grip and durability with flexibility.
If grip on wet rock matters to you, Megagrip is one useful clue. But the rubber's name alone does not determine how slip-resistant the whole shoe will be. On mud or loose soil, check lug depth and spacing too: consider the rubber and lug pattern together in relation to the terrain.
For durability and protection, look at the reinforcement around the toe and sides, where contact with rocks and roots is common. Is thin fabric exposed, or is it covered with rubber or another protective material? Look beyond labels such as mesh or leather and examine how the likely contact points are built.
Waterproof or non-waterproof?
Rain and morning dew
Entering water
Shoes with a waterproof membrane are an option when you want to keep out light rain, dew on grass or water from muddy ground. In colder conditions, keeping your feet dry is another consideration. GTX or WP in the product name can help identify waterproof models.
However, waterproof shoes can feel hot and humid. If water enters over the collar, it can be difficult to drain and may take time to dry.
In hot weather, or when walking involves immersion, non-waterproof shoes designed for drainage and drying may be more comfortable. Neither type is universally better: consider temperature, weather, water crossings and how long you will be out.
Get the fit right: seat your heel and lace up
Seat your heel, then tie the laces
Whichever shoe you choose, how you put it on affects the fit. Blisters, rubbing and toenail problems can have several causes, but it is worth checking whether your feet move inside the shoes and how you have laced them.
First, seat your heel against the back of the shoe, then tighten the laces. Check the fit across your instep and, for boots, around the ankle without pain or excessive pressure. The aim is not maximum tightness: check for heel lift and excessive movement in any direction.
Before a long descent, check that your feet will not slide forward and adjust the laces if needed. Using the top eyelets differently may help with heel lift. But lacing alone cannot necessarily solve a mismatch in size or shape.
Your body matters more than your shoes
Walking on mountain trails
Climbing on rock
Jogging
Alongside terrain, pack weight and exposure to rain or water, there is another major factor: your own body.
I believe that much of what makes walking feel easy comes from your body rather than your shoes. Work on posture and moving from the hips. Learn foot placement on descents. Develop balance and three-point contact through climbing, and build fitness through jogging. Gradually developing these skills matters too.
Both the pleasure of feeling the ground in thin soles and the situations in which you want thicker soles are things to explore with your own body. If your feet and legs are not used to thin soles, start with short walks rather than going straight into a long distance.
Rather than expecting shoes to solve everything, try different footwear as your body changes. My approach is to find a pair that suits who you are now and the mountains you plan to walk in.
Shoe map
The vertical axis shows our low, medium and high sole categories, based on forefoot stack height. The horizontal axis compares possible choices for maintained paths, trails with stones and roots, and loose rocky ground or ridges.
Further right does not mean better. Mud and wet-rock performance need to be considered separately from this axis. Check pack weight and fit as well.
Stack heightMaintained pathsStones and tree rootsLoose rock and rocky ridges
High
Maintained paths
Stones and tree roots
Loose rock and rocky ridges
Medium
Maintained paths
Stones and tree roots
Loose rock and rocky ridges
Low
Maintained paths
Stones and tree roots
A closer look at each model
Here are the models grouped by intended use. Low, medium and high are our categories based on forefoot stack height. They do not indicate stability ratings or maximum pack weights.
Walk light and feel the ground
Topo Athletic CONNECT
For people who enjoy walking itself. This is a thin-soled, zero-drop shoe that lets you feel the ground directly, with hold around the heel too. Consider your feet and legs' adaptation before choosing it for long distances or demanding terrain.
ALTRA LONE PEAK 9+
For relaxed walking with a clear feel for the ground. Your feet sit close to the surface, so you can sense what you step on. There is room around the toes, and the outsole uses Vibram Megagrip.
If you are new to zero-drop shoes, start with short distances. Check the width and heel fit in person.
Topo Athletic TERRAVENTURE 5
For people who want ground feel along with underfoot protection. A protective plate helps reduce pressure from sharp objects while retaining flexibility. The heel fits securely, with room at the forefoot.
ALTRA KING MT 2
It has deep lugs, an underfoot protective plate and a forefoot strap. A model to compare when choosing footwear for mud or loose soil.
Walking longer distances
Topo Athletic TRAVERSE 2
The manufacturer positions it for hiking, with a forefoot protective plate and abrasion-resistant mesh.
My impression is of a relatively firm sole that resists lateral movement and feels stable when walking. It is worth checking how settled it feels on longer walks with a pack.
ALTRA TIMP 6
A zero-drop model that we place between the LONE PEAK 9+ and OLYMPUS in sole height. A useful option when comparing different amounts of sole underfoot.
ALTRA OLYMPUS 275 HILO
It has an ankle-covering collar, a sleeve to help keep out sand and small stones, and a MATRYX upper.
ALTRA OLYMPUS 7
It uses a low-cut collar and mesh upper. Compare it with the HILO to explore differences around the collar and upper.
LA SPORTIVA Akasha II
A model to try if you want to walk longer distances or need room across the forefoot and instep. It has a rolling sensation as weight moves from heel to toe. The mesh is reinforced. Check fit and the walking feel, including the drop, in the shop.
Walking on loose rock and rocky ridges
LA SPORTIVA BUSHIDO III
For people who want ground feel and stability on loose rock and ridges. I find the close fit helps the foot feel steady on stones and roots. The relatively thin sole also gives a direct sense of the ground.
It has a snug fit, so people with wide feet or high insteps should check for pressure.
LA SPORTIVA TX5 LOW GTX
For routes ranging from forest roads to rocky ridges. I find the firm sole resists wobbling and feels steady on rock. It uses nubuck leather and protective reinforcement. Its weight feels different from footwear that prioritizes lightness. Try it on to check sizing and fit.
Walking in waterproof low-cut shoes
LA SPORTIVA PRODIGIO HIKE GTX
For people who want to carry less and walk at a steady pace. The sole absorbs impact and the knitted collar gives a settled feel around the foot. Toe and heel protection are included. As well as waterproofing, check fit and how warm it may feel in hot weather.
Topo Athletic TERRAVENTURE 4 WP
It has an eVent waterproof membrane. A model to compare if you are looking for waterproof low-cut footwear with a relatively thin sole.
Walking in mid-cut footwear and boots
LA SPORTIVA TX5 EVO MID GTX
An option for multi-day trips with a heavy pack or routes that include rock. For me, its defining features are the firm sole and the hold from lacing up around the ankle. It feels stable, but ankle movement is more restricted. On a light day hike, the weight may be noticeable, so check freedom of movement too.
The manufacturer specifies nubuck leather, a waterproof membrane and a Vibram Megagrip outsole, with resoling available.
Topo Athletic TRAILVENTURE 2 WP
For people who want waterproof footwear that covers the ankle and leaves room at the toes. The enclosing fit feels settled with a pack. Compare its weight with other models in person, and consider heat buildup in warm weather.
LA SPORTIVA Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX
Waterproof mid-cut footwear designed with ease of movement in mind. The stated uses include day hikes and longer-distance hiking.
To finish: try them on in the shop
Try them on, walk and talk with us
This guide can help you organize the conditions—terrain, pack weight and water—and what to look for in a shoe. But sizing requires trying shoes on, and forefoot width and heel fit vary from person to person. Even for the same person, different mountains and loads can call for different footwear.
Every shoe has uses it suits, but if it does not fit, you may not benefit from its strengths or be able to wear it at all. Because these are tools for moving in the mountains, I believe trying them on and walking in the shop is the most reliable way to check.
Tell us about your planned mountains, pack and previous footwear. We will look at forefoot and heel fit with you. If a model interests you, come in and compare a few pairs.