Hiking Boot Information

Updated July 2009

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In this report

Hiking Boot Links

Hiking and backpacking footwear options

For day hikes or ultralight backpacking, experts at BackpackingLight.com recommend wearing trail-running shoes. These usually require no break-in period, but don't last as long as hiking shoes or boots. See the ConsumerSearch report on trail-running shoes.

Some hikers prefer sandals even for backpacking, and some models provide closed-toe protection. Teva, Saloman and Keen are favorite companies. BackpackGearTest.org has reviews of sandals.

It's possible to buy Gore-Tex liners, sort of like oversocks, to put in boots to waterproof them. These start at around $25 for various brands, but we found quite a few positive reviews for the Rocky Gore-Tex Oversocks (*Est. $60). Users say there's no leeway in the fit, though, and they can be tricky to put on.

Insoles can also improve fit. BackpackGearTest.org has in-depth reviews of several insoles.

SuperFeet.com has an insole selector that applies only to that brand.

Running Times covers over-the-counter insoles as well as custom orthotics, and has an article by Sue Stender about them called "Seeking Supplemental Support."

Sole makes heat-moldable insoles for a custom fit. http://www.yoursole.com/index.htm You can read owner-written reviews of the different Sole insoles at Zappos.com.

Hiking boots for kids

If you're looking for hiking boots for kids, Backpacker magazine's 2008 gear guide recommends the Vasque Breeze (*Est. $65), saying these waterproof boots wear so well that they can be passed down as kids outgrow them. We didn't find any newer recommendations for 2009.

Winter hiking boots

We found comparison reviews of insulated boots at Backpacker magazine and BackpackingLight.com, but none of these boots got perfect scores. Tests at BackpackingLight.com find that waterproof hiking boots that keep feet dry at stream crossings still eventually get soaked after hours trekking through wet snow. One of the best, though, is the Keen Growler (*Est. $100) with 200-gm Primaloft (synthetic) insulation, and is rated to -25 degrees Fahrenheit. This insulated boot's flexibility helps keep feet warm, and traction is excellent.

For ultralight backpacking, BackpackingLight.com suggests using mesh-top trail shoes even in the winter, with insulated overboots and waterproof sock liners that go over regular socks.

BackpackGearTest.org also has reviews of winter boots and overshoes.

Several companies make attachments that can fit on ordinary hiking shoes for better traction on snow and ice. Owners rate and review several options at REI.com.

Hiking boot news and buzz

If a company's social-responsibility ratings, environmental initiatives and/or community involvement matter to you, Timberland wins on all counts. This company is the first shoe company to measure the environmental impact of each shoe's manufacture, and has won many awards for a wide range of initiatives. In 2007, Outside magazine gave a Timberland shoe its Green Gear of the Year Award, and in 2006, Business Ethics magazine listed Timberland as one of the top-10 "best corporate citizens" in the United States.

Other companies are getting greener, too. According to an article in the March 2008 issue of Backpacker magazine, several companies (including Asolo, Merrell, New Balance, The North Face and Vasque) use recycled material for their hiking-shoe boxes. Hi-Tec uses a waterproofing process that minimizes waste, and Keen buys its leather from companies with "sustainable business practices." La Sportiva uses wind power for its office in the United States.

Backpacker magazine covers hiking boots and shoes year-round, with several comparison reviews a year, in addition to its annual gear guide issue.

To keep up with the latest lightweight hiking shoes, check BackpackingLight.com, which is devoted to ultralight backpacking.

Buyers' guides to hiking footwear

For a guide to describing the shape of your foot -- important for finding hiking boots that fit -- see "Foot Type: Shape and Volume."

Outside magazine explains hiking boot terminology with a good diagram and an article on how to try on boots, "Hiking Boots & Shoes Explained."

GORP.com, connected with Outside magazine, has quite a few articles on buying and caring for hiking boots and shoes, including this one by Chris Townsend on fitting boots, "These Boots are Made for Walkin".

GORP hiking expert Karen Berger writes about blister prevention in the article "Conquering Blisters."

Fodors.com provides a forum where people ask questions about the best footwear to wear for a specific place. (Search for "hiking boots.")