Regular hikers know the importance of a great hiking shoe or hiking boot. Nothing is worse than getting half way through your trek and realizing your feet are blistered, sore, and painful. The goal of spending time out in the great outdoors is to return with a renewed spirit and happy stories, not horror stories because your shoes made you miserable.

A Buyer’s Guide to Hiking Boots

You have to understand hiking boots to make the best purchase possible. There are a few key characteristics to keep in mind. Your hiking boots should first feel comfortable to your foot. They should be light and easy to maneuver in. They should also be durable enough to keep your feet protected, warm and dry. If you purchase a good hiking shoe or hiking boot, you should not have to forsake any of these qualities.

Comfort

Fit, Fit, Fit. Try on the footwear. Walk in it, jump in it, and stand on one leg to test balance under precarious circumstances. Hiking shoes and boots tend to fit differently than other types of footwear, so try on different sizes and brand names. Take your socks into consideration; will you be wearing one pair or two? Consider taking your socks with you when you go shopping.

Sizes often run differently than those of traditional footwear. Don’t just stick to your normal size, try on a variety and test as many as needed to get the perfect fit.

Experience

Experience level helps determine the type of footwear you will need. Hikers with varying experience levels may need different shoes even if they’re hiking the same terrain, under the same conditions. You want to be certain to purchase hiking shoes or boots that give support to not only your feet, but your ankles, calves, legs and tendons such as the Achilles tendon. A hiker's skill level plays a large part in the type of footwear needed.

Durability and Stability

Keep the purpose of the footwear and the terrain in mind. Understand weather conditions, how long you will be hiking, and even what you will be carrying with you, such as a back pack and supplies. Your footwear is one of the most important pieces of equipment you will purchase for hiking.

The Best Brand of Hiking Boots

There are several great brands from which to choose. Try on several brands that offer the qualities you have decided you need. Let's discuss the top two hiking shoes and the top two hiking boots based on customer reviews found online.

Keen Voyageur Low

A very rugged, lightweight shoe, weighing in at two pounds; they are well-ventilated and most buyers say they're an incredible shoe for reasonably light loads. They are a hiking shoe, so they don't offer the ankle support you'll find with a boot. The Keen Voyageur Low can be purchased for around $100.

Pros: Inexpensive, quick drying, lightweight, offer immaculate protection

Cons: Not waterproof, very little ankle support, traction and durability have received mixed reviews

Lowa Renegade II GTX Lo

A very attractive specialty shoe, available in a few different colors; they are lightweight and most buyers report that they wear out more quickly than other brands. These shoes are a little more expensive than others reviewed in this article; they start around $140.

Pros: Gender specific, 3 widths available, lightweight, waterproof, good support and comfort

Cons: Requires a long time to dry out and they wear out quickly

L.L.Bean Trail Model Hikers II, Mid-Cut Boot

L.L. Bean is often synonymous with quality and these mid-cut boots live up to expectations. Most buyers say they immediately put their boots to good use upon purchase and were extremely satisfied with the results. These hiking boots may be purchased for $80 to $90 at most retailers.

Pros: Budget priced, good support, can handle loads up to 30 lbs

Cons: Only available in medium width, recommend going half a size bigger, are not as breathable as some other brands

Vasque Breeze GTX XCR Boot

The Vasque Breeze GTX XCR generally receives 3.5 out of 5 stars. Buyers boasted great ankle support and comfort. Traction issues were reported by some buyers, while others said the traction was incredible. This particular model may be purchased for $110 to $160.

Pros: Gender specific, 3 widths available, comfortable, lightweight, good ankle support

Cons: Some leaks are noticeable, takes a long time to dry, traction received mixed reviews, average sizes may run small or narrow for some people

Our Conclusion

Hiking equipment should always fit the hiker, first and foremost. No two people are the same and no two pair of hiking boots is the same. Talk to your peers and take their recommendations into consideration when making your purchase, but ultimately let your own comfort be your guide when buying hiking shoes or boots.