The Intro

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Hiking boots? Hiking shoes? Where to start and where to end. It wasn't too long ago that the market had very few choices for outdoor adventure footwear. I remember my first few pairs of hiking boots were terribly inflexible, heavy and blister havens. Now the hiking footwear arena includes trail running, ultralight, hiking shoes and boots. Let's get you ready by feeding your brain, talk shoe terms, buying tips and overall ways that your next pair is the best pair for your adventure. 

courtesy of wirecutter.com

Pro Tips

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1. Try On: At the end of the day, as your foot is going to be more swollen and this practice helps to prevent buying an ill fitted shoe.
2. Blister Prevention: Look no further than your gel deodorant (brand does not matter) and lather up those heels. It will keep moisture out and reduce friction between shoe and heel.
3. Sock and Shoe besties: Try on your shoe/boot with a hiking sock. Get used to these new besties working together.
4. Break In: To get the first-time wears, never do it on a trail. Instead wear them around the house, to work, walking the dog and go the easy route to working in your new hiking shoes.     
5. Comfort 1st:  Know that comfort is king and should be at the top of your list. Always. 
6. The Almighty Dollar: The more money spent does not mean a better shoe, nor vice versa. 
7. Socks: A good hiking sock is your shoe/boots best friend.  
8. Type Matters: Know what you are shopping for. (Day hike, trail run or backpacking for example) 

Essential Terms

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1. Lug Pattern: On the outside/underneath part of the shoe, they are specifically purposed to aid in traction. The deeper lug the more traction. The wider spaced lugs help let mud and ground matter flow easier out of the shoe tread. Lug depth is an essentially quality to champion in a shoe to avoid build up in the tread and provide stability on slicker/wetter surfaces.
2. Heel Brake: The zone at the heel completely aside from mid-foot arch and toe. This area helps provides additional assistance against slipping on rocks, going downhill and other obstacles.
3. EVA: This term shows up on most shoe detailed descriptions, it stands for Ethylene Vinyl Acetate. Simply put, it’s a mid-sole composite that creates a lighter more flexible feeling sole. The benefit is shock absorption, lighter shoes and a more flexible sole than the traditional rubber sole.
4. Rock Plate: A great friend to have in your shoe. The plate sits between the outer sole and your mid sole and is responsible for protection of your arch and foot from irregular shaped surfaces (boulders, stones, mulch, crushed gravel) . You will be thankful for your rock plate.
5. Toe Cap: Oh my how this has saved my toes over the years. There is nothing worse then jamming your toe into a root, stone or boulder. The toe cap is a very nice to have on your hiking footwear as its firm rubber cover of the toe area provides safety and security from ground obstacles.

Types

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1. Trail Runners: Think sneakers with attitude. These super lightweight shoes are flexible, breathable and provide grip. Their weakness is their lack of ankle support
2. Hiking Shoes: Low cut. These are shoe like with a lightweight feel, flexible , with above average grip and most come with rock plate for reduced friction on harder surfaces. These are great for day hikes, rock scrambles and backcountry trails. Their weakness is durability over longer hiking trails.
3. Hiking Day Boots: Mid cut, these boots are lighter and the more fun cousin to the traditional hiking boot ready to tackle distance day hikes and for mid-light weight overnight pack trips. These boots are lighter and the more fun cousin to the traditional hiking boot. They are superior for ankle support, toe support and grip yet lack breathability and flexibility.
4. Hiking Boots: High ankle , ready to flex its support for your ankles, meant for carrying heavy weight packs during extended hikes, overnight trips. The downside is they can be heavier, the least flexible and least breathable of any of the hiking shoe types.

WHATS RIGHT FOR ME?

• EXAMPLE: You are a good day hiker that swoons for rock scrambles and mastering ascents and descents of the Shenandoah. Then a light hiking shoe with ankle coverage, required are a heal brake, rock plate with flexibility are must haves.
• EXAMPLE: You are aiming to hike 15-25 miles of backcountry ruggedness.  You need shock absorption, ankle support and durability to protect your feet from the big mile punishment. Your new best friend is the hiking boot.
• EXAMPLE: You are headed to your local state park for a short distance trail run, the need for speed and ultra-weight are essential and so the trail runners are ideal.

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