What To Look For
Consider a full fabric or leather and fabric boot combination, which can provide the positive qualities of each material along with comfort and support. Leather is heavy. Combinations allow you to save weight and painful break-in periods.
Hiking boots need to provide traction on variable surfaces from gravel to mud to uneven ground and across obstacles. The boots need to support the foot and ankle under heavy loads and stress over distance, with no tight spots or areas of friction, particularly against your heels or toes.
Hikers need all of this in a piece of footwear that ideally is as rugged and durable as possible while having the minimum weight possible.
Common Pitfalls
Waterproofing is a highly debated subject. Boots are rarely waterproof to the extent that a hiker can cross a creek or river without getting the interior wet. Waterproof material like Gore-Tex can actually work against you by trapping moisture (from the outdoors or your own sweat) in the boot, leading to soreness, potential damage (particularly blisters) and fungal growth. A heavily lined boot also traps heat.
Some hikers believe it's better to have a breathable shoe, expecting that some wetness will occur and that a combination of changing socks and evaporation will allow the boot to dry quickly. If you need a waterproof boot, look for one that maximizes breathability.
Where To Buy
To find a good hiking boot, it might be necessary to go online. There are extensive comparisons and reviews available, along with detailed product descriptions. Most retail stores carry few boots, if any. Even sporting goods stores might keep only limited or seasonal stocks. This holds true for hiking boots and athletic trail shoes.
Cost
Hiking boots range in price from $45 to $400. Trail shoes cost $50 to $160. The best price for boots can be found online, with several shoe outlets competing to provide the better deal. Amazon.com, Zappos.com and REI Outlet are good places to start. Gore-Tex, Vibram soles, leather, a climate control interior and some brand names mean a higher price.
Insider Tips
Many lightweight backpackers and hikers have switched to athletic shoes. These have increasingly been designed to help with specific foot problems, to provide added support and cushioning and to maximize breathability by wicking moisture away from the foot. They are a convenient, comfortable choice and often already broken in from daily wear.
Manufacturers have added to their lines of trail shoes, which offer even greater support than an athletic shoe, plus the added traction and durability of a hiking boot, making the traditional heft, heat and cumbersome feel of the hiking boot even more a thing of the past.
