Hiking Boots or Hiking Shoes? - The Dilemma

Hiking Boots and Shoes Serve Different Purposes, So Choose Wisely:

Hiking footwear is an investment. I knew I was not the smartest person when I realized that I hadn’t learned this lesson soon enough.

I have been hiking regularly and recklessly since 2011; I have damaged my ACL, strained my lower back, and my toenails are like tree barks. The reason I feel stupid is I never related these injuries to my cheap footwear.

I bought cheap boots, used them for half a dozen hikes, wear them out and ditch them for a new pair. I thought I was saving money, but, a good pair of shoes is a lot cheaper than a ligament tear.

I have been through a lot of footwear and here is what I have learned:

1. Make sure your shoes fit you: If your footwear is small for your feet, carry a pack of hydrocolloid bandages for your blisters, and get prepared to say goodbye to your toenails. And, in case they are too big, you are bound to strain your ankles and knees to keep balance.

2. The Insoles are as important: If you have a bit of knock knee, or bowed legs, be sure to buy yourself the right insoles too. They help position your knees properly.

3. Make sure you have the right tool for the right job: Wearing snow boots to terrains that need grippy shoes is not just uncomfortable but can sometimes be dangerous.

How to Figure Out What to Buy?

To understand the type of footwear you need you have got to take note of a few of these factors:

1. Terrain: Where are you looking to hike? Temperate forests, snow-capped mountain ranges, or beach routes.

2. Season: Is it going to be cold, or wet and muddy?

3. Duration: Are your expeditions day trips or multiple days?

Boots are great for longevity. If you are looking at multi-day hikes through loose terrains like sand, mud, or snow, boots are your best bet. But, on terrains that call for flexibility, they tend to restrict essential movements.

I remember hiking up a shallow stream in a wet deciduous forest and the only way up was rock hopping through its mossy and gigantic boulders. It was one of the most beautiful experiences on a day hike, for I got to play spiderman through the boulders, jump into pools, and swim through a few of them, but I must have fallen at least a couple dozen times; and the problem was the boots.

They got wet and heavy for starters, but the bigger issue was the lack of flexibility. My ankles could not move around and the outsoles' rigidity caused them to slip on the wet stones.

I would have done a lot better with a good pair of hiking shoes.

Pros and Cons of Hiking Boots

The consequences of wearing shoes instead of boots could be just as severe. I have not faced anything dangerous but I did try hiking through mud and slush wearing shoes once. I lost them in the mud quite a few times, and my socks were wrecked.

Anyway, here are a few pros and cons that may help you understand what to choose.

Pros

• Protects the feet and toes

• Ankle support makes footing sturdy and stable

• Keeps loose material from entering

• Long-lasting

Cons

• Low flexibility

• Heavy

• Rigid soles tend to slip on wet and slimy surfaces.

Pros and Cons of Hiking Shoes

I prefer shoes for day hikes, especially during summer. And the shoes that are specifically good with water grip, are awesome for rock hopping.

Pros

• Lightweight

• Flexible

• Grippy

• Breathable

Cons

• Relatively low life expectancy

• Lower protection

• High chances of pebbles and mud seeping through

• Not sturdy

So? What to Buy?

Well, depends on the terrain you are going to be frequenting, but for the more serious hikers out there, it serves best to have them both.

For the best set of hiking shoes check this link: https://www.myopencountry.com/best-lightweight-hiking-shoes/

For hiking boots check this one out: https://www.myopencountry.com/best-hiking-boots/

And for those who are wondering why I am writing about hiking boots and shoes, well this was a test sample for a gig I was applying to, but I did not get through. So, here you are reading another failure.

Kahan J Sudev