8 Hiking Shoes Buying Tips

This time I will try to give some tips that might be useful as you would choose a hiking shoe for purchase.

Introduction for Hiking Shoes

Shoes are one basic equipment which has a vital utility in hiking activities. Because the main base in transportation or movement for hiking are the legs that requires protection to avoid various risks, such as injury resulting from the steep rocky terrain that are often encountered in an ascent. Additional equipment can be carried such as a good binoculars will be a fun thing.

Another function of the shoe is as aesthetic which can make our performance during hiking look cool (we wear shoes that have a nice looking). This is a plus function.

Choosing Hiking Shoes Tips

Currently, there are several models and types of hiking shoes available in stores in your town, or in online. This is certainly a benefit to us as buyers. With so many varieties and types of shoes available, we can more freely to choose and determine which one have the best quality and suitable for our use. But on the other hand, it can also make us confused to determine the best selection of decent shoes to buy.

To select a good quality hiking shoes (in terms as gaiters and aesthetic functions), we need to consider various aspects of the hiking shoes we choose.

Some of these tips may help you to determine the best choice of shoes that are worthy for purchase.

1. Terrain on your route

Think carefully about what kind of terrain on your ascent you are going through. Think about the possibility of the worst terrain to be encountered, so that you will be able to determine appropriate shoes as what you need to face the field.

2. Size is matter

Choose the size that really fits your feet, hiking shoes with a size that is too small will be very painful to wear and can make your legs injured, while the loose shoes will not be comfortable to wear and quite disturbing your feet dynamic movement.

But according to my experience, wearing a shoe that are really fit sometimes can lead to injury, especially at the end of the toe after running down on mountain. For that, you better pick a shoe with one or half size larger over your actual size. Moreover, if you choose larger number it can to be less comfortable to wear as I discussed above.

3. Load you carry

Estimate the weight that you will carry when hiking, if more weight you'll take, then consider a better quality shoe that you need to support your hiking trip. Special shoes for ultralight climbing will be broken if you climb with conventional style which focuses on the amount of loads.

4. Shoes weight

Although the price relatively more expensive. But the shoes weight reduction will help lighten your steps. This type of shoe is perfect if you are ultra light hiking enthusiasts.

5. Materials used

Shoes that are leather made has the advantage in strength, excellent durability, waterproof, and breathable (good air circulation), but has flaws as it has heavier weight. While the shoe with a mixture of leather and synthetic rubber have lighter weight, but the strength and durability is no better than a leather one.

6. Don’t stick on prices

One might think that all goods with high prices definitely have better quality than similar items at a cheaper price. This is not always true. Not all high priced hiking shoes have a better quality than lower priced shoes. You should be careful and cautious in choosing one. If it fit the criteria I discussed in this article, and also very comfortable to wear, lower priced shoes can be more suitable for you to purchase.

7. Ask the seller 

Do not be embarrassed to ask many questions about various things related to the shoes that you like before you actually buy it. What material is made from? Are there any guarantees? Are the shoes waterproof? How to take care for these shoes? and so on. Asking these questions will make you have knowledge for the advantages and disadvantages of the shoes that you will buy. If you feel it doesn’t fit your preferences you can switch to another one freely.

8. Try it first

The most important thing you need to consider in choosing hiking shoes is the comfort aspect. Trying the shoes before you buy is a step that must be done. Try to wear and walk around to find out the comfort level. If it is comfortable to wear and fit with your feet, and of course in accordance with your budget, then do not hesitate anymore to immediately make a purchase.

So that’s it. 8 tips on choosing hiking shoes I can share. Please research before buying. Choose wisely and according to your needs so it can be used for a long time. Finally I hope this article is useful for you all. Thanks.