Hiking Shoe Review

Hiking shoes are a hiker's main contact with the ground that they tread on, and they can make or break any outdoor endeavor. Unlike hiking boots, hiking shoes are built for speed. They combine the comfort and durability of a hiking boot with the svelte profile and support of a running shoe. When looking for hiking shoes, hikers should seek out shoes that maintain a healthy balance between comfort, stability and durability, without weighing you down on the trail. Hiking shoes should be fairly lightweight (around 2 pounds or less). Gore-Tex liners enhance shoes' temperature regulation, keeping your feet cool and comfortable. Also look for reinforcement on the sidewalls and toebox of the shoe to verify its durability. And look for shoes with a stability plate in the midsole to increase support and stability on rough terrain. Many hiking shoes are high on the durability level, but compromise when it comes to comfort and breathability, so look for a breathable liner. Also, shoe sizes can vary from company to company, so if at all possible, buy shoes in person so that you can try them on. If you buy online, make sure to understand the website's return/exchange policy if the shoes don't fit. Find shoes by manufacturers that focus on outdoor footwear-companies such as Merrell, Lowa and Montrail, which are known for their trail-specific shoes, as are Columbia Footwear and Patagonia. Find a sweat-wicking sock, such as Smartwool's PhD Trail Runner that will keep your feet dry and blister-free on the trail. Because hiking shoes are usually low cut, look into mid-length socks to keep scree from working its way into your socks.