A common debate among hikers yet also a popular query from beginners: Hiking boots versus Hiking shoes and trail runners, what’s the best? Lack of knowledge, conflicting information, habits and myths, there is quite a lot to dust off to get to the bottom of this question. By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of their differences and benefits to make an informed decision as to which one is the best for you.
Hiking boots for winter and Hiking shoes for Summer? Well, it is a bit more complex than that. So what about the trail runners then? Maybe less mainstream, they have their place on the shelves and in your closet too.
At a Glance: Hiking Boots versus Hiking Shoes and Trail Runners
If you are in a hurry, here is a summary of the differences between hiking boots, hiking shoes and trail runners. I go into more detail in this article.
| Hiking Boots | Hiking Shoes | Trail Runners | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 2.5 to 3 pounds (1.1 to 1.3 kg) | 2 pounds (0.9 kg) | 20 to 25 ounces (0.5 to 0,7 kg) |
| Durability | 1,000 miles (1,609 km) | 750 miles (1,207 km) | 500 miles (804 km) |
| Protection | Strong | Medium | Weak |
| Waterproof | Yes | Water resistant | No |
| Drying Time | Long | Quick | Quick |
| Sole | Stiff | Flexible | Flexible |
| Fit | Wide | Tight | Tight |
| Breathable | No | Yes | Yes |
| Break-in Needed | Yes | No | No |
| Cost | Expensive | Affordable | Affordable |
| Best For | Winter, Mountain | Gentle terrain, light rain | Flat, Summer |
Do you need special shoes for hiking?
The answer is yes. Having hiked for quite a few years, I saw it all. People come on a hike and don’t want to make a huge investment in case they don’t like it. I get that. But you can be sure that you won’t have a nice experience and never hike again unless you make that investment in the first place.
When I say “I saw it all”, I mean it. I saw someone turning up for a 26 km (16.15 miles) hike with fashionable (fake) leather boots. I saw people wearing flip flops on a hot day. And the most common one: people wearing trainers.
So let’s be clear: hiking and going to the gym are two different things. Therefore you need shoes for the gym and shoes for hiking.
Do hiking shoes make a difference?
Yes, they do. They protect your feet from the elements, they have a good grip to prevent you from tripping or falling, they are waterproof or water-resistant so your feet stay dry and they have a thick sole therefore you won’t feel the rocks on your foot palm.
So now I have clarified that hiking footwear is needed, the question remains: Which one is suitable for you and your needs? In the next section, I am walking you through the differences between hiking boots, hiking shoes and trail runners.
What’s the difference between a hiking shoe and a hiking boot and trail runners?
If we can find three types of hiking footwear on the market, it’s because they do not fulfil the same purpose. So what are exactly the differences between them all?
Hiking boots
They are the most well known yet additionally the oldest hiking footwear. Remember your grandparents walking boots? Yes, you’ve got it. Those ugly, stiff, big leather boots that used to take ages to lace up. Stuck with this image in our mind, we tend to think this is the only option on the market and end up buying a pair without second thoughts.
But since our grandparents time, the market and the technology has evolved and more options are now available.
Hiking boots are easily recognisable on the shelves as they present a high ankle collar. This allows better ankle support and prevents injuries. Additionally, you can tuck it under your trousers or gaiters when it is raining to prevent water from getting into the boots.
Pros:
- Ankle support to prevent injuries, scratches from branches and snake bites
- Made in leather to protect from the elements
- Good traction and stability thanks to the stiff deep-treated sole and the high ankle collar so that you can climb hills and mountains
- Durable so you don’t need to buy a pair again and again
- Made with a Gore-Tex layer, they are warm so perfect for winter hikes
- Reinforced toe area for mountain hikes
- The upper layer is in leather not in mesh making them waterproof so you can cross streams or hike under heavy rain and your feet stay dry
- Good if you are carrying a heavy backpack as they absorb the weight
- Perfect for beginners who need more support and stability
- Ideal for heavy rain and snow conditions
- Ideal for rocky, bushy, long-distance, overnight and mountain hikes
Cons:
- Heavy so use more energy
- Take time to break in because they have a stiff sole so you can’t just take them out of the box and hit the trails
- Long to dry as made of leather which can be a problem if you are on a multi-day hike during stormy weather
- If water gets inside the boots it cannot get out as they as not breathable, therefore you will be carrying extra weight on your feet
- Take more space in your backpack if you take them as an additional pair of shoes
- Look ugly compared to the other options on the market
- Not breathable therefore your feet will get sweaty and soft which means you can get blisters more easily
- Wide fit which means your foot can move inside the shoe which can be a cause for blisters
- Costly but last longer than its cousins the hiking shoes and trail runners
Hiking shoes
They are the in-between option.
Lighter than the hiking boots but less durable they are perfect for casual hikers. Unlike hiking boots, hiking shoes do not have a high collar, leaving your ankle less supported.
Pros:
- Comfortable as tight fit and cushioned sole
- Light on the foot so you are using less energy
- Dry quick as they are breathable which is ideal if you are on a multi-day hike
- Do not require any break-in time so you can wear them directly out of the box
- Easy to pack and don’t take place in your backpack is you are carrying them as an extra pair of shoes
- Flexible sole which allows more freedom of movement
- Easy to fit in
- Breathable so your feet don’t get sweaty
- Exists in sandal versions for hot weather
- Affordable cost
- Ideal for casual and recreational hikers, day hikes, dry weather and gentle terrain
Cons:
- Low cut so the rain rolling down your legs will get into the shoes
- Low cut which provides less ankle support
- Less protective against the elements as being made of a combination of fabrics and mesh
- Less durable for the same reason. The combination of fabrics and the mesh gets holes and tears after a certain time
- Most models are made with EVA midsoles which are not that stable
- Not suitable for rocky and bushy terrain as you will get scratches on your ankle and less grip on the rocks
Related Content: Salomon X Ultra 4 Review
Trail runner
They are the last entry into the hiking footwear market. Originally designed for trail runners, as its name indicates, this hybrid offers the comfort of trainers yet the protection of hiking shoes. They respond to customer demand to get lighter and more fashionable hiking footwear, as the rise of social media shed a light on how we look on the trails.
Pros:
- Light so you use less energy and you can walk longer distances
- Tighter fit so your foot won’t move forward and backwards in the shoe and prevent the apparition of blisters
- Extra cushioning so you get that bounce when you are walking
- Breathable so your feet won’t get sweaty
- Dries quickly as they are made of mesh and light fabrics which is ideal when on a multi-day hike
- Good traction as long as you are moving fast as made for runners in the first place
- Fashionable designed and available in a large range of colours
- Ideal for brisk pace hikes as requires less energy
- Perfect for paved trails and city walks
- Ideal for experienced and professional hikers for long-distance hikes
- The cheapest option on the market
Cons:
- Not durable and will need replacing every 500 miles. Long-distance hikers who choose trail runners need to use more than one pair on their hike
- Loose cushioning with time so you will start feeling pain in your feet
- Not suitable for rocky or bushy trails as you will get scratches on your ankle and branches can tear the mesh. As they don’t have a good grip, you might slip or trip when scrambling
- Your feet are more vulnerable to the elements are they are not waterproof and have less thick soles and are made of light fabrics
What kind of shoes are best for hiking?
When looking for hiking footwear, there are a few factors you need to take into consideration such as how it fits, the durability, the weight and your level of fitness. Let’s look at these factors in more detail.
Fit
When choosing your footwear you need to remember that they don’t all fit the same.
Hiking boots are wider as they are more suitable for winter hikes, therefore, require enough space to wear thick socks. They are also reinforced in the toe area which makes them the perfect ally for mountains hike. When trying hiking boots, make sure that you bring the socks you will be wearing on the hike with you. Additionally, the feet get swollen as you hike and therefore requires more space. Think of going half a size up when purchasing hiking boots.
On the contrary, both hiking shoes and trail runners perfectly fit your foot. Because they are breathable, your feet won’t get swollen, so you can simply choose the same size as your city shoes.
A good rule of thumb when trying on hiking footwear:
- Your foot should not move inside the shoe to avoid blisters
- Your toe should not touch the front
To test the rigidity of the sole, you can do the following: grab the front of the shoe with one hand and the back with the other hand and twist it. The easier it is to twist it, the less thick the sole is.
Always remember to try on more than one pair to find the perfect match. If you prefer to shop online, order more than one pair and return the ones that did not fit. It is preferable to make a trip to the nearest post office to return the unwanted items than hiking with shoes that do not fit.
Weight
“One pound on your feet equals five pounds on your back” Sir Edmund Hillary
As Sir Edmund Hillary, a successful Mount Everest climber in 1953, rightly said, weight is an important factor when choosing hiking footwear. Weight on your feet will use four to six times more energy than weight on your back.
This being said, we know that hiking boots are heavy on the feet. While ideal for mountain hikes, they will become a burden on a long distanced hike, even if it is raining. As they are not breathable, if the water gets inside, it won’t be possible for them to dry, therefore you will be carrying extra weight on your feet.
For long-distance, prefer a lighter option such as hiking shoes or runner trails and this whatever the weather. They are still a better choice as they are breathable therefore the water will evaporate, keeping your feet dryer than with hiking boots.
In conclusion, it is better to add some extra weight to your backpack than on your feet especially if you are going for a long-distance hike. It is really common to see hikers wearing trail runners on long hikes and using more than one pair during their trip rather than carrying a pair of hiking boots on their feet.
Durability
The durability of the hiking footwear is as follows:
- Hiking boots: 1,000 miles
- Hiking shoes: 750 miles
- Trail runners: 500 miles
Of course the above is dependant on how much you walk, the weather and the terrain.
Choosing the durability that is right for you, really comes down to budget and how much you are willing to spend and how often you are willing to spend it. Hiking boots are much more expensive than their little cousins and need to be replaced less often. On the contrary, hiking shoes and trail runners won’t last you that long but are much cheaper. So you need to do the math depending on how often you are going to hike.
As a casual hiker, going on day hikes from medium to challenging levels, hiking shoes will do just fine. If you only do easy hikes, long walks in the park and paved trails such as the Margate to Ramsgate walk, trail runners will be ideal for you. For mountain and hikes in snow conditions, prefer hiking boots.
Ankle protection
The common belief is that hiking boots offer better ankle protection because they have a high collar. However, there is a debate as to whether this is true or not. Low cut aficionados claim that the support comes from the sole and not the collar, meaning it is better to invest in a pair of comfortable cushioned hiking shoes than a rigid pair of hiking boots. Moreover, the best way to prevent ankle injuries is to strengthen and stretch your ankle. There are a variety of exercises you can do, which are believed to be more efficient than the support provided by the collar.
The factor to consider as well is that a high collar protects your ankle from scratches and snake bites. Therefore it might be an option that you want to consider if you are planning to go off trails on a bushwacking hike.
Injuries
Only you know your body and what is best for you.
If you had ankle issues in the past such as a sprain, you might need that extra support and therefore require hiking boots. It is worth mentioning that if you have suffered a sprain in the past your ankle is weaker therefore you are more likely to sprain it again in the future.
Moreover, if you are planning to carry a heavy backpack and you have weak ankles, you might want to look at a more stable footwear solution such as hiking boots.
On the other hand, if you never experienced the ill effects of any injuries or you are carrying a light backpack, you might be the perfect candidate for hiking shoes or trail runners.
Socks
Socks are often the forgotten factor. We focus on getting pair of shoes of quality but fail to remember it is worthless to invest that much money on shoes if it is to put awful quality socks in it.
When looking for hiking socks, prefer merino wool as it is a breathable and moisture-wicking fabric. Therefore your feet will stay dry. Moreover, hiking and trekking socks come with cushioned pressure points to prevent blisters from appearing.
In winter, opt for thicker socks to stay warm but remember that the friction of ticker socks against the foot can cause blisters. Therefore, for your winter pair of hiking footwear, it is recommended that you go half a size up.
Final thoughts: Are hybrid shoes the solution?
Why are hybrid shoes the solution
With the progress in technology and the manufacturers constantly looking to release new models to meet their customers’ needs, you can now find hybrid hiking footwear such as high top hiking shoes or waterproof trail runners. So are they the answer we were looking for?
For me, yes!
Hybrids combined all the factors that one needs. For example, you can find trail runners with polyurethane midsoles which make them extremely stable or a waterproof coating, or even with a wide toe box. With the variety of hybrids on the market so you can pick and chose the features you require depending on your needs:
- Waterproof + Lightweight= Waterproof Hiking Shoes or Trail Runners
- Ankle support + Lightweight = Mid Hiking Shoes
- Grip + Lightweight = Trail Runners With High-Grip Lug Pattern on the Sole
And the list goes on …
This is with no surprise that the Salomon X Ultra 4 has been so much acclaimed by professionals and magazines such as T3. This hybrid hiking shoes and runner trail comes in a low and high cut and offer lightweight, comfort, grip and also support. It is perfect for a midseason and summer pair of shoes yet won’t get by in snow.
To read my review of the Salomon X Ultra 4, click here.
Verdict
In conclusion, own two pairs of hiking footwear:
- A pair of hiking boots for winter, stormy weather, snow and mountain hikes
- A pair of hybrid for the rest of the year combining the features that you need depending on the terrain, your level of fitness and the weather conditions where you live
I trust this article helped clarify the differences between hiking boots, hiking shoes and trail runners and made an informed purchase decision. Let me which one is your favourite in the comment section below.
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[…] To know more about the differences between trail runners, hiking shoes and hiking boots to help you make an informed decision, read my buying guide here. […]