Are Hiking Boots Necessary? Benefits And Alternative To Hiking Boots
A heated and commonly debated question in the hiking world is whether or not hiking boots are necessary? With so many hiking boot alternatives, traditional hiking boots are not always required on the trail. Deciding whether or not hiking boots are essential for you depends on several factors, such as what kind of hiking you will be doing, where you will be doing it, your hiking speed, and the qualities you value in a boot.
Using myself as an example, I typically go on many backpacking trips where I value additional support, protection, and durability, so I almost always use hiking boots.
However, there are several hiking boot alternatives, and each has its own merits and uses when on the trail. I will discuss the benefits of hiking boots, their alternatives, and the best situations to use each type of footwear.
Benefits Of Hiking Boots:
As I said hiking boots may not always be an absolute necessity but they do have considerable benefits when compared to other hiking footwear.Some of the benefits include:
Ankle Support:
To start, hiking boots offer a greater degree of ankle support than other hiking footwear. Thanks to the stiffer material around the ankle, which gives added support for every step you take, reducing the number of times twisting or rolling your ankle. Also, hiking boots have a thicker rubber sole, which allows for better grip on whatever surface you’re walking on, limiting slips or falls that can lead to ankle or knee pain.
Protection:
Backpacking is a very demanding activity where you encounter harsh terrain constantly banging into your feet against rocks, branches, ice, or snow. Your feet will regularly be taking a beating whenever you are on a multiday hike in the wilderness. That is why it is essential to protect your feet with a solid, durable pair of footwear. Thanks to their tough exterior, hiking boots act as a durable shield, protecting your feet for whatever the mountains throw at you!
Waterproof / Waterresistant
Hiking boots can provide significantly more protection against wet feet compared to alternatives. If you were to hike through the mud in porous shoes, your feet would immediately become soaked and your shoes waterlogged for days on end! Whereas with hiking boots, if you have a waterproof or water-resistant pair of boots, all you need is to let the mud harden and shake them off at the end of the day.
However, I would say to take the terms water-resistant and waterproof with a grain of salt. If your shoes become submerged in a river or you are stuck in rainy weather all day, guess what? Your boots, feet, and socks will be drenched, with cold feet and blisters being just around the corner. Although hiking boots are never entirely waterproof, they certainly provide more dryness and comfort when encountering wet environments.
Durable
As we have discussed, the trail can be rough, and your feet are constantly taking a beating. With this in mind, it is crucial to have a durable set of footwear that will last you when on the trail. When out in the wilderness, the last thing you need is for whatever shoes or boots you are hiking in to fall apart. Compared to other alternatives hiking boots are by far the most durable option. A good pair of hiking boots can easily last you a couple of years. I have personally owned my hiking boots for the past four years, and they are still going strong without any rips, tears, or holes!
Drawbacks To Hiking Boots:
Heavier
One of the main drawbacks to having a stable and durable boot is the increased weight that comes with it. When compared to trail runners or running shoes hiking boots are noticeably heavier. This increased weight can slow you down when covering long distances daily. So It is essential to weigh your needs and goals for every hike before deciding what kind of footwear to bring with you.
Take Longer To Break In
Another potential downside of hiking boots is the time it takes to break in your hiking boots. Once broken in and the insole fits the natural contour of your feet, the proper hiking boots can be very comfortable. The only downside is that sometimes it can take several weeks of wearing your hiking boots to reach this point.
When Are Hiking Boots Necessary?
Whether it is day hiking, a multi-day backpacking trip, or a thru-hike you cannot go wrong with a classic pair of hiking boots. Although not the lightest shoe option, hiking boots offer the highest degree of protection, stability, and durability compared to the alternatives. If you want a versatile hiking shoe that you can wear on multiple terrains and last you for years to come, the hiking boot is your best bet. You can check out what hiking boots we recommend on our backpacking gear blog!
What Are Alternatives To Hiking Boots?
Some popular alternatives to hiking boots include:
- Running sneakers
- Trail Running Shoes
- Hiking Sandals
Running Shoes As An Alternative To Hiking Boots:
These shoes are a standard go-to for first-time hikers since many already own a pair of athletic or running shoes. This makes them an easy alternative instead of buying hiking boots. While these shoes are very versatile in everyday use, they have several drawbacks when it comes to hiking.
Pros Of Hiking In Running Shoes:
Lightweight/Comfortable:
Some of the pros of running shoes include being very lightweight and comfortable if hiking on well-compacted dirt. These sneakers are also fairly breathable, so you do not have to worry about your feet suffocated under the thick canvas of hiking boots.
Cons Of Hiking In Running Shoes:
Poor Ankle Support
Although they are lighter than your standard hiking boots, running shoes do not provide the degree of protection and support that traditional hiking boots do when out in the wilderness. If you are hiking many miles on harsh and uneven terrain, running shoes are much more likely to leave your sore feet and can even cause ankle injury or knee pain due to the lack of support.
Not As Durable
Compared to both hiking boots and trail runners, running sneakers are much more susceptible to getting damaged or falling apart when on the trail. This is because they are built to be lightweight and for speed, intended use to be on a more controlled surface such as a track or pavement. Because they weren’t designed to withstand the forces of the wilderness, these sneakers are much more likely to become damaged when their thinner material is exposed to the harsh conditions of the trail.
Pourus
Another con with running shoes is that they have no waterproofing technology, so get ready for some cold feet and blisters if you plan on hiking with these in the rain.
Who Should Hike in Running Shoes?
There are many drawbacks to running shoes when it comes to hiking, and they should not be used on a multi-day backpacking trip. There are very few instances where I would recommend using running shoes for hiking. The one situation where running shoes can work would be when doing a short hike on a very well-maintained trail with minimal loose rock or debris.
Trail Running Shoes As An Alternative To Hiking Boots:
Trail runners are a common substitute for hiking boots, often praised by ultralight backpackers and thru-hikers for their lightweight and comfort. Essentially a combination of hiking boots and running shoes, trail runners have the sole of the hiking boot with the lighter weight of a running shoe.
Pros Of Hiking In Trail Running Shoes:
Lightweight / Comfortable
As mentioned above, trail running shoes are loved for their lightweight and comfortable fit. Countless thru-hikers have completed their treks using trail runners exclusively, although often requiring multiple pairs to complete the thru-hike.
Compared to the hiking boot, you will find that these shoes will allow you to move moderately quicker thanks to their lightweight. These qualities make trail runners an excellent option for those looking to hike many miles a day in comfort quickly.
Cons Of Hiking In Trail Running Shoes:
Support / Durability
The main drawbacks to these boots are their lack of support and durability compared to hiking boots. Trail runners offer less foot and ankle support when compared to hiking boots, making them a difficult choice when hiking in rugged terrain with a heavy pack where you are prone to roll your ankles. Also, these shoes are much less durable than your typical hiking boot as the outer material is not as strong as the classic leather canvas of traditional hiking boots.
Who Should Hike In Trail Running Shoes?
Trail running shoes are excellent for ultralight backpackers looking to cover long distances in comfort and trail runners (obviously!). However, it is important to remember that these shoes will need to be replaced more frequently than hiking boots. So if you are someone who values traveling light and does not mind replacing your shoes more frequently, trail runners may be for you!
Hiking Sandals As An Alternative To Hiking Boots
These funky-looking sandals have been gaining popularity over the years. Essentially hiking sandals are sandals with a thicker sole meant to take the wear and tear of trail conditions. Hiking sandals are a lightweight, breathable, and comfortable piece of hiking footwear.
Pros Of Hiking Sandals:
Comfortable
Contrary to what you would think, hiking sandals can be very comfortable if all the straps fit correctly. After a quick break-in period of a couple of days, you will be able to cruise along trails with great comfort!
Breathable
Not surprisingly, hiking sandals offer much more breathability than other types of hiking shoes. Without all of that added fabric suffocating your feet, this can make your feet feel cool even on the hottest desert hikes!
Great For River Crossings
You no longer have to go through the arduous process of removing your socks and hiking boots to cross a river! Thanks to hiking sandals’ quick drying and breathability, you can cross a river in your sandals without having to worry about getting your shoes and socks wet. Just cross that river, and in a few minutes, your feet and sandals will dry up right away!
Lightweight
Without all of that added fabric, hiking sandals are the lightest option compared to all of your other hiking footwear options! Everyone is trying to shave as much weight as you can when hiking, and with sandals, you can do just that. Being so lightweight also opens up the opportunity to bring them in addition to your hiking boots or trail runners and use them as a set of camp shoes.
Cons Of Hiking Sandals:
Exposed Feet
One of the significant downsides of this option is the complete lack of protection. Without any fabric covering your feet, they are not the best options if you are hiking in harsh terrain with a lot of debris, as your feet are much more susceptible to cuts, abrasions, or injury. Also, without anything covering your feet, they are prone to getting cold during your trek if the temperature drops. While you can usually combat this with a good pair of hiking socks, you cannot do much if caught on a rainy day.
Poor Ankle Support
When it comes to ankles support, hiking sandals are one of the worst options. With just a couple of fabric straps acting as support, you are more likely to roll your ankle on roots, rocks, or uneven ground.
Abrasive Straps
Another downside of hiking sandals is that the repetitive rubbing of straps against your skin can make you prone to blisters. You can protect your skin from this by putting athletic tape or moleskin over the high-impact points where the straps hit your feet. Hiking socks can also reduce your risk of developing blisters with your hiking sandals.
Who Should Hike in Hiking Sandals?
Hiking sandals are comfortable and breathable after breaking them in. However, it would be difficult to wear them in regions with rugged terrain where you would be susceptible to scrapes, abrasions, and ankle injury. I think hiking sandals are best for leisurely day hikes in arid or desert-like regions. However, some people use these on backpacking trips and even thru-hikes, like Casey from Clever Hiker. Despite this, I am still in the camp that more protective and supportive shoes are best for long-distance hikes, such as hiking boots or trail runners.
That's A Wrap!
I hope this was helpful for you to pick the best hiking footwear for your next hike! Leave a comment telling us about your favorite hiking shoe!
