Your first backpacking trip could end in tragedy if you don’t have the right footwear. Let’s dispel a myth: you don’t need to spend 0 on a pair of handmade shoes in order to enjoy yourself when traveling. However, if the shoes you choose aren’t cozy, don’t fit well, and aren’t appropriate for the lengthy excursions you’re expecting, you may end up with blisters, painful feet, and a variety of aches and pains.
Starting with a pair of traditional, full-leather shoes is something you might want to do if you’re new to hiking or haven’t been out on the trails in a while. However, repress the desire. They aren’t the best option for the majority of beginners or anyone looking for versatile footwear, with a few notable exceptions. First of all, they are frequently quite heavy. According to a well-known research done by the US Army in 1984, carrying 1 pound on your back requires five times as much energy as carrying 5 pounds on your feet, which can result in additional exhaustion.
What sort of footwear are the best options for new hikers? There is no one solution that works for everyone, but there are several overarching ideas that might guide your decision on the ideal pair. Hikers typically have two options when it comes to footwear: trail runners and hiking boots.
Trail Running Shoes
Consider the benefits of mid-cut boots if you frequently carry over 20 pounds of gear, suffer from blister pain, or intend to travel through challenging terrain. The majority of types available today require significantly less break-in than older styles, and they frequently have a much smaller profile than conventional hiking boots. It’s important to test on new boots in addition to trail runners before purchasing them. If your boots don’t fit you properly, you run the risk of discomfort and hotspots due to the extra stiffness and restricted flexibility in footwear, which could end your expedition early.
We gave the Hoka Anacapa Mid Boots the Editor’s Choice designation in 2022 if you’re looking for a versatile, beginner-friendly boot. They handled every scenario we could think of, from soggy forests to stony desert terrain, with ease. They include the same comfortable design that Hoka’s other shoes are known for, including a wide last section that offers the kind of comfort you’d expect from long-distance hiking boots. They also have a thick EVA midsole that is exceptionally comfortable on the path. They are as light as a full-featured pair of boots can get at 2 pounds per pair for men.
The Middle Ground: Hiking Boots
Are you torn between boots and trail runners? Choosing the right footwear for a long hike can be a bit of a conundrum. Boots offer more stability with a tad less flexibility, and they are generally a bit more supportive and a tad less forgiving compared to trail runners. But one thing’s for sure, boots don’t weigh as much as a backpack does on your feet. My personal favorite is the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 hiking shoe. It offers a snug, slipper-like fit, and it pairs a comfortable, cushioned EVA frame with a durable, stable gaiter. It tips the scales at just about 1 pound 13 ounces per pair, which is roughly equivalent to a lightweight pair of boots but feels a lot less clunky. (It’s now available for less than $140 for men or under $200 for women).
Tips for New Hikers on Purchasing Shoes
Purchase insoles. You can express your gratitude at a later time! The Tread Labs Pace Insole Kit includes a swappable foam cover, which is linked to an arch support through a handy hook-and-loop attachment. This convenient setup lets you effortlessly swap the insole between various pairs of shoes, offering you the convenience of using the same insole with multiple shoes.
Don’t automatically choose for waterproof-breathable shoes. Hikers wearing footwear equipped with waterproof membranes such as Gore-Tex can find them valuable in damp environments, but if you’re trekking in arid and scorching settings, you’d be wiser to forgo them and choose a pair that dries swiftly. When your feet start to perspire, you’ll be grateful for the capability to breathe and evade that unwanted moisture buildup.
Above all else, trust your feet. No matter how many experts there are, your own body is the ultimate authority. When you discover a pair of shoes that suits you perfectly, stick with them.
