How to choose hiking shoes

The shoes you wear can make or break your hiking experience. A hiking shoe that’s too big, too small, the wrong cut, or the wrong material can quickly turn a rewarding hike into a miserable one.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned hiker, Columbia has a wide range of outdoor footwear that suit your needs. Whether you’re looking for a pair of leather hiking boots, all-terrain shoes, or waterproof hiking shoes, Columbia has you covered.

We understand that picking the right gear can be overwhelming, so we’ll share the top things to consider when choosing your next footwear.

Your shoes are your best friend, so you need to make sure you’re wearing the perfect one on your adventures. Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for a new pair of hiking shoes:

There are three different types of shoe heights available, each with a distinct advantage over the other:

• Low-cut: Low hiking shoes are perfect for day hikes with little to no backpack load. They combine the freedom, comfort, and flexibility of trail running shoes with the support and structure of hiking boots. However, light hiking shoes don’t provide as much ankle support as their higher-cut versions, so only wear these if you have a light (or no) backpack load.


• Mid-cut: Mid-cut footwear is great if you want more ankle support but don’t want to restrain your ankles too much. These typically stop around your ankle bone, so you still have some flexibility whilst protecting your ankles from rough terrain. They’re not recommended if you have a heavy backpack or are walking on steep paths for a long time, but they give you better support than the low-cut ones.


• High-cut: High-cut boots, sometimes known as long hiking boots, wrap around your ankles completely, giving them full support and stability regardless of the conditions. They’re perfect for long-distance or mountain hiking, even when you’re carrying a heavy backpack.

However, high-cuts are heavier than the other types, so it may not be a good idea to wear these when you’re just doing an easy day hike.

Wearing the right hiking boot size is crucial, and it’s one of the most important hiking tips we can give you. The last thing we want is for you to suffer from foot pains and general discomfort when trying to cross uneven terrain.

We at Columbia understand that all shoe sizes are never the same, which is why we provide size tips to help you choose hiking shoes. Additionally, you should still strive to:

• Try each shoe with socks whenever you can, preferably with hiking socks you intend to wear on your hike.


• Carefully consider how much room your heel and toes have.
• Your toe should never touch the front of your shoe, and your heel should not slide up and down when walking.


• Account for your foot being swollen after a full day of walking. Try Columbia’s wide shoes for men or women if you have wider feet.
• If in doubt, pick the larger size. It’s easier to fit into a larger shoe than to force your foot into a smaller one.

The footwear you need depends on the type of hiking you plan to do.

Although a pair of men's hiking shoe or women's hiking boots will serve you just fine on a well-maintained path, the shoes’ weight may make you feel more fatigued. On the other hand, wearing hiking sandals may not be the best idea when water is involved, such as during a river crossing.

Just as with terrain, the length of your hike affects how you choose hiking shoes. A low-cut shoe designed to be lightweight and flexible will serve you well during a casual hike on moderately maintained trails. Meanwhile, a multi-day backpacking trek through the jungle will require ample ankle protection and stability, something only a mid- to high-cut shoe can provide.

How much weight you’re carrying during your hike can also affect your shoe choices.

Because your feet bear the weight of everything you have when taking a step, it’s important to consider just how much support and stability your shoe offers. A stiff shoe with solid hiking soles can help protect your feet from fatigue, especially during a long hike.

Are you ready to start planning for your next hike? Let Columbia help you gear up for your next adventure. Our large catalogue of high-quality hiking items, such as our hiking jacket, hiking sandals for men, or hiking clothes for women, will help you prepare for the upcoming adventure and beyond.

Don’t forget to check out our other products:

• Waterproof shoes for men
• Kids waterproof shoes
• Winter shoes