How to choose the right size for hiking boots

Shoes are essential gear for hiking, so you must have the right hiking boot size before you go. Wearing the wrong size can cause foot pain, blisters, or other longer-lasting injuries.

To help you with the process, we’ve put together a guide on choosing the right size for hiking boots. We’ll even give you tips on ensuring the pair you pick will serve you for several years

Measuring your feet may seem like a no-brainer when shopping for leather hiking boots or low hiking shoes, but it’s the first and most crucial step in the process. Without the proper measurement, you won’t be able to find the right pair that adequately protects your ankles.

Ideally, you’ll get your measurement with a Brannock device or similar gauges, but we understand that not every household owns one. There are two ways you can measure your feet:

A general rule of thumb is to leave extra space between your toes and the front of your footwear - ideally about the same width as your finger, at the very least half of it. That way, you have enough room when you wear your socks or when your feet swell after hiking and you make sure you won't feel any pressure point.

When hiking, width is just as important as the length. You don’t want to hike with a boot with a poor fit: too narrow or too wide.

You can measure the width with a gauge or a flexible tape measure. When using a tape measure, wrap it around the widest part of your foot - usually at the base of your toes. As you wrap it around your foot, make a note of where one end of the tape measure reaches the other.

Measure both feet. If you get two different numbers, take the larger one; you’ll need this information when shopping for wide shoes for men or women.

Wear each shoe with your hiking socks and lace them as you would before hiking. Doing this step incorrectly will cause you to pick the wrong pair.

When you’re ready, take a few steps on even ground, then see if you can walk up and down an inclined ramp. You can also take the stairs - this is an excellent way to see if there’s any heel movement that could cause blisters.

If you’re visiting a specialist retailer, they should have an area that simulates outdoor terrains. Observe how your heel feels as you walk uphill and if your toes hit the front of your boot when walking downhill.

Now that you know how to pick the right hiking boots, here are a few more things to consider:

Activity causes your feet to be slightly swollen during midday or evening, so you want to take advantage of this when shopping. Try on your hiking boots during this time to simulate how they will fit after a full day of hiking.

When hiking, you’ll likely have a backpack, and its weight can affect which shoe size to pick. Ideally, you want to try them on while wearing a heavy backpack, though this may not always be practical.

Whether you buy light hiking shoes or long hiking boots will depend on what type of hiking you have in mind. Will you be doing lots of mountain hiking, or will you be rambling along gentle to moderate trails? Would you need to cross rivers or streams requiring waterproof hiking shoes, or is the path smooth enough for hiking sandals? How you answer these questions will help you choose hiking shoes correctly.

Are you ready to start the search for your new hiking shoes? Columbia’s excellent selection of all-terrain shoes is sure to have the perfect pair for you. Whether you’re looking for men's hiking shoes, women's hiking boots, or even kids waterproof shoes - Columbia will have what you need for your next adventure.

Do you need to shop for accessories, too? Columbia also offers hiking jacket and hiking clothes for women. We'll keep you moving in comfort and help you explore nature in style. For a more casual vibe, make sure you shop our range of hiking sandals for men.

Check out or guides for more hiking tips about size, gear, hiking soles or other weather-focused products, also check out our range of winter shoes and waterproof shoes for men.