Looking for the Best Hiking Boots and footwear? Check Out Our Hiking Boots Reviews!
We Search for Hiking Boot Reviews
We scour the Internet looking for reviews on hiking boots from the best gear suppliers and condense them all into an easy to read format.
Weed Out the Losers
If a hiking boot is reported to just suck, we tell you about it right away, we don’t hold anything back. This way you don’t waste your time searching for information on boots that are just not worth it.
And Help You Choose the Best Hiking Boots
We include both the good and the bad of each hiking boot in our reviews. This helps you determine which hiking boots will fit the best and provide the features and performance you expect in a hiking boot.
Many review websites are there for one thing and one thing only, to get you to buy something. The tactics they deploy are just despicable and all they do is tell you how great the product is so you will buy. Well, we have more integrity than that. Of course if you buy a hiking boot through one of our links we are compensated from the supplier, but we make sure our reviews include both the good and the bad.
We are hikers and backpackers ourselves and it is not just a hobby for us it is a passion. From the mountains of Europe and the scorching deserts of the Middle East to the Pacific Crest Trail on our western coast we have been there. Our extensive experience puts us in a unique position to help you choose the best hiking boots and footwear for you.
Please use our menu and search function to find exactly what you are looking for….
Subscribe to this blog's RSS feed
 |
Pros
Cons
|
Buy it Now¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ From Amazon.com Price $60 to $80 |
Pros
- Light Weight
- Durable Construction
- Good Traction
 |
Pros
Cons
|
Buy it Now¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ From Endless.com Price around $149 |
Pros
- Light Weight
- Durable Construction
- Good Traction
These breathable and waterproof Men’s and Women’s Vasque Ranger GTX Hikers provide extra support on rough terrain, but are still light on your feet! These boots incorporate air mesh in the upper to help wisk away foot damaging moisture. Durable and waterproof the features include Gore-Tex lining, EVA midsoles and a dual density EVA insole for great shock-absorption and support.
For more information and reviews or to purchase the Vasque Ranger GTX Hikers you can find them on Amazon.com right here.
Wearing the wrong hiking boots can cause all sorts of problems with your feet. When choosing the best hiking boots you need to pick a hiking boot that is the right size and shape for you. Keep reading to find out how.
Boot Fitting Tips
- Wear the right socks. When trying on hiking boots you need to wear the same socks you are going to wear out on the trail. Hiking socks are usually thicker then regular sport socks. If you try on a pair of boots with regular socks then wear a thicker sock for hiking the added thickness may cause your boots to no longer fit correctly.
- Try on boots later in the day. Towards the end of a regular day your feet swell lightly. While hiking your feet swell to the same size in a very short time so you want to account for the added size.
- Use your shoe size as a guide only. There are many manufacturers out there and each one measures their hiking boots slightly different. Just because you wear a size with one manufacturer doesn’t mean you will wear the same size from all of them.
Getting the Correct Fit
The fit of a hiking boot depends on three factors, foot length, foot width and volume.
- Foot length is simply the length of you foot.
- Foot width is how wide the ball of your foot is.
- Finally volume refers to the amount of space your foot takes up from top to bottom inside of the hiking boot.
A hiking boot should fit snug around the foot while allowing you to wiggle you toes freely. You should not be able to feel your foot slip around inside of the boot. You also should not feel any pressure points anywhere on your foot. If you experience any of these factors try a different boot or manufacturer.
Comfort
- Comfort mostly depends on the fit of the boot. However, cushioning plays a supporting role when it comes to comfort. The ankle padding inside of the boot should fit snugly and cradle your ankle. This will prevent any excess movement that may cause chaffing and blisters on the ankle.
- The heal cup should also fit around your ankle and prevent it from sliding too much.
- The tongue of the hiking boot should be thickly padded to stop the lacing from cutting into the top of your foot.
I hope you found this article helpful in choosing the best hiking boots for your feet. Remember, if you choose a bad pair of boots you may have a painful hiking trip.
Salomon is a leader in outdoor apparel including the makers of some of the best hiking boots. Started in 1947 as a maker of ski boots, Salomon has been constantly at the forefront of innovation. Salomon was instrumental in perfecting the first of the modern ski bindings and still places a high emphasis on research.
Salomon is constantly developing new concepts in ski boots and equipment. Salomon also produces Salomon hiking boots, trail running shoes, snowboarding apparel and equipment, and other outdoor clothing.
Salomon hiking boots have been worn by many athletes in the World Ski Championships, X Games and the Olympics. Notable winnings for athletes wearing Salomon gear include 17 Gold Medals in cross country skiing during the 1989 World championships and winning 76% of all medals in the 2006Torino Olympic Games. Some of the A-list athletes that trust Salomon gear include extreme skier Sylvain Sauda, Marc
Girardelli, Stefania Belmondo, snowboarder David Benedek and Olympic medalist Janica Kostelic.
Salomon incorporates trail running shoe technology into most of its Salomon hiking boots. This keeps the weight down and the comfort level up for long days on the trail. Salomon uses technologies such asGortex, Ortholite and Contagrip in its hiking boots and hiking shoes.
At Salomon you can find equipment and apparel for winter hiking, skiing, snowboarding or any other mountain sport you may want to participate in. Salomon belongs to parent company Amer Sports that include major manufacturers such as Wilson andSuunto. Salomon is a brand you can trust and Salomon hiking boots are some of the best there is.
Choosing the best hiking boots are really important. Not only is your comfort at stake but your health is also a critical factor to keep in mind when choosing the best hiking boots for you.
Let me tell you a story. About 150 miles into my Pacific Crest Trail Section A thru C hike, I started to get a small pain on the ball of my left foot by my big toe. It soon spread to my left foot and started creeping across the width of foot. I really noticed it during the down hills and thought maybe I bruised my first metatarsal (the bones right behind your toes.) The more miles I hiked the more painful it became. I suffered through two more days of hiking until I made it to Idyllwild and was able to take a break.
I had planned on hiking another 140 miles to finish off Section B and Section C but it was apparent the boots I was wearing were not the best hiking boots for me. Because I was on vacation, I only had another two weeks until I went back to work. So I had to make the decision to get off the trail and let my foot heal. I was very disappointed.
If I would have bought the best hiking boots for me I would probably not have been in this predicament. Before my hike I had put a lot of emphasis on getting the big three (backpack, sleeping bag and shelter) right and having a limited budget, I neglected to get the right footwear.
I am not am amateur hiker either. I have been hiking since I was barely able to walk. It started with Volksmarches in Germany, family outdoor outings and the Boy scouts to the United States Marine Corp Infantry. I have literally hiked in every clime and place and have the fallen arches and bad knees to prove it. I kicked my self in the rear for making this amateur mistake. It took over two weeks for the pain to go away and I still had discomfort for another month or so. I now think I probably broke a few of my metatarsal bones and I will never make this mistake again.
As you can see from my story, choosing the best hiking boots for you is critical if you want to continue hiking and this is what this website, Best Hiking Boots, is all about. Not only is it critical for long distance hikes but for short hikes too. Your long term health and hiking enjoyment is at stake. It is no fun not being able to enjoy hiking because of a stupid mistake of not wearing the best hiking boots. I hope you enjoy.
When looking for the best hiking boots for your feet, it is helpful to know the parts of hiking boots and their functions. There are parts common to all boots but certain extra features are only found in the best hiking boots.
Common Hiking Boot Parts
Soles
The soles are found on the bottom of the hiking boot. The sole is what provides traction to help keep you on the trail and prevents you from slipping on wet surfaces. It is critical for the soles to have deep aggressive tread to help grab onto the trail. The soles also provide cushioning to absorb the shock and pounding your feet take while hiking.
Shanks
Shanks are made from high strength plastic or metal plates. The shank is built into the Sole of a hiking boots. The Shank can be different lengths depending on the stiffness required. Shanks protect your foot from hard and sharp objects that might otherwise be felt through the Sole.
Upper
The top part of the boot or Upper is basically everything above the soles. This important part is what protects your feet and ankle area from sharp objects like rocks and brush. Another important function of the Upper is to help you maintain stability and support so you don’t twist or sprain your ankle.
Inner
The inner is the lining on the inside of the boot. The inner is in direct contact with your foot and ankle. It provides cushioning and in winter hiking boots insulates the foot from the cold. It also helps prevent moisture from entering the boot.
Insole
The sole is fairly rigid and would be uncomfortable to stand on. The Insole lies above the sole and acts as a comfortable bed for your feet. Different types of Insoles are made for specific arch types and support the arch of your foot.
Tongue
The Tongue of a hiking boot lies between the two flaps of the Upper. The Tongue is what allows you to adjust the fit of the Upper around your ankles and lower leg. It also helps prevent dirt and sand from entering the boot.
Laces and Lacing
Laces are made from nylon cord and are threaded through the Lacing. There are several types of Lacing to include Eyelets, D-rings, Hooks, Webbing and some boots use a combination of the different types.
Scree Collar
The Scree Collar runs along the top of the upper. It is made of a padded material and helps prevent chafing. The Scree Collar fits tightly around your lower calf or ankle on lower cut hiking boots and blocks dirt and debris from getting inside your boot.
Material and Features of the Best Hiking Boots
Now that you have learned about the common hiking boot parts lets have a look at the features and materials used in the best hiking boots.
Vibram Soles
Most of the best hiking boots are made with Vibram Soles. Vibram is the leader in high quality rubber soles and are used by all of the top hiking boot manufacturers. Vibram soles provide the best performance, a high level of comfort and are the longest lasting sole on the market.
Gortex Fabric
There isn’t a better fabric out there used in hiking boots. Gortex Fabric allows moisture from sweat to evaporate from the inside of the boot but will prevent water from rain, creeks and streams from getting inside your boot.Gortex Fabric is used to line the inside of leather hiking boots or as material for the entire upper of the hiking boots.
Custom Fit Technology
The top hiking boot manufacturers design their boots around the anatomy of the human foot. Custom fit technology conforms to the shape of your foot to provide you with lasting comfort for a long day on the trail.
Shock Absorbing System
All of the top hiking boot manufacturers use a patented shock absorbing system to prevent stress injuries. This technology is used just like the shock absorbers of a car. These shock absorbing systems adjust to various ground materials and angles encountered out on the trail to allow you to hike in comfort. Many of the manufacturers use high strength plastics or space aged gels to create this effect.
We have covered the common hiking boot parts and some of the materials and features found in many of the best hiking boots. Armed with this knowledge you should be more equipped to choose the best hiking boots for your feet.
In the past full leather hiking boots were your only choice of hiking footwear. They were like tanks for your feet. They were tough and unbearably heavy. It took a long time to break them in and they were maintenance intensive. Hiking boots have come a long way since then. Leather is still used in many versions of hiking boots. However leather is now combined with lightweight man made materials to reduce weight and make them more comfortable.
A hiking boot made of primarily leather material still needs a break in period but don’t require as much time as they used to. Once leather hiking boots are broken in though they are very comfortable. Unlike their space aged cousins, most leather hiking boots still need to be waterproofed. Just make sure to follow the manufacturers instructions so they don’t lose their breathable properties or it will be like wearing a sauna on your feet.
Leather has a tendency to retain water when it gets wet. So you need to make sure you dry them properly. Out on the trail your options are limited. The best way I have found to dry them out is to take off your boots and drain the excess water out. Once the water is drained, change into dry socks, put he boots back on and walk them dry. I usually tie the wet socks on the outside of my pack and change back into them once they are dry.
If your leather hiking boots are still wet when you get home, one way to dry them properly is to remove the insoles and stuff them with wads of newspaper. Do not dry your boots in the hot sun or place them on the furnace like you may have heard. This is a sure way to ruin your leather boots. Leather that dries out quickly has a tendency shrink, pull away from the seams and soles, and can even crack. Drying them out quickly is a sure way to ruin a good pair of boots.
The stitching on leather hiking boots have a tendency to unravel from the seams. To repair a loose stitch, cut or better yet, carefully burn off the excess stitching. For added protection apply a small drop of rubbery adhesive like Shoe Goo to the stitch. A blunted toothpick is great for this.
Combined with modern technology, full leather hiking boots are great. Leather hiking boots look good, they are tough and will last many years with a little maintenance.
Brian Hall a shoe designer for Vasque (makers of some of the best hiking boots) races in the Leadville Trail 100. He finishes in a respectable 29:06:09 hours.
The Leadville Trail 100 is an 100 mile trail run held in Leadville, Colorado in the middle of the Colorado Rockies.
He wears a Boa Technology prototype shoe and the new Vasque endurance shoe, the Mindbender, during the race.
Vasque Hiking Boots are just as good as their trail running shoes.
Read the full Article at blog.vasque.com
Other Race Links
-
Racing the Arizona Trail in 7 days « Diary of Scott Morris – The Arizona Trail has always been an obsession of mine. Whether riding, hiking, building or planning it, it seems to often be on my mind. In Spring 2005 I rode the length of the Arizona Trail (from Mexico to Utah) with my friend Lee Blackwell.
