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Other Boots to Consider
Zamberlan
Salathe Trek GTX RR
Italian-made hikers built for protection without feeling like clogs, the Zamberlan Salathe Trek stand six inches tall, with ankle coverage, generous padding, and rubber reinforcements around the boot. The Vibram Pepe outsole with Megagrip sounds faintly ridiculous, but it proved seriously capable over two week-long backpacking treks in California’s Sierra Nevada. The soles felt sticky and tough on steep granite ascents, slippery creek crossings, and lakeshore scrambles, giving enough confidence to trust even a toehold before stepping up. —Michael Calore
Zamberlan
334 Circe GTX (Women’s)
These are the best hiking boots I’ve tested. Zamberlan’s X-Active Fit, built on a women-specific last, works brilliantly for narrow feet and ankles, giving a secure, precise fit that feels better than the heat-molded boots I’ve tried. The elasticized, padded tongue lets the laces cinch quickly and evenly, while the toe box still has room for long days. A wide heel and big, sticky Vibram soles keep things stable over rocks, logs, and uneven ground. Each shoe remains impressively light. The Gore-Tex Extended Comfort waterproofing is designed to last for life, and the shoes can be resoled. —Adrienne So
Nortiv 8
Armadillo 2
I was skeptical of such a low-cost boot, but if your budget is tight, you'd be hard-pressed to find better boots than the Armadillo 2. They’re comfortable, with robust eyelets, ankle support, and a roomy toe box, and they don’t look cheap. In the wet English Lake District, my feet stayed dry after hours splashing through puddles, with no blisters or toe-bashing. Fit is generously wide, so consider sizing down. The lugs are a bit shallow, too. For casual hikers, the Nortiv8 Armadillo 2 is cheap and capable.
Hanwag
Tatra II GTX
At 3 pounds, 5 ounces per pair, these Nubuck leather and Gore-Tex boots from Germany are as traditional as they come. Mercifully, however, the chunky dimensions require little breaking in, and I didn’t feel any discomfort on a nine mile hike—even across the shin, a notorious pressure point for me—right out of the box. I initially struggled with the narrow fit of the Tatra II, but there are a generous range of widths available. They’re expensive, but if you struggle to find boots to fit awkward feet, they’re worth the investment, especially as the leather will last for years, and the Vibram AW rubber can be resoled.
FAQs
How to Fit Your Hiking Boots
Buying the most feature-packed, premium-priced walking boots does not guarantee you a comfortable fit. A good pair of hiking boots should be snug but never tight, and remain comfortable no matter how far you roam. Here’s how to dial in the perfect fit.
Know your size: Specialist retailers will have a universal measuring tool (known as a Brannock Device) to check your foot’s length, width, and arch. Some can also measure volume. Armed with this information, they can suggest brands that cater to your specific foot shape. If you’re buying online, most brands and retailers will have sizing charts for you to refer to, but you can also download a printable Brannock sizing chart from Meindl.
Wear hiking socks: It sounds obvious, but when trying on your walking boots and shoes, wear the socks you like to walk in. Take them with you into the store, or ask for a sample pair.
Go late in the day: Ideally, you want to try your new boots on toward the end of the day, or after you’ve been on your feet for a good few hours. Feet swell a little over time, so it’s advisable to try on boots when they’re at their largest to help weed out any possible pressure points.
Check for dodgy seams: It takes only a small knot or lumpy stitch on the inside of your boot to cause irritation and potential blisters. Manufacturing errors can happen, so the brand and retailer will be happy to replace your boots.
Walk in them: Difficult in the store, but at home make sure you wear your walking boots inside the house for a good few hours before making a decision. It’s important to work out if a boot is comfortably snug or simply too tight, and discover any possible irritation.
Still Having Foot Trouble? Here Are a Few Lacing Hacks
Try toe box lacing. If your toes are in a world of pain after 20 miles on the trail, there’s an argument to be made that you need new boots. But for instant relief for tired and swollen feet, try toe-box relief lacing. Unlace the boot and simply relace, but skip the bottom one or two sets of eyelets. This helps the toe box expand, relieving pressure on your feet without causing the midfoot or ankle to slip.
Relieve pressure with window lacing. Feet eventually get tired regardless of how comfortable your boots are, and pain on the top of the foot is extremely common. Window lacing can alleviate the torture and requires unlacing across the top of the foot and relacing with some gaps to create a “window.” To do this, simply skip an eyelet or two and lace straight up on both sides, before finishing as usual. The no-lace hole created on the top of the foot should relieve the pressure.
Reduce heel slipping with heel lock lacing. Hikers with narrow feet and ankles often suffer with heel slip, which can cause painful blisters. One method to hold the foot in position is to use a surgeon’s knot, which anchors the heel without overtightening on the rest of the foot. First, unlace the boot down to the lace hooks closest to the top of your foot. Now tie a granny knot, but add in one or two extra wraps, before finishing the lacing as usual. This prevents the lace from slipping—it will cinch down on your loose ankles. It’s also a neat trick for keeping any kid’s shoes tied for longer.
Three Signs You Need New Walking Boots
Have the treads started to become thin? When the tread pattern starts to flatten and the lugs lose their definition, wet rocks and loose gravel will start to feel unstable. If you’re slipping where you used to feel planted, the outsole’s rubber has hardened or worn smooth, and it’s time to repair (if you can), or more likely, replace.
Is the midsole flat? A healthy midsole should spring back slightly when you press the arch or heel. If your boots feel flat or thin, and you can feel every pebble on the path, the cushioning has compressed and stopped absorbing shock. Once that happens, no amount of new insoles will bring the comfort back.
They’re leaking. Waterproof membranes break down over time and are almost impossible to repair properly once breached. Crease points on modern sneaker-style boots and shoes are particularly vulnerable. You can treat leather and reapply DWR coatings with products like Nikwax Fabric & Leatherproof to prevent water soaking in, but once the membrane is torn, keep away from water.
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