Feet, don't fail me now!

Footwear for the trail

story and photos by Murray Selleck, HIKE ROCKY’s equipment specialist

Right up front let's agree footwear is complicated. There is specialty footwear for every activity and sport on the planet. And there certainly is no lack of choices and options!

And there is fit to consider. If a shoe doesn't fit it doesn't matter how many review stars it has earned or how many design rewards it has earned. If a shoe or boot doesn't fit your foot what good is it?

Footwear construction has become a rabbit hole of patents, trademarks, and proprietary technology . Yes, footwear can be complicated if you let it be. Thankfully, as day hikers and backpackers we can eliminate tons of choices and narrow our search to six categories. Hang in there with me. We're going to make this easy.

Types of Trail Footwear

The short list of footwear for day hikers and backpackers can be broken down to these categories: Specialty Sandals, Trail Running Shoes, Lightweight/Low-cut Hikers, Approach Shoes, Midweight or Mid-cut Hiking Boots, and Backpacking Boots.

The category list runs from the softest flexing and least amount of ankle protection from twists and sprains (generally speaking) to firmer flexing soles and increased ankle protection (generally speaking).

Footwear Considerations

One of the main considerations in choosing hiking footwear is the trail and terrain type you'll be on most often. Soft trails covered with a cushioning duff are quite different from trails filled with unforgiving stone. A quick hike around a forested lake is a far cry from climbing and topping out on one of Rocky Mountain National Park's high alpine peaks.

The seasons and daily weather forecasts are other considerations. Hiking in the heat of summer you may want the most breathable and lightest-weight shoe or sandal you can find. Hiking in early spring or late fall may have you kick stepping up and over deep snow drifts and through persistent storms filled with falling rain, hail, and even snow! Waterproof boots that keep your feet dry and warm will make you a happy hiker through the soggiest and sloppiest of weather and trail conditions.

Thinking about when and where you are hiking will help you decide if a low cut breathable light hiker is appropriate or a stout GoreTex waterproof boot fits your needs. And of course, the answer is possibly both!

Sandals

Sandals from Chaco, Luna, Teva, and Bedrock are the go-to choices for adventure sandals. It does take a certain free spirit to hike and run in sandals.

Sandal - Tevea Original Universal Sandal

The benefit is wearing some of the lightest-weight footwear available. Talk about breathable! Make sure you take a look at the outsole when choosing a sandal. It has to offer decent tread for reliable tracon. And the webbing should hold your foot firmly in place.

If the free spirit in you decides a sandal is a great hiking op on for you make sure you have weighed the pros and cons. Some of the cons can include increased risk of twisting your ankle and being more susceptible to cuts and abrasions.

Trail Running Shoes

There has been a long term trend of hikers ditching their boots for lightweight trail running shoes. And who can blame them?

Trail Running Shoe - ON Cloudventurel

Comfortable and light make hiking in a designed trial running shoe a pleasure. What's the cautionary note? Trail runners may not have the durability or longevity of hiking boots. Many trail runners have a life expectancy of about 300 miles or even less. And if the trail runner doesn't offer enough under foot protection you may feel every pebble, stone, and rock you step on. At the end of the day you may wind up with bruised and very red feet.

A question to ask your salesperson is about the midsole of the trail runner you are considering. Is the midsole made of EVA foam or PU (polyurethane)? EVA foam provides cushioning that can borderline on luxurious but it breaks down quick.

Soft trail runners or even light hiking shoes may fold over every stone you step on leaving your foot susceptible to bruising. Polyurethane is a denser material that adds longevity (and a bit of weight) to the shoe and increases under the foot protection.

Trail running shoes and light hikers may have an additional forefoot “plate” to protect your foot from all the stones and rocks on the trail. These plates also add some rigidity to the forefoot that inhibit the sole of the shoe to fold down over rocks. The sole provides a stronger platform for you to step up on. You can hike farther without your feet wearing out and becoming overly red.

When trying on a pair of trail running shoes in the store it is important to be able to step on some kind of simulated stone or undulation to feel what you can expect as far as under the foot protection goes.

Lightweight / Low Cut Hikers

This kind of shoe is typically a step up in foot protection and trail life expectancy compared to a trail running shoe. The lugs on the outsole may be more aggressive and cut deeper than a trail running shoe. This can increase your traction hiking uphill and braking power on downhills. A lightweight, low cut, hiking shoe is a pleasure to wear allowing you to move fast and cover distance easily with a nice rolling flex. This is especially true on less demanding trails and terrain. There are pros and cons that need to be weighed when considering a shoe like this.

Light Hiker - Oboz Sawtooth II Lowcut

The main consideration I think about is terrain. If I know my hike will involve boulder fields, loose scree on off-camber slopes, or really steep ascents/descents a lightweight hiker may not offer enough stability and torsional strength to keep my footing stable.

Midweight Hiking Boots

This style of boot is very much like a lightweight hiking shoe with all its features but the upper is cut higher to cover your ankle bones. If you have ever nicked your ankle against a rock while hiking you know the additional coverage and protection these boots offer is an appreciated benefit.

Midwieght Hiker - Keen Targhee III Waterproof

Another benefit is the added lacing that can help hold your heel and ankle in place creating a nice secure feeling inside the boot. The cautionary note on midweight hikers is just because the boot is cut higher over your ankle this doesn't necessarily mean extra protection against twisting or spraining an ankle. Many uppers on midweight hiking boots are very so and easily foldable. Ankle protection primarily comes from the torsional strength of the sole and how strong the heel counter is.

Visit https://youtu.be/KcgIYUTfXioto watch a demonstration on how perform flex and torsion tests on your footwear.

Approach Shoes

Approach shoes are typically very stiff both through the forward flex and torsional length of the sole. If you are expecting an approach shoe to feel like a lightweight or midweight hiker you're in for a surprise.

Approach Shoe - Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite

The intended use of an approach shoe is for rock climbers or alpinists to “approach” their climbs over very rugged and steep terrain. The added stiffness of the sole, along with using sticky climbing shoe rubber on the outsole, allows the user to step up on thin rock ledges and negotiate difficult terrain with confidence. Once they are at the bottom of their climb they might change into rock climbing shoes or mountaineering boots or use their approach shoe as their climbing shoe.

Approach shoes typically offer lacing that goes past the instep all the way into the toe box of the shoe. This added length of lacing allows for the shoe to completely wrap your foot securely inside. This style of lacing also allows you to accommodate your foot width... Loosen the laces for a wide fit or snug them up for a narrow fit. Generally, approach shoes run narrow.

Backpacking Boots

Backpacking boots can be stout both through the sole and the upper. Personally, I like using my backpacking boots as both my day hiking boots and for multi-day trips. Naturally, I'm considered old school but no matter where my hike takes me or whatever weather may surprise me, I'm prepared.

Backpacking Boot - Scarpa Zanskar (no longer in produc on)

These boots allow a hiker to carry the most weight in their pack, as well. The stout sole and strong upper provide the most stability over rough terrain whether you are on trail or out bushwhacking and exploring. To get around the stiffness of the sole, backpacking boots offer a nice rocker underneath. This rocker lets you hike with a naturally forward rolling stride that won't inhibit hiking millage.

Probably the greatest benefit of these boots is the longevity. You will own and use backpacking boots for many years to come without the fear of the boots wearing out prematurely. Backpacking boots are typically a full grain leather upper. All other lighter weight footwear uppers generally are a suede or fabric op on. Full grain leather adds to the durability of the boots.

Helpful Tips

Personal preference is just that, personal. What is the perfect pair of trail shoes for yourself will have your best friend rolling their eyes! Fit, design, and even color, play into our footwear decisions. Some helpful tips on making your footwear purchase is to bring the socks you like to wear and use them to try on new footwear. Also, if you use an aftermarket insole bring those with you, as well.

Hopefully the shop where you are buying your shoes or boots has an incline board you can step on. An incline board will have some bumps on it to simulate rocks and roots so you can judge the sole's protectiveness. An incline board also gives you the chance to see how well the shoe is holding your foot in place for downhills. It's possible to hike uphill in a shoe that is a little short in length but once you start downhill that just too short shoe will become painfully obvious. The incline board helps you determine proper shoe length.

Don't predict shoe fit by size alone. Shoe sizes are not standardized. One manufacturer's size 8 is another's size 9. The best and only way to judge size is with your feet in the new pair of shoes. Try both the left and right shoes together. Most folks have different sized feet and this only adds to the sizing dilemma.

Waterproof footwear is a great option. Even in a drought year you can expect rain. Waterproof footwear lets you stomp right through puddles and wet sections of trail. Stay on the trail and keep our trails narrow! (Leave No Trace ethics).

Consider using a gaiter over your trail running shoes or boots. Summer gaiters are trim, low cut, and not cumbersome like winter gaiters can be. Summer gaiters will keep tiny pebbles and grit out of your footwear as you're hiking keeping you on pace for a perfect hike. The last tip is when you find the perfect pair of shoes or boots you may want to consider purchasing two of the same pair. I've heard it many times from a disappointed hiker that their favorite footwear has been changed by the manufacturer only to have it not fit or perform like their old favorite.

Good luck in your footwear search and happy trails!

Murray Selleck moved to Colorado in 1978. In the early 80’s he split his me working winters in a ski shop in Steamboat Springs and his summers guiding on the Arkansas River. His career in the specialty outdoor industry has continued for over 30 years. Needless to say, he has witnessed decades of change in outdoor equipment and clothing. Steamboat Springs continues to be home.

www.snowypeakswinery.com

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