It is common practice to up your size when choosing a hiking boot. There needs to be enough space around toes and your feet when they swell which is the case in humid and arduous hikes. Regardless of the pros and cons, it all boils down to one single item and that’s FIT.įor hiking boots, it needs to comfortably support your foot, especially your heel. Pros: Feels like sneakers, light, quick-drying, no breaks-in required, easy to pack for trail running/backpacking tripsĬons: Little ankle support, won’t protect you from rough surfaces and elements. Pros: Overall strong ankle support, suitable for rough terrain, solid traction and durable, warm for cold conditions, often waterproof.Ĭons: Heavier than shoes, break-in time is longer, doesn’t dry easily and bulkier. While be default I’ll be shortlisting minimalist hiking shoes, it’s good to rule out your preferred option when it comes to hiking shoes or boots. Pros & Cons of Minimalist Hiking Shoes and Boots It is honestly my go-to choice for a lot of the hikes that I dabbled in.

While not being able to withstand the elements than hiking boots, hiking shoes are a great choice for travellers who want a compact system that’s easier to pack and do a variety of things in. But thanks to advancement in design and materials, things have changed.įor instance, if you are a casual hiker out for day hikes or in a far more humid climate, you may choose a lighter, softer well-cushioned boot that allows your foot to flex.īut if you’re constantly going up and down steep mountains, you should pick a hiking boot that has stiffer soles and a protected toe area. There are a lot of misconceptions about hiking boots as heavy, stiff and bulky boots that are really an overkill for any lightfooted hikers. Let’s start with hiking boots: the main reasons hikers choose a boot over a shoe is primarily because of ankle support and protection from the elements. This is all dependent on the terrain, whether it is flat or scraggily or heavily groomed and also where you live. Having said that, if you already have an existing injury, it may not resolve it right away and that is when you need to commit to exercises and stretching that will help you in the long run.Īlso Read: 18 Must-Read Inspirational Outdoor Adventure Books Hiking Shoes vs Hiking Bootsįor me, this is an important factor considering I prefer lightweight hiking shoes compared to hiking boots. The right one will help you build strength and endurance of your feet. The other big factor is how much time are you spending on your feet and the extra weight on your back.Ī little extra padding helps but finding that middle ground of supportive and flexible hiking shoes and boots helps a lot in deciding to buy the right minimalist hiking shoe. It was also why the barefoot and minimalist movement sort of picked up! I don’t intend to run or hike barefoot but I definitely like the minimalist idea of picking a lightweight hiking shoe option so it feels breathable. I can tell you that starting with Salomon shoes and having read the book ‘Born To Run’ by Christopher McDougall, I have come to appreciate and understand their barefoot running theory after dealing with loads of injuries on trail and even while running.

My advice below is not based on any expert shoe advice, but mainly from my personal experience. Are minimalist shoes even good for hiking? Read more about the site’s privacy policy. I only provide unbiased and completely honest recommendations. Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. Here’s where I walk you through some of the most important questions before presenting with the best minimalist hiking shoes and boots. However, with plenty of options in the minimalist hiking shoes and boots range to choose from, it can get pretty confusing on how to decide the best one: should you go for a waterproof hiking boot or a lightweight shoe will do the job? are you going to use the hiking shoes for more day-to-day use or strenuous hikes? What about cushioning and heel-to-toe drop? There are reasons why people love minimalist hiking shoes simply because they’re able to feel the earth beneath as they walk, activate different muscle groups, and with weight being another reason - most minimalist hiking shoes are often lightweight and quick drying.

I have been wearing Salomon and Merrell shoes for the longest time and come to realise the importance of adopting a more supportive and cushioned minimalist trail hiking shoe. The minimalist trend and the barefoot-esque shoes have taken over the hiking world!

Leather minimalist shoes