Best Trekking & Hiking Boots in 2020

Many people like outdoor activities, so hiking or trekking is becoming popular. Special shoes have been developed for him. However, trekking boots are now so popular that they are bought for everyday wear as well.

This is explained by the fact that thanks to a special sole, an orthopedic last and a water-repellent membrane, these shoes are incredibly comfortable. Durable materials protect it from damage and wear. In order for a hiking trip, whether it is a hiking trip along mountain trails or a country walk, to become enjoyable, you need to seriously approach the purchase of shoes.

Find out how to find the best trekking boots and avoid mistakes when choosing.

Main characteristics of trekking shoes

Before buying, it is important to clearly understand what trekking shoes are and what requirements they must meet.

Travel shoes are designed to be durable and comfortable. This is due to the materials from which it is made. The best of them is leather. Leather shoes are easily ventilated, staying dry to avoid diaper rash, calluses, and fungus.

When making trekking shoes, there is a rule: the fewer seams, the better. Their minimum number plays a double role:

• protects from moisture;
• increases durability.

A heel lock is required. It protects the foot from slipping inside the boot.

Manufacturers use different pads in the manufacture of shoes: for narrow, wide feet, standard ones, even for feet with a bone (a protrusion of the big toe, due to which the leg is deformed, not fitting into a standard last).

The sole bears the main load when moving, therefore it must be resistant to mechanical stress, temperature extremes. Manufactured from extra strong materials for high torsional rigidity. Usually it is volcanic rubber with the addition of small metal shavings, textile or glass chips.

The most popular in the manufacture of the soles of hiking shoes is Vibram rubber. Tough, durable, with a large deep tread pattern for good traction on all types of terrain.

The perimeter edge of the sole will save you from side impacts and give you better stability thanks to the increased contact area with the ground. It is made of rubberized materials, helps to fasten various types of "crampons" for rock climbing, running in the mountains. This is especially important in climbing models.

The midsole provides cushioning on long, challenging hikes. Therefore, it is made of elastic materials: an instep support of high-tech plastic, a shock absorber made of polyurethane foam.

The perforated anatomical insole is included with the boots. Made of moisture-wicking synthetic material with antibacterial impregnation to eliminate unpleasant odors.

The upper of the boot is sewn from water-repellent materials, more often it is nubuck with a double seam of nylon thread. A soft roller is sewn on top along the perimeter, preventing rubbing of the feet and the ingress of water, snow, dirt, pebbles, insects.

The inner lining is made from a patented Gore-Tex membrane with insulation, which is able to remove excess steam from the inside, while preventing moisture from entering the outside. Thanks to the membrane containing air channels, the shoe ventilation system works during movement, maintaining an optimal thermal balance.

Tongue made of water-repellent materials with insulation. Sewn on from three sides as a continuation of the boot.

Laces and accessories play an important role in movement, since they provide a reliable fixation of the leg, make lacing convenient. A special weave, an oval section, and the addition of heavy-duty materials such as Kevlar fiber guarantee the durability of the laces. Anti-corrosion coated metal eyelets and hooks keep the lacing tight.

The design of the trekking boot is designed to protect the foot from injury, moisture, frostbite and heat.

Selection criteria for trekking boots

The choice of footwear for tourism is a responsible business. The degree of travel comfort, human health depends on it: boots protect the legs from impacts, dislocations, sprains, and rubbing of corns.

Therefore, when choosing, you should pay attention to several points.

Tracking type

Differ in complexity:

• hiking (walks outside the city in favorable weather);
• easy tracking (short trips without load);
• medium (long journeys with a load);
• heavy (multi-day hikes in hard-to-reach places, usually in the mountains);
• mountaineering (mountain climbing with rock climbing elements in extreme weather conditions).

The general rule for this criterion is that the more difficult the route is supposed to be, the higher the boots should be, made of more rigid materials. This will improve traction with the surface, reduce the load, securely fix the ankle, minimizing the risk of injury.

There are trekking shoes, hiking, mountain, climbing shoes.

Trekking shoes suitable for hiking, when the route runs along prepared trails. The main differences are lightness (on average, one pair weighs 500 g) and low price. Suitable for lovers of walks on a flat landscape and sports style in clothing. It is not recommended to wear it on hikes in the mountains and rough terrain due to poor ankle fixation, because the sneakers are short and the outsole is not too stiff.

For such hikes, hiking boots made of leather are suitable. They are tall, fit tightly to the leg, keeping them from dangling. The outsole with a special large relief prevents slipping on any kind of ground, including dirt, stones, wet grass.

The boots are much more powerful than sneakers (a pair weighs up to one kilogram), which is a condition of safety when driving over rough terrain. At the same time, with a plastic sole so that you can feel the relief under your feet more freely and not get too tired on long hikes.

Mountain boots designed for ascents and heavy trekking combining mixed terrain, talus descents, steep climbs, glacier crossings. Equipped with rubberized welts, convenient for cat fasteners. They have a tough sole with aggressive traction, a water-repellent impregnation or membrane, usually Gore-Tex, a plastic heel shock absorber and a midsole.

The pair weighs in the range of one and a half kilograms, which helps to damp shock loads. They are mainly made of waterproof nubuck in combination with textile inserts.

Climbing boots - the most difficult trekking shoes:

• with additional insulation;
• with lugs for movement in low temperatures, on ice;
• with a membrane for vapor permeability and drainage.

These are multi-layer structures. Detachable neoprene liner with drawstring inside, durable plastic outside. Between them is a layer of warm air. Many models are equipped with protective gaiters. It is important for a climber not to overcool his legs.

Despite the impressive weight (one pair pulls from one and a half to three kilograms), there is no feeling of heaviness in the legs. The lining is sewn from three to four layers of heat-insulating materials. Unlike other types of hiking shoes, mountaineering shoes have a carbon inner sole.

Plastic boots are a budget option: inexpensive, but warm and durable. Their disadvantages are the lack of a ventilation system and too rigid a shoe, which makes the legs sweat and get tired faster. Due to the soft top, these flaws are somewhat smoothed out.

In general, climbing shoes are very heavy, stiff, unnecessarily durable and expensive, and are unlikely to come in handy for any travel other than high-mountain climbing and industrial mountaineering.

Season

It is important to consider for what season and climatic zone trekking boots are purchased. They are summer, winter and demi-season.

Summer boots are more like sneakers in height and construction. They are lightweight, on a powerful but soft sole, made of textile with a reinforced rubberized toe. A very good ventilation system due to the use of membrane technology allows the legs to breathe even on the hottest days. Membrane fabrics allow moisture to pass through only in one direction - from the inside. Therefore, summer boots are very comfortable.

There are special requirements for winter models. In addition to excellent grip, a secure foot fit and water-repellent materials, it is important to keep your feet comfortable even in extreme cold. For this, technologically advanced synthetic materials with a thermos effect are used. Therefore, winter boots are massive, with thick leather. It is important that in winter shoes there is a small gap between the toes and the toe, about a centimeter, to prevent hypothermia. Winter trekking presupposes movement on slippery ice, which means that welts are required to install "crampons".

Demi-season tourist shoes are designed and developed for use in the off-season: in conditions of high humidity, wet snow, mud, as well as changes in night and day temperatures. Therefore, the outsole uses durable Vibram rubber with excellent grip on slippery wet ground.

This model range provides for fixing the shin due to the increased height of the boot. The rubberized welt around the perimeter protects against moisture, just like the Gore-Tex membrane fabric.

Floor

Depending on the gender, the following types of boots are distinguished:

• unisex;
• female;
• male.

Unisex models are presented mainly for hiking, light and medium trekking. These models are offered in neutral colors: brown, beige, gray, blue. The size range is also varied.

Women's models can be found among trekking and light trekking shoes. The developers are guided by the anatomical features of the female leg. Therefore, women's shoes look more graceful, with a narrowed toe and a high rise. The color scheme of women's shoes is varied: pastel, delicate, bright colors, as well as combinations of several shades.

Male models are most common. These are brutal, massive shoes. Among mountain and climbing boots, only models for men are presented, since these are far from women's sports.

And in terms of weight, these are the heaviest of trekking boots, a lady simply cannot carry a three-kilogram shoe. The main colors of men's shoes are dark blue, brown, black.

Recommendations for choosing trekking boots

Here are some guidelines for choosing trekking shoes.

1. You should give preference not to a fashion brand or model, but to your own feelings;
2. Fitting is best done in the evening, when the condition of the feet is close to the size and shape of the foot;
3. It is useful to try on shoes on a thin and thick toe to feel how comfortable it will be at different air temperatures;
4. Try on at least three pairs to choose the right one;
5. Pay attention to comfortable laces, quality of accessories;
6. To avoid swelling, calluses during long hikes, there should be a distance of up to 1 cm in lace-up shoes between the toes and the toes of the shoes;
7. Pay attention to a snug fit in the instep area;
8. When trying on, reproduce hiking situations: descending, climbing stairs, walking, running;
9. Insert orthopedic insoles that promote the correct position of the foot in terms of anatomical structure;
10. Objectively assess the level of your physical fitness: the stronger the muscles and ligaments in the legs, the easier it is to choose a model;
11. If trying on two different sizes leaves doubts, choose a larger one;
12. Wear out for at least a few days, only then go hiking.

If you stick to these tips, you can avoid mistakes and choose the best shoes.

Review of the best brands of trekking boots

When buying, an important point is the choice of the brand. Consider which shoes are better by making a conditional rating. However, there is no single correct answer to this question, since today many manufacturers in the world offer quality trekking shoes.

Asolo Trekking Boots

A famous Italian brand with a rich history: since 1946 the company has been producing footwear, since 1975 it has specialized in footwear for trekking and tourism. Asolo uses the latest advances in scientific technology and is constantly improving. Uses a Vibram outsole and its own development - Asoflex, which has good shock absorption and a tread pattern against clogging with wet earth and clay.

The popularity of the models is due to the fact that all shoes are sewn by hand from genuine waterproof leather and suede with textile inserts. Has a comfortable last and stylish design. Trekking boots from this company are relatively light in weight (within one and a half kilograms).

Asolo presents several series for tracking:

• walking;
• hiking;
• mountain;
• winter;
• mountaineering (for professionals).

According to buyers, the average price of this brand's shoes corresponds to the quality.

• ergonomic last;
• the effect of a wetsuit (water that gets inside the boot is not cooled);
• the midsole distributes the load over the entire area;
• heavy-duty patented asoflex outsole;
• quick lacing system;
• durable leather with a water-repellent coating.

• the sole is not flexible enough (not suitable for running).

La Sportiva trekking boots

The Italian company La Spotriva celebrated its centenary in 2028. It is a world famous brand for the manufacture of quality hiking shoes, including the most popular climbing shoes for athletes of any skill today.

There are mountain, all-season, classic, hiking, models for winter mountaineering. Parts are assembled by hand, which has a positive effect on the quality of the products.

During its existence, the company has acquired the status of an unrivaled manufacturer of durable and lightweight footwear for mountains and climbing. Ergonomic last, anatomical insole and high-tech materials ensure maximum comfort.

For the price, La Sportiva is a pleasant surprise, especially during seasonal sales. This is confirmed by numerous customer reviews.

• durability;
• a large selection of mountain and climbing models;
• durable fittings;
• reliable ventilation system;
• comfort.

• insufficiently strong textile inserts.

Salomon trekking boots

Since the mid-20th century, the French company Salomon has specialized in the production of ski bindings and footwear for all types of trekking from light models to powerful pairs.

Uses high quality natural and synthetic materials, a Gore-Tex membrane, removable antibacterial orthopedic insoles.

Most of the models are made of nubuck combined with plastic and textiles. Manual assembly of the parts ensures high quality seams and accuracy.

• compliance of sizes with standards;
• the presence of reflective parts;
• a large selection of winter models;
• quick lacing system.

• fragile fittings;
• high prices.

Trekking boots Meindl

A German brand that produces footwear by category:

• walk;
• classic tourism;
• mountain tourism;
• extreme tourism.

The company sells one million pairs a year. An indisputable factor of high quality is the hand assembly of each pair of more than one hundred components.

Meindl uses waterproof, durable leather, so the boots do not wear out for a long time or lose their shape.

• a light weight;
• plastic sole that does not strain the foot;
• comfortable wearing due to the extended last and foam inserts in the bootleg;
• reinforcement of the backdrop for heavy loads and overweight people;
• durability and strength.

• high price

Lowa Trekking Boots

The German Lowa brand is known all over the world for its high quality. Since 1923, this company has specialized in the manufacture of trekking, mountaineering and military boots.

The popular Gore-Tex membrane fabric is used to improve ventilation and water resistance. Comfortable pads and an orthopedic insole provide your feet with comfort.

Lowa has developed the world's first vulcanized Cristal rubber outsole to prevent slipping on ice.

• durability and wear resistance;
• patented Cristal outsole against slipping on the ice surface;
• a light weight;
• comfort and thermal balance in any weather;
• additional protection against side damage with a foam rubber welt;
• quick lacing system.

• high price.

The right footwear is of paramount importance on any journey. It provides comfortable movement and reduces the risk of injury. We hope that the above trekking boot review and recommendations will help you make the right choice.