Hiking Boots for Beginners

When you first start hiking, buying gear can be intimidating. There are so many brands, so many styles and a lot of confusing information. Fear not though, we are here to walk you through it.

Trail Runners or Boots

First of all, there is a debate within the hiking community between trail runners or boots. Trail runners are lightweight shoes that resemble sneakers. Some people prefer them because they are less restricting, more flexible, and of course, lighter. Others think that they look more stylish (agree to disagree on that one). While we agree that there are some merits to trail runners, we don’t recommend them for beginners. It will take time for you to get used to the rugged terrain (especially on the mountain trails in Japan), and build up muscle. Boots will offer more ankle support, better stability, more grip, have more protection, are far more durable AND you won’t have to stop so often because of annoying pebbles in your shoes. Below we go through some of the most important things to look out for when buying a hiking boot.

4 things to look for in a hiking boot

1. Ankle support

As we mentioned above, we recommend all beginner hikers get hiking boots with good ankle support. One of the biggest causes of injuries and falls on the mountain is due to twisted ankles. A twisted ankle might not be a big deal in the city, but on a mountain, it can lead to life-threatening situations. Having the correct ankle support could save you a whole lot of pain, and money.

2. Weight

The difficulty with having extra ankle support is that the weight of your shoe will go up. Remember, if they feel heavy in the store, they are not going to feel any lighter after an hour of uphill hiking. So the best boot will find a balance between weight and support.

3. Grip

Grip is another of the most important features of a hiking boot. Trails can get very slippy and good gripping shoes will prevent potentially serious falls. Vibram soles are considered to be the best material available, and as such most brands have a Vibram sole option. However, Vibram can be expensive and there are cheaper options for beginners. Some brands have their own technologies as well as specially designed grips.

4. Fit

Hiking boots should be snug, but have plenty of toe space. When you hike your feet will swell, so you should try on your hiking boots when your feet are swollen from walking. Go to the store after running some errands or at the end of the day. It is also important to take the socks you plan on hiking in, as they might make your boots fit differently (if you go to a big outdoor store, they will probably have socks for you to use if you forget). It Is also helpful to ask the store clerk about insole options for more comfort and in some stores they will let you try on the boots with different insoles. Columbia has a great pair of insoles and the store clerks are always happy to help.

And our last piece of advice... Shop Around

Everyone is different, so don’t just get the boot that everyone is raving about. Take time to try on as many boots as you can and find the one that is right for you. Remember the store clerk is there to help you. No question is stupid, your hiking boots are an important buy, so don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to. Below are some brands that we recommend, but the right boot for you is the boot that you feel most comfortable in.

Tip:

If you are near Kanagawa, Granberry Mall (Den-En-Toshi Line) has outlet stores for Columbia, Salomon and other outdoor brands.

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Some of our favourite brands:

Merrell

Merrell boots have long been considered the best value for money. While they don’t provide as much support as some of the more expensive brands, they offer great comfort, grip and fit.

Merrell Moab 2 Mid
Merrell Main Website

Columbia

Columbia boots are very popular among women. Two members of the Hike To The Clouds team wear Columbia boots and love them. They are good value for money, provide great comfort, support, stability and the best grip and traction. They also have fantastic waterproofing technology. Columbia boots are lauded for their durability and our team can attest to that.

Columbia Titanium
Columbia Main Page

Keen

Keen is another well-established hiking brand known for its good quality, low-cost boots. Targhees are considered a classic In the hiking world and are a great option for beginners who won’t be hiking incredibly difficult trails. They also have the widest fit, for those with wide feet.

Keen Targhee III

Salomon

If you look at any best hiking boots article, Salomon will not just be there but will be at the top. Salomon has found a great balance between ankle support and weight. They have some of the lightest hiking boots on the market. On top of this, it is also available in wide sizes. Of course, when making a boot lighter, a few compromises are made, and in this case, the stability and grip are not always as good as some of their competitors.

Salomon Hiking Page

Asolo

Asolo Main Page

Lowa

Lowa Main Page