
The top end of the scale has boots built with high-quality materials whose exceptional durability gives them an edge over the competition. The average cost for hikers is usually between $200-250.
Budget-conscious hikers can find great deals between $50-150. CostĪ good pair of hiking boots can cost anywhere from $50-500. Check out the criteria below before settling on a new pair of hiking boots. Hiking Boots Buying GuideĬareful boot selection will set you up for years of success. Damp hiking boots can start to smell really bad really fast and will give you blisters twice as fast. If they get wet after a hike, use a ski boot heater or the sun to dry them out. Make sure to store your hiking boots in a well-ventilated, dry place. This will cause the back of the shoe to fail much faster, and any heel support the boots had will disappear quickly. When stepping into your hiking shoes, undo the laces and pull the tongue back, do not shove your foot in and pull the back up around it. Then, put the laces back into the shoe to stop them from dragging and fraying on the ground. When you’re finished hiking in a pair of boots, make sure to loosen your laces before pulling your foot out. Proper hiking boot care will increase the life of your footwear.
I’d recommend starting with half an hour a day and working up to about an hour. During the first week after buying them, take some time to walk around in the boots before taking them on outdoor adventures. New hiking boots are stiff and need a bit of time to loosen up and mold to your feet. The best way to break in hiking shoes and boots is to spend time walking around in them. After all, the previous owner found a reason to give them back. With used hiking shoes and boots, you just don’t know what they’ve been through and how well (or poorly) they performed.
It’s much better to get a brand new pair of boots that you know are factory fresh and can handle what you need them to.
Even if the used boots are marked as waterproof boots, you won't know if the waterproof membrane is still working until after you buy them. Used boots could also have a lot of unseen wear and tear. The laces on used boots may break faster since they’ve already been used. This will impact your ability to scramble rocks or navigate complex off-trail environments. Used boots may have less tread and traction than a new pair. Incorrectly sized boots can cause bruising, blisters, and general discomfort. Used boots may not be in the right size. While the deals may be great, be aware of the downsides of buying used boots. You can find incredible deals on used hiking shoes and traditional hiking boots, but I would exercise extreme caution if you choose to do this. Not all of them are perfect for each outdoor adventure, but between them, you shouldn’t have any problems finding a selection to power you through the next epic hike. The selections reviewed here check most, if not all, of the essential hiking boot criteria. Partly to minimize foot pain and partly to find a boot that could keep up with me, I set about evaluating the best hiking boots available today.Īn ideal hiking boot is sturdy, lightweight, breathable, water resistant, and comfortable. For several years I was going through two boots a season. I’ve been hiking for nearly three decades and have gone through a lot of hiking boots. Get ready to tackle your next hike with one of the pairs from our shortlist below. Notable bootmakers have made leaps and bounds in the last few decades, creating line after line of admirable hiking boots. Thankfully, there’s no shortage of options available today. Getting the best hiking boots can help protect your feet and keep you hiking for longer. Wearing poor-quality boots over uneven terrain can lead to hot spots, blisters, and bruises. After all, it’s our feet that carry us to stunning natural places, so we should treat them right. Hiking boot selection is a critical component of any outdoor gear setup.