There is no one best pair of hiking shoes. It depends on the shape of the feet, the temperament of the individual wearing them, and what it’s going to be utilised for. However, not many people know how to find the perfect one for them. The best hiking boots will offer your feet superb grip, ankle support and will keep your feet warm, comfortable and secure from intense weather conditions. Due to the huge abundance of hiking shoes that are available these days, making the perfect choice can often seem like a stressful task. To make that task easier for you, here is a useful checklist of features and specifications you may use to select the best hiking shoes:

Tip #1: Boot Types

Hiking shoes can be found in different types, intended for varying hiking expeditions. They can be broken down into types:

• Light hiking Shoes: these are designed for use on relatively easy terrain, for short day trips. They’re produced from lightweight and breathable materials, that very flexible and supply maximum comfort to your feet. They are designed to versatile, and can be used on the marked hiking trail and on the streets.
• Hiking boots: this type of boots are meant for long distance hiking trips and offer better feet and ankle support, compared to the previous model. Those characteristics make it feasible for you to take light to average weight rucksacks.
• Mountaineering boots: this style of hiking boot is intended to provide necessary support, to lug around large loads over long distances. Some models under this type of category are made to accommodate crampons for snow and ice hiking, attributable to a dual layer of adaptable inner boot and hard outer shell (usually made out of plastic).

Tip #2: Cut of the Boot

The cut of the boot can often determine the level of support and comfort you will get out of your hiking boot. Low to mid-height cut is most appropriate for light hiking expeditions. The downside of low cuts may be that sand, dirt or any other type of small particles will find its way inside the shoe, making them uncomfortable to wear. Mid to high cuts are aimed at long distance and intense terrain trekking trips.

Tip #3: Construction of the Boot

The construction materials used to produce a hiking boot will determine its weight, comfort, toughness and water resistance. Here are a few components that make up a hiking boot:

• Upper boot materials: Hiking boots may be made out of full-grain leather, split-grain leather, nubuck leather, synthetic and watertight lining substances. Every individual type of fabric has its own set of characteristics that affect the comfort, sturdiness, weather protection and appearance of a hiking boot.
• Midsole materials: this is actually the substance found separating the grip giving outsole and the boots internal layer. They are meant to offer you cushioning and protect the feet from external shock. They are generally produced from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyurethane. EVA is lighter, cushier and less expensive, yet polyurethane is firmer and a lot more sturdy.
• Support components: these are components, found in the midsole section, which are meant to offer you added support and better shock absorption. They can either be shanks, that can add load bearing strength to the sole, or plates, which shield the feet from roots or unlevel gravel.
• Outsoles: Lug patterns on the outsole affect the level of grip you will get while you are hiking; deep, thick lug tracks improve grip. Widely spaced lugs will shed mud with ease, plus supply reliable grip. The heel brake section of the outsole will lower your sliding while on steep descents.