Hiking FAQ: Boots or Shoes or Trail Runners for Hiking?

Header Cartoon Trail Runners v Hikers v Boots

What footwear should you wear hiking? Should you wear shoes or boots hiking? Or listen to your buddy who told you trail runners are the way to go?

Even greater than the debate over hiking in pants vs. shorts is the endless hiker debate over whether you should hike in boots or shoes or trail runners. The short answer: it depends on your preferences and the hike. But if you’re here, you probably want to know more so in this guide you’ll find (click to navigate):

Pros/Cons of Hiking Footwear Options
How to Decide between Shoes and Boots for a Hike
Additional Resources for Deciding on Hiking Footwear

In this guide, I provide a few ideas of the “best brands” for each type of hiking footwear. These are a subjective assessments based on my own experience and the brands I most consistently hear other hikers raving about. These are not an exhaustive list of all of the really great shoe brands out there but I wanted to help narrow it down if you don’t already have a go-to brand for outdoor footwear because the options can be overwhelming.

Hiking Footwear Options

Hiking in Trail Runners

Pros of Trail Runners

Lightweight
Typically the most breathable
Can use for running and hiking
Usually cheaper than boots

Cons of Trail Runners

Need to be replaced most frequently
Less underfoot and toe protection
Designed for running so some don’t provide as much hiking traction

Top Trail Running Shoe Brands

Altra
Mizuno
Brooks

Hiking in Hiking Shoes

Pros of Hiking Shoes

Comparatively lightweight
More traction than a non-trail shoe
Shoe box to foot with little to no break-in period
Last longer than trail runners

Cons of Hiking Shoes

Wear out faster than boots
Less ankle support than boots
Don’t “feel” as secure as boots for some

Top Hiking Shoe Brands

Keen (a personal fav that is more affordable than many)
Salomon
Merrell

Hiking in Boots

Pros of Hiking Boots

Better ankle support
Sturdier “feel”
Last longer than trail runners and many hiking shoes
Warmer and keep snow out better

Cons of Hiking Boots

Comparatively heavy
More rigid, often have a break-in period
Generally more expensive

Top Hiking Boot Brands

La Sportiva
Oboz
Salomon

How to Decide Between Hiking Shoes and Hiking Boots for Hikes

If you can afford it, I recommend having a pair of hiking shoes (or trail runners) and a pair of hiking boots and alternating between them depending on the type of hike, season, and conditions.

Choose Shoes or Trail Runners

Shoes or trail runners are a good bet for:

Around town hikes
Good weather hikes
Hikes where speed is a priority

Choose Boots

Boots are usually best for:

Cold weather
Extended wet conditions
Very rocky hikes

Although these are some general ideas of when to wear what type of hiking shoe, the best way to learn what works for you when is through trial and error. For example, I wear hiking shoes on 90%+ of my hikes because I hate the weight and bulkiness of boots, but I know other people who love the security of boots and rarely hike in shoes.

If you’re wondering why “regular sneakers” are not listed as an option, it’s because while you can get away with them sometimes, they are not well-suited for hiking. The lack of good tread can actually make them a dangerous option for some hikes.

More Resources to Help You Decide

These are some other resources that may help you decide between hiking in shoes or boots:

Clever Hiker: Footwear Guides (love this site for all gear info!)
The Hiking Life: 30 Year Perspective on Trail Runners v. Hiking Boots
Switchback Travel: Hiking Shoes vs. Trail Runners
Sort of Legal: My Favorite Trail Shoes (Women)