Hi Maddie,

You ask a good question and my short answer is that, unless you are trekking entirely at high elevations where it will be cold and you’ll be walking in wet snow much of the time, any of the boots you are considering will be too heavy, stiff, and hot, which will be very uncomfortable in mild to warm temperatures (even too hot in relatively cool temps) and entirely unnecessary. Using a boot like that in conditions for which it’s not intended will greatly increase the chance of blisters or a worse injury.

If you’re trekking on trails that will vary from dry dirt to some mud and perhaps snow when crossing a pass, you will be more comfortable with lightweight, probably waterproof-breathable, low-cuts or mid-cut shoes/boots with synthetic (not all leather) uppers that weigh around two to 2.5 pounds per pair (that’s for the men’s size 9, so look for lighter models if you wear a smaller size). For my detailed thoughts on this question, see my response to Jordan’s May 26, 2023, comment below.

I hope that helps. Good luck and have a great trip. You will enjoy it much more if your feet aren’t hot and sore.

I’ve got a question about what boots you might recommend to me. I’m currently planning for a trip to Nepal in the spring where I’ll be going on a 1-2 week backpacking trip and am trying to find a good pair of sturdy hiking boots, but am also not sure how heavy is too heavy. I’ve been looking at the Meindl Lady Himalaya
( https://meindlusa.com/collections/all-products/products/lady-himalaya-mfs-hiker )but the weight on these is 3.59 lbs a pair according to their website. The construction looks great and the reviews have all been really positive, but I’m just worried that the weight might be too much. (Another boot slightly lighter is the Hanwag Tatra II Lady GTX at 2.82 lbs https://www.hanwag.com/us/en-us/women/trekking/tatra-ii-lady-gtx?v=H200101%3a%3a4047761408696 ).

This is my first time going on an extended backpacking trip, though, so I’m not sure how important weight is. So basically, how important is the weight of the boot and are the Lady Himalayas too heavy?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

Hi Jim,

Well, I have to admit, I’ve never encountered someone whose feet swell that much a short time into any run or hike. A bit of swelling is common but not so much swelling that you go up multiple footwear sizes. With the caveat that I am no expert in your unique circumstance, I would imagine that the swelling affects mostly your feet width and not length, so you might want footwear that’s in wide sizing. I’d also think you want very flexible footwear, not stiff boots, with fabric (rather than leather) uppers that have room to expand with your feet. Those styles tend to be moderately priced, too, so that you’re not sinking a lot of money into shoes or boots that may not work for you. (Many online sellers have a good return policy, too.) A few brands that come immediately to mind are Oboz, Danner, and Hoka One One, but there are others.

Seems to me you should otherwise stick to the sizing and fit strategy that has worked for you.

I hope that helps and good luck.

Now I wanted to ask something – what would you recommend for people who’s feet get much bigger during the hike(usually I’m getting a bit oversized running shoes for example since I know that 20 min into the run my feet are going to increase drastically with bloodflow). So should I opt for same approach for hiking shoes? Kinda worried since I’ve never had a pair of proper ones.

P.S for example I’ve got Brooks trail runners in size 11US even though my everyday “comfortable” boots are like 9.5 at best…

Thanks in advance.

Also regarding high-boots and my issues – should I have a bit of room in the ankle part? Don’t want to mess up my very first hike 😀

Hi Jordan,

Sorry to hear about your tendonitis injury on the Camino Del Norte but I wouldn’t necessarily blame your footwear. As you correctly noted, walking 25k daily can by itself lead to an overuse injury if you haven’t trained by doing exactly that: building up your daily walking distances to prepare for long days, day after day.

I honestly would be concerned that a boot eight inches tall and weighing almost three pounds on each foot would just give you another overuse injury related to your body not being accustomed to having so much weight on your feet and having the range of motion of your feet and ankles so constrained. I bought a pair of boots in the ’90s that were heavier and, more significantly, stiffer than anything I’d worn hiking before then because I bought into the notion that my feet and ankles needed more “support.” I consequently developed painful injuries because my feet and ankles were so constrained in those boots. And they weren’t even close to the weight you’re talking about. Not to mention how hot and sweaty those boots might be, injecting two of the three conditions that create blisters into your days hiking.

I switched back to lighter boots and have, over the years, continually used lighter and lighter models.

I’ve come to the belief (and I’m not alone in this) that the biggest factor to consider in choosing hiking footwear is the condition of your leg muscles and joints and your feet (and I would add your core and back, too). If they are all healthy and strong, they will provide the best form of support you could have and there’s no reason to contain them in heavy footwear. If you have some old injury or condition affecting your legs and feet, find the boots that feel good for you.

I personally would not take such a huge leap in the opposite direction as you’re considering. And on the durability point, yes, that’s good, but you might also eventually decide that you want different footwear anyway, as your body changes over time and perhaps footwear technology evolves.

That’s my two cents, which makes my advice probably a great deal cheaper than those boots! Good luck and thanks for the question.

Avid hiker and hunter back home, typically in altra lone peaks and lighter loads. Did not anticipate the strain of weeks on end of 25km days with sometimes three mountains to cross a day.

I am planning more thru-hikes and backpack hunting trips and since I wouldn’t consider myself ultralight but closer to lightweight or heavy load carrying if I have game in my pack, I am considering the purchase of some serious old school PNW style boots.

I am looking at the JK O.T boots. I can get them custom fitted in store and despite their cost, the ability to resole and repair them means that they should in theory last a life time.

At 8″ tall they weight approximately 2.8lbs a boot.

What do you think about this idea?

In serious wet conditions I think I could use a gore-tex sock liners. I believe even on shorter lighter hikes they might be applicable, perhaps not ideal, but I am more of a own one versatile thing than many case specific items.

Thoughts?

Glad to hear that, thanks Rhonda.

Thanks for the compliment and suggestion, Harper. The story now suggests trying on boots later in the day, when your feet have already swelled as they normally do during any day when you’re on your feet. I would say that if boots feel too large or too small, find another brand that fits your feet better. Don’t settle for boots that do not fit your feet well when you’re trying them on later in the day and walking around the store in them (or if you order them online, try them on at home, and return them because they don’t fit well; make sure the online retailer has a return policy that permits that).

Good choice, Tom, I think you’ll like those boots. Let me know what you think.

Thanks Mike. I think I will give something lighter a try. In fact, I recently got a pair of the ArcTeryx Aerios FL boots you wrote about. I probably won’t get any serious trail miles on them until March but the feel fantastic.

Thanks for the question, Tom. The durability of boots depends more on miles, type of use and environment, and the durability of the materials. Really lightweight models tend to wear out faster, often within 300 to 400 miles and faster if you’re hiking off-trail or on wet, muddy, rocky trails a lot. Leather uppers and denser outsoles last longer but tend to be heavier and hotter. Living in a very dry climate (where your boots are stored) can affect the longevity of boots by causing materials to dry out faster, which can help explain a rand delaminating.

I’ve backpacked in Salomon Quest and liked them but I generally tend toward lighter, cooler shoes. However, if you prefer a more supportive boot like that, you might try Oboz boots, which have a wide toe box and are comfortable, supportive, and moderately priced, like the Bridger Mid or Low (which come in waterproof and non-waterproof versions).

I hope that’s helpful. Good luck.

I need a new pair of boots. I have been wearing Salomon Quest Gore-Tex boots for quite a few years (>5 years at least). They are very comfortable and they fit my feet well. The problem is that I cannot get more than 2 years out of a pair. The tread is worn out and the rand has separated badly from the leather at the point where the boot flexes the most (pretty much where the toes meet the feet). Based on the online reviews, it does not seem like my experience is uncommon for these boots.

Is buying a new pair of boots every two years wasteful (kinda seems like it but maybe my expectations are unrealistic)? Do you have recommendations for other boots that are in this class? I have low-volume feet that are pretty wide near the toes. I spend about 20-25 nights out a year. I don’t hike big miles but I do a lot of hiking off of established trails in Idaho mountains and Utah deserts (mostly Idaho mountains).

Thanks.

Tom

Hi Maxwell,

Thanks for the nice compliment, I’m glad you find my blog helpful, and thanks for such a good question.

You’re right that when facing an occasional creek or river ford on a trip, it’s not overly time-consuming to change into sandals for the crossing and dry your feet on the other side. But when I’ve faced numerous fords in rapid succession, instead of constantly changing footwear—which would greatly slow my progress—I’ve brought along sandals that would be comfortable enough to hike a distance in. I recall the Temperance Creek Trail in Hells Canyon having 21 fords in the space of a few miles or less, nothing more than knee-deep. I just hiked in my sandals, the water was cold snowmelt from higher elevations, but it felt great and was fun. You could wear socks if it helps add warmth and reduce the friction that can contribute to blisters and dry them on the outside of your pack afterward.

Non-waterproof hiking shoes with mesh and/or perforated uppers will dry most quickly when wet—after you’ve done the final ford—because moisture will move out of them more quickly than it will through a waterproof-breathable membrane (provided that your feet are warm enough to generate the heat needed to push moisture out from inside). One example of many models I’ve reviewed is the Danner Trail 2650 Mesh hiking shoes. After the last ford, you can take the time to dry your feet and change back into dry socks and boots.

See all of my reviews of lightweight hiking shoes at The Big Outside.

Good luck with your hike. Thanks for the comment, please keep in touch.

This blog is so thorough and incredibly helpful!

I am planning a weekend backpacking trip in western NC that happens to involve 12-14 wet fords, most of them occurring in the same day. Typically, we change into sandals or water shoes for a quick ford and then dry our feet on the other side before switching back to our boots.

But with so many crossings over the course of just a day, do you have any ideas about quick drying shoes that would allow us to just keep them on and dry as we hike?

Hi Tom,

I didn’t have the impression that the Scarpa R-Evolution runs particularly narrow. The tongue helps it wrap the foot nicely, I thought. It all comes down to how they feel on your feet, of course.

Good luck.

Michael

Mike:

Thanks for your reply and great advice! Yeah, unless you’re actually in the store with me during a boot fit and can actually measure my foot, determine the height of my arch, and size up the shape and volume of my feet, its not a fair question! I wear aftermarket insoles, and lace my boots so as to prevent my foot from sliding forward. Unfortunately, stores must limit the models of boot they can stock, leaving us to researching on the web (which is how I ran across your reviews), reading customers reviews (with caution) and plenty of trial and error. I’ll go back thru your menu to see if I get any additional ideas. One final very specific question though. Do you have an opinion whether the Scarpa R-Evolution runs narrow? Guess I could have lead with that! Appreciate all you do!

Tom

Hi Tom,

Thanks for the question. Boots are the most difficult gear to get right—and simultaneously the most important, because we all know that a poor fit in boots can cause problems that make hiking uncomfortable, sometimes a misery, and maybe a trip killer.

All of the boots you are considering would provide the ankle support you want. Your toe problem is probably a matter of getting the right fit in boots. Getting it right can simply come down to trying on a variety of boot models and walking around in them enough to develop a sense of whether your feet feel good in them. I suspect you have worn boots that do not cradle your midfoot as securely as you needed, causing your left foot to slip forward (likely when going downhill). It’s not uncommon for people to have feet that are slightly different from one another. You might be able to fix the left foot fit problem with an after-market/custom insole in that boot only (or maybe it will feel good for your right foot, too).

It’s impossible for me (or anyone else) to predict which boots will fit your feet best. But I think that if you try enough, you will find some that, when on your feet, make you think, “yes, it’s these.” I’ve hiked in scores of different boots and shoes over the past few decades. I can put on a new pair and almost instantly know whether they fit me well. It won’t require you wearing scores of boots to find a good pair, but it may require trying on at least a few.

See this menu of all of my reviews of backpacking boots that I think are top performers. Some are not as heavy, stiff, and hot as models you are looking at, but would still give you the ankle support you desire. Hot boots do not help your feet feel better.

Good luck.

Michael

Great article – as usual! After a deliciously brutal 4 day/3 night trip in West Virginia’s Cranberry Wilderness that included, rocks, roots, going over, under and around blowdown, stream crossings, boot-sucking mud, bushwacking to detour around washed out trails, and miles-long ascents and descents, I’ve became painfully aware (pain being the key word here) that I need new hiking/backpacking boots.

I’m dealing with a few issues. In addition to my feet being different in that my right foot is fine, but the left pinky toe gets smashed, I have weak ankles and need that high ankle support since an ankle roll with a large pack in the backcountry would be catastrophic.

I understood your categories beginning with light hiking/backpacking to medium to heavy backpacking. I’m not averse to having two (or three) pairs of boots for different circumstances. I have a pair of mid Merrell Moabs for dayhiking, and am looking for that midweight and/or heavyweight backpacking boot.

I’m considering the Salomon Quest 4D 3, Aku Alterra, Scarpa R-Evolution, and Keen Durand II, and wonder if you can weigh in on these, or have any suggestions in the midweight and or heavy hiking/backpacking boot not on my list, given my toe and ankle issues.

Appreciate any insights you can offer! Stay safe out there!

Tom

You’re very welcome, Tim. I haven’t used that specific Vasque model, but it’s in the category of boot I think will serve your purposes better. Have a great trip in Glacier; such an inspirational place.

Hi Michael,

Thank you very much for the reply, your advice is always helpful. I think you are right that a lighter, more breathable boot would be more appropriate for my purposes. It looks like Vasque is phasing out the Breeze III GTX, so maybe I will try this one, which looks like the successor.

Thank you for the advice about Glacier and Teton as well. Our next trip will likely be 3 days in length, so the article “The Best Hikes for 3 Days in Glacier” is perfect.

All the best,
Tim

Hi Tim,

Thanks for the kind compliment about my blog, I’m glad you find it helpful. No, I have not reviewed a newer version of the Salomon Quest 4D 2 GTX boots, but I suspect it represents some design improvements on what is a heavy-duty boot for backpacking in wet climates. I’ve hiked probably thousands of miles in the White Mountains (I get back there just about every year, love it), and for dayhiking there, I recommend you get shoes or boots that are lighter and not quite as hot, and perhaps with some ankle protection and support for the rocky trails.

Check out this menu of all of my reviews of lightweight hiking and backpacking shoes and boots, and of course, the tips in the above story.

Glacier and Grand Teton are two of my favorite parks. I’ve spent much time in both. Scroll down to Glacier and Grand Teton at my All National Park Trips page for menus of all of my stories about those parks. Visit my E-Guides page to see a menu of my downloadable e-guides to backpacking trips in those parks and others, and my Custom Trip Planning page to see how I can help you plan a trip.

I hope that’s helpful, good luck.

I currently have Vasque Breeze III GTX; I think they are tremendously comfortable, provide excellent grip on a variety of surfaces, and have decent ankle stability. However, I am disappointed by the failure of the waterproof membrane during prolonged stream crossings.

Do you think that the Quest 4D 3 would be overkill for someone like me, who only goes on long dayhikes, or would it be a worthwhile investment? I’m planning to do as much hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire as I can this summer, and will try to get to Glacier National Park or Grand Teton National Park in September for some dayhiking as well.

Thank you for providing great information,

Tim

I’m sure all of what you’re saying is true. I’m about to head out on a canyon hike in southern Utah where I’ll hike in water a lot and don’t plan to have dry feet, so I’ll wear neoprene socks. But the water will be snowmelt, quite frigid, so I expect my feet to feel chilled at times–not warm. Some hikers would not like that cold, wet feeling all the time, and waterproof boots do keep feet dry in many situations. I just took a very wet, four-day hut trek in New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park, an extremely wet place. My Gore-Tex boots kept my feet dry the entire first day, through a lot of off-trail hiking in wet vegetation and mud. My feet were wet for the remainder of the trip because we waded through water knee-deep or deeper.