How to Choose A Hiking Shoe

When it comes to hiking footwear, there are so many options to choose from. If you’re new to hiking, it’s understandable that you may not know where to start your search.

I remember when I first started hiking. I knew I wanted to get outdoors but didn’t know a thing about gear. I did know I needed a good pair of hiking footwear though! 

Today, I am an avid hiker and founder of the 52 Hike Challenge. We help people get outdoors hiking 52 times a year and make the outdoors a way of life. It’s been more than a decade since I began my hiking journey, and since then, I have been a thru-hiker, mountaineer, and backpacker. As you can imagine, I have gone through many shoes, terrain, and scenarios - which call for different footwear options.

I have the privilege to educate and guide others on hiking gear, trail etiquette, and more. I hope you will feel confident, knowledgeable, and ready to pick the right hiking style after reading this blog.

Whether you're heading out for a short-day hike or a multi-day backpacking trip, choosing the right hiking footwear is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. And there are a few choices that you’ll need to make: low- or mid-height boots, waterproof vs. non-waterproof, and a variety of materials. 

No matter what style you choose, the most important aspect is that the footwear fits your feet really well.  I always recommend getting measured at a local dealer and trying a few different styles—especially if you’re planning a big trip or dealing with foot issues.

Oboz Footwear has been my outfitter of choice for the past five years, and I do not hike without them. I have gone many miles in Oboz Footwear, and I recommend you give them a try when looking for your own hiking footwear. They have so many options to choose from. 

Let’s talk specific style offerings across the Oboz entire product range: from fast & light to rugged, and all-trail.

Then the Katabatic collection is for you. True story: both my mother and I hiked the Camino De Santiago Portuguese route in Katabatic Mid B-Dry. This style has great cushion and is really comfortable overall. Bonus: you'll feel fast and feel light too. The Katabatic is offered in a low and mid-height. They have a resilient outsole and have durable performance - even after 385+ miles. They feel stable and provide noticeable energy return on long days. The full Katabatic Collection is lightweight, breathable, and comes in various colors. I love its look and feel.

The latest version of the Waterproof Katabatic LT is lighter and more breathable than ever. Built with GORE-TEX Invisible Fit technology, backed by their guaranteed to keep you dry promise, the LT offers reliable water/windproofness. My favorite thing about the style is their versatility. They're are great for day-to-day use and longer outings.

For the latest in hiking fashion and all-day comfort look no further than the Hyalite. I just recently tested these out and wore them for our 52 Hike Challenge 10-year anniversary retreat. I received a lot of compliments on the look and color.  What I loved is that I was able to wear them right out of the box and didn’t have any problems breaking them in. These hiking shoes are softer and super comfortable. They are also offered in a low and mid-height versions. They are great for day hiking or even longer days on the trail. Did I mention they are waterproof? They look and feel casual, so you can wear them on and off the trail, or when traveling. These are also made with Oboz preferred materials. 

Last up: is the rugged category. The Bridger Collection is built for maximum stability, and protection. This gives you the support you need when carrying a pack, and provides pinnacle off trail performance so you can feel confident venturing into rugged and variable terrain.

Oboz has a few options, the Bridger Peak GTX, Bridger Ridge Mid GTX, and the classic Bridger Mid and Low. 

I recently got to test the Bridger Ridge GTX on a local mountain hike. I was impressed. I wore them right out of the box and climbed 1,227 feet over four miles, with zero issues. They were sturdy and handled the rocky terrain with ease! At the start of the hike, I accidentally stepped into a river while trying to cross it, soaking the shoes, and no water got in! They truly are waterproof.

The Bridger Ridge GTX is a great option if you’re going to be backpacking in rocky terrain, as they will protect your feet from the elements. They have a firmer layer, TPU chassis and an EVA plate (these help prevent rock bruising, while still being comfortable). Usually, styles like this will initially feel more stiff than other hiking shoe options and will need to be broken in, but those materials are here to protect you and will be well worth it!