The secret to a successful hike is making sure your feet are happy, dry, and comfortable from the beginning to the end. Sweaty, blistery, uncomfortable, or wet feet are the recipe for a disaster hike. Choosing the best, and more appropriate hiking boots or hiking sandals are essential to ensuring your feet will be comfortable and happy throughout your hike.
But it can be difficult to decide between hiking boots and sandals, as there are pros and cons of each one. Here is a guide that guides you throughout the entire process of choosing between hiking boots and hiking sandals, so you have all the information you need to choose the best lightweight hiking sandal or boot for your hike.
Starting with the most essential thing to consider. The weight of the shoe. There are not really any ifs or buts, as no one wants to be stuck with a heavy shoe on their foot throughout a hike. Whether it’s a short day hike or you’re going to travel the world, a heavy shoe is an extra weight that you simply don’t need. Your shoe needs to be lightweight, so much so that you barely even feel you’re wearing it, and it’s not a bother during your hike.
The good news is that hiking sandals are naturally very lightweight due to the little material that they contain, so you don’t need to worry about sandals weighing you down. However, it’s still important to try on the sandals before you wear them on your hike to ensure they really are light for your feet.
Yes, hiking boots can most definitely be lightweight. This all depends on the material, and the only way to tell if a hiking boot is heavy or lightweight is from trying it on. This is one of the most critical aspects to consider when choosing a hiking boot, as it can make or break your hike. So be sure to try and test your hiking boot before you start your hike. Walk around in them, jump up and down or kick your legs in the air. Do whatever it takes to understand whether or not these boots may be too heavy for you.
Materials in your hiking boots or sandals will affect the performance of the shoe itself. The material impacts the weight of the shoe, whether it’s waterproof or not, whether it’s breathable, and how comfortable it is for you.
That’s a good point – hiking sandals don’t have that much material. This means your sandals are also lightweight, and your feet are fully ventilated throughout the hike. However, it is still important to ensure that the material of your sandals is made from breathable, and comfortable material that is nice on the skin. The last thing you want is to have part of your foot sweating from a non-breathable strap that takes hours to dry once it’s wet.
The material for your hiking boot is extremely important. It affects the outer lining, the inner lining, and the sole of your boot. It affects the boot’s comfort, grip, and weight, all of which are crucial things to consider when choosing the best hiking boot for yourself.
Some popular hiking boot options are made of leather. These boots are water-resistant, durable, and built for long-extended hiking trips. There are different types of leather you can choose from, such as full-grain leather, split-grain leather, and nubuck leather. The downside to this material is that they can be quite expensive, and take a while to break the boots in before they are ready for a long trip, so they can start off feeling quite uncomfortable, to begin with.
There are also hiking boots made of vegan materials such as synthetic leather. These boots are usually very breathable but not always the best waterproof materials. If you are looking for highly waterproof boots, you will need to invest in boots that have Teflon or Gore-Tex liners that are extremely lightweight and allow your foot to stay dry from both sweat and water at the same time. Furthermore, synthetic hiking boots are usually quicker to break in than leather hiking boots.
The majority of soles on shoes are made of Vibram, DuraTread, or Rubber. All of these are tough, comfortable, and work well on rocks. If you are buying hiking boots for a particularly rocky trip, then consider the tread on your shoe as well as what the sole is made out of.
The tread is the pattern on the sole of the shoes, which can make a difference in the amount of grip you will have on rocks, dry terrain, or water.
The tread on hiking sandals is not as deep as that of hiking boots, but it still needs to be profound to survive all weather conditions, particularly rocky steams and water hikes. The ideal tread of a hiking sandal can function on dry, flat land and instantly take you through dry, wet, or humid conditions without causing you to wobble or slip.
Understanding your environment of walking is key to finding the tread that works for you. Tread on most hiking boots is grippy and strong, especially on the lighter hiking boots. The benefit of this means you are prepared for all weather conditions and terrain, but the drawback means it may be a little uncomfortable on the easier paths you are on. Don’t choose a tread that is the most aggressive you can find, as this can lead to discomfort on your foot. Make sure the tread is appropriate for the hike you are going on.
This is how your shoe is attached to your foot. Hiking boots typically come with laces that are adjustable to ensure your foot and ankle are fully supported. Hiking sandals typically come with straps to allow for maximum ventilation to your foot. Less straps means more ventilation – but also that your foothold is less firm. It’s all about finding the perfect balance for your individual needs in terms of straps design, straps width, padded or non padded straps etc.
When you try on both hiking sandals and boots, don’t be afraid to adjust the lacing or straps to check it fits absolutely perfectly. The lace or straps will hold your foot in place and will prevent the shoe from coming off even in the harshest of weather.
If your shoe isn’t comfortable, you probably have the wrong size. Likewise, if you have the wrong size, the shoe won’t be comfortable for you. Don’t be afraid to try on multiple sizes or test out different styles of your hiking boot or sandal. If the shoe you chose ticks all the above boxes but just isn’t comfortable or the sizing just isn’t quite right, then it’s likely that this will continue throughout your hike. An uncomfortable shoe can lead to blisters, especially in hiking boots.
Remember: hiking boots often take some time to break in. Having an expert guide you through the process at the shop should help you understand when a shoe is uncomfortable or when a shoe simply needs breaking into before it is the most comfortable it has ever been. Make sure to take your thick hiking socks with you to the shop to ensure that you get an accurate feel for what it will feel like on your hike.
First things first, understand where you are going. Are you planning to become a full-time traveler, or are you on a one-off hike to a forest near you? On the hike, will you go into streams and lakes, or is the ground quite dry? Will there be hills, or is it flat ground?
Gaining a deeper understanding of the type of hike you are going on helps you understand what shoe is better for you. If you are going into wet terrains, such as water hikes, or walking in the heat, hiking sandals may be the best option for you.
Are you hiking with a heavy weight on your shoulders, or are you going into very rocky terrain? Then having your ankles fully supported and your feet covered with hiking boots is best.
Hiking sandals are best for day or water hikes in the heat with tour groups, your friends, or your family.
Hiking boots are best for multi-day, longer hiking trails where you might not know how long you are going for, or you might be fully aware, and it is a sufficient length of time that requires extra comfort, support, and warmth of your feet.
Heat, water, humid and sandy conditions are the best conditions for hiking sandals, as your feet will be ventilated, the sandals will dry from the water, and you won’t be stuck with soggy socks. Cold, rainy, snowy, or windy conditions are the best for hiking boots. Your ankles and feet will be protected, warm and comfortable going through various or even extreme weather conditions.
What Are You Most Comfortable In?
Use your gut feeling. What will feel the most right for you to put your feet in for the upcoming adventure you are going on. Speak to your friends, family, tour guides, or someone who has done the hike before. Try out both sandals and boots if you are unable to make a decision, to see what is most comfortable for you and what you
Choosing between the 2 depends on where you are going, for how long and what you personally prefer to wear. Don’t worry if you are feeling a bit lost. Why don’t you go and try on (or order online with returns options available) both types of shoes and feel the difference yourself?
SOURCE’s outdoor sandals are the lightest, most sturdy, and reliable hiking sandals out there. You can rely on your sandals to be the source of comfort that you need on a hike. You won’t even remember they are there due to how lightweight they really are. No corners are cut in our sandals. We made sure to design them to be your long-lasting companion on all hikes in the heat, water, rocks, and sand.
The second most important thing (after getting appropriate shoes) is ensuring you have a suitable water system to stay hydrated on your hike. Water bottles are not only heavy, but they take up lots of important space that you may need for food, tents, or other hiking equipment. SOURCE’s tactical hydration bladders are lightweight, space-saving, can hold from 1-3 Liters, and are extremely durable. You don’t need to even worry about washing them, thanks to the Glass-Like film with Grunge-Guard technology which inhibits bacteria growth, and makes the bladder virtually zero maintenance.
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