How to choose hiking boots?

How to choose the ideal hiking boots at outdoorweb.cz?

When you hear the word trek, you might imagine fresh mountain air, stunning views... and also tired feet. Foot comfort depends on choosing the right boots that will reliably get you to every summit. Trekking boots are an investment for years, so it pays to spend enough time choosing them. Let’s go through the main factors you shouldn’t forget.

1. Choose the right type of boots

• Trekking sandals: For easy routes, wading through rivers or as a change of footwear. They are light, well ventilated, but do not provide protection from stones. For example the Newport models from KEEN.
• Low-cut trekking shoes: For easier hikes without a heavy load. Thanks to their lightness and ankle freedom, they allow brisk movement. Popular choices include the low Bouder X models from LA SPORTIVA.
• High-cut trekking boots: For demanding, rocky treks with a heavy rucksack. They reliably protect the ankle from injury and fatigue. A long-time favourite is the Vetta model from GARMONT.
• Expedition footwear: Made from leather or durable synthetics, with grooves for automatic crampons at the front and back. Often insulated, but not suitable for comfortable walking on firm ground. We recommend the Sirius models from HANWAG or expedition footwear from ASOLO and LA SPORTIVA.

2. Choose the right material

• Leather: Durable, hard-wearing and long-lasting. It reliably protects against water (with proper care), but is heavier and less breathable. Among the highest-quality models are Tatra and Grünten from HANWAG or TX5 from LA SPORTIVA. A popular choice is the Pyrenees model from KEEN, which also stands out for its very favourable price.
• Synthetics: The cheapest, light, dries quickly and adapts to the foot. It is less durable and requires more frequent maintenance. Popular are models from ALPINE PRO.
• Combination of leather and textile: The most common option. It combines the durability of leather and the lightness of textile, provides good breathability and reinforcement where needed. The ideal choice in this case are the Targhee models from KEEN.

3. Waterproofing and membranes

• Waterproofing: Key in rainy weather. Boots with a GORE-TEX membrane keep feet dry while allowing moisture to escape so the foot doesn’t overheat. With a GORE-TEX membrane we recommend, for example, the Finder models from ASOLO, the Moab 3 GTX models from MERRELL or the TX4 Evo Mid models from LA SPORTIVA.
• GORE-TEX variants:
  Extended Comfort: For hot weather, without insulation.
  Performance Comfort: For a mild climate, lightly insulated.
  Insulated Comfort: For winter treks, with an insulating layer.

4. Sole and terrain

Choose the right sole stiffness according to the difficulty of the terrain:

• A / A-B: Soft, for easy trips and firm paths. For example Jasper from KEEN.
• B / B-C: Stiffer, can handle more demanding terrain and a light load. For example TX4 from LA SPORTIVA.
• C / D: Rigid with grooves for crampons, for high-mountain hikes and glaciers. For example Alaska from HANWAG.

5. The right size

• Trying on: Feet are swollen in the afternoon, which is the ideal time to try boots on. Wear trekking socks.
• Testing: When walking uphill, your toes must not hit the toe box, and your heel must not lift.
• Measuring for online purchase: Stand with your heel against a wall on a sheet of paper, mark the tip of your toe, measure the length and use our size charts.

6. Price

In our range you won’t find cheap hiking boots that you’ll have to replace in a year. We specialise in truly high-quality and proven models from world-famous as well as the best Czech brands.

The best value tends to be hiking footwear from TREZETA (men’s, women’s) or LOMER (men’s, women’s). From Czech brands, we can recommend the popular hiking footwear from ALPINE PRO (men’s, women’s, children’s)

The golden middle ground is hiking footwear from the world-famous American brand KEEN (men’s, women’s, children’s), GARMONT (men’s, women’s, children’s) or MERRELL (men’s, women’s, children’s).

The higher class in the hiking footwear category is represented mainly by models from HANWAG (men’s, women’s), ASOLO (men’s, women’s) and LA SPORTIVA (men’s, women’s)

Choose trekking boots that will support you on all your adventures!