Hiking is the most popular activity, loved by the hikers and endorsed by many people. While stumbling upon buying the perfect pair of hiking boots when going hiking, Duck boots grab the attention of many hikers. Finding the ideal hiking partner ( hiking boots) never ends, and it is a very daunting task.
So, you may have been on many trails, or you are new to this expedition; collecting all of the basic knowledge about hiking boots, you need to know about the duck boots. If you’re a pro hiker, you may already have this question: “Are duck boots good for hiking?“. Here’s a quick answer: “No!”.
Getting the perfect pair of hiking boots is very important because they make your hiking journey a blissful event or a dreadful experience. Duck boots are becoming very famous for hiking and are easily available in the market. However, they are not suitable for hiking.
Many people do recommend buying them because they are water-resistant and durable. So, they are the perfect match if you’re hiking on rainy or muddy terrains. However, they are not comfortable if you plan to hike more than 5 miles. They are also not very breathable and have less Traction. So why do people wear them? Are duck boots good for hiking?
We have curated the pros and cons for you to decide for yourself if you want to have duck boots or not. But first, we will discuss the duck boots and their features. Let’s get started:
The Story Behind Duck Boots
You may be wondering how duck boots got their name. Leon wood Bean created duck boots; hence the boots named after him “Bean Boots.” He went hunting a lot, and his feet got wet very often. So he decided to make water-resistant boots and provide comfort during walking or hiking.
He successfully created ideal shoes that served perfectly on wet terrains and provided comfort to the feet during hunting. He named them the “Duck Shoes.” The name is linked to the ducks because people used them for hunting ducks.
Composition Of Duck Boots
Duck boots have leather material and an exterior rubber sole to provide the water-resistance when on muddy or rainy terrain. The leather provides a luxurious look and also makes boots durable. Rubber soles also provide good protection from slippery areas. That is why duck boots are often worn in winter or for outdoor activities during the cold season.
There are different styles of duck boots: work boots, boots socks and clog, and dress boots. People pair the duck boots with every outfit like skirts, shirts, and tank tops. They also come up in different colors, and depending on the hiker’s choice; they can be styled for perfection.
Requirements For Hiking Boots On Different Terrains
To know the exact answer to the question Are the duck boots good for hiking? It would help if you analyzed the environment in which you’re going to wear them and whether they serve the purpose or not:
For Day Or Short Hikes
People wear trail boots for light hikes or day hikes because the trail boots are lightweight and have breathable material that keeps their feet cool during summer. It means that trail shoes protect the feet from extreme heat rays. Also, they provide perfect support if you accidentally place your foot over a rock or puddle.
‘Duck shoes will not be a good option in this case because they are not that breathable and also they are not supportive enough.
For Snowy Or Icy Terrain Hikes
Icy glaciers or snowy mountains are adventurous hiking terrains and very dangerous. There are higher chances of slipping or tripping from the trail. For such terrains, mountain hiking boots are the best fit. You can also wear duck boots on these trails, but they lack the Traction or the support that keeps your feet firmly on the trail.
For Hot-Dessert Terrain Hikes
Hiking in hot desert places requires breathable, lightweight boots and comforting the feet. People prefer backpack hiking boots because they are easier to carry around and are lightweight, breathable, and have full traction features.
Duck boots will not be a perfect fit here because they are designed with insulators that keep the feet warm, and you don’t want to put fire on your feet in the hot desert season.
Pros Of Duck Boots
Duck Boots Are Comfortable
Duck boots are designed such that they provide extreme comfort to the feet. The leather material provides comfort as soft on the feet yet stiffer on the road. They are generally not as stiff as hiking boots, perfect for smooth terrains.
These boots are easy to take off and on and much easier to clean than hiking boots.
Ducks Boots Are Water-Proof
Hiking trails are unpredictable. There’s a high chance of dealing with heavy rain or snow during your hiking. Duck boots are your perfect companion because they are waterproof boots. Solely made to provide a seamless experience by keeping your feet dry even if you step into puddles.
They Are Warm
Because they have leather fabric, duck boots provide warmth during the winter or extreme snowy season to your feet. After sorel boots, these boots are considered the best boots for providing warmth. That is why duck boots are known to be better than snow boots and are used by many people living in snowy weather.
Ducks Boots Are Convenient
By convenient, we mean that the duck boots can be easily carried on the hiking trails and worn off easily without any hassle because they have spacious toe boxes.
The spacious toe box gives leverage to the foot as they can move easily inside the boot, while the tight lacing system provides the firm hold needed so that the feet don’t slip inside the duck boots.
Cons Of The Duck Boots
Not Breathable
Although the duck boots are very water-resistant and don’t let any water slip away from the shoe to the feet, the con side of this is that they are not breathable. If worn in the summer or on sunny terrains, the boots can be dangerous for the feet.
Being less breathable means that your feet are going to sweat while hiking.
Cannot Provide Ankle Support
When going on long hikes, ankle support is much needed relative to comfortable shoes. Duck boots do not prove to be excellent in terms of providing ankle support, which means that the ankles will be at risk of getting injured, which can, in turn, make your hiking experience a bad venture.
Too Spacious
Although we have listed this in the pros section, the space that the duck boots have inside may not be that good for long hours of hiking. While spacious makes them easy to remove or wear on, it can cause the feet to slip or trip when on the rough trail.
Do Not Have Enough Traction
Duck boots are for muddy terrains, which means they cannot perform well on dry or sunny hikes. These boots were originally built for hunting during the winter season, so they were designed so that their traction power is at best during the winter or rainy season but not efficient on dry trails.
When To Wear Duck Boots
Duck boots are an excellent choice if you plan to wear them for walking in the snow. In general, we would pick this boot as outdoor winter boots. They will keep the feet warm and provide the sufficient Traction needed to be firm on the slippery snow. Also, duck boots are very close to rain boots and snow boots.
Duck boots are built to be water-resistant and keep the feet dry. So, duck boots can also be a good choice if you decide to wear them on rainy days. Are duck boots good for hiking?. No, they are not. However, some people wear them and have positive things to say, but we do not recommend you buy or wear duck boots for long hikes.
Conclusion
You cannot take risks on hiking ventures. Hiking trails are not meant to be easy or predictable. Choosing the right pair of hiking boots for this journey is very important for you and your feet.
Duck boots are very good or one of the best boots for hunting or short mile hikes in the winter season. Snow boots or rain boots can replace them, but they are not ideal for long hikes or hikes on dry terrains.
Duck boots do not support the ankles, and there are chances of getting injured if you’re hiking on rocky terrain. In other words, duck boots cannot give the comfort or Traction to the feet needed while jumping or rolling on the rocks.
We recommend that you make a checklist about the type of hiking boots and terrain you will hit. Then, read our article and see if the duck boots complete the requirements of the ideal hiking boots that you’re looking for. Hit the terrain with joy, and we wish you all the best.