Amongst other things, footwear is very important for hikers. It is so because the hiking activity is for the lower body, and the feet are mostly involved. Your hiking boots must be comfortable and durable at the same time to protect the feet from getting pressure from uneven terrains.
There is a lot of debate on the pros of wearing hiking shoes and how they make or break the hiking journey of the hiker. However, are hiking shoes good for walking? Can you ditch the normal sports shoes and wear your hiking shoes for a walk or a jog? The truth is, you can wear them for hikes.
Mainly, hiking shoes are designed for the terrains or trails so that you can hike on them easily without any fear of slipping or getting injured. Hiking shoes have magnificent designs that are different from normal sports shoes and durable.
They will provide extra comfort to the feet while you walk. However, they do not have a strong grip and the traction needed on cold icy terrains. During the cold season, hiking boots provide more traction and water resistance than hiking shoes.
Before diving into the pros and cons of hiking shoes, let’s see how they are different from the hiking boots:
Hiking Shoes Vs. Hiking Boots
Hiking shoes are good for hiking on the terrains where the surfaces are smooth or not so rocky or uneven. It means you can wear them during the short day hikes, walks, jogs, or running errands around the city. They are lightweight and extremely comfortable.
That is why they are worn by many medical professionals and people who do labor jobs. Their soles are cushioned to protect the feet from stress, and you won’t feel the rocks or hard bushes beneath the foot.
While the hiking boots are specifically designed for hiking purposes, they possess qualities like providing ultimate traction to feet while you hike up-hills or downhills. Hiking boots are an excellent choice for the hikers if they walk in the winter season on icy terrain because the chances of slipping get minimized by the hiking boots, and they are also very durable.
However, people still tend to wear hiking shoes more, and that is because the shoes are lightweight and less expensive as compared to hiking boots.
However, a true hiker knows the importance of a good pair of hiking boots and invests money in them to protect himself from serious injuries. But, for walking only, hiking shoes take the lead and prove to be best for it.
Pros And Cons Of Hiking Shoes
Are hiking shoes good for walking? Lets’ take a look at the pros and cons of wearing hiking shoes so that you can decide for yourself. When walking around the city for fun or in the park, you don’t need much protection and hardcore boots because it’s just a light activity.
They won’t budge or cause a scene if you decide to wear them on the slightly uneven surfaces, and you’ll feel good all day long.
Pros
Cushioned Soles
Hiking shoes have extra cushioning in their soles so that the hikers don’t have to put up with the foot aches or runner’s foot. They are designed such that the walker or a hiker can walk or hike for hours without feeling heavy feet.
Moreover, hiking shoes are perfect for people suffering from heel pain or diabetic patients who cannot walk for hours in the normal shoes because the hiking shoes have an extra level of cushioning that will help them in walking for a long time.
High-Quality Material
Hiking boots and shoes are made of water-resistant materials to keep the feet dry if the hikers accidentally step on the mud or water. However, water-resistant hiking shoes take time to dry if they get wet. In that case, take off your shoes and
Give them and yourself a little rest so they get dry and don’t cause foot blisters.
A hiking shoe that is lighter in weight has less water-resistant material and is hence not very protective in that sense, but if you are only going to hike in the smooth, dry terrains, then the lightweight hiking shoes are the best choice.
Balance And Grip
Hiking boots have the best grip compared to hiking shoes, but they are stiffer in walking or used for normal purposes. Hiking shoes adjust to the feet shape and provide ample support to the feet and ankles, so they do not get stressed or injured.
Their grip is stronger, so the feet don’t slip or get twisted while hiking on uneven terrain. Also, if you’re running or jogging in the trail shoes, you’ll feel as light as a feather while running several more kilometers than usual.
Weight
Lightweight footwear is always in demand, and even avid hikers feel like they should resort to light hiking shoes. Hiking shoes have been winning the competition by weighing less (0.5lb) while providing many hiking boots features.
If you carry less weight and the hiking shoes support the extra body weight, you’ll feel nothing even if you walk for several hours. Also, you won’t have to worry about foot pains, blisters, or ankle pain because the hiking shoes are breathable and keep the feet dry. Moreover, you can take them anywhere, from packing them in a backpack to traveling around carrying them in a plastic bag.
Ankle Support
Twisting ankles or feet is one of the main issues for many hikers. They have to climb the steep and uneven surfaces, and there are higher chances of them getting slipped or tripped through these rough surfaces.
Hiking shoes provide good ankle support on the terrains, but they must be smooth and straight. If you are climbing uphills and downhills more often, we suggest you do not take hiking shoes because they are only made for simple hikes.
Versatile
Hiking shoes have stepped up their game in terms of versatility; you can wear them beneath the jeans or style them with the skirts or tops you like.
People tend to wear the hiking shoes casually like the nurse’s staff; they tend to wear the uniforms with the hiking shoes because they provide comfort and some fashionista vibes. Moreover, the influencers have been seen wearing hiking shoes as their fashion statements.
Cons
Wear Off Easily
Although the hiking shoes have cushioned support soles, they seem all good for uneven hikes. If you wear them more often while climbing up-hills or downhills, they might wear off quickly, which is why pro hikers prefer hiking boots and normal sports shoes for the walk or jog.
You can make their lives longer if you take care of them by not bringing them or wearing them on uneven or rocky terrains. Also, avoid pouring the water on them or washing them frequently with tap water.
Keeps Feet Warm
While they are made of thick material and prove to be very water-resistant, they are also not breathable. Many models are lightweight and provide ample airflow so that the feet remain dry, but most of them are not breathable.
Your feet feel warm and sweaty, especially when hiking in hot weather. Warm feet can cause blisters if not treated on time. The best way is to wear light socks that absorb the sweat and also take gaps between the laps, put off the shoes and stretch the feet.
Not Very Durable
Since they are lighter and not as stiff as hiking boots, they tend to wear and tear easily and very fast. The reason is that the material is not as strong as hiking boots, and they are not meant to be worn on uneven terrains.
Compared to normal sports shoes, hiking shoes might last longer, but you’ll feel like the laces have lost with time or the rings are falling off. Also, if left for longer without cleaning, the mud stains or food stains can cause the material to shrink or thin, which is why it will lose its color.
Not Good For Snow
Many people wear hiking shoes even during the cold weather. However, it would help if you did not do that because the shoes are not made that protective and have less traction near water or icy surfaces.
That is why if you live in regions with snow almost all the time or most of the time, we suggest you opt for hiking boots even when you have to walk. Otherwise, if you are comfortable wearing them and think that the snow wouldn’t interfere with your feet or make you slip, then it’s your choice whether to wear hiking shoes or not.
Final Thoughts
Hiking shoes are the best in terms of being lightweight shoes that provide traction and support on the terrain. Many hikers love them, and now people are more inclined to these shoes rather than hiking boots because they are stiffer.
However, we would say the hiking boots are best overall if the weight is excluded from the cons. So, are hiking shoes good for walking? Yes, they are good for walking and provide ample support to the feet.
They are versatile, which means that you can wear them with your casual clothes without fear of looking old-fashioned. Also, they have a strong grip if you wear them on the terrains that are smooth and straight. However, they are not durable as they tend to wear off quickly because the material used to build them is breathable.
In saying this, we approve of wearing the hiking shoes for the walk, but it’s your choice.