What Kind of Footwear Is Best for Hiking?

In this guide, I tell you everything you need to know about choosing the right hiking footwear. I compare trail runners vs hiking shoes vs mid hiking boots vs insulated hiking boots, and teach you which one is better for each situation.
▼ GEAR USED IN THIS VIDEO (affiliate links)
Trail runners ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/3r7BheC)
Hiking shoes ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/2OcRYqa)
Insulated hiking boots ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/2MzIepB)
Crampons/microspikes ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/2NPjsT6)
▼ MY FULL GEAR LIST (affiliate links)
Silverlight socks ➜ (Silverlight: ) (15% discount code: hikemuch15)
Osprey Talon 44 backpack (new model) ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/3pZUZHK)
Black Diamond Distance FLZ trekking poles ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/3xkFazq)
Water filter ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/3riXlDf)
Cicerone guidebook ➜ 54(www.cicerone.co.uk/the-gr11-t...)
Set of 3 dry sacks ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/3bTlwBB)
Tent ➜ (Rei.com: www.rei.com/product/168564/re...)
Camping pillow ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/2MzzUWT)
Decathlon Microfiber towel ➜ (Decathlon: www.decathlon.com/products/ul...)
Sleeping pad ➜ (Rei.com: www.rei.com/product/157892/re...)
Cooking pot ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/2NRcywv)
Spork ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/3b2moVk)
Silicone camping cup ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/37YIOoq)
Cooking stove ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/37W4SzS)
Power bank ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/3gmqRER)
Headlamp ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/37X41iH)
Camera ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/3r8OALH)
Lense ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/301mCWh)
ND filter ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/3q5GrX1)
Camera mounted microphone ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/3r7Yyge)
GoPro Hero 7 ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/3dXVpvO)
Peak designs capture clip ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/3dVRQq7)
Fanny pack for my camera gear ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/37UJfA4)
Sunglasses ➜ (vallon.store/collections/shop...)
Sea to Summit trowel ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/3iHAMGB)
Gear Air repair kit ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/3pXnnfq)
Swiss Army Knife ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/2MAHrVr)
Decathlon Down Jacket Trek 100 ➜ (Decathlon: www.decathlon.com/products/me...)
Marmot PreCip rain jacket ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/3gqiBE3)
North Face beanie ➜ (Amazon: amzn.to/3zqR7pd)
Decathlon Evadict Mt2 ➜ (Decathlon: www.decathlon.com/products/me...)
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▼ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
In some of our videos and articles, we sometimes use affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking our affiliate links, we might get a small commission from the total purchase, at no additional cost for you. We participate in the Amazon Associates affiliate program and other affiliate programs.
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[@johndouble3614]

Love the intro 🤣

[@redbeardgamingofficial3944]

Really engaging video mate, well done 🤘🏼

[@tmonkeypunch]

Very very informative; thank you!

[@wangmiao]

Very useful video, thx!

[@user-bh6bv8xu3v]

Amazing intro mate ahahahah real funny; watched it 2 times. and also amazing content; Thank you!

[@TainoXtreme]

Outstanding informative video. Very instructional. I’ve been longing for a video like this that speaks about the differences and appropriate scenarios for the diversity of footwear for Back Packing. I noticed myself the different footwear tractions and stiffness among all the variety you can find up there in the store. I always look for reviews but sometimes they’re not good enough. This video is excellent in that sense. You just helped me to make decisions on what kind of footwear to buy next other than my long boots and no Quarter boots. I just purchased hiking shoes that look very much like tennis shoes and the traction is excellent but they’re not very stiff in the bottom. I am going to give them a try since they had good reviews and this is an experiment that I wanted to do it the cheap way. Thank you so much for sharing this video. My low quarter boots are very stiff in the bottom and excellent in many ways but they have a couple of flaws that make me decide to try hiking shoes or trail running shoes. I’ll go for the hiking shoes first. Later, I will decide if I will get into trail running shoes which I doubt it though. What is your favorite shelter system for Back Packing?. Thank you so much for sharing this video. God bless you.

[@OscarHikes]

That's a good tip. I also think that hiking shoes are probably bought better in a store becuase you can try them on. That said, my last three online purchases for shoes were great and I didn't have any issues. For hiking, I usually use a tent, but I'm thinking of maybe trying out a bivy, just because of the local camping rules in spain.

[@user-ur1mr7yx6d]

In Finland we have a lots of swamps and other wet places and because of that I have found the rubber boots are the best option for hiking unless it is very hot summer or cold winter.

[@janis6321]

Also using boots outside of tracks and when carrying high loads and I prefer waterproof hiking shoes on shorter hikes.

[@tonysutton6559]

I find that round laces manage to untie themselves far more often that a flat type lace. As softer laces tend to stay tied better than harder, shinier laces.

[@akusins]

Thanks for opinion !

[@haraldjazdziewski1237]

Great info and review. I am used to mid-high boots for anything other than casual day to day walking (from house to car, from car to office and vice versa. ;) ). Great video, as usual. I am off to leave some passive aggressive comments on other videos now. ;)

[@OscarHikes]

I'm glad that I'm teaching my audience something useful!

[@basedpatriotLT]

If the laces on your hiking shoes untie themselves, maybe try tieing the knot in the opposite way. I learned that i wad tieing the knot in the wrong way all my life. That stopped the untieing. As one way it loosens with time and the opposite way it tightens the knot with time

[@editx7650]

I prefer 1-layer letherboots. They are lightweight, they dry fast and breath better then "gore tex" when it could. But they are expensive

[@hiddenleaf414]

Is 1-layer leather special or are most leather boots 1-layer?

[@laffilmfest3759]

Very entertaining :)

[@whitemexican3923]

I'd sure like to talk to someone who has completed either the PCT or CDT or even AT in something like the Salomon boots or Danner Mtn Lights, etc.

[@alxv5785]

we're going to Havasupai a 10 mile hike down, is the Salomon trailrunner best for the condition?

[@nsbyband5239]

I subscribed just for that intro alone 😅😂

[@moorejl57]

Good review, do you have any links to micro-spikes?

[@OscarHikes]

Thanks. I use the cheaper ones that you can find on Amazon. It's an identical model, just sold under many different chinese brands. They seem to work pretty good for me. www.amazon.com/dp/B08HMSLW8X/

[@PD55_]

Actually vg comparison. Just ordered Moab 2 shoes after wearing through cheapo Amazon brand x shoes. Spend the few extra bucks its worth it for your own feet just like its unsafe to buy cheap tires. Thx!

[@The_human_Frank]

Can you recommend me any shoes that I can wear for 14 days hike?

[@heimdallr7573]

What if you are hiking in hot weather but need the ankle support of a boot? Any recommendations? I have a bad ankle and I'm going for hiking trip to brazil during the summer season

[@OscarHikes]

First of all, I'd reccommend doing ankle strengthening exercises, to maybe see if you can overcome this in the future: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqOzdWOIeZishbc Second, you can try a breathable pair of hiking boots, such as the Moab 2 Vent Mid

[@musicguitar]

I was not expecting that intro!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@OscarHikes]

Looking back, it's too much. 😅

[@metubehd]

The Mid one is karrimor right?? Is it good in terms of quality? Do you recommend karrimor boots?

[@OscarHikes]

They were okay, but not perfect. In terms of cheap, local gear, I'd choose Decathlon over Sportsdirect.

[@metubehd]

@@OscarHikes thanks, that helps me a lot, honestly I'm the fan of decathlon products (quechua) and I was stuck between karrimor and quechua to choose one

[@literaryartist1]

Dude that intro had me dying 😂😂🤣🤣

[@Sportdog1000]

Here is the actual conversation I had online with the rep from Lowa. Let me know how you would have reacted. I removed my last name for security. System (LOWA Boots USA) Oct 11, 2023, 17:01 EDT (16:47:45) *** Don S joined the chat *** (16:47:45) Don S: I have a pair of Lowa Renagade GTX3 mid height hikers in size 15 and both shoes have the soles disintegrating and are no longer wearable. What is your policy on either fixing or replacing the shoes. there about 3 years old but just weren't used much the lugs on the soles show no wear. (16:49:51) Ursula: Hello Don, this is sole separation. PU contains softeners (which is used in many hiking boots etc), and hydrolysis is the process by which these softeners evaporate from the sole. It loses flexibility over time and gradually becomes brittle. It is better if hiking boots are used on a regular basis. (16:51:24) Ursula: If the boot is used only sparsely and stored away this is what could happen. we do not warranty hydrolysis. The boot cannot be fixed because the sole is a molded / injected sole (16:52:06) Ursula: Please see our warranty policy: www.lowaboots.com/about-lowa/warranty-and-repair (16:54:41) Don S: Okay, I wish the shoe shop would have told me I spent well over 250.00 on this pair. I normally buy Colombia hikers, it's a mistake to trust that cost alone will insure quality. (16:55:27) Ursula: I know it once happen to me as well while hiking. OUr boots in the backpacking section can be resoled. (16:55:42) Ursula: sorry that this happened to you. (16:59:37) Don S: Well I'm sure you'll understand I'll never buy or recommend the Lowa brand to anyone. I have a pair of hikers that are over 6 yrs old and are still usable. Your design is built to fail and that's not quality. (17:00:06) Ursula: Sorry about that. have a good evening. (17:00:51) Don S: Yeah I loveacompany that's out to screw with it's customer base. (17:01:41) *** Don S left the chat ***

[@abulsar]

What is a good choice to use on slippery rocks with a layer of algae and water in your opinion ?

[@OscarHikes]

Ugh, that's a good question! It entirely depends on the material of the bottom of the sole. Soft rubber grips better than hard one. A bit of thread underneath also helps. Unfortunately, manufacturers don't really tell this, so the only way to test this is by going to a store, and feeling how soft the bottom of the sole is. One downside to this is that softer soles that grip better will also wear down much faster.

[@abulsar]

@@OscarHikes Thanks a bunch !

[@PoliticalMatter]

I at least love the Salomons for their fit and comfort.

[@barriewylde5915]

Fr

[@elonmush4793]

Listen to Barney Stinson, he's telling the truth!

[@Sparaco487]

Man my speedcross 3s are dangerous on rocks and wet rocks mostly.the moabs are way superior for that

[@OscarHikes]

Interesting, cause for me it's the other way around 😉

[@arinah]

3:40

[@naturallybob]

Those are dirty shoes prior to the review 😆

[@OscarHikes]

Who cleans hiking shoes? 😅

[@RobertFullStop]

I do

[@Mr.Deeds.]

All that in your opinion... ppl get advice from a professional advisor to see what is the best for you.

[@user-lw2id4gk7p]

Moab = MOE ab.... almost like its two words.

[@iiikolby56]

nice views was a lie bro

[@speedoflightIns]

Lol

[@mezmerya5130]

Interesting. Though the more i get recommended such videos, i understand why outdoor youtubers prefer to move and create at areas with 2 days of rain monthly. If you follow this kind advice at Zakopane, Lofotens or even Caucasian outside of end of august, you gonna have the most miserable time of your life.