Hiking & Trails

Trail Shoes vs. Hiking Boots

By Caleb

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Trail shoes or hiking boots? It's one of the first gear questions new hikers ask. The short answer: it depends on the ground you'll be on and how much you're carrying. I've been lucky to have access to all sorts of outdoor activities my whole life, and the right footwear makes every one of them better.

The quick difference

Hiking boots tend to be heavier and burlier, with stiffer uppers that often extend above the ankle. They're generally waterproof, which can also make them hot and less breathable (REI).
Hiking and trail shoes are lighter and cut at or below the ankle. They may or may not be waterproof, and they tend to be designed to dry quickly and breathe (REI).
Trail-running shoes are lighter and more flexible than hiking shoes, but give less ankle support and less protection underfoot (REI).

What I wear

I wear Salomon trail shoes for most day hikes and Salomon boots for rugged trips and backpacking.

When to pick each

Terrain

Light terrain (groomed, mostly flat trails): a hiking or trail-running shoe is suitable.
Moderate terrain (roots, rocks, water crossings, some elevation change): many hikers want a bit more cushion, support and stability.
Rugged terrain (steep climbs and descents, heavy obstacles, unpredictable ground): higher-cut boots with structured collars and firm outsoles are best.

Source: REI.

Load: day pack vs. backpacking

The more gear you carry, the more supportive a boot you'll want.
Day-hiking boots are best for loads under about 35 liters.
Backpacking boots can support gear for multiday trips, generally up to about 70 to 75 liters.
Hiking and trail-running shoes won't stand up to heavy pack weight, though fastpackers and thru-hikers often prefer them over heavier boots.

Source: REI.

Weather and ground conditions

Smooth, dry trail: a breathable shoe with moderately deep lugs works well.
Mud: look for deep, widely spaced lugs, which shed mud more easily.
Rocky ground and scree: deep multidirectional lugs help, and REI recommends higher-cut, sturdier boots for rugged terrain, though studies haven't shown that a high collar on its own prevents ankle sprains (study review).
Snow or ice: deep, aggressive lugs. For mountaineering or winter backpacking with crampons, you need compatible boots.
Wet, smooth rock: shallower, tightly spaced lugs give more contact with the surface.

Source: REI.

Fit

Try them on late in the day. Feet swell during the day and are largest then.
Wear your hiking socks. Bring the same thickness of sock you'll hike in.
Toe room for downhills. You should be able to wiggle your toes, with about a thumb's width between your longest toe and the end of the insole. Tell the fitter if your toes hit the end of the boot on an incline.
Heel hold. Notice how your heel sits in the heel cup. Lacing techniques can help prevent heel slippage on climbs and descents.
Snug everywhere, tight nowhere. Walk around the store and watch for pinching, odd seams or hot spots.
Bring orthotics if you use them.

Source: REI. For more on socks, see my hiking socks guide.

Waterproof vs. breathable

Waterproof: waterproof/breathable membranes (such as GORE-TEX) are built to keep feet dry in wet conditions (REI, GORE-TEX).
The tradeoff: a membrane breathes less than the ventilating mesh on some non-waterproof shoes, so feet may sweat on summer days (REI).
Breathable: non-waterproof hiking shoes tend to be designed to dry quickly and wick moisture (REI).

Break-in

Flexible hiking shoes and trail-running shoes don't need a break-in period.
Most burly hiking, backpacking and mountaineering boots do. Wear them and walk in them for a while before a backcountry trip.
Full-grain and nubuck leather need ample break-in time. Synthetics break in more quickly.

Source: REI.

The science: how waterproof-breathable membranes work

How can a shoe keep rain out but still let sweat escape? Many waterproof shoes and boots, including GORE-TEX ones, have a thin membrane laminated inside the upper. That membrane is full of microscopic pores.

Liquid water arrives as droplets, and droplets are far too big to squeeze through those pores. Sweat leaves your foot partly as water vapor, which is made of single molecules small enough to slip out. Picture a screen door that stops a tennis ball but lets a breeze through.

There's a catch. Vapor only moves out when it's warmer and more humid inside the shoe than outside, so on hot days your feet can still get sweaty. The membrane also only guards the parts of your foot it covers. If you step into water deeper than your shoe, or rain runs down your legs into the collar, water pours in over the top. The membrane can't pump that water back out, so the same barrier that kept water out now holds it in, and a soaked waterproof shoe dries more slowly than a mesh one.

What this means on the trail: Waterproof footwear shines on cool, wet, or muddy days and in shallow puddles. For deep stream crossings or hot weather, a quick-drying, breathable shoe often keeps you more comfortable. Either way, walk straight through muddy spots instead of around them, so the trail doesn't get wider (in the desert, avoid puddles and mud holes).

Source: GORE-TEX: Footwear technology

What to look for at a fair price

Buy for your trails. Don't pay for more boot than your terrain and load call for.
Upper materials: synthetics are lighter, dry faster and usually cost less, but may show wear sooner. Split-grain leather costs less than full leather but resists water and abrasion less.
Lifespan: trail-running shoes typically break down after roughly 500 miles.
Fit first: when shopping online, a brand you've worn before is likely to fit similarly.

Source: REI.

On the trail

Stay on the trail, within its width, and don't cut switchbacks.
Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when it's wet or muddy. Stepping around mud spreads the trail wider over time.
In the desert, don't walk through puddles or mud holes, which are scarce water for wildlife.

Source: Leave No Trace: Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces. For the rest of your gear, see my beginner day-hike checklist.

Sources

To be transparent: I use AI to help gather some of the data for the product comparisons. The experiences and opinions are my own.

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