Why Hiking Boots are essential
I’ve been hiking for years without owning a pair of hiking boots. This came to a head a couple of years ago when I did Monks Cowl for the first time, and my feet could feel every stone and pebble; that didn’t stop me, though. I just continued to go through the pain, which isn’t advisable. Things really got real when I went for a trail run with running shoes, slipped on algae, and made a painful descent that almost ended my life. I had to struggle to get back up and keep from slipping again.
So hiking boots aren’t just for the “experienced”; they’re there to protect you. There’s so much support that hiking boots offer that is essential when you head out to for your next hike
What Hiking Shoes offer
- Protection from the ground
- Better grip from loose stones (but still expect the occasional fall)
- Ankle Support
- Water resistant
Here’s a view of the hiking boots I’ve had over the years and my review of them. These aren’t
paid reviews; they’re purely based on my experience.
- 01 K-Way Leather Waterproof Boots
- 02 Salomon X Ultra 360 Mid Gore-Tex
- 03 Scarpa Mojito Hike GTX W
K-Way Leather Waterproof Boots
I had a partnership with K-Way that gave me my first pair of hiking boots. I was so thrilled. They gave me the sturdiness that I needed. I trained with them on multiday hikes, and eventually took them to summit the highest peak on Kilimanjaro, Uhuru. And they did me well, but post- Kilimanjaro they were already disintegrating, with a little over 3 months of use. They’re great for beginners, but won’t stand maximum mileage.
What I loved:
- Perfect for beginners for low mileage
- Perfect for wide feet
- Waterproof
- Rubber soled
Salomon X Ultra 360 Mid Gore-Tex
My second pair of hiking boots just felt better, more sturdy, and was solid around my ankle. They’re great for day hikes, but when I took them on a multi-day hike on sand, walking at least 21- 25km where I truly felt we weren’t a good fit. My feet ached, and worse, my arch was bruised every single day. I have wide feet, and I didn’t know how narrow my shoes were.
What I loved:
- Sturdy shoes
- Great for everyday hiking
Scarpa Mojito Hike GTX W
I bought my Scarpa’s to prepare for Everest Base Camp. I needed sturdy but comfortable shoes that could handle 2 weeks of hiking, and most importantly, that my feet would be comfortable to hike in for hours a day. I say this because my arches were once bruised after a week-long multi- day hike, so narrow shoes are not meant for wide feet like mine. So I needed shoes wide enough but didn’t create a weird space. I tried a couple of shoes on; the Scarpa’s felt right, and I took them out right away, and I fell in love
What I loved:
- Perfect for wide feet
- Can endure long days on the feet, great for mountaineering days
- Waterproof; they’re of water-repellent suede leather, with a rubber protective toe cap for
when you inevitably kick rocks - Lightweight and perfect for mixed terrain, excluding snow
- The wide version of this hiking shoe provides extra room in key areas, offering a more
comfortable fit for those with a wider foot or higher instep. - Has a GORE-TEX BlueSign Approved