Do you need hiking boots, or are trail shoes enough?

Walk any popular mountain path in summer and you will see everything: heavy leather boots, trail-running shoes, sandals, and occasionally someone in plimsolls looking worried. There is no single right answer, but there is a sensible one for most days.

The case for trail shoes

Trail shoes, and light hiking shoes that sit somewhere between running shoes and boots, have become the default for a lot of walkers:

• Lighter. Every step lifts less weight, which adds up over a long day.
• Comfortable from day one, with little or no breaking in.
• Dry quickly when they get wet, especially mesh versions.
• Feel the ground, which many people enjoy and which some find helps their footing.

They suit summer day hikes on good paths, forest trails, coastal walks and well-marked mountain paths in stable weather.

The case for boots

Boots are heavier and stiffer, and that is often the point:

• Ankle coverage. A higher boot protects your ankles from knocks and scrapes on rocky ground, and many walkers feel steadier in them on uneven terrain.
• Stiffer soles. These protect your feet on sharp scree, long rocky descents and ground where a soft shoe would bend round every stone.
• Better with heavy packs, when your feet are carrying more weight.
• Warmer and more waterproof, useful in wet, muddy, cold or snowy conditions.

They suit rough, rocky and mixed terrain, multi-day walks with a big pack, autumn and spring conditions, and any route where snow patches might linger.

Questions to ask yourself

• What is underfoot? Smooth path or loose rock and scree?
• How much will you carry? A light daypack or a full pack for several days?
• What will the weather do? Dry and warm, or wet, cold and changeable?
• How long are the descents? Long, steep descents are where stiffness and protection help most.
• What do your feet like? Some people simply feel safer in boots. That is a perfectly good reason.

If you are planning a mountain day, check the route description and local guidance from the park or alpine club, which often advises on footwear for that path. Our guide to choosing a hiking trail covers how to read a route before you go.

What matters more than the label

• Grip. A deep, sticky sole is more important than height. Worn-out soles are a real hazard on wet rock.
• Fit. Room to wiggle your toes, a heel that does not lift, and no pressure points. Try shoes on later in the day, with the socks you will hike in.
• Socks. Good walking socks prevent more trouble than a pricier shoe. Our piece on avoiding blisters goes into detail.
• Waterproof or not. Waterproof linings keep out puddles but can feel warm in summer and dry slowly once soaked. Mesh shoes get wet quickly and dry quickly.
• Breaking in. Shoes and especially boots should be worn on shorter walks before a big day.