Hiking shoes are lightweight alternatives to boots but can offer similar support and comfort. They are best used when carrying lighter packs and on formed trails – like the Great Walks.
Upper
Most hiking shoes are made from a combination of leather and/or synthetic materials such as mesh or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which is a rubber-like material. They are light, easy to break-in and care for, highly breathable and quick-drying.
Midsole
Most midsoles are EVA, a foam designed to handle the stress and impact of walking over uneven ground. Varying densities of EVA provide firm or soft support, with soft-flex shoes offering greater rebound when moving fast. These midsoles are likely to compress over time. Some midsoles are PU (polyurethane), which is firmer and more durable than EVA. These shoes are better for when precise footholds are needed on rocky terrain, or when sidling steep slopes and climbing or scrambling.
Outsole
Widely-spaced and deep lugs are designed to shed mud and offer grip in all conditions. A pronounced instep will provide braking on the descent. eyelets and laces Fabric lace loops are common, with some metal or hard plastic eyelets used on shoes intended for demanding use.
Heel
The heel should be held firmly in place for stability and to prevent heel lift, which can cause blisters. A shock absorber at the heel minimises heel strike.
Fit and width
The toe box should have a thumb-width of space in front of the longest toe. The overall fit should be snug – not tight – across the arch and forefoot.
Waterproofing
Waterproof shoes have a membrane that also provides breathability to move moisture away from the foot. Non-waterproof shoes are naturally breathable, and tend to cost less. It’s worth considering a non-waterproof model if you’re hiking mostly in dry conditions.
Stability
A nylon or plastic shank sandwiched between the midsole and outsole provides load-bearing stiffness and prevents the shoe from twisting and being overly flexible. Shanks also protect the foot from stones and trail debris.
Protection
Rubber overlays – also known as a rand – may be used at the toe box, heel and on the sides of the shoe. They protect feet from knocks and the upper material from abrasion.
Salewa Alp Trainer 2 GTX $429.90
An alpine hiking and trekking shoe offering comfort and protection on long days. It has a suede upper and Gore-Tex lining, full 360-degree rubber rand, Salewa’s 3F heel hold system, flex collar, climbing lacing, EVA midsole and Vibram Alpine Hiking rubber outsole. 940g (m), 740g (w). www.bobo.co.nz/salewa
Dolomite 54 Low FG GTX $399.99
An everyday hiker with the vintage sporty profile of an urban shoe but with the technical features of a hiking shoe. It has a full-grain nubuck leather upper, Gore-Tex membrane, to-the-toe lacing for custom fit, and a Dolomite Vibram outsole. The shoe is designed for lightweight hikes on formed trails. 850g (m), 770g (w). www.colorado-traders.co.nz
Salewa Pedroc PTX $399.90
A robust speed-hiking shoe with a lightweight synthetic ripstop fabric upper. It has an abrasion-resistant TPU rand, a Powertex waterproof/breathable membrane, Salewa’s 3F heel hold system for support and stability and a Pomoca Speed Hiker Pro outsole for grip on different surfaces. 690g (m), 520g (w). www.bobo.co.nz/salewa
LOWA Innox Evo GTX Lo $379
An all-rounder designed for light and fast hiking as well as travel. This shoe is lighter than previous versions without compromising comfort and support. It has a textile and microfibre upper, Gore-Tex membrane, an injected DynaPU midsole with shock-absorbing zones, Monowrap stability frame and a LOWA Enduro Evo outsole. 700g (m), 580g (w). www.lowa.co.nz
The North Face Vectiv Exploris 2 FutureLight $320
This shoe has a unique ‘rockered’ midsole geometry designed to move wearers forward. Features include a breathable and waterproof FutureLight membrane, a D-width last (for a range of foot shapes), a broad TPU plate for stability, and an EVA midsole. The Surface CTRL rubber outsole is designed for durability in high-wear areas. 760g (m), 744g (w). www.thenorthface.co.nz
Salewa Wildfire 2 $349.90
An approach shoe with a recycled breathable mesh upper and a reinforced TPU front rand for protection against scree and debris. Features include a SwitchFit adjustment system (an additional eyelet) that allows a quick shift between hike and climb modes, an EVA midsole, Salewa’s 3F heel hold system with Kevlar cables and a Pomoca Speed Mountain outsole. 710g (m), 610g (w). www.bobo.co.nz/salewa
The North Face Vectiv Fastpack Futurelight $280
This is a lightweight hiker for fast-paced trips. It has a breathable and waterproof FutureLight membrane, double-punched eye row for fine-tuned lacing, TPU toe cap and no-sew mudguard, gusseted tongue, single-density 3D TPU stability plate, and a rocker midsole for forward propulsion. 512g (m), 620g (w). www.thenorthface.co.nz
Dolomite 54 Low FG GTX $399.99
An everyday hiker with the vintage sporty profile of an urban shoe but with the technical features of a hiking shoe. It has a full-grain nubuck leather upper, Gore-Tex membrane, to-the-toe lacing for custom fit, and a Dolomite Vibram outsole. The shoe is designed for lightweight hikes on formed trails. 850g (m), 770g (w). www.colorado-traders.co.nz
