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The Hiking Footwear Guide
An everyday walk with your dog in the local park and a hike to the summit of a mountain with a backpack on clearly require different types of clothing and equipment. We know that what’s on your feet will almost certainly define your experience.
Find the perfect outdoor shoes for your adventures
When designing outdoor shoes and boots, we brainstorm the usual applications of the shoes and produce prototypes with features that fit our ideas. Here we’ll share some of the knowledge that underpins these choices to make it is easier for you to find shoes that suit the type of activities you love to pursue!
What to look for in hiking shoes?
This checklist will help you figure out what you need and will provide tips on what is important when choosing footwear for an active lifestyle in the great outdoors. It is not realistic to find a shoe that can meet the needs of all people at all times, so try to prioritize the things that are most important for your own personal use.
Use
How often do you go out on a hike and how far do you usually go? Are they leisurely walking, or are you into powerwalking? Do you carry a backpack and spend the night under the stars?
Terrain/Footing
Are you hiking through the forest, a flood plain, or up in the mountains? Do you use paths, farm roads or pavement? Are your routes flat, hilly or do they vary?
Season
Do you go for hikes in a particular season, or do you get out throughout the year?
Fit
The more you know about your own foot, the better choices you can make to find footwear that fits. Fit will vary from person to person and model to model, so understanding the width, sole and arch features of your own foot could be of great benefit to you.
Material selection
Would you maximize your experience with leather, textile, natural rubber or Polyurethane? You may have a loose understanding of these materials and their qualities, but this guide will give you the knowledge to choose what’s right for you under different conditions.
Waterproof
Is it important that your footwear is designed to keep water out?
Breathable
Do you want a breathable option, or do you prioritize rubber/thermal attributes with your boots?
Shock absorption
The distances you cross and what you take with you will influence the type of shock absorption you need. Also read: What is the right type of cushioning and support in hiking shoes and mountain boots?
Ankle support
Conquering tough terrain with challenging features and grades requires good ankle support. You’ll need footwear designed to go over your ankle and keep you upright in variable circumstances.
Durability
Your expected terrain and wear pattern will determine what you look for in durability features. The material selection and different types of reinforcements will help with this choice.
Weight
When you are going on quick, fast-paced trips without carrying much, like a power-walk or trail running, weight is perhaps the most important factor. You need to choose light footwear in materials and construction that are weight optimal.
Types of footwear
Multifunctional Hiking shoes
Low-cut shoes that you wear in the lowlands and light terrain. These shoes are useful on forest floors, trails, and unpaved roads. Some models have a sole made from a harder rubber mixture making them more durable on asphalt. If you are looking for a versatile shoe for both the city and off-the-beaten-path, this category is where you begin. Useful for walking your dog, walking for fitness, or light forest walks, these shoes are well suited for many common activities, not least because they are lightweight.
Mid Cut Hiking shoes
We use this term for mid-cut shoes that are a little more robust than the lightest trail and off-road shoes. Since they reach above the ankle, they offer some additional advantages:
They provide better ankle support than low cuts, which you get the benefit of both on rough terrain and if you are carrying a backpack.
The height of the shoe gives the foot better protection from water intrusion, mud, twigs and debris. This type of shoe is well suited for day trips in the mountains where you are looking for some ankle support but are also concerned with flexibility and lightness. They are designed to withstand rough use, by reinforcing the lightweight material in commonly worn-down areas.
Are there hiking shoes you can wear all year round?
It may be frustrating to encounter boots that only work for one type of activity when looking for your next pair. Where did the good old all-around boots go? The ones that work no matter what you’re doing. We have you covered! It’s just a matter of defining your needs. As long as your plans don’t entail extreme pursuits one way or another, you’ll be able to find a good compromise.
GORE-TEX technology
GORE-TEX is key when we’re looking for footwear that can be worn all year round. Firstly, the membrane is 100% waterproof, and dry feet are a goal no matter what kind of activity you engage in. Secondly, it is breathable, allowing water vapour to escape from the foot and toe box.
So, if you start by choosing GORE-TEX, you can approach a specification for your year-round boot based on the following criteria:
Thermal insulation
Choose an option that is warm enough to moderate temperatures in winter, but at the same time cool enough for use on summer days without the accompanying heat. Factor in the thickness and material in the socks you often use, to accurately reflect the needed heat regulation in the overall value of your choice.
Hardwearing
Start with the lightweight synthetic models and consider whether you need more reinforcements in the upper to accommodate your type of activity. Perhaps you’ll land on a leather model if you walk a lot on stone paths or scrubland and forest.
Grip
Viking’s rugged Ultimate Grip Concept Midsole and Outsole design will keep you focused on the adventures ahead by taking you wherever you want to go with confidence.
The Ultimate Grip Concept strives toward a perfect balance between cushioning, effective footstrike and maximum traction for the specific uses of the shoes on which it features. Let’s climb higher with UGC!
Viking’s UGC dual-density EVA Midsole turns the potential energy of an optimal grip into momentum for forwarding motion; Design, on the move.
The outsole is unique and has lugs designed to maximize surface contact and foot support, making traction on wet and dry terrain a breeze, and making UGC the clear choice in the field.
How do I choose?
Do you know what kind of foot you have? Often, people who have a wide foot are aware of it from years of searching for models with a wide sole. Others may have a high arch or other characteristics that deviate from the moderate range foot sizes and are unsure how they will fit with the model they are considering. Most people do not, however, know if their foot has any special characteristics and just think they probably have a fairly normal foot, and expect a normal fit, but there can be quite large deviations for the same size from brand to brand and model to model.
When buying footwear to use in the wilderness, it is of course crucial that you buy something that suits your foot and is comfortable to wear. When shopping for footwear online, it can be difficult to know if the model you’re considering will have the right fit. Here are some tips to help you make an informed online purchase at Viking.
Take a close look at the shoes and boots you’ve been wearing for a while. How and where have they shown signs of wear? Is the sole cracked or uneven? This will give you an idea of what kind of fit you should look for, and where the new footwear should be reinforced. Measure your foot. Place a sheet of paper on the floor against a wall and stand on the sheet with equal weight on both legs. Put a line in front of the tip of the front toe. Measure the length from the wall and record the result in centimetres. In Viking’s online store we supply a table categorized by shoe model, which shows what size the length corresponds to for each model. Pro-tip: Conduct this measurement at the end of the day when your feet are the biggest, they will be after the exertions of a day of walking on them!
Review other experiences. Are there others who have purchased this model and have given feedback on the sizes and fit? Viking customer support is, of course, also here for you, offering professionals who know our products best and can give you the guidance you need to make an educated choice.
Try out your shoes and boots in the controlled comfort of your own home to best make sure there is a model that is comfortable on your foot. Be certain that your heel fits snugly in the interior and the lacing keeps the foot in place. Your toes should have space to move and must not meet the front of the toe box fit in normal use. If your boot or shoe doesn’t fit, feel free to return it to us, whether you want to try a different size, another model, or just want your money back. You can read about our exchange and return policies here.
How do I choose?
Do you know what kind of foot you have? Often, people who have a wide foot are aware of it from years of searching for models with a wide sole. Others may have a high arch or other characteristics that deviate from the moderate range foot sizes and are unsure how they will fit with the model they are considering.
Most people do not, however, know if their foot has any special characteristics and just think they probably have a fairly normal foot, and expect a normal fit, but there can be quite large deviations for the same size from brand to brand and model to model.
When buying footwear to use in the wilderness, it is of course crucial that you buy something that suits your foot and is comfortable to wear. When shopping for footwear online, it can be difficult to know if the model you’re considering will have the right fit. Here are some tips to help you make an informed online purchase at Viking.
Take a close look at the shoes and boots you’ve been wearing for a while. How and where have they shown signs of wear? Is the sole cracked or uneven? This will give you an idea of what kind of fit you should look for, and where the new footwear should be reinforced.
Measure your foot. Place a sheet of paper on the floor against a wall and stand on the sheet with equal weight on both legs. Put a line in front of the tip of the front toe. Measure the length from the wall and record the result in centimetres. In Viking’s online store we supply a table categorized by shoe model, which shows what size the length corresponds to for each model. Pro-tip: Conduct this measurement at the end of the day when your feet are the biggest, they will be after the exertions of a day of walking on them!
Review others experiences. Are there others who have purchased this model and have given feedback on the sizes and fit? Viking customer support is, of course, also here for you, offering professionals who know our products best and can give you the guidance you need to make an educated choice.
Try out your shoes and boots in the controlled comfort of your own home to best make sure there is a model that is comfortable on your foot. Be certain that your heel fits snugly in the interior and the lacing keeps the foot in place. Your toes should have space to move and must not meet the front of the toe box fit in normal use.
We offer free returns
If your boot or shoe doesn’t fit, feel free to return it to us, whether you want to try a different size, another model, or just want your money back. You can read about our exchange and return policies here.
How to maintain hiking shoes
Good hiking shoes may cost a lot but can last for many years. Of course, its lifespan is related to its use and care; if you take care of them, they last longer. It is neither time-consuming nor difficult to maintain hiking boots. Most people know the basic principles, but different materials require different care.
Some general tips
Boots must be cleaned on their exterior, and do not forget about the seams.
Remove dirt and rinse the soles clean of soil and clay
Use a soft brush or cloth and lukewarm water.
Remove the insole and empty stones, sand and debris.
If possible, allow the boot to dry at room temperature. Use newspaper on the inside and replace it when it gets damp. If you swear by shoe dryers, then use the lowest heat setting.
Drying hiking shoes
Why should you be careful with the heat? We recommend drying at room temperature, and here’s why:
Leather boots or leather uppers will contract under higher heat, causing cracking.
Rubber boots also risk surface cracking in cases of excessive heat
Leather mountain boots need regular treatment with non-silicone shoe cream, so the leather stays soft and water-repellent. Use water impregnation spray at regular intervals. Use custom water-repellent leather.
GORE-TEX membrane footwear
The properties of the GORE-TEX membrane will keep much longer when you are careful to keep the material in the upper dry, clean and water repellent.
When the original surface treatment is worn off, apply water wicking protection spray without silicone or oil. Remember that this is the upper you spray to make water repellent – not the GORE-TEX membrane itself.
Is it smart to hike with spikes in your footwear?
Most people who have embarked on walks and training in Norway’s winter weather and terrain have experienced how challenging it can be when changing temperatures with rain and snow cause icy and slippery surfaces. We have to live with this, of course, but it is our opinion that it’s possible to live well in these circumstances.
We choose to breathe life into the old adage, “There is no bad weather – only bad clothing” and believe that outdoor training is a worthy year-round pursuit! Shoes with spikes have long since shed the reputation as bulky and unappealing shoes that you must be over a certain age to wear.
Now you can move safely and easily across icy streets and sidewalks and look both elegant and sporty while doing so. You basically have two choices:
You can buy a shoe or boot with fixed spikes. This provides the very best tread when you encounter sheets of shear and slick ice, and they are the most durable solution.
You can buy a set of removable studs that you can put on should it becomes icy and slick. The advantage of loose components is the flexibility they allow; you can put them on and take them off as needed.
