Hiking boots generally have heavier, more supportive soles, which are meant to support you and any extra weight - say, a backpack. In fact, some of the best hiking boots are so lightweight and comfortable that they may as well be sneakers - except more durable. That’s not to say boots don’t have their place. “Now it’s the opposite - you can put on a pair of new trail runners and do a long distance hike.” “In the old days when you bought hiking boots you’d have to wear them around your neighborhood before the hike, to be confident you wouldn’t get blisters,” says Cris Hazzard of. Trail runners are essentially grippier, more-hiking-specific sneakers, and they’re built for comfort - and moving quickly and nimbly. Rachel Gross, an assistant professor at the University of Colorado in Denver studying the history of outdoor clothing and gear. “Elite hikers, long-distance hikers - no one is wearing boots above the ankle,” says Dr. Talk to almost any serious hiker or outdoor-gear enthusiast these days and you’ll hear the same story: Stiff, heavy hiking boots are out, flexible and lightweight trail runners are in. To help you find the best men’s hiking shoes and boots, we asked seasoned outdoor experts what they recommend for all terrain, in styles ranging from sleek sneakers to waterproof boots, and everything in between. And don’t forget to wear some blister-preventing and moisture-wicking wool socks. (Thicker socks will also take up more space inside the toe box.) In any case, we recommend trying out some shoes in person before buying them. ![]() A full size up most likely won’t apply to the average day hiker, but it’s always better to err on the bigger size. “Toes need room to spread out and wiggle around.” Wilkinson’s advice definitely applies to serious backpackers and thru-hikers, whose feet are more prone to swelling after many miles and thus need a bigger shoe. ![]() “The best way to do that is to be sure you get footwear that’s at least one size bigger than what you normally wear,” he says. (Not that there’s anything wrong with buying a gorp-y pair of boots for your strolls around the city.) When picking out trail shoes, Pacific Crest Trail Association communications director Scott Wilkinson advises that “it’s absolutely critical” to maintain circulation in your feet. Need help? Check out our tips on choosing a backpack or chat with an MEC staffer online or in-store.Hiking footwear is trendier than ever, which can make it difficult to find shoes that are equally functional and fashionable. It’s a good idea to try on a few types of packs to see which one fits your body best. Since 1993, Osprey has designed women’s specific packs to fit hikers with narrower frames, shorter torsos and curves at their chests and hips. ![]() Find the right fitĪ well-fitting backpack should feel like an extension of your body. ![]() Hitting the road? Sleek travel packs have flight-friendly features like lockable zippers and stowaway harnesses. Versatile Osprey daypacks handle pretty much everything else, from bike commutes to sunrise hikes. Week-long backpacking trips require expedition-grade backpacks with more capacity. Where are you going, and how much do you need to take? Fast-and-light missions call for minimalist waist packs with space for the 10 essentials. And recycled and bluesign®-approved materials reduce each pack’s environmental impact. Ventilated back panels let cool air circulate so you don’t overheat while hiking up Rocky Mountain passes or wandering the streets of Chiang Mai. Gravity-defying suspension systems distribute the weight of your load to keep you balanced. From MTB laps to backcountry expeditions, Osprey packs are ready to tackle any challenge you can dream up.
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