by When it comes to hikers’ footwear choices, the pendulum has swung convincingly over the past few decades. Where mid- or high-tops were the default when I was first starting to hike, lightweight trail runners have displaced them for most backpackers, including the vast majority of thru- and section-hikers. For the most part, it’s a sensible shift: Research has shown that adding a pound to hikers’ feet burns as much energy as adding three pounds to their packs. Low-cuts have proven their mettle everywhere from Appalachian Trail rocks and roots to deep Sierra snowpack. Why carry that extra weight when you don’t have to?
But don’t count out the humble hiking boot yet. While I usually wear trail runners, there are still situations when I’ll fall back on an old-school mid-cut. These are the times when they shine.
The trail is really wet.
Lightweight, non-waterproof trail runners are usually a good pick for stream crossings: With their mesh construction, they usually dry much more quickly than more heavily-built, padded boots. But when the weather and trail conditions don’t seem like they’ll give my shoes a chance to dry at all, I’ll often opt for a waterproof boot to keep as much moisture out as possible. That was the case on one Backpacker Editors’ Choice trip to Colombia, where rain turned the high-altitude moor we were hiking on into a virtual swamp. With virtually nonstop cloud cover and cool conditions, my coworkers’ Altras never really dried; on the other hand, my ankle-high leather boots never really got wet.
There are some caveats here. Let water sneak over the cuff of your boots, and you’ll have your work cut out for you drying them. And in warm conditions, it might be a wash, as excess perspiration leaves your boots wet from the inside-out.
I need to carry a heavy load over rough terrain.
On my own trips, I usually hike as light as possible–think trekking pole tent, frameless pack, and no stove. But whether I’m hiking with my kids, testing gear, or toting water in the desert, there are situations where carrying extra weight is unavoidable. While I don’t mind carrying a load in zero-drop running shoes for a while, add in roots, rocks, and uneven ground, and I appreciate the extra support a good boot provides.
I’m nursing an ankle or foot injury.
Hike a lot, and foot and ankle injuries are an unavoidable part of life. While I usually try to take it easy after rolling an ankle or badly smashing a toe–better to accept a little bit of couch time early than deal with a much longer forced rest later on–I’ve found that a solid, supportive boot can help me get back on trail more quickly by relieving some of the stress I’d otherwise be putting on strained ligaments or hurt or broken digits. (Your mileage may vary–depending on the design of the boot and where your injury is, it’s possible that you could end up hurting yourself worse by soldiering on in a mid-cut instead of taking time off. Talk to your doctor, and consider putting your feet up for a while.)
I’m hiking in the snow.
A good pair of socks can help keep your feet warm. Know what’s even better for keeping your feet warm? A good pair of boots. Winter-specific kicks like the Merrell MTL Thermo Rogue 4 Mid Gore-Tex can be clutch for sealing out snow (consider pairing them with a pair of gaiters like the Outdoor Research Helium Hiking Gaiters) and provide the insulation you need to keep your feet comfortable. After all, there’s no more frustrating reason to have to call a hike than numb toes.
Pro tip: Boots don’t need to be heavy.
When most of us think of hiking boots, we probably picture the old-school leather hikers we grew up with. But supportive doesn’t need to equal heavy. While I’ll still occasionally opt for a heavy-duty hiker in truly horrendous conditions, I’m more likely to go with a boot like the Arc’teryx Kopec Mid GTX, which weighs just 12 (less than some low-cut hikers) and combines excellent ground feet with a supportive, padded cuff.
