The anatomy of a hiking shoe

Your perfect hiking boot, does it even exist? You have so much choice between different materials, brands, and types of hiking boots. Buying good hiking boots isn't always easy or cheap, but gaining some knowledge about them makes it much simpler. In a series of blogs, we’ll help you find your way through this footwear jungle.

If you ever wear hiking boots without knowing what materials they are made of and what those materials are for, then this blog is interesting for you. In this blog, we focus on the anatomy of the hiking boot. We are going to dissect it and look at what it consists of. What is the function of each part? What materials do we encounter? What are the pros and cons of all these materials? Armed with this knowledge, your next purchase of hiking boots will be a lot easier.

Contents

• The upper
• The sole
• Shoe height

The upper

The upper is the top part of the shoe that covers and protects the foot. The "tongue" is also considered part of the upper. The tongue of a shoe is the part located under the laces, sitting between the foot and the upper of the shoe. The lining is the inside of the upper. We encounter various materials in the upper. Many hiking boots have an upper made of leather. Positive properties of leather are that it is very durable, breathable, and water-repellent after treatment. The disadvantage of leather is that it is relatively heavy and, once wet, dries quite slowly. Two types of leather you often see are nubuck and suede. Nubuck is slightly stronger than suede.

Additionally, there are various synthetic fabrics used in the uppers of hiking boots, including nylon, polyester, synthetic leather, and mesh. These materials offer high breathability and are lightweight. However, most synthetic materials damage a bit faster than leather.

Many hiking boots have an upper consisting of a combination of the materials mentioned above. In the upper, we also often find a waterproof membrane. Gore-Tex is the best-known example and is seen as the leader in this market. A waterproof membrane ensures the shoe is waterproof while still being breathable. Note that a shoe without such a membrane will always breathe slightly better than the same shoe with a membrane.

In summary, we encounter hiking boots with the following upper compositions:

• An upper where both the outside and the lining are made of leather.
• An upper with a leather exterior and a synthetic lining. These types of uppers often contain a waterproof membrane.
• An upper made entirely of synthetic materials. These uppers also often contain a waterproof membrane.

The sole

The sole can be further divided into the different soles found in a typical hiking boot. The outsole is the bottom part of the shoe that actually makes contact with the ground. It provides grip and stability during hiking. The sole is almost always made of rubber. In some soles, carbon is added to increase the hardness of the sole.

The midsole is the part of the shoe between the outsole and the insole. It provides cushioning and support to the foot while walking. In more sturdy hiking boots—such as trekking and mountaineering boots—you often find a "shank" (cambreur). This is an extra reinforcement plate that provides support to the arch and helps the shoe maintain its shape during hiking.

The materials most commonly found in the midsole are ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyurethane (PU). EVA is slightly softer, lighter, and less expensive. Polyurethane is generally firmer and more durable, which is why it is often used in trekking and mountaineering boots.

The insole is the part of the shoe the foot rests on. It provides extra cushioning and support. It is often removable and can be replaced with a custom insole for extra comfort.

Shoe height

Hiking boots vary in height. Higher boots offer better ankle support. This is why you mainly find them in boots intended for use in hilly and mountainous terrain. Shoe height is also partly a personal preference; some people prefer ankle support even on flatter terrain.

Lower shoes give you more flexibility at the ankles and, of course, weigh slightly less. Outdoor enthusiasts who want to move at high speeds or occasionally scramble often prefer shoes without ankle support, even in hilly and mountainous terrain.

Hopefully, we have made your final choice of shoe easier with this knowledge about the hiking boot. If you are curious about which types of hiking boots exist and how they are categorized, read our blog about types of hiking boots. Do you already know what kind of shoes you want? Then take a look at our range of hiking boots.