Hiking Boots

Hiking boots are a hiker's main piece of equipment. Whether you're going on a light hike or a multi-day trek in the mountains, choosing the right pair of hiking boots is very important. There are several criteria to take into account when choosing your pair of mountain boots, such as the type of outing, the upper, the sole or a Gore-Tex boot. Find a collection of hiking boots for all levels and budgets at Snowleader!

Mountain boots find a home on Snowleader.co.uk

An essential part of any hiker's kit, mountain boots are also your best ally when it comes to ground stability and safety. Before any outing involving altitude, the choice of mountain boots is essential. Snowleader has models to suit every profile and can help you make sense of our wide selection of hiking boots for men and hiking boots for women.

Hiking boots, walking boots or mountain boots?

It goes without saying that you don't set off with the same footwear for a day's stroll in the mid-range mountains and a trek lasting several days at high altitude. For the former, walking shoes or hiking boots will do. But as soon as the terrain gets rough and you're reaching the peaks, you'll need real mountain boots or trekking shoes. These sturdy shoes are often made of leather to keep them waterproof, and they also provide optimum ankle support to prevent any risk of sprains.

How do I choose the right hiking boot?

If you're going hiking or trekking this summer, you'll need to choose the right hiking boot for the type of activity you'll be doing to get the most out of your footwear.

Choosing the right hiking boot for your activity

The first criterion for choosing a hiking boot is the type of activity you will be doing. There are different types of hiking boots for each type of activity:

• Day-hiking shoes are light and secure.
• Approach walking shoes, for climbing routes, for example.
• Long-distance hiking boots, for multi-day outings, often on very steep paths.
• Mountaineering footwear, for hiking and passages with ice, which often requires you to put crampons on your hiking boots.
• Trail running shoes, which are not strictly speaking hiking shoes, but which allow you to run in the mountains.
• Hiking boots for water sports, such as canyoning.
• Winter hiking boots, for marking trails in snow and cold weather.
• And finally, hiking sandals, to keep your feet well ventilated.

These main categories of hiking boots will greatly help you choose.

Another important element when choosing a hiking boot is the upper, i.e. the height to which the boot will rise on your foot.

There are 3 types of upper for hiking boots:

Another important factor in choosing a hiking boot is the upper, i.e. the level the boot will come up to on your foot.

There are 3 types of upper for hiking boots:

1. Low uppers, which correspond to a classic trainer. Low uppers are perfect for hikers looking for a lightweight shoe for fast hiking.
2. Mid uppers are medium level uppers that rise slightly to protect your malleoli from impact and give your ankle a little support.
3. Finally, the last type of upper is the high-rise upper, which protects and supports your whole ankle. This is the traditional hiking boot par excellence.

How waterproof should my hiking boot be?

To narrow down your choice and choose the pair of hiking boots best suited to your needs, you also need to determine whether or not a pair of waterproof hiking boots will be useful. If you only plan to hike in fine weather, it's better to choose a pair of hiking boots that aren't waterproof. This will give you a more breathable boot that's also cheaper. Snowleader offers gore-tex hiking boots, a membrane that guarantees you a waterproof boot. This is very important when you're planning a hike over several days, as you don't know the weather in advance. And if you're planning to hike in the snow, a waterproof hiking boot is essential.

There are other features to consider when choosing your hiking boots, such as quick-fastening laces for optimum tightness and all-day grip, or Vibram soles for better grip.