Walking boots
There is a perfect hiking shoe for every pair of feet and every kind of surface. And trust us: nothing is more important than a pair of shoes that fits like a glove and gives you sufficient grip and support, whenever you're out hiking. Those who take a tour of the local nature reserve several times a week need very different footwear than those who seek out mountainous and rocky terrain a few times a year. Fortunately, our team consists of plenty of keen hikers who can advise you on one of the most important purchases of your outdoor adventure life.
What do I need to pay attention to when buying hiking shoes?
Before double-knotting the laces of a new pair of hiking shoes, it is important to consider a few things. Here are the main ones:
- Terrain/activity: a simple walk through the woods or along the beach is very different from a trek through hilly terrain or rough mountaineering. Each type of activity or terrain really requires a different pair of hiking shoes. In the first case, you want a lightweight pair that doesn’t overly tire your feet. For the other two treks, you need much more grip and stability, often in the form of a stiffer sole and more ankle protection.
- Features: your personal preferences also matter. You can choose breathable and waterproof shoes, a low model, or a higher pair. As for the material, you have a choice between synthetic, leather, canvas, or cotton. And you also need to think about the weight of your new pair quite carefully.
- Fit: no two feet are the same. Fortunately, there are hiking shoes for every pair of feet, with a narrower or wider width, for example. In any case, take ample time to try on shoes. Because an ill-fitting shoe is a great recipe for blisters and irritation. Tip: take advantage of our free 3D foot measurement and analysis!
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about hiking shoes
The GORE-TEX membrane is the revolutionary waterproof membrane from US-based GOREWEAR. This membrane is the standard when it comes to wind and water resistance combined with breathability. This means that water cannot enter from the outside, yet your own perspiration is able to escape.
The membrane is extremely useful in hiking shoes, as it can get quite warm inside, and heat and moisture are risk factors for blisters and irritation. So the less water that gets in and the more moisture that can get out, the better. You can recognise shoes with the GORE-TEX membrane thanks to a small label attached to the shoes. The better you then maintain them, the longer you can hit the trails wearing your favourite waterproof pair. Don’t want to do it yourself? Just leave the maintenance to the experts at our professional shoe studio!
How quickly your shoes wear out depends on more factors than just how many miles you walk together. You sometimes hear that hiking shoes can last up to 1000 miles. But you need to take the following into account:
- Your weight: if you yourself are on the heavier side or you’re carrying a heavy pack, then your shoes will wear out faster.
- Conditions: rain and mud will shorten your footwear’s life span.
- Your gait: the way you place down and pick up your feet determines whether your shoes’ soles will wear down at an angle. If that happens, you’ll need to replace your footwear more quickly.
- Maintenance: the better you look after your footwear, the longer it will last.
- Quality: it goes without saying that better quality footwear will last longer than poorer quality footwear. At A.S.Adventure, we can guarantee the quality of every pair we sell!
There’s an art to trying on hiking shoes! Our tips will help you find the right pair:
- Try shoes on in the afternoon – when your feet will be a bit more swollen than in the morning – to make sure you don’t buy them too small.
- There should be about a 1.5 cm gap between your longest toe and the end of the sole.
- Your heel should not rise up when you bend your knees.
Choose from our many top brands
At A.S.Adventure you will find an extensive range of hiking boots for women, men and children. Choose from our many top brands - like Jack Wolfskin, The North Face, Merrell, Lowa, Meindl - and find the perfect pair of shoes for any outdoor activity
Still have questions about buying your new pair of hiking shoes? Our customer service team is at your service every day.
