How to Choose the Perfect Hiking Shoes

When it comes to choosing the perfect hiking shoes‚ Dick’s Sporting Goods has you covered․ With a wide selection of brands and styles‚ you’re sure to find the perfect pair for your next adventure․ Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker‚ Dick’s has the expertise and selection to help you find the right shoes for your needs․

Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing hiking shoes from Dick’s Sporting Goods⁚

• Consider your fit․ Hiking shoes should fit snugly but not too tightly․ You should have enough room to wiggle your toes‚ but your heel should not slip when you walk․
• Choose the right material․ Hiking shoes are typically made from leather‚ synthetic materials‚ or a combination of both․ Leather is durable and breathable‚ but it can be heavier than synthetic materials․ Synthetic materials are lighter and more water-resistant‚ but they may not be as durable as leather․
• Consider the terrain․ The type of terrain you’ll be hiking on will also affect your choice of hiking shoes․ If you’ll be hiking on mostly flat trails‚ you can get away with a lighter shoe․ If you’ll be hiking on rougher terrain‚ you’ll need a more supportive shoe with a stiffer sole․

Determine Your Fit

The first step in choosing the perfect hiking shoes is to determine your fit․ Hiking shoes should fit snugly but not too tightly․ You should have enough room to wiggle your toes‚ but your heel should not slip when you walk; To find the right fit‚ follow these steps⁚

1. Measure your feet․ The best way to measure your feet is to stand on a piece of paper and trace around your feet․ Then‚ measure the length and width of your feet․ You can also use a Brannock device‚ which is a metal measuring tool that can be found at most shoe stores․
2. Try on different sizes․ Once you know your foot size‚ try on different sizes of hiking shoes until you find a pair that fits comfortably․ Be sure to wear the socks that you plan to wear when hiking․
3. Walk around in the shoes․ Once you’ve found a pair of shoes that fit well‚ walk around in them for a few minutes to make sure they’re comfortable․ Pay attention to how the shoes feel on your feet and ankles․ Do they rub or pinch anywhere? Do they provide enough support?
4. Consider your foot shape․ If you have wide feet‚ you may need to look for hiking shoes that are specifically designed for wide feet․ If you have narrow feet‚ you may need to look for hiking shoes that are narrower than average․
5. Break in your shoes․ Once you’ve found the perfect pair of hiking shoes‚ be sure to break them in before you hit the trail․ Wear them around the house for a few hours each day to help them conform to your feet․

By following these steps‚ you can find the perfect pair of hiking shoes that will keep your feet comfortable and supported on your next adventure․

Choose the Right Material

The next step in choosing the perfect hiking shoes is to choose the right material․ Hiking shoes are typically made from leather‚ synthetic materials‚ or a combination of both․ Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages‚ so it’s important to choose the material that’s right for your needs․

Leather

Leather is a durable and breathable material that is often used in hiking shoes․ Leather shoes are also water-resistant‚ but they can be heavier than synthetic shoes․ If you’re looking for a durable and supportive hiking shoe‚ leather is a good choice․

Synthetic Materials

Synthetic materials are lighter and more water-resistant than leather․ They are also more affordable than leather․ However‚ synthetic materials may not be as durable as leather․ If you’re looking for a lightweight and affordable hiking shoe‚ synthetic materials are a good choice․

Combination Materials

Some hiking shoes are made from a combination of leather and synthetic materials․ This can give you the best of both worlds⁚ the durability and breathability of leather‚ and the lightness and water-resistance of synthetic materials․

When choosing the right material for your hiking shoes‚ consider the following factors⁚

• Durability⁚ How long do you want your hiking shoes to last? If you’re planning on doing a lot of hiking‚ you’ll need a durable pair of shoes․
• Breathability⁚ How important is breathability to you? If you’re planning on hiking in warm weather‚ you’ll want a pair of shoes that are breathable․
• Water-resistance⁚ How important is water-resistance to you? If you’re planning on hiking in wet conditions‚ you’ll want a pair of shoes that are water-resistant․
• Weight⁚ How important is weight to you? If you’re planning on doing a lot of backpacking‚ you’ll want a pair of shoes that are lightweight․
• Price⁚ How much do you want to spend on hiking shoes? Leather shoes are typically more expensive than synthetic shoes․

By considering these factors‚ you can choose the right material for your hiking shoes and find the perfect pair for your next adventure․

Consider the Terrain

The type of terrain you’ll be hiking on will also affect your choice of hiking shoes․ If you’ll be hiking on mostly flat trails‚ you can get away with a lighter shoe with a less aggressive tread․ If you’ll be hiking on rougher terrain‚ you’ll need a more supportive shoe with a stiffer sole and a more aggressive tread․

Flat Trails

If you’ll be hiking on mostly flat trails‚ you can choose a lighter hiking shoe with a less aggressive tread․ This type of shoe will be more comfortable and less fatiguing on easier terrain․

Rough Terrain

If you’ll be hiking on rougher terrain‚ you’ll need a more supportive hiking shoe with a stiffer sole and a more aggressive tread․ This type of shoe will provide better support and traction on uneven and slippery surfaces․

Backpacking

If you’ll be doing any backpacking‚ you’ll need a hiking shoe that is both supportive and lightweight․ Look for a shoe with a stiff sole and a supportive midsole․ You’ll also want a shoe with a waterproof or water-resistant upper to keep your feet dry in wet conditions․

Other Considerations

In addition to the terrain‚ you should also consider the following factors when choosing hiking shoes⁚

• Ankle support⁚ If you have weak ankles‚ you may want to choose a hiking shoe with a higher ankle cuff for added support․
• Cushioning⁚ Hiking shoes with more cushioning will be more comfortable on long hikes․
• Fit⁚ It’s important to choose a hiking shoe that fits well․ Your shoes should be snug but not too tight․ You should have enough room to wiggle your toes‚ but your heel should not slip when you walk․

By considering the terrain and other factors‚ you can choose the right hiking shoes for your needs and find the perfect pair for your next adventure․

Select the Right Features

Once you’ve considered the terrain and other factors‚ you can start to narrow down your choices by selecting the right features for your hiking shoes; Here are some of the most important features to consider⁚

Waterproof/Water-Resistant

If you’ll be hiking in wet conditions‚ it’s important to choose a hiking shoe that is waterproof or water-resistant․ Waterproof shoes will keep your feet dry in all conditions‚ while water-resistant shoes will keep your feet dry in light rain and snow․

Breathability

Breathability is another important feature to consider‚ especially if you’ll be hiking in warm weather․ Breathable shoes will allow your feet to breathe and help to prevent sweating․ Look for shoes with a mesh upper or other breathable materials․

Support

Support is essential for a good hiking shoe․ Look for shoes with a stiff sole and a supportive midsole․ The sole should provide good arch support and the midsole should provide cushioning and stability․

Traction

Traction is important for hiking on rough terrain․ Look for shoes with a lugged outsole that provides good grip on slippery surfaces․ The lugs should be deep enough to provide traction on loose dirt and gravel‚ but not so deep that they become uncomfortable on hard surfaces․

Other Features

In addition to the above features‚ you may also want to consider the following⁚

• Ankle support⁚ If you have weak ankles‚ you may want to choose a hiking shoe with a higher ankle cuff for added support․
• Cushioning⁚ Hiking shoes with more cushioning will be more comfortable on long hikes․
• Fit⁚ It’s important to choose a hiking shoe that fits well․ Your shoes should be snug but not too tight․ You should have enough room to wiggle your toes‚ but your heel should not slip when you walk․

By considering the right features‚ you can choose the perfect hiking shoes for your needs and find the perfect pair for your next adventure․

Break in Your Shoes

Once you’ve chosen the perfect hiking shoes‚ it’s important to break them in before you hit the trail․ Breaking in your shoes will help to prevent blisters and other foot problems․ Here are a few tips for breaking in your hiking shoes⁚

1. Wear your shoes around the house․ Start by wearing your hiking shoes around the house for a few hours each day․ This will help your feet to get used to the shoes and break in the leather․
2. Take short walks․ Once you’re comfortable wearing your shoes around the house‚ start taking short walks outside․ Gradually increase the distance and duration of your walks until you’re able to hike for several hours without any discomfort․
3. Hike on different surfaces․ When you’re breaking in your shoes‚ it’s important to hike on different surfaces‚ such as pavement‚ dirt‚ and gravel․ This will help to break in the soles of your shoes and make them more comfortable to wear on the trail․
4. Use thick socks․ When you’re breaking in your shoes‚ it’s a good idea to wear thick socks․ This will help to cushion your feet and prevent blisters․
5. Take breaks․ If you start to experience any discomfort while breaking in your shoes‚ take a break․ Don’t push yourself too hard‚ and give your feet time to rest․

By following these tips‚ you can break in your hiking shoes quickly and comfortably․ Once your shoes are broken in‚ you’ll be ready to hit the trail and enjoy your next adventure․

Here are some additional tips for breaking in your hiking shoes⁚

• Don’t wear your hiking shoes for long periods of time at first․ Start by wearing them for a few hours each day and gradually increase the amount of time you wear them․
• If you experience any pain or discomfort‚ stop wearing your shoes and give your feet a rest․
• Don’t be afraid to get your shoes wet․ This will help to break in the leather and make them more comfortable to wear․

With a little care and attention‚ you can break in your hiking shoes quickly and comfortably and enjoy your next adventure․