Best Backpacking Shoes
Updated on May 31, 2024
Shop the best shoes for backpacking
"Have shoes, will travel” is seemingly a motto or mantra that backpackers, hikers, and trekkers embody. But before you venture out into the great outdoors, make sure you check what shoes you’re wearing first.
Yes, technically any kind of shoes will take you places but the question is: will it take you there without hurting your feet? Not all shoes are made equal—and going out and about in nature requires some heavy-duty backpacking boots or hiking shoes.
Stay comfortable and experience Pain Relief Beyond Belief after hours of indulging in your wanderlust with the best shoes for backpacking from KURU.
What are Backpacking Shoes?
It’s in the name—backpacking shoes are the ideal shoes to wear when going backpacking, camping, trekking, and exploring nature in general. These types of shoes belong in the same family or group as your hiking boots.
Shoes for backpacking are designed to be highly durable and last longer than your average shoes. Many backpacking trail shoes are made with sturdy yet breathable, insulating, and water-resistant materials like leather, polyester, and nylon.
Backpacking boots also need to offer maximum comfort and support. Unlike lighter, more casual footwear, backpack shoes can easily carry heavy loads while ensuring your feet are fully supported and not crammed inside the toe box.
The best backpacking shoes are high cut ones or those whose tops extend and wrap over your ankles. This gives you excellent support to help keep you from rolling your ankles and hurting yourself while on nature trails.
How To Pair Your Backpacking Shoes and When To Wear Them
Backpacking Packing Checklist
Different people have different backpacking essentials. What you need to pack generally depends on the terrain you plan to cover or explore, the general climate, recent weather around the area, and how long your trip will be.
That said, here’s a good starting point when packing for your next trip:
- Backpacking boots or shoes
- Sturdy backpack
- Camping tent
- Sleeping bag
- Portable stove and fuel
- Camping cookware and cutlery
- Ready-to-eat food and easy-to-cook meals, like protein bars, dehydrated meals, etc.
- Personal water bottle, preferably one with a built-in water treatment or filter
- Emergency or first aid kit
- Portable lanterns and flashlights
- Repair kit for your tent and supplies
- Sunglasses
- Rain jacket with hood
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellant
- Personal hygiene items or toiletries
- Compass or GPS and map
FAQs
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Are hiking boots necessary for backpacking?
Yes! You can choose from different types of hiking boots—from low-cut models and high-cut day-hiking boots to heavy-duty backpacking boots. It all depends on your preferences, where you plan to go, and how long your trip will be.
Backpacking boots are the best for multi-day hiking trips deep in the backcountry where you carry a lot of supplies. These types of shoes are also great for backpacking trips or day hiking with light loads in rougher or more rugged terrain.
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What is the difference between hiking and backpacking shoes?
You can consider backpacking boots as the heavy-duty version of hiking shoes. Regular hiking shoes will serve you well for day hikes, short backpacking trips, and other camping trips with light loads.
However, if you’re venturing deeper into the mountains, forest, or jungle, then you need stout, high-cut backpacking boots with excellent ankle support, arch support, greater shock absorption, and waterproof features.
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Are your shoes considered orthopedic shoes?
While our shoes are not currently considered orthopedic by a medical standard, we have received thousands of positive reviews from customers who say their KURUs helped reduce or eliminate their pain.
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How is the arch support of KURU shoes?
KURU shoes deliver excellent arch support without the need for thick inserts or expensive, custom orthotics.
Superior arch support starts with our patented KURUSOLE technology, which delivers natural cushioning and dynamically hugs your heel with every step. Every foot is unique, and our ULTIMATE INSOLES adapt to fit your needs by using your own body heat to custom-mold to the shape of your feet over time.
The corrective nature of our superior arch support is designed to neutralize your weight distribution and place your foot in the best anatomical position. This support can take some getting used to. We suggest slowly breaking in your new shoes over the course of 2–3 weeks.
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How do I know which shoes to buy? Which is best for me?
The best shoe for you will depend on your unique foot type and the style you’re looking for.
The best shoes for men and women alike offer adequate arch support and cushion. Whether you’re looking for bright blue shoes, dark blue shoes, or white shoes with blue accents, KURUs line of pain-relieving footwear help alleviate foot pain symptoms for all-day comfort.
In our 2024 study on foot pain across America, we found that a significant proportion of individuals sought professional assistance from podiatrists due to various foot ailments. Among the 2,500 survey respondents experiencing foot pain, a notable 12% cited plantar fasciitis as their primary concern.
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Features of Backpacking Shoes & Finding the Best Fit
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Know your sizeAlways measure your foot size before going or at the store itself. Although shoe sizes are uniform, there may still be small differences depending on the shoe brand, so we recommend using a Brannock device to measure your feet.Know your size
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Go for a bigger or smaller size if neededDon’t insist on buying and wearing backpacking shoes in your regular size if it doesn’t fit you comfortably. Some shoes and styles run larger or smaller than the standard shoe size so make sure to not zero in on just the numbers. Make sure you also consider how your feet actually feel while wearing the shoes.Go for a bigger or smaller size if needed
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Wear or bring your socksAlways have socks on when trying backpacking shoes at the store. Moreover, make sure your socks are either the same one you plan to wear for your backpacking trip or one of similar thickness.Wear or bring your socks
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Shop in the afternoonOur feet naturally expand throughout the day, so it’s always best to shop for new backpacking boots in the afternoon or even evening. This way, you can avoid having shoes that only fit you well in the morning.Shop in the afternoon
Three Layers of Support
At KURU, we pride ourselves on our unique approach to shoe design. We believe that shoes should be shaped to fit the natural contours of your feet, which is why we create every pair in three distinct support layers, not just an insole.
Our revolutionary ergonomic design starts with a curved footbed and adds unparalleled triple-layer support that includes shock-absorbing KURUCLOUD, heel-cupping KURUSOLE, and arch-supporting ULTIMATE INSOLES. The result? Shoes that are so comfortable you’ll stop thinking about your feet.
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KURUSOLE
...Show LessThe patented KURUSOLE is the hidden gem in our KURU shoes. Though not visible from the outside, it does wonders for your posture, gait, and overall foot health. The KURUSOLE snugly cups your heel to protect and keep the fat pad in place. This protects your heel from wear and tear while also offering added shock absorption.
The patented KURUSOLE is the hidden gem in our KURU shoes. Though not visible from the outside, it does wonders for your posture, gait, and overall foot health. The KURUSOLE snugly cups your heel to protect and keep the fat pad in place. This protects your heel from wear and tear while also offering added shock absorption.
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KURUCLOUD
...Show Lessour KURUCLOUD is the foundation of the unique three-part technology found in all KURU footwear. Made out of high-grade EVA foams and inspired by the best running shoes, these will give you comfort like no other. Its lightweight yet shock absorbing base will give you maximum cushion and help prevent foot fatigue even after hours of and backpacking.
our KURUCLOUD is the foundation of the unique three-part technology found in all KURU footwear. Made out of high-grade EVA foams and inspired by the best running shoes, these will give you comfort like no other. Its lightweight yet shock absorbing base will give you maximum cushion and help prevent foot fatigue even after hours of and backpacking.
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ULTIMATE INSOLE
...Show LessThe ULTIMATE INSOLE may be the last of our three-part technology but it’s the first point of contact with your feet. Our ULTIMATE INSOLE is made from dual-density polyurethane foam, giving it both soft cushioning and firm arch support that’s perfect for hours of trekking. Best of all, this insole molds to the shape of your feet over time to give you a custom fit and Pain Relief Beyond Belief.
The ULTIMATE INSOLE may be the last of our three-part technology but it’s the first point of contact with your feet. Our ULTIMATE INSOLE is made from dual-density polyurethane foam, giving it both soft cushioning and firm arch support that’s perfect for hours of trekking. Best of all, this insole molds to the shape of your feet over time to give you a custom fit and Pain Relief Beyond Belief.
KURUSOLE
The patented KURUSOLE is the hidden gem in our KURU shoes. Though not visible from the outside, it does wonders for your posture, gait, and overall foot health. The KURUSOLE snugly cups your heel to protect and keep the fat pad in place. This protects your heel from wear and tear while also offering added shock absorption.
Our Secret
Our Secret
What makes KURU different? Every KURU shoe comes with built-in patented KURUSOLE tech—a foot health game changer.
While other shoes are flat on the inside, KURUSOLE is shaped like your foot to hug and prevent fatigue and pain.
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