Best Hiking Shoes For Comfort
Updated on May 31, 2024
Shop the best hiking shoes
Hiking never felt so good. When you’re blazing a trail up the mountain, you don’t need anything holding you back—especially foot pain.
While many hiking shoes today are equipped with trail-ready support on the outside, not all of them offer orthotic-level support on the inside.
At KURU, we want to help take pain out of the equation. We offer a lineup of some of the most comfortable hiking shoes and boots on the market, designed with our built-in arch support, heel cup, and cushion to keep you moving all day.
What are Hiking Shoes?
Hiking shoes are a form of outdoor footwear that help you stay stable on uneven terrain.
Depending on what type of terrain you’ll face, you might choose a low-profile waterproof hiking shoe for wet conditions, a high-top hiking boot for colder months or more ankle protection, or an active sandal for spring and summer months.
The best hiking boots feature grippy outsoles for traction, EVA midsoles for shock absorption, and durable materials to outlast the toughest terrain. A wide toe box can help to alleviate painful toenails on the descent while keeping circulation flowing all hike long.
KURU offers some of the best hiking shoes that go a step further. We build our patented, pain-relieving technology into every pair. That means you’ll get ample cushion, superior arch support, patented heel protection, and a generous toe box so your feet feel comfortable all day long.
Types of Hiking Shoes & Finding the Best Fit
For a comfortable fit for your new pair of hiking shoes, be sure they feel snug around the forefoot with ample space around the toes to help prevent bruised toenails.
Types of Hiking Shoes:
Hiking Shoe Care Tips
- Protect your hiking footwear from the dust, dirt, and water of the trail with a preventive spritz of KURU Shield, our proprietary blend of shoe protector spray. This water-repellent layer works on all shoe materials and helps safeguard your footwear from the elements.
- Outdoor shoes get their fair share of dirt and water more than most footwear types. Refresh an extra-loved pair of trail shoes with our KURU Shoe Cleaning Kit. Equipped with an all-material shoe cleaner, cleaning brush and microfiber cloth, this kit helps your shoes last.
- Allow your trail shoes to dry out between hikes, away from sunlight. Sweat and sunlight can prematurely break down materials. Giving your outdoor footwear some breathing room after each use can help your shoes last longer and stay fresh.
- Wear a pair of durable socks with your hiking shoes. Socks will help reduce your risk of blisters and create a barrier against sweat and bacteria. Keeping bacteria and sweat at bay can help extend the life of your outdoor shoes and reduce the risk of odor over time.
How To Pair Your Hiking Shoes and When To Wear Them
When considering what hiking shoes to wear for the right trail, we first recommend first assessing what types of trails you’ll choose to face.
Heading out for a trail run and want to PR your time? You may do best with a lightweight trail runner. Will you be navigating more difficult terrain? You might consider a high-top hiking boot with plenty of traction and ankle protection.Let’s unpack a few ways to pair your hiking shoes.
FAQs
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What shoes are best for hiking?
The best shoes for hiking should feature breathable uppers, durable materials, and outsoles with plenty of traction. You’ll want a sturdy shoe with plenty of grip and strength to keep up with rugged outdoor terrain.
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Are leather boots good for hiking?
Absolutely! Leather offers natural breathability, durability, and stretch and can be waterproofed for extra protection. We recommend choosing a leather hiking shoe that features traction-heavy rubber outsoles and high-quality arch support and cushion for lasting comfort.
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Are sneakers okay for hiking?
You can wear sneakers for easy day hikes, especially if they are on paved roads. However, sneakers are not designed to navigate more technical terrain. Sneakers are often too soft without the needed stability to protect your ankle and enough traction to properly grip dirt and rocks. We recommend true trail shoes for hiking more rugged trails.
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What is a good weight for a hiking shoe?
The level of heaviness you choose for a hiking shoe may depend on the terrain you’ll be traversing. An average weight for a hiking shoe is between 2–3 pounds.
For light summer hikes with lots of dirt and fewer rocks, a lightweight active sandal will do the trick. For more rugged terrain with lots of loose pebbles and rocks, you’ll want a more sturdy shoe capable of maintaining stability even on unstable ground.
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How should hiking shoes fit?
When trying on a pair of hiking shoes or boots, always remember to wear the socks you’ll be wearing with them—especially since hiking socks are often thicker. Hiking shoes should fit snug but not tight. Feet often expand while hiking, and too-small shoes going downhill can be a recipe for bruised toenails.
If new to hiking shoes, we recommend getting fitted by a professional at a local shoe store and check out these hiking shoe fit tips.
Athletes, active individuals, and even those embarking on a new fitness regimen face a higher risk of experiencing foot and ankle injuries, whether from trauma or overuse.
In fact, 47% of respondents in our study reported that their foot pain began due to an injury.
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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 LessOur patented KURUSOLE plate features a unique design that cups and protects the heel and allows for dynamic flexion with each step. This superior support helps utilize our body’s natural cushioning system, the heel’s fat pad, so you can last through every switchback and summit.
Our patented KURUSOLE plate features a unique design that cups and protects the heel and allows for dynamic flexion with each step. This superior support helps utilize our body’s natural cushioning system, the heel’s fat pad, so you can last through every switchback and summit.
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KURUCLOUD
...Show LessWhile scaling a mountain or coming back down, shock absorption is a must. Our KURUCLOUD base layer features lightweight EVA foam that helps absorb impact to your joints, ligaments, and bones, even through a long day on the trail.
While scaling a mountain or coming back down, shock absorption is a must. Our KURUCLOUD base layer features lightweight EVA foam that helps absorb impact to your joints, ligaments, and bones, even through a long day on the trail.
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ULTIMATE INSOLE
...Show LessThe final layer in KURU’s technology trio, our ULTIMATE INSOLES feature premium arch support and cushion for the entire sole of your foot. Made of 5mm of durable polyurethane foam, these insoles form to your feet to provide lasting comfort for long days outdoors.
The final layer in KURU’s technology trio, our ULTIMATE INSOLES feature premium arch support and cushion for the entire sole of your foot. Made of 5mm of durable polyurethane foam, these insoles form to your feet to provide lasting comfort for long days outdoors.
KURUSOLE
Our patented KURUSOLE plate features a unique design that cups and protects the heel and allows for dynamic flexion with each step. This superior support helps utilize our body’s natural cushioning system, the heel’s fat pad, so you can last through every switchback and summit.
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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