How to Choose Your Perfect Hiking Boots

EXPERT ADVICE FOR THE BEST FIT

Choosing the best hiking boots to fit your needs isn’t easy!

Are you the sunny-day hiker looking for out-of-the-box comfort? Do you have a history of rolling your ankle? Will you be exploring nature walks with your young family, or backpacking the Long Trail?

Your ideal hiking boot is the match between your unique foot shape and your personal hiking goals. Whatever the combination, Danform Shoes Fit Experts can guide you to the perfect fit—from novice to expert, kid-sized to grown-up!

FOUR CORE QUESTIONS 

Finding the best hiking boots for you involves four key considerations: 

• Instant Comfort vs Stiffer Performance Construction 
• Low vs Mid Height,
• Traction, and
• Waterproof vs Non-Waterproof Materials

At first glance, you'd ask, "Who wouldn't look for instant comfort?"  Some hiking boots are designed with a flexible sole, roomy toe box and forgiving materials that let you walk out of Danform Shoes and up Camel's Hump an hour later.  Hiking boots like the Oboz Sawtooth are best sellers because of their out of the box comfort and solid construction.  So who doesn't want that instant, easy fit?  That's our hard-core, rugged trailblazing, backpacking adventurer looking for a stiffer outsole like the Oboz Bridger to match up to more rugged trails.

A boot's height is the next factor.  While some of this involves personal preference, there are performance features to note.  A lower boot conforms to your foot more quickly, but a mid-height boot provides more ankle stability and a taller barrier if you like to cross streams or tackle tangled terrain.

Traction is a key factor when choosing hiking boots. Many customers ask if sneakers will do the job. For an easy hike like Snake Mountain, they might—but on tougher terrain like Camel’s Hump, with tree roots and rocks, the grippy sole of a hiker is much safer than a sneaker sole designed for streets and pavement.

Waterproof boots can be a little confusing. They sound like the perfect solution, but our fit experts know they come with a few trade-offs. Boots that repel moisture are often less breathable, which can leave you with damp, sweaty feet.

If most of your hikes are under sunny, dry skies, a vented, water-resistant boot might actually be the smarter choice. And if you tend to have warm or sweaty feet, a fully waterproof boot may not be your best option.

THE RIGHT FIT IS RIGHT HERE

Because we know that no two feet are alike, even the two that belong to you, Danform Shoes believe investing time in the in-person fitting pays dividends.  Not only by eliminating online returns but because boots that have been fit by our trained experts fit sooo well, motivating you to get outside and move!

Stop in to learn how your foot structure influences your choice of boot and check out some of our favorite hiking boot brands: Oboz, Keen, Merrell, Topo and Hoka! 

Our Fit Experts love to analyze. By watching you walk and considering your foot shape, they can quickly narrow down the best options for you. What you’ll also find is an eager listener—someone asking the right questions to understand what you want out of your hiking boots.

There’s nothing better than exploring Vermont’s beauty in the heart of the mountains—and no better gift than sharing the outdoors with your family. Vermont locals are lucky to have a hiking boot selection that rivals the big e-commerce sites, right in their own backyard. It’s all the convenience of online shopping, with a lot more care.

Ready to gear up?  Browse our online selection of hiking boots and head over to any of Danform Shoes 3 locations to get fit!