Hiking boot sizing – All you need to know
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Sneak Peak – The 5 Key Tips
- Hiking boots with a leather lining take on the shape of your foot.
- Hiking boots come in different sizes – and different fits, for example narrower or wider widths.
- Measure your foot to determine your shoe size and get the right fit.
- Buy your hiking boots slightly bigger. Make sure you have a finger’s width of wiggle room at the front for your toes.
- Take your time when trying boots and shoes on – test them on different surfaces.
For more in-depth information, read the whole article.
- Walking boot fitting – a question of materials
- It’s all about the last
- How to find the right size
- Should hiking boots be a size bigger?
- Trying on hiking shoes
Hiking is so much more fun in well-fitting hiking boots. But if they don’t fit well, it can turn your hike into hard work – with pressure points or even blisters to deal with along the way. Which is why it’s so important to find the right fit and the correct size for you.
So how should hiking boots fit? First of all, you need to consider what you’ll be using them for. There’s a huge variety of hiking shoes and mountain boots out there, that are designed for specific areas of use. So what kind of outdoor footwear is right for you? The common hiking footwear categories should help you come to the right decision.
Once you’ve decided on the type of footwear, or category, the next step is finding the perfect fit. For each area of use there are, of course, several models available from a range of brands. Some are narrower, some are wider. Some are stiffer, and others a little softer. Variety is a good thing. Because no two feet are the same.
But by following these tips you should be able to find the right model and the best hiking boot sizing for you.
1 Walking boot fitting – a question of materials
Whether it’s all leather, or has textile inserts, how a hiking boot fits is key. For Alexander März, Sales Manager at HANWAG, how a hiking boot fits is also, in part, determined by the materials it’s made from: “In my experience, a hiking shoe or mountain boot with leather lining adapts to the individual shape of your foot better than one with a textile lining or waterproof membrane.”
"A hiking shoe or mountain boot with leather lining adapts to the individual shape of your foot better."
Alexander März, HANWAG Head of SalesBecause leather is so adaptable, it means wearing your footwear in properly is even more important. But bear in mind that even wearing hiking boots in properly and lacing them properly is only the icing on the cake when it comes to fit. It won’t make a difference if the boot doesn’t fit well in the first place.
The key element when it comes to hiking boot fit is the ‘last‘.
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2 It’s all about the last
How a hiking boot fits is predominantly down to the last it’s made on. A last is a wooden or plastic model of a foot that’s used as the basis around which a shoe or boot is made. The shape of the last is effectively the shape, and therefore the fit, of the shoe or boot.
Each footwear manufacturer has their own style of last. Most will use a couple of lasts per model. And if that model doesn’t fit, then it’s usually best to try a different model. Because there are limits to how much the fit of a hiking boot can be adapted.
Do you feel that’s not really an acceptable solution? Well, neither do we.
Watch the video: How to make sure you get the right boot fit (English subtitles available)
Which is why we make HANWAG footwear around several different-shaped lasts, to make sure that each model will fit a range of foot shapes. And so in addition to our standard last shape, we use six special lasts:
- The Wide Last makes wide hiking boots for wider feet.
- The Narrow Last is for narrower feet.
- The Bunion Last is for people who suffer from Hallux Valgus, or bunions.
- The StraightFit Last is more roomy in the toe.
- The StraightFit Extra Last is even wider at the toe.
- The AlpineWide Last is more roomy than a traditional alpine boot.
Find out more: Videos on HANWAG lasts
Hiking boot fitting – what’s possible? A boot that’s a little bit narrow can be widened to an extent. And if a boot is too big, then spacer inlays or heel wedges can reduce the volume inside the boot. For adjustments like these, always refer to a specialist retailer for advice or the HANWAG Customer Service.
Using a range of specialised lasts like this is hugely beneficial for your feet. It means you can find a hiking boot that fits your specific foot shape, without having to opt for a different model because the standard shape doesn’t fit you.
But that’s not all. Our women’s lasts are also different from our men’s lasts. This means that we not only cover a wide range of feet but can also match our footwear shapes to gender-specific anatomy.
"With hiking shoes and mountain boots, you should allow about a finger’s width of space in front of the toes."
Alexander März, HANWAG Head of Sales3 How to find the right size
If you buy your hiking shoes or mountain boots from a specialist retailer, the staff there will help you with your walking boot sizing. In addition, you’ll also be able to try on various models right there in the shop. More on this shortly.
If you order footwear online, you can determine your own hiking shoe size. You will first need to measure the length of your feet very precisely. Check out the gallery to see how to do this.
4 steps to measure your foot length
Measuring foot length Step 1: You’ll need a piece of paper, a pen and a ruler (a tape measure is also OK).
Step 2: Place the piece of paper down on the floor. Stand on it so that your heel lines up exactly with the edge. You should be wearing your hiking socks.
Step 3: Get someone else to draw around your foot on the paper (yogis will probably be able to do this themselves ;-).
Step 4: Using the ruler, you can now determine the length of your foot by measuring the distance between your heel and the furthest point. This is usually the big toe, but not always.
4 Should hiking boots be a size bigger?
Surely you know your usual shoe size from other shoes. This raises a question: Should you buy walking boots a size bigger? If yes, then how many sizes up should I go with my hiking boots?
“With hiking shoes and mountain boots, you should allow about a finger’s width of space in front of the toes,” explains Alexander März. “It’s important to have that space so that your toes don’t hit the front of the boot or shoe on the downhills.” It’s no fun if your big toe keeps colliding with the toe cap. It can even result in a black toenail or a painful infection.
In particular, if you are buying lightweight, multifunctional shoes with a textile upper, you will often find that you need a slightly longer fit. So try on outdoor footwear that’s half a size or even a full size (with thick socks) bigger than your regular shoe size for everyday footwear.
In the following table, we’ve already incorporated the required toe space. So you can find the right size hiking boot that matches your foot measurement.
Expertise and know-how for your outdoor adventures – welcome to the HANWAG BOOTCAMP. Watch the how-to videos on our YouTube channel.
5 Trying on hiking shoes
Whether it’s in a shop or at home, before buying a pair of hiking boots or shoes, try them on properly – even if you’re certain you’ve chosen the correct last shape and size. Here are some points to consider when trying on hiking footwear:
- The best time to try them on is in the afternoon or evening. That’s because your feet tend to swell a little throughout the day – just like they do when you’re hiking. If you buy hiking footwear in the morning they will often prove to be too tight.
- When trying them on, make sure you are wearing the kind of socks you’d wear hiking.
- And take your time. Leave them on for half an hour in the shop or at home. If any pressure points or areas that rub do not disappear during that time, then it’s very unlikely they will on the trail. In which case, try on a different model.
- Try to simulate real conditions. Specialist retailers will often have a testing area, with a range of replicated terrains and ramps to walk up and down. If trying on at home, try to simulate conditions as well. And make sure your toes are not hitting the front of the shoe when you go downhill.
- Is your heel securely held while you walk? Heel slippage is the most common cause of blisters. To test the heel fit, try on your shoes or boots with the laces undone. If there’s any sideways play, then the heel cap is too wide for you. Now lace them up, head up the stairs and stand on a step with your forefoot only. Does your heel move when you go up or down? If not, then it means you’ve got a perfect fit at the heel.
- Your toes should have ample room to move, and not just to the front. In high-alpine mountaineering boots, not having enough space in the toe box can even lead to frostbite. But you must also make sure it doesn’t feel like your forefoot is ‘swimming’ about in the shoe.
- According to Alexander März, climbing boots and approach shoes are the exception to the rule: “These should be snug fitting and not too long in the toe. Because when you’re climbing, having more direct contact with the rock is more important than downhill comfort.”
These tips should simplify the process of finding the right shoe for your next outdoor adventure.
Ingo Wilhelm
You’ll find him hiking, mountain biking or ski touring. Mainly in the Alps. Favourite destination: Iceland.
