Hiking Shoes Vs Walking Shoes – Which One Is Better?

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Hiking shoes vs walking shoes-which one is better?

Hiking shoes vs walking shoes – Which is your perfect pair of shoes to hike?

The comparison between these two types of shoes is still a hot topic in footwear forums, as people wonder which would be better suited for them regarding many aspects weight, material, durability, or features. Acquiring this hesitation, we would like to talk about the difference between hiking and walking shoes in our post today. Let’s read on to find out!

Hiking Shoes Vs Walking Shoes: A Detailed Comparison

Hiking boots offer ultimate support and protection for long hikes, but they are bulky with a high weight that is not ideal when every ounce counts on your backpacking trip.

Walking shoes, on the other hand, are lightweight in design with flexible soles that can quickly adapt to any terrain. So which one would suit you better?

Weight

Hiking shoes have been streamlined to save weight, while they still offer great support and firmness. If you are hiking long distances, even a few hundred grams can make all the difference!

Walking shoes, in contrast, are far more comfortable to wear than the other ones. These shoes are ideal for walking on a calm terrain with no pebbles or climbing with their lightweight.

Hiking shoes are a perfect choice to save weight.

Material

Some hiking shoes have big mesh panels that allow your foot to breathe. However, these airy boots are not as waterproof as a high collar boot. They tend to get quite steamy inside with each step you take due to their lack of insulation.

Since walking shoes are designed for milder weather, they are typically manufactured with synthetic fabric uppers. Compared to shoes constructed completely of leather, they are significantly lighter, more pleasant, and ventilated. They also give great protection over the weather!

Hiking shoes

Durability

If you take care of your hiking shoes carefully, they can last longer than you expect. Though it is a pity that they are less durable than full walking shoes as they start to wear down around 25% sooner, the durability is still high compared to other types of footwear.

Similar materials such as nubuck, cordura, and bonded PU layer technology are commonly used in walking shoes. As a result, they deteriorate faster than leather boots yet weigh much less and don’t need a long breaking-in time. T3 winner Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX is a great illustration of how an innovative blend of upper materials can provide both durability and comfort right out of the box.

Therefore, walking shoes are the winner in this situation, thanks to their superior durability and great comfort.

Features

• Stability

Walking shoes offer a more flexible foundation and a lighter weight, so they are especially useful for long hikes and well-worn routes. On the other hand, hiking shoes are made of EVA midsoles and lightweight materials, making them less stable than regular boots.

If you are seeking steadiness, walking shoes should be a wonderful alternative.

• Waterproof 

You can choose between waterproof or non-waterproof walking shoes. With a waterproof lining, your walking shoes can ensure your feet are dry even on rainy days. Along with their great ability to keep the water out, these shoes might prevent your sweat from getting out of your shoes. In this case, a non-waterproof walking pair is surely a preferable option!

Hiking shoes should ideally be waterproof, but sometimes, excessive condensation building up inside might cause you discomfort. Yet, the benefits of these shoes are still numerous. Not only do they provide excellent protection when it is raining outside, but they can also perfectly protect your feet from rocks, glass shards, heavyweight, and other debris.

It would be best to choose shoes with a mesh base instead of leather, as they provide better breathability while still protecting your foot from rocks or broken glass.

Shoes with waterproof feature

• Ankle support

Is the ankle support worth it for such a little weight saving? Probably not.

According to a growing number of publications, significant ankle support is no longer necessary. It is recommended that you work out and stretch your ankles often to avoid ankle injuries. Shoes in this category are typically not very supportive.

Hiking Shoes Vs Walking Shoes: Pros And Cons

Hiking shoes

Pros

• Better breathability
• More versatile
• Improve stability
• Great solid sole and foot protection

Cons

• Lack of ankle support.
• More heavy.

Walking shoes

Pros

• More lightweight
• More affordable
• Great breathability
• Require less wearing

Cons

• Offer less protection
• Hard to clean
• Need regular reproof

Hiking Shoes Vs Walking Shoes: Which One Is Better?

A hiking shoe combines the finest features of hiking boots with trail runners. They give the same amount of protection as hiking boots, despite being lighter and more comfortable in comparison.

As a result of the increased protection, hiking shoes are meant to last longer (approximately 800 miles or 9-18 months for most people) but are less flexible than trail running shoes. For hikers, the ideal balance is between durability, lower weight, and protection.

Some hikers opt for walking shoes even though hiking shoes are a more visible and frequently more comfortable choice while ascending a steep incline. Since these walking shoes are significantly lighter than hiking shoes, this is possible.

Those who are not used to the heavyweight or not in top physical condition may want to get rid of those heavy hiking shoes. Finding shoes that accommodate difficulties, such as walking shoes, might be crucial for certain people!

Walking shoes

Conclusion

Hiking shoes vs walking shoes – Which is the winner? Which is the more suitable choice to pamper your feet?

In fact, both of them all have excellent performances. Depending on your specific needs, one may be better for you than the other!

If you are looking to go hiking in rough terrain, then a pair of hiking shoes is probably what you want. But if it is just everyday walks around town or light hikes where there will not be much uneven ground, then a good old-fashioned pair of walking shoes will do the trick!