To give you an idea of the many factors that will determine the fit of your hiking shoes, let’s take a look at the anatomy of the human foot. Your feet have some big toes, some long toes, and some small toes.
Most people have arched feet, which gives them a higher arch and a more stable stance. And finally, your feet are shaped differently depending on their activity.
If you spend most of your time standing, you’ll want a stiff and stable shoe. If you spend a lot of time walking, you’ll probably want a shoe with some flexibility. If you do many walks on hills and uneven terrain, you’ll need a supportive shoe.
On the trail, you will want a comfortable shoe that provides good traction.
To find the right fit, you should try on the same number of hiking shoes in different lengths, widths, arch support, and other characteristics.
Let’s look at how you should determine the right fit for your hiking shoes.
Find the right fit first.
Finding the right fit is a lot easier if you first find the right fit. This requires a few simple steps.
If you are unsure which size to choose, go with your normal shoe size. You should be able to put your foot in the shoe and have some room for the toes.
If you feel like the shoe is too tight or too big, choose the smaller or larger size, respectively.
First, try on different sizes of the same shoe. As mentioned above, there should be some room for the toes. If the shoe is too tight, there should be wiggle room.
If the shoe is too big, you shouldn’t feel like you’re walking around in a shoe.
Try on different lengths.
Hiking shoes often come in different lengths. This can come in handy if you have a pet who likes to walk with you or have long legs. If you have shorter legs, you might run into some issues with the fit of longer shoes.
Another reason to try on different lengths is if you know you’ll be doing a lot of uneven ground, like rocky trails. You might want a shorter shoe if you know you will be doing a lot of downhill walking.
Before you start trying on different shoe lengths, look at your bare feet. Are your feet long? Shorter? What does that look like in the photos?
Wear different widths
Wearing different-width shoes, especially different shoes from the same brand, can help you determine the correct fit.
This is useful when you have two different styles of shoes from the same company.
You’re wearing one pair with normal feet and another with narrow or wide feet. You might want to wear shoes with a wider width.
Know your arch type
Knowing your arch type can help you determine the right fit for your hiking shoes. First, you want to find the shape of your shoes.
This can be difficult because you don’t usually wear hiking shoes when you’re at home. You would wear normal shoes in your everyday life, so finding the correct fit might be challenging.
The best way to find the correct fit is to walk around. How do your feet feel while you walk? Are you feeling any pain or discomfort?
Your arch type might be different from what the company recommends.
To find your arch type, you’ll want to stand next to a wall. This will allow your heel to come off the ground. Your foot should feel like it’s in a neutral position.
If you feel sore in your heel and toes, that’s a sign that your foot is turned out and you have a flat arch. If you don’t feel sore, you have a high arch.
Check the fit of the heel.
The heel of your hiking shoes should fit snugly. This ensures that your foot has room to move while still providing the support it needs when walking.
If the heel of your hiking shoes is too tight, you might be uncomfortable after a while. Your heel should fit snugly enough to provide support but not so tight that it cuts off your circulation.
Check the fit of the toe.
The toe box of your hiking shoes should be snug but not too tight. This ensures that your toes are not pinched and have room to move.
If the toe box of your hiking shoes is too tight, you might experience blisters after a while. Your toes should feel like they can wiggle in the toe box.
Check the fit of the midsole.
The midsole of your hiking shoes should fit snugly. This is the part of the shoe between the heel and the toe.
The fit of the midsole is important because it helps provide support while walking. If the midsole of your hiking shoes is too tight, your foot will feel like it’s sitting on a block of wood when walking.
FAQs
How often should I replace my shoes?
You should replace your shoes after 400-500 miles of walking. This is because the soles of your shoes will wear down with each step. Worn-out soles mean that the risk of injury while hiking increases significantly.
Are there different types of arch support?
Yes! There are three types of arch support: low, medium, and high arches. You should know what type of arch support you have before purchasing hiking shoes. This ensures that you purchase a pair with the correct fit for your feet and toes.
Wrap up: How Should Hiking Shoes Fit?
The anatomy of the human foot will help you determine the right fit for your hiking shoes.
Your foot should fit in the shoe snugly, with room for movement and without being pinched. The heel should be snug enough to provide support but not so snug that it cuts off the circulation in your foot. The toe box should be snug but not too tight. And the midsole should fit snugly but not too tight.
This is a lot to think about when you buy hiking shoes. Many factors go into finding the right fit for your feet. These include the anatomy of your foot, shoe length, shoe width, shoe style, and other factors. With so many factors to consider, it cannot be easy to find the right fit for your feet.
The guide above can help you determine the right fit for your feet.
