There is no one best pair of hiking shoes. It depends on the shape of your feet, the temperament of the person wearing them, and what it's going to be used for. However, not many already know how to choose the right one for them. The best hiking boots will provide your feet appropriate traction, ankle support and will keep your feet warm, comfortable and secure from severe weather conditions. Due to the huge plethora of hiking shoes available in the market in the world today, making the perfect choice can often seem like a daunting task. In order to make that task simpler for you, we've put together a helpful checklist of features and specifications you can use in order to select the best hiking shoes:

Best Hiking Shoes Tip #1: Boot Types

Hiking shoes can be found in various types, designed for varying hiking trips. They can be broken down into classes:

Light hiking Shoes: they are designed for use on relatively easy ground, for short day trips. They are constructed from lightweight and breathable materials, that exceedingly flexible and supply optimum comfort for your feet. They are manufactured to versatile, and can be used on the trek and on the streets.

Hiking boots: this type of boots are aimed at long distance hiking trips and offer better feet and ankle support, compared to the previous model. Those features make it feasible for someone to carry light-weight to average weight rucksacks.

Mountaineering boots: this variety of hiking boot is intended to provide you with the necessary support, to lug around heavy loads over very long distances. Some styles under this type of category are made to fit crampons for snow and ice hiking, thanks to a dual layer of adaptable inner boot and hard surrounding shell (usually made out of plastic).

Best Hiking Shoes Tip #2: Cut of the Boot

The cut of your boot will often affect the level of support and comfort you'll get from your hiking boot. Low to mid-height cut is best for light hiking expeditions. The challenge of low cuts may be that sand, mud or any other type of small particles will find its way inside the shoe, making them uncomfortable to wear. Mid to high cuts are aimed at long-distance and intense terrain trekking trips.

Best Hiking Shoes Tip #3: Construction of the Boot

The construction materials used to manufacture a hiking boot will affect its weight, comfort, longevity and water resistance. Here are some elements that define a hiking boot:

Upper boot materials: Hiking boots may be made out of full-grain leather, split-grain leather, nubuck leather, manufactured and watertight lining materials. Every individual type of material has its own set of characteristics that affect the comfort, longevity, weather protection and aesthetics of a hiking boot.

Midsole materials: this is the substance found separating the grip giving outsole and the boots inner layer. They are meant to offer you cushioning and safeguard the feet from external shock. They are frequently produced from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyurethane. EVA is lighter, cushier and cheaper, however polyurethane is tougher and more enduring.

Support components: these are elements, found in the midsole sector, which are supposed to offer you additional support and better shock absorption. They can either be shanks, that can add load bearing stiffness on the sole, or plates, which safeguard the feet from roots or uneven rocks.

Outsoles: Lug patterns on the outsole affect the overall traction you will get while hiking; deep, thick lug tracks boost grip. Broadly spaced lugs will shed mud with ease, plus offer you reliable grip. The heel brake portion of the outsole will minimize your sliding while on steep descents.