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Can you run in hiking boots?

Hiking boots are made from thick, robust material with a tough sole that provides essential protection for trekking in rocky terrain. A hiking boot also provides superb ankle support thanks to its high collar, helping you avoid rolling or spraining your ankles. But is running in hiking boots possible? Trail running and fast hiking are exhilarating ways to explore the great outdoors. While you need tough footwear to handle pounding against the terrain in tough conditions, these boots are not designed for running. Whether you want to run over short or longer distances, you need lightweight, low-cut hiking shoes for men or women.

At Columbia Sportswear®, we have an impressive selection of hiking boots and durable, light hiking shoes that are ideal for running.

What are hiking boots for?

Snow boots and leather hiking boots are designed for walking long distances on rugged terrain. They protect your toes, feet, heels and ankles from hazards on rocky trails and keep your feet warm and cosy during cold-weather hikes. Thanks to their incredible durability, this footwear is built to last for miles and miles. They typically feature a tough outsole for excellent all-around traction, waterproof upper, and extra cushioning for enhanced comfort. But these benefits do come at a cost. While today's outdoor footwear are considerably lighter than their predecessors, they are still heavier and bulkier than fast hiking shoes. This makes running in them considerably more challenging and often requires a break-in period. Lighter, low-cut shoes offer much better agility and will help you move more efficiently with less fatigue.

Why are light hiking shoes more suitable for running?

For trail running or speed trail walking, you need footwear that combines the durability and protection you get from a good pair of walking shoes with the lightness of a trail running shoe. Light hiking shoes or low all-terrain shoes are lightweight enough not to weigh you down but have rigid enough soles to withstand rough terrain. They allow you to switch between trail running and walking. This type of footwear also features the same waterproofing technologies in our waterproof shoes for men and women, so wet weather doesn't have to slow you down. The right lightweight mountain hiking shoes for running will feature:

  • Low cuffs: With more freedom and mobility for your ankles, lightweight, low-cut, ultra-comfortable hiking shoes let you push forward as you run. And thanks to the low-cut design, there's no risk of your rubbing to your ankles.

  • Comfort: You can only run far if your feet are comfortable or you're worried about debris getting into your shoe or hitting your toes. Low-cut men's and women's hiking shoes have protective toe caps to shield toes and absorb the impact of falling debris and rocks. They also have front foot and heel deflection domes to minimise load impact and enhance recoil and comfort. On top of that, as your feet hit the ground, our Techlite™ midsole cushioning technology absorbs the impact, not your feet, toes or ankles.

  • Grip and stability: Pounding the trail as you run demands grippy soles to keep up the pace without missing a step. Our cushioned Omni-Max™ midsoles cushion and support your feet for enhanced stability. And that's not all; our Omni-Grip™ traction outsole provides excellent stability and grip on dry and wet surfaces. Meanwhile, ADAPT TRAX™ outsole technology provides superior traction on wet and dry surfaces with strategically positioned lugs and rubber outsole provides consistent grip and stability.

  • Waterproofing: While men's and women's hiking boots offer incredible weather protection, so do low-cut waterproof hiking shoes. Thanks to our innovative Omni-Tech™ waterproofing technology, water won't penetrate the shoe's fabric, even as you're stomping through puddles. Then there's our cutting-edge OutDry™ technology. This creates a waterproof seal on the outer layer of shoes, so there are no gaps for water to get in.

  • Breathability: The footwear's lighter weight and low-cut ankle make it cooler than a warm hiking boot, and a moisture management system designed to wick away moisture improves breathability.

What hiking socks do I need for running?

Don a pair of high-performance hiking socks for maximum comfort and support while trail walking or running. Their mesh breathable construction and Omni-Wick® wicking technology allow your feet to breathe. Meanwhile, their anti-bulk properties prevent the socks from uncomfortably bunching up in your mountain shoes.

Are you looking for more outdoor gear? Check out our range of hiking clothes for women and hiking sandals for men, with options for every type of terrain and hiker.