Walking shoes vs walking boots | Columbia Sportswear®

When choosing new outdoor footwear, many face the dilemma of walking shoes vs. walking boots: which is better? Both types of footwear are great for exploring the outdoors, but certain differences can mean that one suits your needs better. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or an occasional trail walker, choosing the right type of footwear can make all the difference.

But the good news is that at Columbia Sportswear®, you’ll find a superb selection of outdoor footwear designed by hiking experts, from walking boots to hiking shoes and waterproof shoes for men. And just like our hiking clothes for men and women, our footwear features innovative cushioning, waterproofing and traction technologies.

Now, let's explore the differences (and similarities) to help you decide the right option.

Walking shoes vs walking boots: what's the difference?

Whether a low hiking shoe or hiking boot, your footwear is your most important piece of hiking gear. However, while both are designed for walking and hiking, there are some important differences. Here's a comparison to highlight their differences:

Terrain

Walking boots are heavier than shoes and are designed to help you navigate rocky trails, especially in muddy or boggy conditions. They are excellent at tackling the terrain that standard trainers would not be able to handle. They’ll also keep you stable while walking through ice and snow, especially snow boots with Omni-Grip™ all-terrain traction technology and our Adapt Trax™ rubber outsole. Meanwhile, walking shoes excel on flatter and well-maintained paths thanks to their comfortable and lightweight design.

Insulation

When it's cold and wet, you will appreciate the increased insulation and Omni-Heat™ reflective lining of high-cut men’s and women’s hiking shoes and boots. However, they can be extremely uncomfortable when it’s hot and humid. With their breathable materials, a lighter, low hiking shoe is a much better choice in hot weather and when the ground is dry.

Ankle support

Men’s and women’s hiking boots offer considerable ankle support that is great for tackling different types of terrain. As they stop you from making extreme movements, you avoid the risk of twists sprains and other injuries to your ankle when fatigue kicks in. Mens walking sandals or mountain shoes don’t offer the same support. However, they do provide much better freedom of movement. Boots are your sole mate if you’re concerned about potential ankle injuries. Alternatively, if you’re confident in your balance and have no ankle issues, you’ll likely find a pair of comfortable hiking shoes the best option.

Waterproofing and breathability

At Columbia Sportswear®, we offer waterproof hiking shoes and boots that feature our innovative Outdry™, Omni-Tech™and Omni-Shield™ waterproofing technologies. These technologies prevent water from penetrating the footwear while allowing moisture to escape. However, if you’re facing light rain and fairly manageable puddles, mountain hiking shoes will likely be more comfortable than boots. But if you are up against heavy rain and exceptionally wet and muddy terrain, the deeper soles and taller design of boots make them more resistant to water getting in from the top.

Durability

Traditionally, you would have expected leather hiking boots to last considerably longer than all-terrain shoes. However, today’s modern materials have significantly shrunk this gap. All-leather boots are now much lighter and more comfortable than their predecessors while still just as long-lasting as ever. However, rather than automatically opting for boots in terms of durability, pay close attention to the construction quality and materials used in the footwear for greater longevity.

Comfort

Many walkers prefer shoes to boots because they don’t restrict the ankle and require less breaking in time. It’s also presumed they are less likely to cause blisters. However, do your feet often feel sore after you’ve finished your walk rather than during it? If that’s the case, you may benefit from a good boot's more solid soles. Boots will spread out the impact of walking on stones. Combined with the extra cushioning provided by hiking socks, it also helps reduce bruising or uncomfortable soreness on the bottom of your feet.

Need a new hiking jacket for your next hike? Whatever the terrain and weather conditions, we have jackets to match, from lightweight to waterproof and cosy fleece options.

Should you buy walking shoes or walking boots?

When it comes to choosing between walking shoes or walking boots, ask yourself these questions:

Do you mainly stick to paths or like going for an off-road ramble? A hiking shoe may be right up your street if you typically walk on paths. However, a boot will provide you with the necessary support and protection if you prefer more rugged terrain.
Do you tend to walk for long distances or prefer to keep your walks short? The longer you walk, the more support you need from your footwear. Trekking shoes are ideal and less restrictive for relatively short walks. A boot will provide more support for longer walks, especially if you’re carrying a heavy backpack.
Will you be walking in wet conditions? Both shoes and boots can have superb waterproofing technologies; boots will withstand more aggressive and persistent weather! Meanwhile, shoes are perfect for warm, dry walks with the occasional light shower.

What are you waiting for? Grab your backpack, don your boots and hit the trail!

What is the difference between walking shoes and walking boots?