Best Footwear for Hiking in Scotland

Ankle Support – an oft-cited phrase that’s rarely explained. Proponents of boots will tell you that having the extra ankle support of a boot is essential when hiking to reduce the risk of a sprained or strained ankle when moving with a heavy load. That’s why soldiers wear high boots.

Some of our higher difficulty walking trips will require moving along angled rocks – for these type of situations it is essential to invest in boots with good ankle support

Let’s think about that. A sprain happens when your foot is over-extended beyond the limits of the ligaments and muscles, causing a rupture or tear. It typically happens with a slip or if you ‘go over’ on your foot, hyperextending it. To entirely prevent that a boot would have to be so close fitting that it eliminated your ankle mobility completely and locked it in place. To walk in such a boot would be a nightmare, and the fact is that boots do not prevent the possibility of going over on your ankle.

Whether they reduce the possibility or not… well, the jury is still out. As far as we know, there are no scientific studies on this. The one thing that’s proven to reduce the chance of a sprain is good ankle strength and flexibility i.e it’s about your fitness more than your footwear.

But there’s another thing that boots do for your ankles that shoes do not – impact protection. In any terrain with loose rocks shoes leave your ankle bone exposed to injury from impact whether you accidentally bang your ankle on a rock, one rolls into you or you slip and catch it on something. In that situation having a thick piece of material over your ankle can definitely save you from an uncomfortable bruise or worse.

Verdict: Boots may not provide any additional protection against sprains, but they do provide physical protection to more of your foot. That can make a big difference if you are spending a long day on the hill.

Breathability is the concept of how well your shoes let the sweat of your foot evaporate through the material. If your shoe does not breathe then your feet end up drenched in sweat.

You’ll find yourself in all sorts of different environments and weather conditions – hiking boots are created to be breathable for a number of situations.

There is still a pervasive idea that boots do not breathe as well as shoes so your feet will get sweaty, making them less comfortable and increasing the chance of problems such as blisters. Although it depends on the material of the boot this idea is basically outdated. Modern boots are often made of exactly the same materials as hiking shoes and indeed they are often matching models – the boot the same as the shoe just with a higher cut on the ankle. So really there is no problem with breathability for boots. Leather boots, if well looked after, will actually breathe really well and keep your foot comfortable in all but the hottest summer days.

Verdict: Boots breathe just as well as trainers in all but the hottest weather.

Modern hiking shoes with waterproofing membranes such as Goretex are made in exactly the same way as waterproof hiking boots, so why should they be any worse at keeping the water out?  The answer is they are not until the water comes over the side. Boots have a higher side which means you can stay dry in deeper water, boggy patches or terrain with lots of wet vegetation. With a decent boot, you can even cross straight through shallow streams and come out dry and happy on the other side.

Waterproof hiking boots vs Waterproofing membranes (Gore-Tex). Which is better?

The other advantage of the high boot cut is that it also helps keep out bits of vegetation, stones etc. In summer it can get really annoying when little bits of heather break off as you walk through it and they work their way into your shoes and get stuck in the weave of your socks!

Verdict: Boots will definitely keep your feet drier, especially on rainy days or on wet ground.

One definite advantage of boots is that they are generally made with a very deep, positive grip on the soles. Often the sole is made of a much more durable material such as Vibram which will wear much more slowly than the softer materials generally found in trainers. And as you will tend to wear your boots only when hiking, the soles last much longer. That helps to keep you safe and injury free as a shoe that has started to wear smooth becomes a slip risk.

Boots with a good grip will help climb rocky terrain

Shoes also tend to have a thinner sole, and while some people prefer the increased awareness this gives you of what’s under the foot, you don’t necessarily want to feel every stone. It can become very uncomfortable in stony areas if the ground creates uneven pressure points in your feet.

Verdict: Boots are generally grippier on rock and wet ground, but if your shoes are new they will probably be ok. The thicker sole of a boot also protects your feet from rocks and provides a stable platform to stand on.

One good argument in favour of the shoe is that the lower cut around the ankle enables much more freedom of movement for your foot. And it’s true, no doubt about it.

Then there are the times you want to take your boots off and feel the sand under your feet.

But do you need that?

I have certainly enjoyed the improved mobility of my foot when out on both hills and mountains – running, climbing and scrambling. But those activities all require more motion from your foot and a greater range of motion to match foot to terrain than a walking gait. For hiking, I’m taking a boot every time. Hiking means tens of thousands of steps in a repetitive way, and boots are designed to enable this motion while protecting and supporting the foot.

The other argument is that boots are so much heavier than shoes and the extra weight will lead to increased fatigue and clumsiness. But again, modern boots are often the same as shoes, and there are numerous lightweight options available. No-one needs to be burdened by boots that are too heavy these days.

Verdict: Yes, shoes give your foot more mobility. But you don’t necessarily need it, and modern lightweight boots weigh little more than shoes so there’s no need to worry that boots will be more tiring to walk in.

Go for boots that provide enough cushioning to withstand the impact of a week’s worth of hiking. We always recommend sturdy, fully waterproofed boots with good ankle support and a decent grip on the sole.