Can Hiking Shoes be Used for Walking – Is It Right for you?

It’s easy to assume that a good pair of hiking shoes is best suited for running up steep mountainsides or jumping over logs, but it’s not necessarily true.

If you’re looking for hiking shoes, but you don’t want to pay thousands of dollars, consider buying second-hand or used hiking shoes. Used hiking shoes are actually a good choice for anyone, and they can be a lot cheaper than buying brand new hiking shoes. Used hiking shoes are still safe, and they often have the same features that you’d expect from hiking shoes. If you’re looking for used hiking shoes, here are some things to consider when you’re shopping around:

Why hike a mile when you can hike 20 miles? Or even 100 miles if you want? In this article, I’ll show you how to make your hiking boots double as walking shoes and even shoes for running.

Can Hiking Shoes be Used for Walking

Many people wonder if you can wear your hiking shoes for casual walking. While these shoes have different intended purposes, can you wear them interchangeably? In this article, we’ll examine why you would or wouldn’t choose to wear your hiking shoes for walking.

Although hiking shoes and boots are best for walking through rugged terrain, they can be used to walk on the street or in casual situations as well. Wearing hiking shoes while walking on the street can give you better support and keep your feet warm. Hiking shoes are more durable, however, than regular shoes and can wear out faster with everyday use.

Although they’re different, hiking shoes and boots are vastly different than the normal walking shoe. So it’s really up to you to decide if you want to wear your hiking shoes for walking.

Yet, I personally use my hiking shoes for normal walking and have had no problems. Granted, much of my walking does have some form of uneven ground and it is not totally on pavement, but regardless, I still use them for walking. To learn more about the differences between hiking shoes, hiking boots, and hiking boots, read on!

What is the Difference Between Walking Shoes and Hiking Shoes?

While many people use hiking boots and hiking shoes interchangeably, there is a clear distinction between the two types of shoes. When it comes to appearance, there is certainly a difference between hiking boots and hiking shoes. For instance, to run in approach shoes tend to have a higher rise than hiking shoes.

Even so, hiking boots do tend to be thicker, heavier, and chunkier than hiking shoes. Yet, hiking boots do tend to have more protection simply because they do have a higher heel and occasionally a thicker sole.

When choosing between hiking shoes and hiking boots, the decision is really up to you. Besides, hiking shoes tend to be lighter and they may even be a better choice if you are using them for both hiking and casual walking.

Hikers who don’t want to feel like their feet are being crushed by a pair of hiking boots or their ankles are being pinched by a pair of hiking shoes, might prefer trail runners instead. They are generally lighter than hiking boots, and more comfortable for longer distances. But if it comes down to a choice, there is one clear winner when it comes to hiking shoes, trail runners, and trail runners.

Are Hiking Boots Better Than Walking Shoes?

Casual walking shoes are better than hiking boots for hiking on flat even terrain. Hiking boots or shoes make sense for casual walking if you don’t want to spend money on more shoes or if you need additional support and sole strength that walking shoes don’t have.

Why hike a mile when you can hike 20 miles? Or even 100 miles if you want? In this article, I’ll show you how to make your hiking boots double as walking shoes and even shoes for running.

Is it OK To Wear Hiking Shoes Everyday?

For anything, there’s a trade-off between using your hiking shoes for walking around at work or town vs. only using your hiking shoes for hiking on trails.

It’s perfectly fine to wear hiking shoes everyday. However, realize that they’re not meant to be everyday shoes and they may not be the most comfortable to wear as more lightweight shoes. On the other hand, you may find your hiking shoes to be more comfortable than your casual shoes for certain situations (and feet). Here are some reasons for and against using your hiking shoes or boots for walking:

Reasons To Use Hiking Boots/Shoes For Walking

For me personally, I use my hiking boots for hiking. Of course, many of the walks that I do take on tend to be on trails or on pavement that will lead to a trail. However, there are many reasons why you could benefit from using or hiking boots for walking. One reason is that hiking boots or shoes alone may be the reason you decide to use your hiking boots or shoes for walking.

Support and Cushioning

Backpacking boots are known for their extra support and cushioning. Because these are the shoes that hikers or backpackers will wear for miles on end, they need to have extra support and cushioning to walk over rough terrain for numerous miles.

Of course, sometimes hiking boots or shoes can be on the stiffer side, so if you do need to add more cushioning to your shoe, some hikers recommend adding a second pair of socks onto your feet when you wear your shoes. Naturally, this might also make your feet overheat, so it’s up to you to decide what works best.

If you want to learn more about why wearing two pairs of socks can actually save your feet from blisters, click here.

Don’t Have To Buy More Shoes

There are a number of reasons why you might want to swap out your normal walking shoes for hiking boots when going for a walk. However, if you’re the person who likes to have many different types of shoes to complement your wardrobe, this may be a benefit or a drawback.

On the other hand, if you were looking to save some money and only had one pair of shoes for your outdoor activities, swapping out your normal walking shoes for hiking boots may be one of your best options.

Tough Soles

While some walking shoes, sandals, and fashion shoes don’t have tough soles, hiking boots/shoes are designed to protect your feet. That being said, they usually have tough, thick soles that protect your feet from the terrain.

Obviously, you don’t always need these tough, and sometimes heavier, soles for walking. They may be great if your daily walk includes some wooded areas or gravel paths. However, if you are walking on a paved road, this protection is overkill.

Quality Material

Like most types of shoes or even running shoes, hiking shoes and boots are generally made from tougher materials. In fact, many hiking shoes and boots are designed to be waterproof that can help keep your feet dry and comfortable as long as you don’t step into any puddles (in that case, sometimes the waterproof shoes take much longer to dry). While this does make the shoe typically thicker and bulkier, it does provide some additional protection for your feet from rocks, stumps, and of course, water.

Ankle Support

Hiking shoes and boots are designed with ankle support in mind. Because hikers usually have to walk over rough or uneven terrain, it’s crucial that hiking boots have that support so that hikers don’t twist ankles or otherwise injure themselves.

Though this is among the most important factors to consider when choosing whether or not you should wear your hiking shoes for walking because even if you’re walking on a flat surface, having that extra support might prevent any overuse injuries and may help support your stride.

Yet, you likely don’t need a ton of ankle support for walking on flat surfaces. So even though this may be important for walking on rough terrain, it’s not necessary if you’re just using them for walking on pavement.

If you find your ankles hurting after hiking, it’s worth talking to a qualified professional who can help diagnose what foot support your body needs to do the hikes you want to.

Traction

The increased amount of traction is definitely a benefit to wear hiking shoes for walking. Similarly, like having extra ankle support, hiking boots need to have traction so that hikers don’t slip as they climb over rocks or possibly wet or icy terrain. If you are hiking on snowy and icy streets, this could be just what you want.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it’s very difficult to find hiking shoes that are comfortable. After all, we spend a significant amount of time walking, and this can lead to blisters and calluses. If you are looking for hiking shoes that are comfortable, here are some tips. First of all, choose your shoes correctly.

Check out the size guide to get the right hiking shoes. When choosing, remember to consider the terrain you will be walking on. You may also want to wear socks, which help to cushion your feet. Choose a pair of hiking shoes that are light and flexible. Don’t over tighten the laces, and don’t forget to put them on properly. Also, make sure to replace them once they start to fall apart.