Hiking Shoes vs. Walking Shoes: Which Is Right for You?

Hiking shoes vs. walking shoes: which one is for you? To answer this question, you need to know how they differ. That’s also what we’re discussing!

Hiking Shoes vs. Walking Shoes: Comparison Table

The comparison of walking shoes and walking shoes is always a hot topic on footwear forums, and no one seems to be able to give a satisfactory answer.

No need to worry! You will learn how they are different and which is more suitable for you through the following article:

	Hiking Shoes	Walking Shoes
Price	More expensive	More affordable
Versatility	Typically only worn on the trail	Can be worn with regular clothing
Durability	Highly durable	Show wear and tear faster
Comfort	Better cushioning.	Light, breathable, and cool.
Weight	Heavy	Light
Balance	More useful when hiking with a heavy pack.	Lower drop and superb grip for walking with no backpack.
Support	Ankle and insole support.	Insole support.
Protection	Better protection from trail hazards and injuries.	Modern protection from trail hazards and injuries.

Hiking Shoes and Walking Shoes: What Are Differences?

Hiking Shoes and Walking Shoes are better for a specific purpose, which will discuss further in the following sections.

Versatility

The walking shoes win this round. They allow you to stay steady on many trails.

In addition, you can easily combine walking shoes with many different fashion styles, whether it is a pair of jeans or shorts.

Whether you walk on high hills or the high streets, you will feel comfortable in walking shoes.

Meanwhile, hiking shoes feel heavy and clunky when you aren’t out on the trails.

The winner is walking shoes.

Durability

Hiking Shoes will last longer as they are suitable for long walks.

They are made from stiffer, heavier materials (usually synthetics, leather, or suede), while their soles are made of super-durable rubber.

Since you can use walking shoes more often for more purposes, they will show signs of wear and tear faster.

Although some brands still produce durable shoes, walking shoes still lag behind hiking shoes in terms of overall durability.

The winner is hiking shoes.

Grip

The outsole of shoes can sometimes feature exceptionally aggressive and chunky lugs, while shoes are usually a bit less toothy. However, we decided that no one would win this round.

Shoe sole design is evolving rapidly, and countless shoes already give you a level of grip compared to the best boots.

The winner: Draw

Comfort

This depends mainly on the shape of your foot and the design of the individual shoes and boots. Both can give you the comfort you expect or the blisters waiting for you upfront.

Shoes often feel cooler and lighter and provide a much more comfortable feel in good conditions.

However, a pair of shoes will work well in colder conditions as they provide more cushioning to protect your feet from moisture or cold air.

The winner: Draw

Weight

Hiking shoes are far from being as light as walking shoes, although engineering materials have become increasingly sophisticated to allow them to become lighter.

Wearing lighter shoes means you will carry less weight on your feet. As a result, you’ll use less energy to lift each step, making your walk more enjoyable. You will also be able to walk farther.

Moreover, it’s also easy to bring less bulky and lighter trail shoes to transport while camping or traveling. So it’s no surprise that these shoes are ideal for exploring trails.

The winner is Walking shoes.

Balance

Hiking shoes often provide better balance than walking shoes due to their overall lift and ankle support.

You will see the benefits of hiking shoes when carrying a bag or backpack with loads of items that significantly affect your center of gravity.

Wearing hiking shoes will minimize the possibility of falling because carrying heavy loads leads to a loss of center of gravity.

However, if you’re just walking along the trails with no luggage on your back, you’ll be okay with walking shoes. Many shoes are designed with incredible grip to give you outstanding balance.

The winner is hiking shoes.

Support

There’s no denying that hiking shoes provide excellent arch support.

It is also understandable since they work well for the harsher conditions you may encounter while hiking.

However, by definition, they are not allowed past the ankle. So, you wouldn’t expect it to provide as much support as good boots with a great lacing system.

Winter hiking boots are even more supportive and rigid as they are built to withstand the rigors of mountaineering in winter.

The winner is hiking shoes.

Hiking Shoes and Walking Shoes: Which Is For You?

Based on the above head-to-head comparison, we can see that hiking shoes are slightly better. However, there are great things about walking shoes that hiking shoes are far from achieving.

So our advice is to buy both if you can. That way, you’ll have the proper footwear for any outdoor activities you’ve planned.

But if you can’t buy both, you should choose based on your needs.

Walking shoes are your best bet if you need something light and comfortable to take to the streets. On the other hand, if you need solid protection to walk on tricky terrain, you can’t go wrong with hiking shoes.

FAQs

Below here is common questions and answers related to Hiking Shoes vs Walking Shoes.

Can I Wear Hiking Shoes to Work?

The short answer is maybe. In addition to working well on the trail, hiking shoes are sometimes suitable for the job site. But hiking shoes are generally designed for a specific use case: Hiking.

Can I Wear Trail Shoes for Walking?

Although these shoes are for walking over rough terrain, you can use them to walk in casual circumstances or on the street.

What Is Special About Hiking Shoes?

Hiking shoes are more comfortable and lighter than hiking shoes while providing the same level of protection (except that the ankle part is usually not protected).

These shoes have a relatively long lifespan (about 9 to 18 months or 800 miles in most cases). However, they will be a bit heavier than walking shoes because of the extra layer of protection. They are also stiffer than trail runners.

Overall the lighter weight, excellent durability, and protection offer the ideal balance for hikers.

Should You Buy a Size Bigger in Hiking Shoes?

You should not wear too large hiking shoes. A pair of hiking shoes should fit snug everywhere, offer room to wiggle your toes, and be tight nowhere.

Should Hiking Shoes Be Tight or Loose?

Many hikers recommend that the proper hiking shoes be full or a half size larger than their regular shoe size. Wearing hiking shoes that are too loose or too tight is not good for your journey as they can lead to blisters.

Why Do My Hiking Boots Hurt My Toes?

Here are the main reasons why your hiking boots hurt your toes:

• Rubbing toes.
• Rest is not enough.
• The socks do not fit.
• Inappropriate lacing.
• Your backpack is overweight.
• Stepping directly down the slope
• Long nails with short boots.
• Bad adjustment for the ‘”longer toe.”

Should Hiking Boots Have a Heel?

Yes. It will ensure your foot’s grip on the ground. Thanks to that, you do not slip and fall when hiking.

The heels will support your feet when you go up or down on steep terrains, allowing your feet to be appropriately stable.

Is It Ok to Wear Running Shoes for Walking?

The answer is yes. Walking shoes and running shoes have similar qualities that make them interchangeable.

Running shoes are built to be durable for the strict needs of running, but they are excellent as walking shoes.

Are Walking Shoes or Walking Boots Better?

If you do more lightweight, casual walking, walking shoes will do the trick.

On the other hand, if you do longer-distance, more intensive walking over challenging terrains, walking boots are your best bet.

Should Walking Shoes Be Tight or Loose?

Walking shoes should comprise padding and contours conformed closely to the feet, delivering a snug fit at the midfoot and heel, with ample room in your forefoot.