My Best Advice For Thru Hiking Footwear (after 11,000 miles)

Your feet and the shoes you wear is the most important part of any thru hike. You've set off on the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail and now you must walk that distance, comfortably, and happily! You must take care of your feet, and finding the right footwear for you is a good first step in doing so. So here is my best advice when it comes to hiking shoes.

Take note of what the most popular shoes out there are! But keep in mind just because they are popular doesn't mean they are the best for your feet! Try them in different sizes and be sure! Try them locally on trails before trying them on a thru hike. A problem with a shoe near home is a much better problem to have than a problem out in the middle of a long distance hike. You may love one of these popular models or brands, but don't get it and use it for the sole reason that it is popular. Everyone's feet are different. Try them on, test them out, return them, whatever it takes.

Some of the most popular shoes on the market:

The shoes I have personally been wearing:

How long should shoes last on a thru hike? I've known people who replace shoes after just 400 miles and I've known people who have squeezed more than 1,000 miles out of a single pair! I think you can guess at who would have the lower chance of injury. The person who replaces shoes more frequently. Not allowing a shoe to get too worn, the cushion totally deflate, or rips up the sides form letting rocks enter the shoe. Somewhere in between 500-800 miles is ideal. But use your own judgement! This isn't a science as everyone beats in shoes differently. I am 190lbs and 6'2" and I will go through shoes much faster than someone who is 30lbs lighter than I am. Always pay close attention to your shoes and how beat up they are. Take note of how your feet are feeling, and buy new shoes when necessary. Comfort is much more important than durability here. If a shoe feels amazing but only lasts 500 miles I would rather have that than a shoe that lasts longer but doesn't feel good.

Don't stock up on shoes before a thru hike, buy as you go. Your preference for shoes may change, and certainly the size of shoe you wear will change. Buy online as you go, or find a store in a trail town.

You must try them on first. Whether that is at a local running store, REI, or buying a few different sizes from amazon where you can easily return them should they not feel right. Buy the shoes that feel amazing from the first try on. If they rub you in a weird way, if they feel funny, if they are too tight, or too loose they are likely not the best shoe for you. They must feel perfect from that very first try.

Don't expect that a shoe will 'break in' over time. Most modern shoes and especially trail running shoes do not have a break in period, and if they do it is very minimal. If it doesn't feel right from the first time you put them on, don't expect that to change 100 miles from now.

Consider half a size up. During a thru hike your feet will get bigger, they will get more muscular, they will flatten and your toes will splay, your feet will swell. So I think a half size up is a good bet, overtime you may find you need a full size larger, or even more! Start with the shoe that feels best, but over time take note of how your feet feel and if you need to go larger next time.

If during your hike you find that something isn't working, don't be afraid to change and try a different shoe. I saved my Arizona Trail thru hike by changing shoes when my first pair was causing problems. If I had stuck with that first pair I surely would have found myself injured. Just because you bought it, and shoes are expensive, try not to resign yourself to it. The overall hike is more important.

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[JupiterHikes]

As a little extra here, if you are having struggles on the trail try different lacing techniques! Some can help relieve pressure in certain areas and help prevent blisters or just make a shoe feel better overall. Thank you for watching!

[Henning_Rech]

Top notch thoughts. Facts like "durability depends on weight" and "different trails need different shoes" are rarely mentioned, but reflect my (very little) experience.

[dermotcosgrove]

Had me at the honesty from the get go compared to a lot of other reviewer trying to sell people on a brand...I can't wear Altras but have been really happy with Hokas & going to be trying Inov8.

[ceciliawisen]

Gotta say it's refreshing to hear that you don't praise one brand only, but encourage people to try on all kinds of shoes and find whats best for *them*. That is sometimes forgotten when people ask for advice.

[rogerc]

I traded the word "shoe" for "mate". Then you were making good sense- deep thoughts to ponder. The perfect one feels great from the get-go, no break in period needed!

[stevewright]

I stopped using trail runners by accident. I was using Topos. I still like them, but I was having hamstring issues. My hamstrings just felt weak all the time. My knees and feet ached all the time. I bought a new pair of hiking boots that were on sale around Thanksgiving. I wanted something to wear in the snow and sloppy weather of winter. Other than trying the boots on for fit, they stayed in the box. I probably had them for a month before I started to wear them after the weather outside finally started to get bad. The thing I noticed after 3 days of using them was my feet and knee stopped aching. My hamstrings started feeling better. I think the issue I'm having with the trail runners is the drop. Even a Topo with a 4-5 mm drop still needs to be higher for me. I got high arches. I'll keep looking for a shoe, but I think I'm over low drop shoes.

[kayasper]

For my last hike I bought a pair of the Merell Moab 2 shoes and absolutely love them. One size up, like you say.

[coasternut]

I still love my Vivos. When I added padding, I got shin splints. I got rid of the padding all together and haven't been hurting since

[syindrome]

Spittin' shoe truths right here 👍🏽
Just want to comment on the Hoka stability remark since I've heard it from several hikers that haven't actually worn them: from my experience a higher stack is NOT inherently more unstable. I have twisted my ankle on flat ground with 5mm stack Reef loafers and been stable on trail with Hoka Challengers. Ankle strength and mobility is a big part, but also how sloppy or not the fit is imo will play a more important role that the stack.

[Brandonreisinger]

thats a killer shirt dude! I used Merrill trail gloves for all of 2021. I noticed this past year I hike completely different with those shoes. I step intentionally and therefor my feet take less wear and tear. The thinner the outsole the more comfortable I feel. its a weird thing.

[bassenji]

So much wisdom in one video, this is the best summed up video about thru hiking shoes I've seen :) Thanks Jupiter! I hope go get on Arizona Trail next year. Greetings from Belgium.

[northtexashiker]

My perfect shoe is the Altra Lone Peak. Perfect blend of comfort and protection from rocks. But I have almost flat feet and I think they don't work very well if you have high arches. Been wearing altras for four years now and last about 8-10 months before they get too worn down.

[ThanatosWings]

I tried on a bunch in an athletic store in the middle of nowhere cause my shoes died and I liked the Saucony Peregrine 11. Probably something I would have never wore but man they're super comfy, my new fav. Light, med thick sole with rockplate, good on wet rock, and cloth is weather proof and strong.

Thanks for the info. So right. And I love how soothing you sound tbh. Very calming. Great vid.

[stellablue]

Thank you so much for the info. I never thought about the fat cushion being a stability hazard. I'm currently looking into purchasing a pair hiking shoes.

[johanneslinder]

Hi, did you have a chance to test the new version of the Joey yet?... Sorry, it might not really fit the theme of this particular video l but I thought im gonna try and ask you on the latest :)

Greetings from Germany
I really enjoy your videos!

[gracebarrett-johnson]

Too many consecutive 30+ mile days on the AT turned my feet from a size 8.5 to a size 9.5 or 10. Even after they recovered and the swelling went away, none of my size 8.5 shoes fit quite right anymore, and neither do size 9's. Such is the life of the hiker/trail runner :)

[WALKITOFFDavidSmith]

I've tried everything from Altras to Hokas, and they're great, but my wide ass feet have fallen in love with New Balance "More Trail". I don't know why more long distance hikers aren't talking about these but I'll put them to the test on the A.T. soon. Enjoyed the video Jupiter and looking forward to following your journey on the PCT. I know you'll crush it but best of luck anyway.

[cottontalesfromthetrail]

I wear the Altra Lone Peak Superiors. The zero drop shoes are tough on senior hikers Achilles’ tendons, but I went barefoot for six months preparing to wear the Altras. I change shoes around 400 miles, maybe 450 if I need to stretch them. I think trying new things is a great hiking philosophy. Happy Hiking Jupiter

[matjobin]

Great to see someone else using the Mesa Trail. Picked a pair up last summer and they've been really digging them so far on the trail. For me they've been very comfortable, great ground feel, quick drying and light. I'm happy that they have the zero drop and foot shape too. I bought a pair of the Xero Alpine and they've been great with the deep cold and snow this winter in the northeast. Loved the video Jupiter!

[arlaabrell]

Good solid video, I agree completely with everyone's feet are different and no one shoe is ever best for everyone - I often think of the little Mexican Abuelitas I've seen carrying babies and toddlers though surefooted as can be and springing along on rough mountain paths in flat leather sandals as if their feet gave them absolutely no trouble at all, and they do that every day, then I think of most Americans and Europeans who need well built and supportive shoes to just get through a few miles. I'll be the first to say that I NEED GOOD shoes in those sort of conditions and that is partly because I have always worn good shoes, my whole life, I believe we may be doing ourselves a disservice sometimes by not letting our feet become naturally strong and sure from an early age as do most people in less affluent cultures.