Conclusion First

I’ve paid a lot of tuition on buying shoes.

My first pair of hiking boots was the cheapest pair from Decathlon, 199 yuan. After one trip to Qiandao Lake, my ankle was almost ruined. The second pair was “military boots” bought on Taobao, advertised as genuine leather and waterproof, but on rainy days I could have raised fish inside them. The third pair was Kailas, and finally it was right.

So this piece is a summary after spending over 2,000 yuan stepping into pitfalls. I hope you don’t take my old path.

Three Things to Look at When Choosing Shoes

First, high-cut.

For heavy-load hiking, high-cut is a must, no room for negotiation. Low-cut shoes are fine on flat roads, but carrying a 20 kg pack on scree slopes, with no ankle support, a sprain can happen in minutes. That time I wore low-cut shoes to Qiandao Lake, I twisted my ankle on the descent and it hurt for two weeks.

Second, the sole must be stiff.

Soft-soled shoes feel comfortable when walking, but after a long time the soles of your feet will hurt. Heavy-load hiking requires a sole with a certain stiffness to support your feet. A Vibram outsole is standard; don’t skimp on this.

Third, waterproof.

Mountain weather changes at a moment’s notice; it can be sunny in the morning and rain in the afternoon. With non-waterproof shoes on wet roads, your feet soak in water. Blisters are the mild outcome; fungal infection is the real trouble. Gore-Tex or other waterproof breathable fabrics are a must.

My Recommendations

Kailas Fuga EX

I’ve worn this pair for over half a year, hiked South Taihang and Wugong Mountain, and it’s currently the pair I’m most satisfied with.

The advantage is that the anti-slip is really good. Vibram Megagrip outsole, it doesn’t slip even on wet rocks. High-cut design, the ankle is wrapped very tightly, giving a strong sense of security on scree slopes. Breathability is also okay; it doesn’t make my feet stuffy in summer.

The disadvantage is that the sole is on the stiff side and needs break-in when new. The first time I wore it for 10 km, the soles of my feet hurt a little. But after wearing it a few times it was fine; the sole gradually softens according to your foot shape.

Price 400-500 yuan, very high cost-performance. Domestic shoes can reach this level, and I’m impressed.

Decathlon MH500

If you’re a beginner doing easy routes, this pair is enough.

Decathlon’s advantage is high comfort; you can wear it right out of the box without break-in. Waterproof performance is also decent; I’ve worn it through several rainy days and my feet stayed dry.

But for heavy loads, support is a bit lacking. I wore it on South Taihang, and after the hike my ankles were a bit sore. Maybe my ankles are weak, but Kailas on the same route had no such problem.

Price 300-400 yuan, suitable for light hiking and entry-level heavy-load hiking.

Camel Kunlun Mountain Series

If your budget is tight, you can consider this pair. You can get waterproof high-cut shoes for over 200 yuan, and the cost-performance is indeed high.

But quality control is not very stable. A friend of mine bought a pair, and the sole delaminated after three months. My other Camel pair lasted over half a year and was still fine; it depends on luck.

Anti-slip is average; be careful on wet rocks. Once I wore it through a stream valley and almost slipped into the water.

Suitable for friends who hike occasionally and have a limited budget.

Socks Are Also Important

Good hiking boots need to be paired with good socks; don’t wear cotton socks. Cotton socks don’t dry after getting wet, and feet soaking inside will blister.

Wool socks are recommended: breathable, moisture-wicking, and your feet stay dry all day. Smartwool is a bit expensive but really good. Decathlon’s SH500 is also okay, half the price, and the quality is acceptable.

Pitfalls When Buying Shoes

Finally, a few pitfalls I’ve stepped into:

  1. Don’t buy online. Hiking boots must be tried on; everyone’s foot shape is different. If you buy online and they don’t fit, returns and exchanges are troublesome.

  2. Don’t buy too cheap. Hiking boots under 100 yuan have soles as soft as slippers and can’t go far.

  3. Don’t buy too good-looking. Hiking boots are for walking, not for photos. Shoes that look good but aren’t practical end up gathering dust.

  4. Break them in ahead of time. After buying new shoes, wear them on a few short trips first; don’t go straight to long routes. The first time I wore new shoes on Wugong Mountain, I almost couldn’t make it back.

Final Words

Shoes are the foundation of hiking. Choose the right shoes, and the road goes far.

But in the end, shoes are just tools. What really matters is whether you’re willing to take that step.

“The road is under your feet, the shoes are on your feet, and the distant place is in your heart.”