Except for certain circumstances, I tend to reserve my hiking boots, especially the bulky ones, for use out on the trails. However, I’ve noticed a lot of people wearing hiking boots for everyday activities and know that they’re considered stylish for casual wear.
So, can you wear hiking shoes every day? There’s no standard answer, but there are definitely things you should think about as you decide.
If you love your hiking boots so much that you’d like to wear them every day, continue reading. Here I tell you all of the things you should consider before you wear hiking shoes as casual shoes.
Is It OK To Wear Hiking Shoes On A Daily Basis?
Although wearing your hiking boots daily will not cause any damage to your feet, it will cause your boots to suffer from wear and tear more quickly.
Since hiking boots are expensive, you likely don’t want to replace them more often than necessary.
If you’re looking for a hiking shoe with good stability for everyday use, consider wearing trail runners or regular running shoes instead of boots.
I know that when I invest in a new pair of quality hiking boots and adequately complete the break-in period, I want to ensure they’re in the best condition possible for hikes.
For this reason, I generally don’t wear them more often than needed.
However, if you really want to wear your hiking boots daily, consider the following pros and cons first.
Pros Of Wearing Hiking Shoes For Everyday Use
They Provide Good Ankle Support
If you suffer from weak ankles or find that you twist them often, you might like hiking boots’ great ankle support since they’re designed for use on uneven terrain.
They’re also helpful if you’re recovering from an ankle injury. I wore my hiking boots for a short while after I sprained my ankle and needed to keep them wrapped while it recovered.
However, unless you really require extra ankle support daily, you likely don’t need as much as hiking boots provide. In fact, they may limit your ankle movement too much, and that’s not the best for your feet every day.
They Insulate Your Feet in Cold Weather
Hiking boots make a good alternative to snow boots in winter or cold weather conditions. They provide extra insulation and hold heat in better than most everyday shoes. Additionally, many hiking boots are waterproof, keeping your feet dry in the snow.
However, your feet may sweat in hiking boots even in the winter if you wear them indoors. They aren’t very breathable. I know that my feet tend to get warm in hiking boots very quickly when I’m hiking, even in the winter. So they’re best left if you spend significant time outdoors in freezing temperatures.
If you are looking for winter hiking boots, we’ve compiled a list of the best hiking boots for winter that we trust, tried, and tested.
They Provide Good Traction
Hiking shoes provide great traction because of their deep tread. This feature can be helpful if you know you’ll need to walk on ice or other slippery areas. However, unless you really need the traction, you’d likely be better off with different shoes.
Cons Of Wearing Hiking Shoes For Everyday Use
They’re Not Necessary for Most Situations
As I mentioned, you likely don’t need to wear hiking shoes every day, as most typical daily situations don’t require the extra features hiking footwear provides.
Daily walking and activities do not have the same risk of foot injuries as hiking in the wilderness or on rough terrain.
For regular walks around the neighborhood or day-to-day errands, I recommend you wear tennis shoes or walking shoes instead.
If you want the look of a hiking shoe for day use, choose trail runners instead of boots.
They’re Not Great for Driving
I don’t recommend wearing your hiking shoes if you’ll be driving a lot during the day. Hiking footwear does not work well with how your foot needs to move when pressing the pedals properly.
Since they’re so bulky, you might have difficulty moving your foot from the gas to the break quickly enough to react to driving situations.
The traction can also pose a problem by causing your foot to stick to the pedals or between them, and finally, often, hiking boots have a longer lace than other casual shoes, which can also get stuck.
I never put my hiking boots on before driving to the area where I’ll complete my hike. Instead, I drive there in regular running shoes or sandals and change into my boots at the start of the trail. Then, when I complete the hike, I change back into my other shoes for the drive back home.
They Will Wear Out More Quickly
Most quality hiking boots will last you anywhere from 500 to 1000 miles. However, wearing hiking boots casually will make these miles add up more quickly. Since hiking boots are more expensive than other casual shoes, you may want to consider saving them for hiking only.
As mentioned, the tread on hiking boots is designed for specific types of terrain. Wearing them a lot on concrete pavement or other surfaces will cause the tread to break down sooner. Once you have worn out the tread on your hiking boots, you’ll need to replace them.
They Don’t Work Great for Regular Exercise
Although hiking is a great form of exercise, hiking boots do not translate well as suitable footwear for other activities. For example, you’ll never want to go for a long run in a pair of hiking boots.
They are heavy and don’t absorb shock as well, so they could make your feet hurt. Instead, stick to running shoes or lightweight trail runners for these situations.
Other types of exercises typically require that you wear shoes that allow your feet to move freely. Hiking boots have stiff soles and don’t provide that movement so they will be uncomfortable.
They Cause Your Feet to Sweat
Aside from lightweight shoes made for breathability during trail running, most hiking boots, especially leather ones, are not very breathable. Additionally, you typically wear thick socks to help avoid rubbing and blisters, which causes your foot to sweat even more.
I do not recommend that you wear hiking boots casually in the summer, as you will find that your feet will feel extremely uncomfortable.
What Types Of Shoes Are Best For Daily Use?
Best Choice For Men
Some good casual shoe choices in the spring and summer include running shoes, hiking/sports sandals, or loafers if you need more formal shoes.
During the fall and winter, snow or rain boots, trail runners, or duck boots work well for the daily conditions that you’ll face.
Best Choice For Women
Women will find that a lightweight pair of canvas tennis shoes, casual or dress sandals, or flats work well for the spring and summer months. Running shoes work great for exercise or days when you have a lot of activity.
In the fall and winter, stick to leather fashion boots, duck boots, or loafers. These types of footwear will help keep your feet warm and look good. Check out our collection of the best hiking boots for women in 2023.
Related Article: Hiking Boots vs Shoes
Can You Wear Hiking Shoes On Asphalt?
Wearing hiking boots on asphalt will not ruin your feet but could cause the boots to wear out faster than they would on other terrains. The bottoms of hiking boots are designed for specific conditions, and the traction will wear down more quickly since they’re not grabbing dirt.
Can You Wear Hiking Boots On Concrete?
Similar to asphalt, if you wear your hiking boots on concrete pavement, you will feel the soles of the shoes more, and the surface will wear down the traction of the boot more quickly than dirt trails would. The result is that you may have to replace your hiking boots more quickly.
Can I Wear Hiking Shoes To Work?
If you work outdoors or in a very casual setting, it may be entirely appropriate to wear hiking shoes to work. However, the dress code may indicate that hiking boots are inappropriate if you work in a business office or other professional setting.
Can Hiking Shoes Be Worn for Everyday Errands and Shopping?
Hiking shoes can be worn for everyday errands and shopping. With their comfort and support, hiking shoes can double as walking shoes, providing stability and cushioning for prolonged periods of standing and walking.
Can You Wear Hiking Boots Casually?
So, back to the original question, “can you wear hiking shoes every day?” The answer really depends on personal preference and the activities that you have planned for the day.
If you like the look that wearing hiking or backpacking boots provides, I recommend purchasing a second pair that you reserve for use on a daily basis and keeping the other pair strictly for hiking.
Some brands make hiking boots for wearing in a more casual setting rather than out on the trails. These boots will likely be more breathable and lightweight and function more as a fashion type of footwear than foot protection.
I recommend checking shoes from Timberland or Columbia Newton Ridge if you’re looking for the most comfortable and fashionable hiking boots for everyday use.
