Great Walks of New Zealand
Footwear
Hiking boots or shoes are essential for a great walk as they provide the necessary support and protection for your feet. They are designed to withstand the rugged terrain and provide better traction, preventing slips and falls. The right footwear can make all the difference for a comfortable and enjoyable hiking experience. Footwear that is too big or small or not appropriate for the trail can hurt your feet and make for a painful hike.
The biggest question to answer is whether to wear hiking boots, hiking shoes, or trail runners for the track? It really comes down to personal preference and the terrain of the Great Walk. The Abel Tasman can easily be completed in a trail runner but in the long stretches of mud on the Hump Ridge and rocky terrain of the Paparoa Track, you may be happier in a hiking boot or shoe.
Whatever footwear you choose, make sure you wear them in before you hit the trail. Check out the TIPS section below before buying new footwear.
BOOT SQUAD
Check out some essential items to consider to get a good nights sleep on the trail
Hiking Footwear Options
Choosing the right footwear often comes down to personal choice, the shape of your feet, and the terrain you are hiking.
Hiking boots provide more above ankle support and are rugged to protect you from rocks with thick stiff soles. If carrying a heavy pack, are on more technical terrain, or if you have ankle issues, boots may be a better option. The Paparoa Track is quite rocky and hard under foot, so boots were a great option for this Great Walk.
Hiking Shoes and Trail Runners - some hikers prefer the flexibility and comfort of a hiking shoe or trail runner. These are lighter, more flexible but still have deep tread for good traction and are often comfortable right out of the box. Both are faster drying than typical hiking boots and can be better for rainy days and water crossings. Hiking shoes offer a much stiffer sole than trail runners which provide better stability particularly when carrying heavy backpacks. The Abel Tasman track is reasonably well formed and flat, so can absolutely be completed trail runners.
Hybrid Boots are also becoming more popular. These provide the comfort of trail runners and the ankle support of boots. Whilst not as durable and long lasting as the classic hiking boot, these can be more comfortable on the trail over many kilometers. Maybe the best of both worlds?
Everyone's feet are different, and you really need to try footwear on before you buy. Read the tips below on choosing the right footwear. If you are keen to look at some footwear options, scroll down or click the links below.
TIPS
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Boots should fit snuggly but not be tight and have room for you to wiggle your toes.
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Try boots on at the end of the day as your feet swell during the day and should be at their biggest.
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Try boots on with the socks you intend to wear on your hike.
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Make sure there is enough room at the front, so your feet do not hit the front of the shoe when descending hills. This can cause a lot of discomfort on long descents. Test them walking down hill (if possible) before you buy. Some brands have roomy toe boxes that allow your toes to splay when walking.
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Most importantly, make sure you have worn in your hiking boots/shoes prior to using them on the hike. There are many horror stories of hikers suffering in new boots along the trail.
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Take an extra pair of shoes for the hut that you can hike in for back up if you cannot wear your boots for any reason.
Hiking Boots
Hiking boots are a popular choice of footwear on the Great Walks and are suitable for carrying heavier loads over multiple days. Hiking boots can offer more ankle support over the varying terrain found on the Great Walks. When choosing a hiking boot consider the materials of the boot before you buy.
Full grain leather boots are durable, long lasting and provide good water resistance. However, full leather boots require a lot of breaking in, are not as breathable and tend to be heavier and more expensive than synthetic boots.
Synthetic Boots are often cheaper, lighter, and do not require as much breaking in. Synthetic boots are breathable and although not as water resistant will take less time to dry out once they do get wet. Many synthetic boots now offer waterproof linings that can help keep your feet drier, with materials such as Gore-Tex.
Check out some options below:
Lowa Renegade GTX Mid Womens - is a classic hiking boot which is lightweight and comfortable right out of the box. With Gore-Tex lining for breathability the soles provide good stability and traction on the trail. These boots will last for many years and are super robust. A good option for anyone looking for a tried-and-true hiking boot. One of the crew raves about these boots particularly as they required little breaking in.
Salomon Quest Gore-Tex Boots Mens / Salomon Quest Gore-Tex Boots Womens - rated and reviewed highly as one of the best hiking boots in 2024. Designed for longer hikes and tough conditions but are surprisingly light. Provides good waterproof protection with breathable Gore-Tex membrane and Nubuck leather. The Salomon Quest boots are grunty with high ankle support but could be a bit OTT for the casual hiker.
Merrell Moab Womens Mid Boots / Merrell Moab Mens Mid Boots -Merrell have a reputation for making high quality and really comfortable footwear. These boots have a waterproof membrane and mesh for breathability. The sole is durable but also really flexible, making them comfortable to wear on longer days. A good option for a mid-range priced boot and highly rated. Also available in a hiking shoe Mens / Womens.
Hi Tec Altitude Infinity - Hi Tec make affordable hiking boots that won't break the bank. The Altitude Infinity boots have a Dri-Tec waterproof breathable membrane and good traction. Definitely requires some wear to break them in due to a stiffer sole but is a good price point for the casual hiker.
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Hiking Shoes & Trail Runners
Hiking Shoes
Hiking shoes are becoming more and more popular as hikers ditch hefty boots in favour of more flexible and comfortable hiking shoes. Hiking shoes provide less ankle support but still provide good traction and a stiff sole to assist carrying heavier loads unlike trail runners. Often hiking shoes require less breaking in than boots and provide more freedom on the trail.
Check out some options below:
Salomon Ultra GTX - a great hiking shoe that provides lots of stability on the trail but still gives plenty of freedom of movement. The Salomon Ultra GTX have Contragrip soles with deep lugs that give excellent traction, even over slippery terrain. With Gore-Tex waterproof protection these shoes also are available in a mid-boot option which are also very popular. A couple of the crew wear Salomon hiking shoes and swear by them and have lasted many years.
Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX Womens / Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX Mens- Hoka is known for the very popular and comfortable running shoes but also offer some hiking shoe/boot options. Made from nubuck leather for the upper and a high-quality mesh, this hiking shoe is very comfortable and often requires no breaking in. The shoes come with a Gore-Tex Invisible Fit liner which keeps your feet dry in wet conditions. These are likely to wear out quicker than a traditional hiking shoe, so be prepared to potentially buy new ones if you intend to hike regularly with these. Hoka have also released the Kaha which is
Trail Runners
Trail Runners are popular with long distance hikers and ultra-light hikers who are carrying minimum gear. Trail runners are usually the most comfortable of all footwear choices, can dry quickly once wet and require little breaking in. However, trail runners provide much less support and protection on rocky terrain and are not as durable.
Check out some options below:
Salomon Speedcross 6 Mens / Salomon Speedcross 6 Womens - Salomon is THE brand for trail runners.The Salomon speedcross is specifically tailored for technical or muddy trails and provides excellent traction without sacrificing stability. The Speedcross shoes are very comfortable and use Gore-Tex technology to keep your feet dry. Some of the crew wore them for the Abel Tasman and won't be going back to hiking boots.
Altra Lone Peak Womens / Altra Lone Peak Mens - Altra is famous for long distance hiking footwear and the Lone Peak is a popular shoe and boot range particularly for Te Araroa hikers (hikers walking the length of NZ). Altra shoes have roomy toe boxes that allow the toes to splay for extra stability and comfort over many kilometers. The zero-drop shoe takes a little bit of getting used to but The Lone Peak range is comfortable and a good choice if you are looking for a comfortable and lightweight footwear option.
Hybrid Boots
Hybrid boots are a combination of a trail runner and boot, giving you the comfort and flexibility of a trail runner but the ankle support of a boot. Whilst not as durable as a classic hiking boot these often require little breaking in.
Check out some options below:
Salewa Women's Pedroc 2 Leather Mid PTX / Salewa Men's Pedroc 2 Leather Mid PTX - Salewa is an Italian mountain brand with deep roots in alpine climbing and mountain environments. If you’re tackling trails where balance and foot protection matter, Salewa is one of the most trusted names in rugged boots. The Salewa Pedroc 2 is a nice balance between a traditional boot and the comfort of a trail runner. These required little breaking in and are really comfortable. If not keen for a boot these are also offered in a shoe womens / mens.
Altra Olympus Womens Mid Hike GTX / Altra Olympus Mens Mid Hike GTX - a hybrid boot that fits and feels like a trail runner. Altra footwear is popular with long distance hikers for their zero drop soles and roomy toe boxes, making them very comfortable. Rugged boots with vibram soles that have big lugs for excellent traction. If you are looking for a boot that feels like a trail runner this could be a good option.