Great Walks of New Zealand
Footwear Essentials
Hiking Footwear
Choosing the right footwear often comes down to personal choice 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.
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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?
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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.
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Hiking Boots
Hiking Shoes & Trail Runners
Hybrid Boots
Hikers Wool & Socks
Gaiters
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Check out some options below:
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Lowa Renegade GTX Mid - 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.
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Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex Boots - 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.
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Merrell Vego Mid Leather Boots -Merrell have a reputation for making high quality and really comfortable footwear. The Vego Mid leather 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. Two of the crew have these and love how comfortable and lightweight they are.
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​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
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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. Often hiking shoes require less breaking in than boots and provide more freedom on the trail.
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Check out some options below:
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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.
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Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX - made from nubuck leather for the upper and a high-quality mesh, this hiking shoe is very comfortable. The shoes come with a Gore-Tex Invisible Fit liner which keeps your feet dry in wet conditions.
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Merrell Moab 3 - Merrell shoes are known for being comfortable with grippy vibram soles. Lightweight and durable these shoes won't break the bank and get the job done.
Trail Runners
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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:
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Salomon Speedcross 6 - 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.​
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Altra Lone Peak - Altra is famous for long distance hiking footwear and the Lone Peak is a popular shoe and boot range. Altra shoes have roomy toe boxes that allow the toes to splay for extra stability and comfort over many kilometers. The Lone Peak range is comfortable and a good choice if you are looking for a 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.
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Check out some options below:
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Hoka Anacapa 2 Mid GTX - Hoka is a popular running shoe brand known for extra cushioned soles. The Hoka Anacapa boots provide comfortable cushioning with a wide platform sole that gives decent stability. Durable boots that come with a waterproof GTX liner to keep you comfortable when the weather turns.​
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Altra Olympus 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.
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Hikers Wool and Socks
When it comes to hiking, taking care of your feet is crucial. To ensure a comfortable and blister-free experience on the Great Walks, it's important to choose the right socks. Opt for high-quality merino wool socks which will wick sweat, keep your feet dry, and reduce odour so you can wear them day after day. Many hikers opt for toe socks or double layered socks to help prevent blisters and feet rubbing inside the boot.
Hiking wool is a god send and can help stop rubbing and formation of blisters. We all carry a pack of hikers wool on each walk and shove plenty into our boots for a pain free walk.
Don't skimp on socks when packing they don't take up much room. Be kind to other hikers in the hut that have to smell your wet smelly socks drying by the fire because you only carried one pair.
Check out some sock options below.
Merino Socks
Toe Socks
Double Socks
Hikers Wool
Hikers Wool is essential kit and can be used to prevent blisters, hot spots, and other foot injuries. It's also lightweight and easy to pack. Everyone in the crew packs some. Hikers Wool can keep you rolling even if you have a nasty blister.
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Available at most outdoor stores in NZ.
Gaiters
If you are looking to purchase some gaiters, consider the following.
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Length and Terrain - gaiters can come in short, mid, or full-length. Consider the conditions you are likely to encounter on the track and choose the correct length accordingly. If you are hiking in hot conditions and just looking to keep rocks/debris out of your boot, a shorter length will suit. But for wet or muddy conditions, longer gaiters may be more suitable to provide better protection.
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Waterproofness - most gaiters are water resistant, and this should be sufficient, however if you are likely to encounter very wet or snowy conditions, consider gaiters with waterproof materials like Gore-Tex.
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Breathability - this is important particularly for mid and full-length gaiters to help manage your temperature.
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Durable and Abrasion Resistant - choose gaiters made of durable and abrasion resistant materials that can handle some punishment on the trail and keep your legs protected.
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Adjustable - choose gaiters that are easily adjusted to fit snugly but not too tightly around your legs and boots. Look for gaiters that can clasp together and that cinch at the top to avoid falling down. Lace hooks and instep straps that fit under the boot securely will help gaiters stay put.
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Ensure you choose the right size gaiters that fit around your legs and boots to function correctly on the track. It's always best to try them on with your hiking footwear before you buy.
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