Hiking Shoes vs. Walking Shoes: What's the Difference?

Walking and hiking. Depending on your personal goals and interests, the words could practically be interchangeable. After all, taking a walk on a well-groomed hiking trail in your neighborhood could also be considered a lower-intensity hike, right? So if it's possible to interchange the words, wouldn't it be possible to interchange the shoes, too?

Well, not quite. While in some circumstances it's conceivable to choose either hiking shoes or walking shoes without a problem, that line of thinking doesn't apply across the board. Both activities really do require different types of footwear.

For instance, depending on the intensity of your hike, where you do it, the distance you'll be hiking, and the terrain you'll be facing, it's very important to wear shoes that are durable and supportive to help prevent injuries.

On the other hand, if you're focused on walking for fitness, a lighter-weight, more flexible shoe is going to make it easier to achieve your goals. So before you throw on your walking shoes to take a five-mile hike in the wilderness, here's what you need to consider.

Understanding Hiking Shoes

Going for a hike can be as low-key as taking a two-mile hike on a maintained gravel road around a local lake. Or it can be as intense as navigating a 2,000-mile backpacking trail in extreme weather conditions and varied terrain over the course of weeks or months.

As such, hiking shoes are designed to stand up to the elements and to keep you secure and safe regardless of what Mother Nature has in store. Namely, the following features are unique to hiking shoes:

• A sole with greater grip and traction: Deep lugs on the outsole offer better grip on surfaces like rocks, roots, mud, and loose gravel, says Pavlo Zabigailo, owner of the fitness equipment store My Sports Shop who frequently reviews sports equipment on YouTube. "Hiking shoes also offer soles with rubber compounds to ensure the shoes provide exceptional grip." While walking shoe soles are often made with rubber, the combination of the deep lugs and rubber material provide exceptional grip.
• Durable construction with reinforced toe caps and sides: Hiking shoes are designed to withstand rough terrain and protect your feet from damage on the trails from rocks, roots, and branches, Zabigailo explains.
• Ankle support and cushioning: The support offered by hiking shoes minimizes the risk of injuries and provides comfort during long hikes, Zabigailo adds.
• Water-resistant or waterproof construction: Getting your feet wet while hiking can soften your skin and cause blisters, says Derek Roach, the owner of Flow Feet Orthopedic Shoes who has been working in the foot health industry for more than 10 years. So, the waterproof construction prevents moisture from getting inside your shoe whether you step in a puddle or it's a rainy day.
• Speed lacing hooks: If your hiking shoes have speed hooks, you're able to adjust the fit of your shoes quickly and easily, says Roach. This is important if you need to secure your shoe mid-hike for a better fit.

Understanding Walking Shoes

Walking shoes are typically designed for fitness walking. In other words, if you plan to spend 20 to 30 minutes a day walking on the treadmill, around your neighborhood, or through your local park, walking shoes are likely the best option.

Walking shoes are specifically designed for regular walking activities on paved surfaces and contain features intended to prioritize comfort and alignment, says Zabigailo. This is particularly true of walking shoes for flat feet which also offer a certain degree of motion control. "This enables [you] to walk longer distances without discomfort or foot fatigue." As such, the most common features include:

• Cushioned heel and midsole: Heel cushioning absorbs impact when your heel strikes the ground, explains Roach. This feature provides more comfort and helps reduce foot fatigue. "The midsole may also be made of EVA foam that cushions the foot from heel to toe as the foot rolls forward."
• Lightweight construction: Walking shoes are made with lightweight materials to help reduce fatigue, allowing you to walk longer distances, says Roach. "[For walking shoes], mesh or a leather/mesh combination is used for the uppers, which is generally lighter than an all-leather shoe."
• Rocker-style bottom: Having a shoe with a mild rocker bottom at the forefoot helps with forward momentum, especially as your foot rolls forward in the gait cycle, explains Roach. This reduces pressure on lower body joints, including your lower back, knees, ankle, and foot, reduces fatigue, and provides enhanced comfort when walking.
• Firm heel counter: A more rigid heel counter helps with stability to limit overpronating or supinating while walking, says Roach. "It's especially important for those with flat feet. A firm heel counter will help keep your feet from rolling inward while walking."

Terrain and Conditions

The very clear differences in hiking shoe and walking shoe construction mean that they're specifically intended for different terrain. Hiking shoes are designed to take on hills, mountains, slippery boulders, loose gravel, and unexpected thunderstorms.

Walking shoes, on the other hand, are intended to help you move quickly and comfortably across well-maintained and flat trails, paved walkways, and the predictable surface of a treadmill. Generally speaking, it's important to use the correct shoe for its intended use, but there are some hybrid-style hiking shoes that may allow for a moderate amount of overlap.

"Many shoe brands have models that try to combine paved road and light trail use," Zabigailo says. "These shoes combine cushioning and comfort with a durable outsole that has lugs deep enough to use on gravel and park trails."

But even with these hybrid models, it's important to note that while they may be able to handle the crossover of paved roads and flatter gravel trails, they're not intended to be used on more extreme mountain or outdoor hiking situations.

"It's generally not recommended to wear walking shoes for rigorous hiking adventures that involve steep slopes, rocky terrain, or unpredictable conditions," Zabigailo says. "Hiking shoes offer better protection, stability, and traction in such scenarios."

Support and Protection

The primary reason it's important to wear hiking shoes on more intense hikes is because of the support and protection they provide. Most hiking shoes have a higher ankle and stiffer outers, which can protect against injuries. If your foot twists as you try to step down off a rock or root, the added support of a hiking shoe can help prevent your ankle from completely rolling, leading to a sprain or strain.

"Also, for colder days, a hiking shoe with some interior insulation may be necessary to keep your feet warm while outdoors," says Roach.

And while the support and protection features of hiking shoes may be more obvious, walking shoes have them, too. That lightweight construction with added cushioning and the rocker-style bottom? Those are features that allow you to walk longer distances with greater comfort and less fatigue. The weight and rigidity of a hiking shoe would be downright uncomfortable for most long fitness-style walks.

Waterproofing and Breathability

One thing you can never be entirely sure of is what types of conditions you might encounter on a long, outdoor hike. Even if it's not currently raining, if you're taking a hike following a big storm, there may be areas of standing water, or sometimes streams that you have to cross.

And even if the forecast was clear when you started, there's always the chance that a rain shower could blow through. Hiking shoes offer water-resistance or waterproof construction to keep your feet dry in such conditions. One thing that you don't want is to end up with wet feet and soggy socks (hello, blisters) when you have miles of trail ahead of you.

One thing to look for, though, is hiking shoes with waterproofing and breathability. Even though you want to keep water out, it's important to keep the air flowing through, allowing heat to exit and sweat to evaporate so your feet don't start feeling wet from the inside out. Check out customer reviews to determine which types of hiking shoes offer these best-of-both-worlds features.

Walking shoes, on the other hand, are more likely to prioritize breathability over waterproofing features. (Although, that's not to say you can't find walking shoes that are water-resistant as well.) Because fitness walks are typically shorter and more intense than hikes, users are more likely to plan them around inclement weather. You're also less likely to intentionally head out for a walk in the rain if you can wait for the storm to pass.

Likewise, the intensity of the walk is likely to lend itself to sweaty feet, so enhanced breathability to help keep your feet dry is important. But walking in rainy conditions is one situation where you may want to swap your walking shoes for hiking shoes on occasion.

"The water-resistance or waterproof features of a hiking shoe can help keep your feet dry for casual walks," says Roach. "Also, better traction can help on slippery surfaces in rainy weather."

Activity-Specific Considerations

If your primary use of shoes is for more casual walks and low-key, flat-terrain hikes, you may be able to get away with a walking shoe or a hybrid hiking shoe for a while. But as soon as your hikes start to get more intense, it's time to ante up for a true hiking shoe (or hiking boot).

"Walking shoes should not be used for hiking in situations that require specialized features and protection," says Zabigailo. "Avoid using walking shoes for rugged and challenging hikes that involve steep ascents or descents, rocky terrain, or unpredictable weather conditions."

And to be clear, this includes any multi-day hike or backpacking trip, Zabigailo adds. "Walking shoes lack the necessary ankle support, rugged outsoles, and toe protection needed for such demanding environments."

Conversely, if your workouts are primarily more intense hikes, you may be tempted to avoid buying walking shoes for casual jaunts. But you should think carefully before doing so.

"Hiking shoes used for regular walking on paved surfaces may result in excessive stiffness and discomfort due to their heavy-duty construction and aggressive traction patterns" Zabigailo explains. "It's best to choose footwear specifically designed for the intended activity to ensure optimal comfort, performance, and safety."

How to Choose the Right Footwear

Regardless of whether you're selecting hiking shoes or walking shoes, it's important to be conscientious about your decision. First, you'll need to decide which type of shoe is more appropriate for your personal needs. Or you may need one of each type so you have the option to pick and choose based on your daily workout.

Once you've decided which type of shoe you should purchase, it's important to select the right shoe for your foot. It's always a good idea to go to a specialty sporting goods store and get fitted before making a purchase. This gives you the chance to try on different pairs and see which ones feel the best for your feet. Associates at the store can also guide you toward making a well-informed decision. For instance, you may end up prioritizing finding the right walking shoes for plantar fasciitis over other considerations.

"The shoes should provide adequate room for the toes to move freely without being too tight or too loose," Zabigailo says. "Look for specific features tailored to the activity, such as ankle support and rugged outsoles for hiking—or cushioning and flexibility for walking. It's also helpful to consider the terrain and weather conditions you will encounter. Researching reviews and seeking expert advice can further assist in making an informed decision."

Bottom Line

When it comes to choosing between hiking and walking shoes, it really is all about the terrain and conditions you'll be facing. Hiking shoes are designed to offer support, traction, and waterproofing to help you safely navigate more challenging terrain. Walking shoes are designed to offer cushioning, flexibility, and a lightweight ride to enhance the time you spend walking for fitness.

While it might be tempting to use your walking shoes when you go for a hike (or vice versa), it's really best to make sure you're selecting footwear designed for the activity you're pursuing. This will keep you safe, comfortable, and injury-free as you hit the treadmill, roads, or trails for your next excursion.