The truth is, there's no one pair of shoes that can be called the best, just as there's no one pizza that's the best of all. For me, it's the Margherita with anchovies, while for each of you, it will be different. The important thing, however, is that the pizza meets the parameters that universally define a good pizza: taste, crispiness, digestibility, aroma, cooking... etc.
The same goes for hiking shoes. There are universal parameters that define a good hiking shoe and we can't ignore them, but the choice ultimately falls to each of us, who will have to purchase the one that best suits our needs, the characteristics of the trail we'll be tackling, the weather conditions, but also and above all, the ethics that distinguish the brands we choose.
Below is some useful information to guide you in your choice.
I'll break the shoe down into 3 key parts and then talk a little about choosing the right size so that the next time you buy a pair, from us or elsewhere, you'll know what to look for.
SOLE
First of all, I'd like to point out that everyone who messages me asking if we use Vibram soles to make our Frattesi shoes hasn't figured it out and is simply victims of marketing masters who have instilled in them the idea that all Vibram soles are incredibly badass regardless.
Let me explain better, Vibram is the market leader in the production of soles for trekking shoes and makes some of the best soles in the world (in fact, we only use their soles) but, within their vast catalog, there are also a lot of crappy soles that we would never dare put on a pair of shoes.
So, don't settle for just a Vibram-soled trekking shoe to feel comfortable; ask yourself which Vibram sole is used, and above all, try to figure out which type best suits your needs.
RUBBER SOLES
The most famous is the legendary Block Montagna, a sole made entirely of rubber that offers great durability, it's the one we use in our Fighetta and Classica, to be clear.
PRO
- You never finish them again
- Spectacular grip on almost all terrains
- Very deep tank
- Quite flexible
AGAINST
- They are heavier than the others
- On the wet rocks they slip a little
- Very hard compound, must be compensated by a very soft inner sole
MICRO SOLE
If you pick up a pair of shoes and notice that they are very light, the sole is most likely made of this material, although, given its very poor durability, few manufacturers use it for serious trekking shoes.
PRO
- Very light
- Excellent grip on all terrains, including wet rocks
- Very soft, therefore very comfortable
- Very flexible
AGAINST
- It wears out very, very quickly
- It's the perfect sole for seniors 😂
MICRO + RUBBER SOLE
It is the compromise that most hiking shoe manufacturers choose because it is placed exactly halfway between the pros and cons of the other 2 types of soles.
The biggest flaw, however, is the purchase price of this sole, which is approximately double that of the others, and therefore shoes that use this sole will cost more.
PRO
- Fairly light
- Excellent grip on all terrains
- Quite soft, so comfortable
AGAINST
- Usually shallow tank
- Acceptable but not excellent wear
- Quite flexible
- Sometimes the micro part breaks after a few years
LINING
The lining is the material inserted inside the shoe, adding an extra layer of insulation to the outer upper material. In the past, shoes were lined with calfskin, but since the late 1970s, with the invention of Gore-Tex and similar membranes, these synthetic materials have been used to line shoes for extreme conditions because they offer far superior performance.
There are different types of membranes inspired by Wilbert Gore's 1976 idea, all with their own pros and cons but which are characterized by the same function: to prevent water from entering and to allow the vapor generated by our body to escape, thus preventing condensation inside our foot from lowering the temperature inside the shoe too much.
Without going into the details of how these membranes work mechanically, I'd like to emphasize that the most important thing is that, when you go to buy a pair of hiking boots, you make sure that one of the membranes listed below has been used for the lining. Each one differs slightly from the others in technical aspects, appearance, or price, but they all offer the guarantee of excellent protection against the elements.
If the shoes you are considering do not use any of these membranes, I personally would not buy them because, contrary to popular belief, the waterproofness of a shoe is mainly due to the type of lining.
Gore-Tex ™
Sympatex
OutDry
WindTex ™ (we use this for the Frattesi because it is the one we consider best)
UPPER MATERIAL
The outer material is the most visible part of the shoe and defines its external appearance, as well as having characteristics that define its performance.
As with soles, there are hundreds of types of materials, each of which, according to the manufacturers, promises miracles during your hikes. The fact is, in my opinion, the outer material of a hiking shoe isn't as important as people are led to think, because what really matters in a shoe are the sole, the lining, and the last technique.
There are basically 4 things to consider when considering different materials for the exterior:
elasticity, lightness, strength, external appearance.
Below I list some of the more common materials and the pros/cons of each.
LEATHER UPPER
PRO
- Very elastic, (it adapts to the foot a bit like football boots do)
- It is a 100% natural material
- More beautiful than a synthetic material
- The older she gets, the more beautiful she becomes
AGAINST
- It needs maintenance (grease/cream)
- It scratches easily if in contact with sharp branches and brambles
- It costs more than synthetic materials
- It weighs more than synthetic materials
SYNTHETIC UPPER (Cordura, Gore-Tex, Grosgrain…)
PRO
- It costs little
- Anti-scratch
- Very light
- It does not require any maintenance
AGAINST
- It's made with oil
- Not very elastic
WHICH NUMBER SHOULD I CHOOSE?
One of the most important things when choosing a trekking shoe for hundreds of kilometers in adverse conditions is undoubtedly choosing the right size. Obviously, the best option is to buy custom-made shoes.
The parameters for choosing the correct size obviously vary from person to person, so below I will offer you some general advice for choosing the right size:
1. When you go to buy a trekking shoe, it is essential to bring with you the socks you will use during the walks.
I always recommend very thick socks to my clients in both summer and winter for several reasons:
- allow for greater distance between the foot and the outside of the shoe, thus allowing for greater insulation in both hot and cold conditions
- having a significant thickness they offer greater comfort and a greater "cushion effect" which will mitigate impacts on the back and joints
- they offer greater breathability because more air circulates inside the shoe
2. Wear the shoes for several minutes and, if possible, test them on different surfaces, both hard and soft.
3. Tie the laces very tightly and test them on a downhill slope to ensure that, when gravity pushes your foot forward, your big toe doesn't press too hard against the front of the shoe. Ideally, on a moderately steep slope, your toe should just touch the front of the shoe.
4. The last thing to consider is whether your ankle moves when you walk. If this happens, it means the shoe is too big or not laced properly. If your ankle moves, you're very likely to develop annoying blisters on the top of your heel.
I'd like to conclude this blog post with this image of blisters, hoping it's provided you with useful information for purchasing shoes that will allow you to enjoy nature to the fullest.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us, and we'll try to help you—obviously, with our honesty and simplicity, and without bullshit.
Happy walking!