Fast Hiking shoes
How to choose fast hiking shoes?
Fast hiking is very popular lately, it requires specific shoes, designed for the discipline. It can be easy to mix up speed hiking shoes for a pair of trail running shoes. To get the best out of your mountain outings, discover Glisshop’s selection of the best products on the market.
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Deals
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Recommended price
£139.11
-20%
£111.27
The La Sportiva Akyra II Bamboo Everglade is a high-performance hiking shoe, offering superior cushioning, excellent breathability, and exceptional grip for diverse trail conditions.
- 42
- 42.5
- 43
- 44.5
- 45
Deals
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Recommended price
£152.16
-42%
£86.91
The VEJA Dekkan Women Eagle Calcaire is a durable, eco-friendly fast hiking shoe, featuring superior ventilation, effective moisture management, and excellent grip on various terrains.
- 37
- 38.5
- 41
Deals
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Recommended price
£147.81
-23%
£113.01
- 42
- 43
- 43.5
- 44
- 45
- 46
Deals
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Recommended price
£156.51
-35%
£101.70
The Merrell Moab Speed 2 Ltr Wp Tan is a low-cut leather hiking boot with a Vibram sole and waterproof membrane.
- 44
Deals
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Recommended price
£173.91
-20%
£139.11
- 42.5
- 43
- 43.5
- 44
- 44.5
- 45.5
Deals
-
Recommended price
£165.21
-23%
£126.06
The Scarpa Rush 2 GTX Moss Sulphur approach shoes are lightweight, waterproof and comfortable, ideal for hikers who survey all types of trails.
- 42.5
- 43.5
- 45.5
Deals
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Recommended price
£121.71
-33%
£80.82
- 38.5
- 39
- 40
- 40.5
Deals
-
Recommended price
£165.21
-36%
£104.31
- 39 1/3
- 40 2/3
- 41 1/3
Deals
-
Recommended price
£165.21
-36%
£104.31
The Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 Low Gtx W Wonbei/Cblack/Seirnor is a waterproof, low-cut women's shoe, perfect for hiking, featuring comfortable Boost foam, an abrasion-resistant mesh upper, and a grippy Continental rubber outsole.
- 37 1/3
- 38 2/3
- 39 1/3
- 40
Deals
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Recommended price
£156.51
-27%
£113.01
The Millet Wanaka Gore-Tex is a durable, all-weather hiking shoe offering superior comfort, breathability, and protection, with a waterproof membrane and reliable grip for varied terrains.
- 7.5 (41 1/3)
- 8.5 (42 2/3)
- 9 (43 1/3)
- 9.5 (44)
- 10 (44 2/3)
- 10.5 (45 1/3)
Deals
-
Recommended price
£117.36
-40%
£69.51
- 40
Deals
-
Recommended price
£191.31
-9%
£173.91
The Spire Women Gtx Black Topaz from La Sportiva is a low cut hiking shoe offering a ride quality close to a trail running model while guaranteeing perfect support. It is highly breathable thanks to the design and the use of a Gore-Tex Surround membrane.
- 39.5
Deals
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Recommended price
£139.11
-25%
£104.31
Lowa Ferrox Gore-Tex Lo Graphite Bronze are lightweight, waterproof hiking boots ideal for brisk walking.
- 7.5 (41.5)
- 8 (42)
- 8.5 (42.5)
- 9 (43.5)
- 9.5 (44)
- 10 (44.5)
- 10.5 (45)
- 11 (46)
- 12 (47)
Deals
-
Recommended price
£156.51
-25%
£116.49
- 8 (42)
- 9 (43.5)
- 9.5 (44)
- 10 (44.5)
Deals
-
Recommended price
£156.51
-44%
£86.91
- 4 (36 2/3)
Deals
-
Recommended price
£143.46
-30%
£99.96
- 43
- 43.5
- 46
Deals
-
Recommended price
£143.46
-30%
£99.96
The Merrell MQM 3 GTX Coyote Black is a waterproof, breathable hiking shoe with Vibram sole and Air Cushioning for stability and comfort.
- 43
- 43.5
- 44
- 44.5
- 46
Deals
-
Recommended price
£147.81
-23%
£113.01
- 41
- 41.5
- 42
- 43
- 43.5
- 44
- 44.5
- 46
- 47
Deals
-
Recommended price
£156.51
-35%
£101.70
- 42
- 43
- 43.5
- 44
- 44.5
- 46
- 46.5
Deals
-
Recommended price
£182.61
-20%
£146.07
- 38
- 38.5
- 39
- 39.5
- 40.5
- 41
Deals
-
Recommended price
£160.86
-10%
£143.46
- 38
- 38.5
- 39
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What is fast hiking?
Fast hiking or speed hiking is at the crossroad between traditional hiking and trail running. Fast hiking simply consists of moving fast in a mountain environment, without running. A sport for everybody.
In addition to being a great occasion to push your limits on your favourite route, it can also be a good training for trail runners. It’s a way to complete long outings in the mountains, to acclimate the body to long distances. At the same time, it reduces the risk of trauma or injury, avoiding compromising a specific goal.
Between hiking and trail running, what is the most comfortable fast hiking shoe?
All fast hiking shoe models are equally comfortable. Nowadays, athletes have the privilege of being able to enjoy a vast choice of shoes designed by the biggest brands in the outdoor industry. It all depends on your criteria and expectations in terms of comfort and performance. It’s a matter of finding the right balance to pick a shoe that provides the strength and protection of a hiking model, while being as light as a trail running shoe.
Speed hiking shoes: the top 5 criterion for fast hikers
Cuff height
While most speed hiking shoes have a low cut cuff, some such as the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker are mid ankle boots. Its elastic upper effectively wraps the top of your ankle to spare your feet from debris that might ruin your outing. As fast hiking entails walking fast in a mountain environment, notably on rugged terrain, this type of model makes sense.
However, low cut shoes are generally lighter and provide great freedom of movement. Rands around the foot protect from impacts.
Grip
Lug height and shape are an indication of the type of shoe you’re looking at. The more aggressive the tread pattern, the more comfortable the shoe is on wet terrain and mud. On the other hand, shorter tighter lugs provide better grip on dry and hard ground!
Sole construction
Depending on the models, brands sometimes develop their own outsoles, with their own technologies. It’s the case of Merrel, that features a Quantum Grip rubber outsole (designed in house) on the Bravada 2. In other instances, brands can collaborate with specialists of the field such as Vibram, to design fast hiking shoes that offer traction on every terrain.
Comfort depends on the design and thickness of the mid sole and insole. Brands develop various foams for their speed hiking shoes. Softer and thicker soles aim at relieving the joints and protecting from trauma caused by rugged terrain, descents and long distances. On the other hand, thinner soles mean your feet are closer to the ground. They’re ideal to feel the terrain, be fast, aim for performance and speed.
Type of lacing
Fast hiking entails going fast on mountain trails. This inspired some brands to design a quick lacing system such as Millet on the Light Rush. This system saves you the time of tying your laces and eliminates the risk of them getting loose. Traditional laces, maybe more durable and stronger, retains the favour of most fast hikers looking for a rugged shoe.
Waterproofness
Today, waterproof membranes are meeting growing success. In wet conditions and muddy terrains, they keep your feet dry. However, using them in summer conditions is up for debate. Arguably, a waterproof shoe isn’t your do-it-all shoe. It’s best to use them only in poor weather, and rely on your regular fast hiking shoes the rest of the time.
Strength
The same as of soles, brands can equip their shoes with fabrics developed by specialised manufacturers. Among them, Matryx reinforced fabric guarantees superior weather and abrasion resistance to runners. It provides the strength you can expect from a hiking boot, while offering unmatched freedom of movement and being lightweight.
Drop
Mostly relevant for trail running shoes, it can be extended to speed hiking shoes. Drop indicates the height difference between the heel and forefoot. The higher the drop, the better the sole absorbs impacts at the heel, and you feel higher above the ground.
Adidas, Merrell, Millet or Salomon, the best gear at Glisshop
Don’t wait any longer to discover speed hiking shoes from the best brands of the outdoor industry at Glisshop. Our online store is packed with innovative products, ready to follow you on any trail and offering the best balance between comfort, weight, and performance. The equipment you need to enjoy nature in any season, no matter the weather conditions.