Should Hiking Boots Be a Size Bigger? [Sizing Guide & Tips for Fitting]
Are you buying a new pair of shoes and are wondering, should hiking boots be a size bigger?
Choosing the right hiking boots size for you can be tricky, and many people wonder about the best way for them to fit.
But it’s very important to make sure that they fit properly because otherwise, you could end up with
I’m an avid hiker and have spent a lot of time perfecting my hiking boot fit, so I have learned a lot about how to get the right pair!
In this post, you’ll find the information that you need to choose the right size boots for you and determine if they should fit big, loose, or just right.
Should Hiking Boots Be a Size Bigger?
When you’re out on the hiking trail, you want boots that are going to fit snugly and comfortably on your feet.
Hiking boots are a necessary piece of gear for your day hikes, and it’s really important to get a great pair!
When it comes to the size of your boots, you’re going to want them to fit normally, as they would with any other shoes that you have.
If anything, you’ll want them to be just slightly bigger, since your feet will likely swell when you’re out on the trail.
But, you don’t want them to be a full size bigger, since this will be too large and your feet will slide around in them.

The biggest that you’ll likely want them to be is just a half size bigger since this will allow room to move around and for your feet to grow.
But while I can say buying hiking boots that are a half size bigger might be a good idea, it all comes down to the brand of boots you’re buying.
Some will fit perfectly in the size that you normally wear, while in others you might need to size up.
I recommend trying on your prospective boots and seeing where your feet fit inside them.
Leave just enough room for your toes to wiggle, but not so much that your feet will slide around when you’re walking.
So in all, it’s probably not necessary to get boots that are a full size bigger, but you might need to get a half size up.
Is It Okay to Wear Hiking Boots That Are Too Big?
While it might be okay to have hiking boots fit big for a short time, it’s not going to be comfortable long term.
Many people wear hiking boots that are slightly bigger since it allows their feet to swell throughout the day.
This is common, and you’ll often feel that your boots feel tighter as you get further on the trail.
So, yes, it’s okay to wear hiking boots that are just slightly big, as long as you can tighten them to fit pretty well with the laces.

But, it becomes a problem when the hiking boots fit so big that you feel your feet sliding or you can’t tighten them anymore.
This can cause a lot of problems like blisters on pressure points, tired feet and legs, and you have pain in your toes or ankles.
It can also cause you to more easily lose your balance on uneven trails and terrain, potentially causing injury.
I personally wouldn’t recommend getting a pair of boots that’s more than just a half size bigger than what you normally wear.
How Hiking Boots Should Fit
Ensuring that your boots fit you properly before leaving for the trail is crucial to having a comfortable hike and day in the wilderness.
I really recommend heading into a store like REI and getting yourself fitted for boots, but if that’s not possible, here are a few tips for ensuring you have the right size.
Try on your prospective boots and tighten them up how you normally would with any other shoes.

Now stand up and wiggle your toes along to make sure that there’s enough room for your feet to move a bit while you hike.
Your feet should fit flat without your toes curling up on top of each other.
The shoes should feel comfortable on your feet, you should feel supported, and you should be able to walk without your feet moving too much more than just a slight toe wiggle.
Sometimes, it’s necessary to have hiking boots be bigger, but typically you’ll likely only need them to be half size larger.
Tips for Buying the Right Fitting Hiking Boots
There are so many brands, styles, colors, materials, and more of hiking boots, and it can get really tough to decide which to go for.
And if you’re a beginner hiker and aren’t sure what you like, it can make the choice even more difficult!
Below, I’m going to talk you through a few of my top tips for choosing the best boots for you.
Get Fitted at REI
One of the best ways to have hiking shoes that fit right is to go into a store that knows how to properly measure your feet, like REI.
You can use their devices to measure your feet and find your accurate size, and ask an expert what they recommend for you.
Experts are there for a reason, and the people at REI are always there to help.
Try On Later in the Day
Since your feet are likely going to swell while you’re out hiking, it’s recommended to try your shoes on at the end of the day.
Head in after work and try them on to accurately choose a pair that fits you.
You can also try wearing a second pair of hiking socks to fill in a bit of the space, which is good for people who can’t go later in the day.
Have a Little Bit of Wiggle Room
Your hiking boots should fit your snugly but they shouldn’t be tight anywhere, so leave a little bit of wiggle room.
Especially in the toe box, you’re going to want some room for them to move around.
Plus, your feet are going to stretch throughout the day, so having that wiggle room will really help you out!
Break Them in First
Now that you’ve picked out your pair, it’s very important to break them in before hitting the trail.
Do some walking around your home in them, then wear them into town a few times, then work your way up to longer and longer day hikes or backpacking.
If you’re going to climb a mountain in them right away, it’s likely that you’re going to have some pain.
Is it Better to Have Hiking Boots Too Big or Too Small?
If you had to choose, it’s best to have your hiking boots be a size bigger, rather than being too small.
Having hiking boots be bigger is going to be much more comfortable since your feet won’t be squished in the hiking shoes. Hiking boots should never feel tight on your feet!

But in saying that, I wouldn’t wear any boots that are too big, since this can also cause more problems.
I’d opt for only a half size or so bigger, and try them on to make sure they fit before bringing them out on the trail.
If your boots end up too small, you can try stretching them, but this doesn’t always work.
Should I Size Up or Down in Hiking Boots?
There is no right guide as to whether you should size down or size up in hiking boots, but trying them on will help you decide.
It’s unlikely that you’ll need to size down, but there might be a need to size up, at least a half size.
Sizing up by a half size will give your feet more room to grow/swell while you’re out on the trail.
So if you have to choose, go for the bigger pair.
Should Hiking Boots Fit a Little Loose?
Hiking boots should fit only slightly loose, with just enough space for your toes to wiggle and for your feet to swell on trail.

Anything bigger than this can cause your feet to shift around in the shoes and cause pain in your ankles or toes.
So while they should fit loose enough that your feet don’t feel suffocated, they should still fit snugly and feel comfortable.
FAQs
How Do I Tell if My Hiking Boots Are Too Big?
Your hiking boots might be too big if your feet slide around, your toes are jamming into the ends of your boots, or you have blisters on your toes or heels in pressure points.
How Do I Tell if My Hiking Boots Are Too Small?
Your hiking boots could be too small if your feet feel suffocated, you have blisters on your ankles, or your toes are crossing over one another.
How Do You Know Your Hiking Boot Size?
Your hiking boot size is typically the same as your regular shoe size or just slightly bigger.
Should Hiking Boots Be the Same Size as Running Shoes?
Yes, typically, your hiking boots will be the same size as regular or running shoes. But you’ll want to try them on before going on the trail, because they might need to be slightly larger.
Are Hiking Boots the Same Size as Shoes?
Typically, yes, hiking boots are the same size as shoes, but they might be just slightly larger, depending on the brand.
How Much Room Should You Have in the Toe of Hiking Boots?
Have just enough room in the toe box to slightly wiggle your toes. It shouldn’t be tight at all.
Should You Go Up Half a Size in Hiking Boots?
Yes, sometimes you’ll need to go half a size up in hiking boots if your regular size feels too tight. Be sure to try them on before buying!
How Should Hiking Boots Feel on My Feet?
Hiking boots should feel comfortable and snug, but they shouldn’t be tight anywhere. Overall, they should just be comfy to wear, since you’ll likely be wearing them for long times.
Do Hiking Boots Run Small?
Yes, hiking boots can run small. But this really depends on the brand, and sometimes they may fit smaller, other times they’ll fit larger.
Conclusion: Should Hiking Boots Be a Size Bigger?
If you’re buying new hiking boots, then you’re going to want them to fit you properly to avoid pain in your feet.
One question that many people have about fitting them though, is a?
The answer really depends on the brand, the size of your feet, and a few other things, so it’s really recommended to just try on the boots and make sure they fit you first!
To make sure that they fit, you can also use all of the tips in this post to make sure you get the right fit!