When to Replace Hiking Boots and Shoes (13 Signs)
If you’re wondering when to replace your hiking boots or shoes, you’re in the right place. I’ve personally gone through 6+ pairs of hiking boots and have good knowledge on when it’s time to invest in a new pair.
From the start of foot pain to your boots actually falling apart, there are a few ways that your shoes are telling you ‘please retire me!’ And in this post, I’ll tell you exactly what to look for to know that you need to get yourself a new pair of hiking boots or shoes!
When Should I Replace My Hiking Boots?
While it’s tough to know an exact timeline of when you should get new footwear, I can give you a pretty good idea.
Your shoes should be replaced when they’re starting to show signs of major wear, such as flat insoles, worn tread, or not proper ankle support.
If you’ve had your boots for more than 500-1,000 miles, it also may be time to start looking for a new pair. This is a pretty average estimate and depends on how hard you wear your shoes. My brother goes through shoes every 500 miles because of how hard he is on them, while I go through them every 800-1,000 miles!
If you’re starting to feel pain in your feet, this also could be a pretty good sign that it might be time to start fresh!
There’s a pretty large list of variables that will determine how long you should keep your boots including the quality of the shoes themselves. Below we’ll go through that list.
Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Boots
1. The Tread is Worn Down
One common sign that you’ve been wearing your footwear for too long is that the tread on the bottom is worn down.
Similarly to what happens to tires after using them for too long, your shoes will start to have less grip after time.
One of the most important aspects of your footwear on the trail is having good grip and traction, so this is of high priority! Without it, you’ll be at a much higher risk of falling or slipping.
Check for smoothness on the bottom of your shoe, rather than bumpy, rigid tread lines, as this typically is a signal that it’s time for a new pair.
2. You Have Pain in Your Feet
While painful feet may not immediately mean that you need new shoes, it can definitely be a sign.
Pain in your ankles could mean multiple things, including that there isn’t enough solid support left in the shoes.
If you’re having some toe pain when hiking, it could also mean that your boots are getting worn out because they aren’t as protective anymore.
You might also experience pain in your arch, which could show that the insoles are getting too flat and worn down.
3. The Ankle Cuffs are Getting Worn
Wearing shoes on rugged terrain all the time can definitely take a toll on them, so you may find that the ankle cuffs begin to become worn.
This could be seen in the form of ripped fabric, bending ankle supports, or a lack of cushioning.
You can typically see this in physical form, but it also might lead to ankle pain. So watch out for both!
4. You’ve Had Them For 500+ Miles
Most hiking boot companies recommend that their footwear be worn no more than 500-1,000 miles. This can really vary, but it’s a typical recommendation.
Some even say that their boots should be replaced after 350-500 miles, but this is typically for cheaper brands that aren’t as great of quality.
This can also vary on how you wear the footwear, and how much they’ve stretched while wearing them.
For example, if you’re just wearing them on paved city trails, they’re going to last a lot longer than someone who summits mountains in them.
5. They Aren’t Comfortable Anymore
Have you ever had a pair of shoes that starts out as the most comfortable things you’ve ever stepped into but over time they lose that luxury?
I know that when I got my first pair of hiking boots, they were so comfy, and when it was time to call it quits with them, I could feel the ground beneath me and my ankles were getting blisters.
After wearing them for so long, they’re going to lose that comfort that they originally started out with, which can be terrible on long hikes.
If you notice that your shoes are starting to lose their appeal, it could be time for a new set.
6. Shoelaces are Worn Out
This issue could be as simple as having a pair of really cheap shoelaces, which can be solved by replacing shoelaces rather than a whole boot.
But if you’re noticing rips or frays in your laces, take a bit of time to look over the entire boot to make sure there aren’t other compromises.
7. Stitching is Coming Loose
As your boots are worn and become old, you may notice that some stitching begins to come loose. Tyler’s old boots started to loose stitching at the toes and he ended up having a toe sticking out!
While some loose stitching isn’t a big deal, if it gets worse, it can compromise the stability and support that those boots provide.
It can also affect the waterproof-ability of the footwear if they are waterproof since their are now holes in the shoe.
8. The Insoles are Totally Flat
It may be time to replace your hiking boots if you notice that the insoles have absolutely no shape left in them. This has happened to me before and I noticed that my feet really started to hurt because my arches were so flat in the shoes.
While this may be able to be fixed by just putting in a new set of insoles, it could also mean that it’s time for a replacement.
After wearing them for a long time, you may find that the insoles start to get thinner, there is less cushioning, and it becomes uncomfortable.
Flat insoles might mean that you’ve worn that for a bit too long!
9. The Boots Appear Damaged
A pretty tell-tale sign that you may need new hiking shoes is when the boots begin to actually appear old or damaged.
If you can see tears in the fabric, loss of shape, discoloration, etc., your boots might be trying to tell you something!
Sometimes this happens after hiking on a super rugged trail, and other times it’s just that they’re ready for retirement.
10. They Aren’t Waterproof Anymore
Ever had a pair of waterproof boots that suddenly aren’t so waterproof anymore? I’ve had it happen where my waterproof rain boots start to leak in water! That means it’s time for them to go!
After a while, the waterproofing may stop working as seams start to tear or the shape of the boot is changed.
This can become uncomfortable if you end up getting caught out in the rain or something! Let’s be honest, there’s nothing worse than wet feet!
11. Eyelets are Coming Loose
Another common sign is that the eyelets where your laces are threaded through become to come loose. This has happened to Tyler quite a few times. I think it’s because he pulls his laces so tight!
Again, this can cause the stability of the footwear to become compromised as they won’t be able to be tied properly anymore. Which can affect how sturdy they feel when you’re hiking.
You can try just skipping that eyelet, but you still won’t be able to tie them as tightly.
12. You Can Feel the Ground Through the Shoe
This one is pretty obvious, but if you’re starting to feel the ground through your shoes, it’s pretty likely that they’re worn out.
You can test this by either just wearing them around for a while and feeling how cushioned the shoe feels.
Or you can press your thumb on the insole where your heel sets and determine if you can feel the ground.
This happened to me with my first boots and by the end of the hike, my feet were so sore that everytime I walked, I felt that pain. So it’s definitley no fun!
13. There are Holes in the Toes
I don’t know what it is, but my boyfriend and brother both seem to have problems with getting holes in their toe when their shoes are worn out.
After hiking up and down trails for a while, your shoe may begin to see some pressure and the fabric may tear.
So something to look for is your toe poking through the end of your shoe, as this can obviously be dangerous and uncomfortable.
This also goes for holes in the ankles, soles, and anywhere else on the shoe.
How Often Should Hiking Boots Be Replaced?
If you’re wondering how long hiking boots last, there’s a pretty wide range to the answer and it really varies depending on the brand.
There is no super set distance that you should replace them, but typically it’s said that between 500-1,000 miles is a good time to get a new pair.
Quality brands like Oboz, Merrell, and Salomon shoes will last longer because they’re highly reputable and good quality. My Oboz ended up lasting me close to 1,500 miles before I finally said goodbye to them!
Smaller companies or budget boots that are just bought from Amazon or other similar websites might not last as long. Some of these could last 300-500 miles.
A lot of it comes down to the initial quality of the boots and how you wear them (are you summiting mountains or walking on city trails?)! So this really varies for everyone. Just base it off of the comfort and if they’re still supporting you.
How Many Miles Do Hiking Boots Last?
The mileage limit on how long to wear a pair varies by brand, how high of quality the brand is, and how often you wear them.
Many brands say that their boots will last somewhere between 500-1,000 miles if they are well taken care of.
But other brands that are made of lower quality might last only 350 miles before it’s time to purchase a new pair.
Using the Press Test to Determine the Wear
The press test is a pretty simple way to determine when it’s time to get new hiking boots that can be done right at home.
It will tell you how good the midsole of your shoes is, as well as a few other things, including the condition of the toe box.
To take this test, start by flipping your shoe over and finding the middle of the shoe, then pressing your thumb into the midsole.
It feels like it’s going to collapse, the midsole quality is compromised and it won’t support your foot very well.
You can also look for compression lines, which show that there just isn’t enough rebound and the midsole is too thin.
Secondly, flip the shoe over and press on the toe box of the boot, which is just where your toes sit.
If it collapses, either your shoes are low quality and not supportive, or the structure is worn out and they won’t protect your toes.
How to Properly Store and Take Care of Boots
There are a few steps that you should take to properly care for your hiking footwear to help give them the longest life possible.
Below is a list of those things to help them last longer.
- Properly break in your shoes before wearing them to prevent blisters and sore feet.
- When you’re not wearing them, store your boots inside in a cool, dry place to avoid discoloration and them becoming misshapen.
- Apply waterproofing treatments if not already done to protect them from water damage.
- Replace your insoles or laces if you begin to see damage or wear.
- Remove rocks or dirt from them after each use.
- Clean them of mud or dirt after using them to prevent wear.
- If they’re wet, try to get them dried out, but avoid using methods such as applying heat, as this could ruin the synthetic upper or other fabrics.
What to Look For in New Hiking Boots
If you’ve determined that your boots have done their time, it may be time to start looking for a new pair.
When you’re on the hunt, you’ll want to look for a few things to help you choose the best pair.
- Support
- Traction
- Waterproofing
- Durability
- Price
- Brand/Quality
FAQs
Should You Be Able to Wiggle Your Toes in Hiking Boots?
Your shoes should fit snugly and you should be able to just slightly wiggle your toes. Being able to wiggle them too much may indicate that your footwear is too big. Not being able to wiggle at all may show that they are not big enough.
Which Hiking Boots Last the Longest?
How Do You Know When Hiking Boots Are Worn Out?
You can tell that a pair of hiking boots are past their prime when they begin to appear damaged, they begin to get uncomfortable or cause pain, or when the tread starts to get worn out.
Do Hiking Shoes Wear Out?
The simple answer- yes, hiking shoes definitely get worn out.
Just like any other shoe, steady wear will cause your hiking footwear to become worn out and it will need to be replaced.
How Long Do Trail Runners Last?
Trail runners won’t last as long as sturdier hiking footwear because they’re much lighter and are worn in different ways. Typically, trail runners should be replaced every 300-500 miles.
Wrap-Up: When to Replace Hiking Boots
Having good quality footwear when you’re out on the trail can really make your experience a lot more enjoyable.
So understanding when it’s time to replace your hiking boots is so important! Now it’s time to check your hiking boots to make sure they’re trail-ready!
