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Steel-toed boots for hiking?

steeltoe-boots

Q. Dear Gear Guy, Is it a good idea to wear steel-toed boots for hiking?
—Curious Jason, Midlothian, Texas

A. So, Jason, steel-toed boots for hiking? Nah, not the best idea. Steel-toed boots are required when working on a job site (to help protect your toes from getting crushed by an errant hammer or some such) but they are going to be overkill for the trail, heavier weight, and not as comfortable as traditional hiking boots.


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6 Comments on Steel-toed boots for hiking?

  1. Composite toes are OK, but steel toes, no. The whole balance of the shoe or boot is off and they are really uncomfortable after a while of hiking. They will also conduct heat and cold into the foot.

  2. I have steel toed hiking boots and I actually love them because I don’t hurt my toes like I used to. If you walk around the store bend and flex you can find decent ones. And when your scout son drops a large piece of wood it doesn’t hurt lol! It really is personal preference.

  3. Off-Trail Monkey // January 11, 2015 at 2:21 pm // Reply

    No.

  4. duke of nothingham // May 8, 2012 at 12:00 pm // Reply

    no not A good idea \

  5. Awesomeness // August 27, 2011 at 3:05 pm // Reply

    I would suggest hiking boots without the steel toes because the toe part of my boots are already protective as it is. But they’re lightweight.

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