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Tom’s Guide
Tom’s Guide
Technology
Ashley Thieme

I review hiking boots for a living — and this is what I look for when buying a new pair of shoes

Tom Guide keen
Keen Leiki hiking shoes in slate gray colorway.

Most people don’t actually notice that their hiking shoes are uncomfortable until they’re halfway through a planned hike and end up limping back to the car with blisters. Sure, you could look at the best ways to break in your new hiking shoes, but it’s better to get the comfort right from the off.

I have put together a list of three things I always think about when I’m looking for new walking shoes. These ensure that my shoes are as comfortable as possible before I’ve even started breaking them in, so I can enjoy my hikes without worrying about blisters or bad posture.

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