As someone who loves hiking and gorpcore fashion, I'm the perfect candidate to test and review the best hiking shoes. Thankfully, for the past six months or so, I've been doing just that.
Although I've liked all the shoes I've tested, only one pair reigns supreme. I have worn my Keen Jasper Zionic every single day since September. If that doesn't tell you everything you need to know, then I don't know what will. All my colleagues can vouch for it — I wear the Jasper Zionics every day. They're hiking shoes, sure, but why can't I wear them to the office? They're so comfortable.
And why are they so comfortable? Because of the wide toe box. This design feature has literally changed my life. I don't even have wide feet, but I can't go back to regular shoes now. I was testing some other trail shoes the other day, and... they pinch! Hiking shoes with a wide toe box are the best.
The wide toe box has changed my life
If you've never heard of Keen before but you struggle with pinched toes, then I'm about to change your life. Pretty much all of Keen's shoes have a wide toe box — including the Keen Leiki, Keen Targhee IV, and Keen Zionic NXT — to align with the brand's ethos of allowing toes to splay naturally.
I have narrow feet, but I didn't realize how squashed my toes were until I put on the Jasper Zionics.
I have narrow feet, but I didn't realize how squashed my toes were until I put on the Jasper Zionics. It was like the first clear sky after years of permanently cloudy weather. Like wearing glasses after years of squinting. For those with wider feet or larger toes, I presume the relief will be ten times better.
Finding the right hiking shoes for you can be tricky, but the main principles are as follows. Consider how you plan to use the shoes, the width of your feet and the level of arch support you need.
In our article on how to find the right hiking shoes for you, we spoke to Neil Findlay, Trade Marketing Executive at Merrell. Findlay advised that footwear should "support your arches, reduce lift in the heel and allow for toe splay and movement. Your toes are there to give balance and shouldn’t be restricted."
Keen itself advises that, "[Toes are] also directly linked to the alignment of your spine. If the big toe isn’t straight (foot doctors call that hallux valgus or hallux varus), it can affect both your spine alignment and posture."
Ever wondered why yoga instructors are always telling you to lift your toes and spread them before doing balances? Because it makes you more stable. The same is true of hiking shoes — why would you wear walking gear that restricts your feet?
I'm never going back
Now that I've worn the best of the best, how can I go back? Heck, I love my Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX, and when I wear them, I feel my toes pinching. When I put on my Doc Martens, I'm restricted by how heavy they are. I'm testing some Icebug trail shoes (similar to the Icebug Rover 2), and I'm hyper aware of my toes squashing together.
So, what's the moral of the story? Get some Keens. You won't be disappointed. Your feet will thank you for it — they've certainly thanked me. Now that I've tried the Keen Jasper Zionic, all other shoes are ruined for me.
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