If you have narrow feet, you’ll probably be well aware of how hard it can be to find shoes that fit. Well-fitting shoes are vital, especially for exercise – which is where our guide to the best hiking shoes for narrow feet can help.
How can you find shoes that fit securely? What should you be looking for? How can you tell if they will hold up to the demands of the trail? And how can you find the right style for you? We’ll be answering all those questions and giving you our top recommendations.
The bottom line upfront: we like the Salomon Men's Authentic Leather & GORE-TEX Backpack Boots. A good all-rounder, these will keep your feet secure even in colder weather.
We also like:
- Columbia Newton Ridge Hiking Women's Waterproof Boots – these are ideal for keeping your feet dry in the rain
- Chaco Men's ZVolv 2 – if you’re hiking in warmer weather, these are the ones to go for
We’ll be looking at:
- What to look for in hiking shoes for narrow feet
- The best hiking shoes, including their pros and cons and key features
- Some frequently asked questions
- Which hiking shoes we like the best, and why
Table of Contents
- Best Hiking Shoes for Narrow Feet
- What are Hiking Shoes for Narrow Feet?
- What to Look for in Hiking Shoes for Narrow Feet
- Top 5 Hiking Shoes for Narrow Feet
- Chaco Men’s ZVolv 2 – Best Hiking Sandals
- Salomon Men’s Authentic Leather & GORE-TEX Backpacking Boots – Good All-Rounder
- Jabasic Women Hiking Shoes – Best Multipurpose Shoes
- Columbia Newton Ridge Hiking Women’s Waterproof Boots – Best Waterproof Boots for Women
- Columbia Men’s Crestwood Hiking Shoe – Best Hiking Shoes for Men
- Frequently Asked Questions
- To Sum Up …
Let’s start by looking at how the best hiking shoes for narrow feet compare to each other!
Best Hiking Shoes for Narrow Feet
What are Hiking Shoes for Narrow Feet?
Hiking shoes are tough shoes to protect your feet on different types of terrain. More robust than regular shoes or sneakers, hiking shoes should have an excellent grip to keep you steady.
Shoes for narrow feet should be quite snug-fitting, with narrow sides and toe area to keep them securely on your feet.
What to Look for in Hiking Shoes for Narrow Feet
So, what to look for if you need hiking shoes for narrow feet? Here are a few key features:
Sizing
Sizing is really important if you have narrow feet. Shoes that are too big can be dangerous in any situation, but even more so when hiking. If you’re climbing or moving over uneven terrain, you don’t want to be slipping or stumbling.
Go for a good-fitting shoe above all else, as this is the most important thing to protect your feet!
Style
There are a few main styles of hiking shoes to choose from. Depending on where you live or where you plan to hike, you may need a few different types to cover each of the seasons.
- Sandals – these have tough soles with excellent traction to stop you from slipping. They’re great for hiking in warm weather or hiking near water. (If you’re looking for more shoe recommendations, you can check out our guide to the best fishing shoes for some great choices).
- Shoes – these look like sneakers and are lightweight and comfortable.
- Boots – these are great for hiking in bad weather. They’re super protective and durable, so they’ll keep you safe even on very challenging terrain.
Comfort
Comfort is really important when hiking. You should still feel comfortable in your shoes even after a long hike, the last thing you want is to be stranded in the middle of nowhere with painful feet. If you have flat feet, you’ll want to look for a pair with decent arch support.
You should also look for shoes with sufficient shock absorption, which will help to dissipate the energy that enters your body each time you take a step. This helps to protect you from accidentally hurting your joints.
Durability and Weatherproofing
Some hiking shoes are described as waterproof, which means they should keep your feet dry even in bad weather conditions. However, some are described as ‘water-resistant’, which is not the same thing. Water-resistant means that your shoes can withstand a bit of water, but may run into issues if it starts to rain.
Winter hiking boots may have extra insulation built into them, which helps to keep your feet warm even on freezing cold days. Other shoes have breathable mesh built-in, which will stop your feet from getting too warm as you walk.
Durability is important too, especially as hiking shoes can be expensive. Look for tough rubber soles and leather uppers, which are very durable materials.
Top 5 Hiking Shoes for Narrow Feet
Now, here are our top recommendations for hiking shoes for narrow feet. We’ll give you our opinion on how well they fit, how comfortable they are, and if they are durable enough to withstand challenging hikes. We’ll also give you all the key details you need to know like size and materials.
Chaco Men’s ZVolv 2 – Best Hiking Sandals
Key Features
- Sizes: 7-15
- Materials: Synthetic, rubber
The Chaco Men's ZVolv 2 is ideal if you’re after a hiking sandal. They’re adjustable, so you can tighten them snugly to your feet, and the toe area is fairly narrow. They’re available in a range of sizes, with multiple colour options to choose from. The downside is that the strap is quite long, so you’ll have to make sure you carefully fasten it to ensure you don’t trip over it.
They do a great job of protecting your feet. They have adjustable heel risers for extra arch support, which makes them suitable for those with flat feet, too. They have a strong tread to stop you from slipping, and the synthetic uppers dry quickly, which makes them a useful pair of shoes if you plan to hike near water.
They’re not too pricey, but they’re durable so they should last for a long time.
Pros
- Adjustable
- Narrow toe area
- Strong thread to stop you from slipping over
- Durable
Cons
- Strap is long so you’ll have to take extra care to tuck it in/cut it down to size
Salomon Men’s Authentic Leather & GORE-TEX Backpacking Boots – Good All-Rounder
Key Features
- Sizes: 7-14
- Materials: Leather, synthetic
The Salomon Men's Authentic Leather & GORE-TEX Backpacking Boots, Black Coffee/Chocolate Brown/Vintage Kaki, 9 M US is perfect for those with narrow feet. They’re comfortable with good arch support too. The shoes are easy to adjust, although they don’t offer half sizes, which is a shame.
They’re durable and hard-wearing, with leather uppers, so they should last for a long time. Their shock absorption is good, and they’re also weather-resistant so they should be suitable for most hiking conditions.
Given how durable they are, they’re fairly well-priced.
Pros
- Good shock absorption
- Adjustable for a tight fit
- Durable
- Good price point
Cons
- Limited sizes on offer
Jabasic Women Hiking Shoes – Best Multipurpose Shoes
Key Features
- Sizes: 6-10
- Materials: Rubber, soft knit
The Jabasic Women's Hiking Shoes are great if you want a lightweight, comfortable pair of hiking shoes for different purposes. These are light enough to wear when running errands, exercising or tackling lighter trails. You can adjust them easily, and the toe area is fairly narrow, making it great for those with slimmer feet. However, there is a limited size range available.
They’re pretty durable given how lightweight they are, with a rubber toe cap for pressure resistance, and anti-skid patches on the soles to stop you from slipping over. However, they’re not particularly weather-resistant, so you’re definitely best to stick with these if you live in a warmer area.
The price point is good, and they come in a small range of colors.
Pros
- Easy to adjust
- Good for narrow feet
- Lightweight
- Good price point
Cons
- Limited sizes are available
Columbia Newton Ridge Hiking Women’s Waterproof Boots – Best Waterproof Boots for Women
Key Features
- Sizes: 5-12
- Materials: Rubber, leather
The Columbia Newton Ridge Hiking Women's Waterproof Boots are a solid choice if you have narrow feet and you struggle to find hiking boots that fit properly. They’re adjustable with a lace-up closure, so you can adjust them to securely fit your feet; plus, they also have half-sizes available for a more accurate fit.
The shoes are pretty durable, with a thick rubber sole, and leather uppers to keep your feet dry and secure. They’re waterproof, which is excellent if you’re hiking in colder/wetter conditions. They’ll keep your feet safe, with multi-terrain traction to stop you from slipping.
The price point is good given the durability, but the downside is they’re a little stiff – you’ll have to break them in before you use them or risk blisters on your big toes.
Pros
- Easy to adjust
- Waterproof
- Durable
- Good traction
Cons
- Quite stiff, so they’ll have to be broken in before you use them
Columbia Men’s Crestwood Hiking Shoe – Best Hiking Shoes for Men
Key Features
- Sizes: 7-17
- Materials: Rubber, leather
The Columbia Men's Crestwood Hiking Shoe is a good option for men. They have a lace-up design, meaning you can fit them closely to your feet, and the toe area shouldn’t feel too wide for you if you have narrow feet. They come in a wide range of sizes and a few color choices, too.
They’re comfortable, made from durable leather. They have a strong sole with excellent grip, and they feel comfortable to wear right out of the box. They’re long-lasting, but they’re not waterproof, which means you will need to pick another pair if you’re hiking in challenging weather conditions.
These shoes come in at a good price point given the durability, which is great.
Pros
- Easy to adjust
- Good for narrow feet
- Durable
- Comfortable
Cons
- Not at all waterproof
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you go, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about hiking shoes for narrow feet:
How can I tell if I have narrow feet?
You’ll probably know by now, but just in case, you may find you have slightly narrower feet than average if you find there is a lot of extra space at the edges of your shoes. You may have narrow feet in general, or narrow heels, which are a bit trickier to find shoes for.
How can I break in my hiking shoes?
The best way to break in your hiking shoes is by wearing them in short bursts. Try wearing them around the house, wearing the socks you plan to wear on the trail. That way, you can take them off if they become uncomfortable, gradually increasing how long you wear them.
Once they start to feel less stiff, you can wear them on short walks; for example, wear them on a walk in the park, or to run errands. Then you can hit the trail. If your shoes were particularly stiff when they arrived, we’d recommend bringing along some bandaids and sticking to a shorter trail to start with, just to make sure.
Will insoles help to make my shoes fit better?
Insoles may help your shoes to feel more comfortable on your feet. However, this isn’t a cure-all, and if you have very narrow feet you won’t be able to fix a ‘regular’ pair of shoes with insoles.
If you are looking for insoles, check out our guide to the best insoles for work boots for more information.
How can I protect my knees when hiking?
While hiking is really good for you, there are some things to watch out for. Knee injuries among hikers are pretty common, but there are a few things you can do to help to protect yourself:
- Use a walking pole to help take some of the pressure off your legs as you hike
- Look for shoes with good shock absorption to help disperse some of the energy in your body with each step you take
- Decrease the weight in your backpack or daypack
- Follow some simple exercises to strengthen your knees
To Sum Up …
If we had to pick a favorite, we’d go for the Salomon Men's Authentic Leather & GORE-TEX Backpack Boots. These are good all-rounders. Durable, secure, and comfortable, they’re ideal if you want something that feels ready to wear straight away.
If you want some great waterproof boots, we’d recommend the Columbia Newton Ridge Hiking Women's Waterproof Boots. They need a little breaking in, but they’re comfortable after you’ve worn them a few times. They’re also durable and safe to wear on slippery trails.
Meanwhile, if you’re hiking in hot weather or near water, we’d recommend the Chaco Men's ZVolv 2. They’re lightweight, durable, and have excellent grip.
We hope this has helped you to find the best hiking shoes for narrow feet! If it has, please feel free to share it on social media.
We’d also love to hear your thoughts. Do you have any hiking tips for newbies? Any product recommendations? Let us know in the comments!