Walking/Hiking shoes

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1
Hi guys

I need to get walking/hiking shoes for my 5 year old and also for me and the husband.

Please excuse my ignorance but I have never owned a pair of these (just have regular trainers) so not sure where to buy them in basel, what are the good brands and what to look for.

Also are walking/hiking shoes the same or different

Don't want to spend a fortune but what are the decent ones you recommend

Really looking forward to getting more active

Many thanks

2
I do a lot of walking, usually around 10K a day. My favourite make Columbia, although be careful with shoes with lace loops like these.

https://www.ochsner-shoes.ch/CH/de/s...xoCr2wQAvD_BwE

The loops snap, like the laces. Look for this.

https://www.my-store.ch/en/fashion/c...BoC3JIQAvD_BwE

Obvious for you and husband, the baby will outgrow his shows before he wears them out.

3
Go to Decathlon with the family and explain your requirements and budget. They will find you some decent walking shoes/boots.

4
With anything having Vibram soles, one usually can't go wrong.

https://us.vibram.com/

5
I've found that SportXX has a good range and consistently the most sizes in stock. My recent pairs have all been LOWA which I'm very happy with.

But for the kids when they were younger we bought most of ours from Lidl or used SportXX/Ochsner own brand because they grow out of them so quickly.

I also wear lightweight mid boots from Salomon (basically one extra row of lace hooks vs trainers, rather than two extra that would be on a full boot). They give a bit more ankle protection from being bashed on rocks or bushes, a bit more mud-depth, but very little extra weight or support.

6
I made the mistake of getting proper leather boots (with a vibram sole) that were simply too heavy. I now wear the lightest non-boot shoe that has adequate support and stiffness in the sole, whether that's vibram or not. Depending on where you go your trainers might even be sufficient. Lightweight is the way to go.

7
I got a air of Adidas Free Hiker the other week and they are very light and comfortable. https://www.adidas.ch/en/terrex-free...es/D97203.html

I paid 137chf from Keller Sports https://www.keller-sports.ch/p/adida...xoCAwAQAvD_BwE

I had a bit of a problem where in the front of the shoe was a bit too much space, but I added an second pair of insoles and now they feel just right https://www.decathlon.ch/de/p/einleg...270?mc=8543964

They also look good enough to wear around town as casual walking trainers too.

8
Good point. I always have to swap/double-up the insoles in all my shoes.

9
My new favourite light trekking shoe is:

Asics Gel Sonoma 6 running shoe for outdoors.

It's one of those shoes that fit my weird foot as soon as I tried it on. I adore the enhanced grip I have with the soles and feel I could easily use this shoe on easier hikes.

For more difficult hikes, I have an Iowa hiking boot that offers stability for my ankles.

https://www.asics.com/us/en-us/gel-s...width=Standard

10
Adidas are annoyingly small so I have to size up by 1 full Eurosize. However, the toe boxes on these free hikers are unusually roomy so it needed a bit of tuning to avoid my foot moving around and rubbing. I did a hike last week and almost developed some blisters. Next hike should be better though.

They don't have much in the way of foot protection, but it really is like walking on a cloud... so much cushioning.

11
What do you mean by hiking? If going on manicured Swiss paths, then any shoe with decent grip will do.

12
For the adults at least: Two brands that are popular, good to high quality, and can accommodate a lot of needs because of diverse models PLUS a choice of widths (choice of width becomes all the more important when you move to a higher, stiffer boot):

Lowa ( https://lowa.ch/)::) made of (mostly) European material in Germany, Italy, Slovakia (and perhaps Bosnia). The Lowa Renegade is very popular for easy to medium mountain hiking: light and flexible but ankle height, waterproof, rugged sole (not Vibram though), decent price and warranty. Allows a very smooth transition from running shoes/trainers.

Meindl ( https://meindl.de/model-filter/?lang=en for the handy model finder): made in Bavaria. The Meindl Bernina 2 is a nice step "up" from the Lowa Renegade: leather (nicely waterproof), banded bottom for protection in rocky terrain, Vibram sole, can be resoled, good warranty. These are still easy to transition to, and will take you pretty much anywhere that does not involve climbing with your hands.

Finagling, you will find complaints online about decreasing quality for these brands and models, especially from people who have had earlier versions for many years. But that's true of essentially any brand, and comparatively these are reliable and quality-minded in their price range. For instance Lowa had some trouble with soles (especially the tips) delaminating a few years back, but that seems to be decisively fixed.

One last thing: If you are moving to hiking shoes, at least for the adults, insoles can make a difference. No point in getting custom insoles for regular hiking, but insoles can help with fitting, comfort and durability.

13
Actually something like this comes to mind.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rswK8bgCWFE

14
Would suggest focusing on goretex and vibram soles. I have found Lowa for the children to be the best price/quality ratio.

I see Gore-Tex as a must, nothing beats it for the children to have dry feet.

Always bought on Zalando on sales.

K

15
I second SportsXX. If you have a migros Cumulus car, you can get some points too . Online is great if you know what you are looking for/ buying the same pair of shoes time and time again (that’s what I tend to do). With kids, I’d definitely get their size properly measured. In a shop.

Two things to bear in mind when buying walking shoes: weight and width of your feet. For our kids, we’ve been buying the Adidas TerreX walking boots, are they are sturdy, light ans very comfy.

Oh and don’t forget to buy a good pair of hiking socks. For long hikes, they are real saviours. And lastly, don’t scrimp! A good pair can be anything between 130-299 Francs. That’s a lot of money, but if you like hiking and plan to walk a lot, the sticker shock is easily forgotten once you feel you are walking on clouds

Happy shopping

16
I got 2 pairs of Lowa Renegade (one boot style, one sneaker) , both got vibram soles.

17
It depends...

I went lightweight a few seasons ago and loved my Adidas Terrex, but I kicked a sharp rock accidentally and hurt my toe badly. I should have worn proper leather boots on rockier terrain but I got so used to going light...

For the easy hikes which you will mostly do with your 5 year old, lightweight from Terrex, Solomon, etc., are really good, but when it gets rough, you should get something with more protection all around your foot and not just at the bottom of your foot.

18
This.

I'm not sure how anyone can recommend any type of shoe let alone a particular brand or model without knowing a bit more about what sort of terrain, distance, season and so on the OP, and more importantly - as that is the limiting factor, what the child is planning to walk in.

19
Another good address for this would be Bächli . Assuming the one in Basel is anything like their shop in Luzern/Kriens, they have a vast range to choose from and very knowledgeable staff.

20
check out which big outdoors stores (transa bächli etc. or local basel only ones) or otto's sport outlet or decathlon you have nearby.

Go in and talk to a consultant and try them out.

With a 5yo you're probably only doing the yellow hiking paths. For those, sneakers are enough if it hasn't rained a lot.

For the kid you might not want to spend so much as he'll grow, so I'd go to decathlon.

For red hiking paths, i use mid height goretex boots. Only way to cross streams and stay dry really, without going overboard, and some degree of ankle protection, but still allow for freedom and weight is not crazy.

I have lowa renegade mid because they sell them at not outrageous price for a brand boot in otto's, and they fit my feet.

E. g. salomon is extremely popular but my feet are too wide for those.

tl;dr choose a kind of hike that you want these to be able to do, go to a good store, talk to someone.