How to choose hiking shoes for women with sensitive feet?

Here are several criteria that you can use to assess the comfort of hiking shoes:

• The lining material: choose shoes with soft, anti-rub materials.
• The insole: a thick, soft insole can help reduce pressure and impact when walking. If you have orthotics, check that they fit the shoe you're planning on buying.
• Arch support: Good arch support is essential to prevent pain.
• Shoe shape: shoes that are too tight can squash the foot and cause pain. Ideally, you should choose a shoe with a wider and more spacious fit for sensitive feet.
• Shoe ventilation: Flexible, breathable materials help prevent friction and encourage better foot ventilation.
• Specific features: some models are specially designed for sensitive feet, with features such as removable insoles, advanced cushioning systems and ventilation technology. There are also models for wide feet to prevent your feet getting squashed when walking.

Every foot is unique so it's important to try on several models and find the one that best suits your shape and level of sensitivity.

In summer, individuals with sensitive feet sometimes prefer hiking sandals which offer enhanced comfort.

Cushioning is a key factor when choosing hiking shoes for women with sensitive feet. Without good cushioning, which helps to reduce pressure and absorb shock, your feet will be subjected to much greater impact and quickly become more painful. A shoe's cushioning is made up of several components:

• The midsole : this is the part of the shoe that absorbs the most impact.
 As its name suggests, it is positioned between the insole (in contact with the foot) and outsole (in contact with the ground).
• The outsole material: some shoes use a rubber outsole to provide additional cushioning.
• Special cushioning technology: some hiking shoe manufacturers incorporate advanced cushioning technologies into their designs.

Assessing the level of grip provided by hiking shoes on different types of terrain is key when it comes to ensuring safety during hiking excursions. Good grip stops you from slipping and falling, particularly on damp or slippery ground. For good grip, lugs need to be deep and sharp.

Traction helps when walking on solid or uneven surfaces, including rocky terrain. This is provided by wider, shallow lugs.

Shoes with a Vibram® sole are very popular for mountain hiking. This type of sole is known for its enhanced grip, abrasion-resistance and stability.

Finally, remember to consider the type of ground you'll be walking on so you can determine whether you need good grip and traction.

In addition to grip, good support is essential to reduce the risk of twisting your ankle and developing pain after just a few kilometres.

To ensure good support, you need to consider the following features:

• Efficient lacing system: An efficient lacing system for precise adjustment and improved foot support. A locking hook system on high-cut hiking shoes allows you to tighten the top and bottom sections separately. This means you can adjust the lacing to your foot shape, for increased or reduced freedom of movement, depending on your preference.
• A"well-secured" heel: to stop the heel from lifting, which can cause rubbing, your heel needs to be properly secured/supported at the back of the shoe.
• Non-slip shoes: for good support, it's important that your foot doesn't slide back and forth, particularly when you're hiking. So should test your shoes on an incline to check this out.

Lightweight walking shoes or sandals are recommended for women with sensitive feet. They reduce fatigue as you're lifting less weight for each step. However, you shouldn't prioritize weight over proper foot protection, support and comfort. If you're setting off for a multi-day hike or planning on walking over rocky terrain, you should prioritize protection, comfort, support and cushioning rather than the weight of the shoe.

Depending on how you plan to use your hiking shoes, it's important to check if they're waterproof, so you're not unpleasantly surprised if you're caught in a heavy downpour.
Waterproofing is even more important if you're planning on going trekking in changeable weather conditions. Damp or wet feet are more susceptible to damage and can cause your shoes to rub.
So we recommend that you check if your shoes are waterproof as well as breathable to prevent moisture from forming inside your shoe.