Footwear

We know. You meant to scrub and scour your gear last fall. But...[insert excuse here]. Now, set aside one weekend afternoon to get your gear back into action and promise to be better next year.

Check out The Backpacker Editors's author page.

Check out The Backpacker Editors, Photos by Julia Vandenoever's author page.

Check out The Backpacker Editors, Photos by Julia Vandenoever's author page.

Check out The Backpacker Editors, Photos by Julia Vandenoever's author page.

You won't go far with sore feet. So our testers went the distance–5,000 miles, to be exact–to bring you the best shoes for every foot and hike.

Check out The Backpacker Editors's author page.

Choose the right type of gaiter for your trip.

Stay light on your feet with the Lafuma Active Raid GTX XCR, Garmont Eclipse XCR, Merrell Chameleon II XCR, Montrail Mountain Mist XCR, and Vasque Breeze Low XCR.

Go light on your feet with the Adidas Cloudcap XCR and Garmont Nasty.

Get killer ankle and underfoot support in an ultralight hiking boot.

Boots that are amazingly stable, delightfully lightweight, and surprisingly waterproof.

Breathable low-cut hikers for medium-volume feet.

Light boots that are good for medium-sized feet.

Boots for women that are both sturdy and compact.

Keep your feet warm and dry while snowshoeing, camping, and shoveling the driveway with the Columbia Ice Dragon, North Face Ice Storm GTX, and Kamik Patriot.

This low-cut's shallow tread grips well through it all

Catch the hot spot before it's too late

Enough support and comfort to carry a big load for 56 miles in four days--that is, if you're up to it

A hiking boot that provides outstanding protection against rocks, cactus, snow, and rain

What to do when your soles come undone.

Prevent blisters, hike grit-free, and find arch support in a lightweight boot

Introducing a new breed of synthetic boots: fast, nimble, and surprisingly supportive.

Channel your nimble-footed inner child with these grippy, hikeable shoes.

These nimble shoes are a steal for hikers with narrow feet.

Excellent fit, support, and waterproofing set a high bar for low-priced boots.

On hot summer days, these breathable shoes beat the heat.

A cushy sole makes these a good choice for long trail days.

Don't throw big-ticket boots in the bin when a quick makeover will do the trick.

Young hikers deserve performance shoes

Slip into the most comfortable all-leather backpacking boot you've worn in years

Be cool in fastpacking's finest footwear

Just ask our Northwest editor how these boots hold up and he'll tell you a little bit about the 13-mile, 6,000-foot-elevation trail he covered. Easy as instant-pudding pie.

If you wake up wanting to walk 1,000 miles, go out and purchase a pair of these first.

Don't underestimate the power of this model's plus sign -- the new and improved shoe almost offers too much to use the same name.

Despite its name, Garmont's lighter boot provides excellent support, but a bit too much for fastpackers and trail runners.

The Terrastryder-Mid triumphs in the "Best Fit" category for the hard-to-fit group -- just beware of its sogginess factor.

This scrambler provides everything you need to go anywhere you want: support, grip, comfort, and waterproofing.

Mesh-covered vents take these strong midcuts into the future of fastpacking shoes.

Give this boot a little time to really feel broken-in, and it will reward you with years of comfortable hiking.

The Trek brings serious trail mileage capabilities to the original (and winning) Trango S.

What kind of scrambler would pass up a shoe with soles described as Spider-Man-like? C'mon!

When it was time for Ladies' Choice, they picked the boot that 'just plain fit.'

Check out the best lightweight boot for your heavyweight foot.

This shoe fits the fastpacker interested in traveling long distances on hot days.

If there's a rough and tough masochist in the ultralight category, it's the Cyclone.

You think thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail is a long walk?

Ventilation and traction are a nice combo, but stability doesn't match the best.

Even big guys with wide feet will feel agile with these supportive shoes.

Let others wilt in the heat; your feet are air-cooled by these ventilated runners.

Pillows underfoot might be softer, but they won't last like these cushy shoes.

One of the lightest shoes in the test scores big with trail runners.

Ready, set, go. You'll literally run down the trail with these featherweight kicks.

No toes will be lost in these mountaineering boots.

Not a speed demon? These traditionalists are great for light hiking.

These shoes can handle any terrain.

Whether you're on rocks or a grassy trail, you're sure to love these boots.

A top all-purpose midweight boot

Hike on the trail then run on the road with these versatile shoes.

A well valued boot, great of every level of hiking.

Light and supportive all in the same package

While these shoes aren't for running they are great on the trail or on the town.

You won't find a better all-purpose lightweight boot.

These aren't Elvis' blue suede shoes.

Become geckolike the minute you slide into these shoes.

They're not fancy, but they do the job.

Not the best for long days and heavy loads, but great for fastpacking.

A boot that actually improves your agility

Want a midweight that can tread in heavyweight terrain?

If a short trip is your plan, grab these boots and go.

A long lasting, hard working boot

Snow-covered trails are no match for this shoe

The cork-bed of your sandals in a boot.

Boreal gives us a boot that provides stability and waterproofing.

Boots ideal for summer fast-packing

Given an Editors' Choice Award in 2001, this boot continues to be a great value.

New technologies make this pair of boots a standout.

Waterproof boots can make the difference between a sick hike and a miserable slog.

Lengthen your boots' life span by following this simple maintenance plan.

You can experience heavenly hiking even if you lose your boot sole.