by Graham Averill

Finding the right hiking boot can be as difficult as finding the right person to spend your life with. There are plenty of options to choose from (light hikers, trail runners, high cut, low cut, trail sandals), but which is the right shoe for you? As with finding your life partner, it’s important to know yourself before you make a serious commitment. Do you like short hikes? Are you a creek jumper? Are you planning on hiking the Mountains to Sea Trail? Do you just want something that makes you look outdoorsy? We at Blue Ridge Outdoors have tested the latest season’s hiking boots and developed a guide to match you with your “Sole Mate,” the perfect boot for the kind of hiker you really are.

“A Serious Commitment”
Teva Zakka Mid GTX, $100

You’re finally at that stage in your life when you’re willing to take the next step. You want more out of your boot. You’re tired of easy day hikes and you’re thinking about doing a section of the Appalachian Trail. The Teva Zakka Mid GTX is the boot for you. It’s a mid-cut leather and mesh boot with the support and stability you need for that week-long trek. You’ll have no problem carrying a full pack, but you won’t be bogged down by the weight of an all-leather traditional backpacking boot.

“Spontaneous and Fun”
Garmont Eclipse XCR, $100

Sure, you hike a little, but you really want something more versatile. You want to go from the trail to the gym to the mall without having to change your shoes. Say hello to the Garmont Eclipse XCR. It has the flexibility of a yoga instructor combined with the stability of a brick schoolhouse. It’s lightweight and attractive but still performs well on the trail. Go wild with these boots. Take them into the woods. Jog in them. Wear them to the mall. Get crazy.

“A Little Bit Dirty”
The North Face Goretex XCR, $100

You like to get muddy. You’re on the trail and you head straight for the puddles. You often find yourself dancing in a creek. You can’t help it, you just like to get a little dirty. You’re kinky that way. Your sole mate could be the North Face Fury Goretex XCR. It’s a low-cut boot with a Goretex upper that keeps your foot drier than the Betty Ford Clinic. And it has the right amount of traction to keep you from slipping while on the trail.

“The Rough Stuff”
Montrail Hardrock, $90

You often find yourself in rocky situations. You pound your boots and you want something that’s going to withstand a beating. It’s not that you’re abusive, you just expect a lot from your boot. Meet the Montrail Hardrock. It’s technically a trail runner, but don’t let that fool you. This shoe was designed for trekking over rough, rocky terrain. It’s tough and stable and still only weighs 13 oz., allowing you to move lightly over rocks, lava, broken glass, hot coals…whatever.

"Looks Matter”
Merrell Motovator, $109

It’s not that you’re shallow, it’s just that looks are important to you. You use “product” in your hair and your favorite show is “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.” Check out the Merrell Motovator, quite possibly the prettiest hiking shoe on the market. Merrell consistently puts out a good looking shoe and the Motovator is no exception. And other than a short, uncomfortable break-in period, it performs well on the trail. Not that you care...you’re only going to wear them to Starbucks.

“Personality First”
LaFuma Crosstour GTX, $109

You’re so comfortable with who you are as a person that you don’t care what you look like. You’ve never read a fashion magazine and you think the idea of spending more than $7 on a haircut is ridiculous. It’s what’s inside that counts. That’s never more true than with LaFuma’s Crosstour GTX. It ain’t pretty. It looks more like a combat boot than a hiker, but its design is solid and comfortable. This boot is perfect for the longer hikes over rough terrain. Just don’t wear them out in public.

“Sick and Masochistic”
MBT Hiking Boot, $234

You like to torture yourself. You think aerobics are fun and you like to cap your Friday nights off with 1,000 stomach crunches. Man, is the mBT Hiking Boot for you. The mBT is a fitness shoe designed to strengthen and tone your legs with a curved sole. As if hiking wasn’t enough exercise, this company went and made it harder. There’s no real tread and the shoe is rather unstable so don’t take this shoe on any steep or technical hikes. It’s strictly for fitness. But you love that, you sicko.

“A Quickie”
Lowa Dragonfly, $115

Sometimes, you’re not looking for anything serious. You just want a brief hike and nothing more. A fling. The Lowa Dragonfly GTX XCR is just the boot for that occasion. A low cut, lightweight multi-purpose shoe, the Dragonfly lacks the support and stability for a long hike, but it’s perfect for a short jaunt into the woods. A lot of that has to do with its trail runner sole and breathable upper.

“The Travel Partner”
Vasque Breeze, $109

You want to cover a lot of miles in a short amount of time. You travel light and you’re looking for a shoe that can get you where you want to go quickly. Maybe you’re running from the law...hey, it’s none of our business. Just be sure you’re wearing the Vasque Breeze. It’s a high top, lightweight boot with an unusual amount of stability designed for long distance fast packing. Think the Appalachian Trail in three months.