For both technical trails and long walks, the high hiking boots provide excellent support. This is the best-selling model in the high hiking boot category. They offer reliable ankle protection and comfort. Find out how to choose the right pair of hiking boots for your profile and preferred terrain.
Mounted high hiking boots are a strategic choice for those seeking safety and stability. They are particularly well-suited to rugged terrain, long distances and heavy loads. By effectively protecting the ankle, they limit the risk of twisting while providing solid support.
At Galibier, we’ve been developing low-cut and high-cut for men and women for over 100 years. Sturdy, repairable, durable boots for demanding terrain. Thick, full-grain leather, Vibram® soles and Norwegian stitching are the cornerstones of our new models.
This guide will help you understand the different types of hiking boots. It will help you distinguish between high, semi-mounted and low boots. And to help you make the best choice according to your type of hiking, your morphology and your level.
Why choose a hiking boot?
Choosing a hiking boot means opting for maximum support, protection and stability. Choose this type of shoe for hikes on uneven terrain, long-distance portages or high-altitude walks, where every bit of support counts.
The high-cut boot has a rather high collar compared to a low-cut hiking boot. It will stop above the malleolus: a small bone located on the inside and outside of the ankle.
Support, protection and comfort: the benefits of a high-top hiking boot
This is one of the main advantages of a pair of high-top shoes: excellent ankle support. The high upper firmly envelops the joint, keeping the foot firmly in place, even on downhill slopes. This considerably reduces the risk of sprains or false movements.
Another important benefit is protection. A high hiking boot protects against impacts (stones, roots), splashes (mud, snow) and intrusions (small pebbles, branches), making it a trusted ally on technical trails.
These are particularly valuable assets, especially when you’re out and about in the mountains. An injury in these conditions can be very dangerous, especially if you’re far from civilization. So it’s important to do everything you can to protect yourself.
Stability is also enhanced by a stiffer sole, often with thick studs. These provide better grip on wet, slippery or rocky terrain. But above all, you won’t feel the sometimes sharp relief underfoot, which proves very pleasant.
This more robust design does not exclude comfort. Provided, of course, that you choose the right size and model for you. Our new models incorporate polyurethane foam inside the Vibram sole for optimum cushioning.
Finally, a high top hiking boot fitted with Gore Tex or Sympatex adds a layer of waterproofing, without compromising breathability. A good choice for all-weather or multi-day hikers.
In short, this hiking boot is ideal for those looking for a reliable compromise between protection, support and durability, whatever their level.
High hiking boots for different profiles and uses?
Hiking boots are designed for a wide range of hikers. From beginners looking for safety to experienced adventurers tackling the most challenging terrain. Their main assets – sturdiness and versatility – appeal to a wide audience.
For beginners: secure every step
Beginner hikers will often opt for a high-cut hiking boot to reassure themselves in the field. Ankle support is a major argument when you’re still lacking confidence on uneven or slippery trails. This type of shoe limits involuntary twisting and provides a more stable base for walking.
secure every step:
As a beginner, your joints and tendons will be less trained to effort. It will be all the more important to support them as you roll your feet along the trail. It also allows you to concentrate on the pleasure of the hike, without worrying about a false step. This is where the grip and adherence of the hiking shoe play a major role, and where fast hikers are also very much in demand. Thanks to its reduced weight and freedom of movement, the low shaft allows you to lengthen your stride and gain speed. They meet the demands of sporty, fast-paced and sometimes timed hiking.
For experienced hikers: performance and protection
Experienced hikers, or those who regularly hike at altitude, opt for women’s or men’s. This choice enables them to tackle technical terrain without fear: scree, slopes, mud and snow.
Of course, their joints, tendons and muscles will be used to intensive exercise. But that doesn’t mean hiking is any easier for them. They naturally gravitate towards more technical terrain. And it’s in these demanding environments that the mountain boot comes into its own, thanks to its reinforced stone guard and notched sole.
Mounted hiking boots for long distances: long-lasting comfort
On a trek lasting several days, muscular fatigue accumulates. Carrying a loaded rucksack places heavy demands on the body’s supports. Hiking boots provide active support, reducing shock and protecting joints. They allow you to follow one stage after another with greater peace of mind, even in variable conditions.
The hiker needs to be relieved of the burden of carrying a tent and a sleeping bag, as well as food and water. Particularly during bivouacs , when you’ll be carrying a tent and sleeping bag, as well as food and water. Of course, high-top hiking boots will be heavier than low-top ones. But this extra weight will be more than offset by the benefits they bring.
What about light hiking?
Mountain boots are often associated with mountaineering. Today, however, certain models offer a good compromise between support and lightness. They’re ideal for light hiking on hilly terrain, with minimal portage, especially if you’re looking for extra protection compared to a low-cut upper.
Choose a low-cut model for light hiking, especially in summer, when a low-cut upper provides greater breathability.
Hiking boots: high, semi-high or low: what to choose?
Should I opt for a high or low hiking boot? The choice of footwear depends above all on the type of terrain, the length of the outing, the level of experience of the hiker and the weight of the rucksack. Mounted, semi-mounted and low-profile configurations all meet specific needs.
Mountaineering footwear: altitude and mountaineering
Hiking boots such as the Galibier Super Guide offer the best protection. Its very high upper firmly envelops the ankle and part of the shin. This shoe has all the characteristics of a mountaineering boot, and can withstand extreme temperatures. This pair is particularly suited to technical terrain and difficult conditions.
Altitude and mountaineering
Many pioneers have carried it, including Paul-Emile Victor, René Desmaison and Lionel Terray, who opened routes in the Himalayas, Peru and the North Pole respectively.
It is ideal for high-mountain workers such as guides and shepherds. But also forest rangers and lumberjacks for their work in difficult terrain.
Semi-mounted: balancing freedom and protection
Semi-mounted hiking boots are an excellent compromise. Their upper is lower than an ascending model, but higher than a low upper. This is the case with our Super Rando Mid, which offers a good level of support without sacrificing flexibility. In fact, mobility is amplified compared to a stiffer Super Guide.
The Super Rando Mid is designed for multi-purpose use in low and medium alpine terrain. It’s a hiking boot that’s particularly appreciated by enthusiasts looking for a technical, comfortable and durable boot that’s suitable for most terrains and seasons.
It’s also ideal for workers in hostile environments. We equip ESAM 38, the Isère Mountain Animal Rescue Team, with these models.
Low shoes: lightness and agility
Low-top models are distinguished by their lightness, flexibility and breathability. A low-cut hiking shoe is ideal for warm climates, day hikes or fast-paced walks on rolling terrain.
The Super Rando Low allows a freer, more natural stride, but offers less protection against ankle twisting. As a result, it is less suitable for committed trekking or high-mountain itineraries. However, its Vibram sole and solid leather construction give it a certain legitimacy. An unforeseen climb won’t be a constraint at all.
This is a lighter shoe that encourages hikers to lengthen their stride. Its design is also less imposing, so it can be worn in urban environments quite naturally.
Ultimately, the right choice is not based on a single ideal configuration, but on the match between your needs, your practice, and the type of hiking boot that best meets them.
Our recommended Galibier uprights
At Galibier, every hiking boot is the fruit of century-old know-how, combined with a constant focus on durability, fit and comfort. To meet the needs of demanding hikers, we have developed models with high, semi-high and low uppers. Suitable for all terrains, robust and repairable.
The Super Rando Mid: technicality & versatility
The Super Rando Mid perfectly embodies this balance between technical features, durability and versatility.
Super Guide: the heritage of Alpine know-how
The Super Guide is our iconic model, stiffer and more technical. Designed for high-altitude outings and alpine terrain.
These two models are aimed at those who want to buy a hiking or mountaineering shoe. A climbing shoe, capable of lasting for years, with simple maintenance and responsible manufacturing.
Care tips for high hiking boots
Well-maintained high hiking boots can be your companion for many years, no matter how hard you work. At Galibier, we design robust, repairable models that are built to last. But this durability also depends on a few simple gestures.
Cleaning is the first essential step. After a long hike, remove the laces and insoles. Then gently brush the shoe with a soft brush and lukewarm water or foam cleanser.
Dry at room temperature, away from any direct source of heat (radiator, fireplace, sun). Excessive heat can damage the shoe and dry out the leather. To absorb moisture more quickly, place a shoe tree or newspaper inside the shoe.
Once the shoe is clean and dry, nourish the leather with a suitable product, such as Galibier natural beeswax, to preserve its suppleness and weather resistance. Leather is naturally waterproof, but extend this protection against water and humidity with a waterproofing product, especially after a wet or snowy outing.
Finally, to guarantee the longevity of your pair of high boots, store them in a dry, well-ventilated place. Avoid plastic bags or tightly closed storage units.
Good care not only prolongs the life of your shoes, but also the pleasure of walking in a pair that’s always comfortable, efficient and reliable. Find our detailed and illustrated care tips on this page.
FAQ: answering final questions
Galibier
Yes, as long as you choose a well-ventilated model. Hi-top shoes with a Sympatex membrane are particularly suitable: they efficiently evacuate internal moisture, even in hot weather, while maintaining excellent waterproofing. This keeps feet dry, without overheating, even in summer.
They often are, because they offer fewer entry zones for water, mud or snow, and generally use sturdier materials. However, durability depends above all on maintenance. A shoe that has not been properly cleaned, dried or stored in poor conditions will wear out quickly, regardless of the height of its upper.
Absolutely. This is even more important for a leather shoe, which needs time to get used to your feet. Start with short outings or wear them for just a few hours a day. Without this phase, you greatly increase the risk of blisters, especially on multi-day treks.
