And don’t forget to wear some blister-preventing and moisture-wicking wool socks. (Thicker socks will also take up more space inside the toe box.) In any case, we recommend trying out some shoes in person before buying them. A full size up most likely won’t apply to the average day hiker, but it’s always better to err on the bigger size.

“Toes need room to spread out and wiggle around.” Wilkinson’s advice definitely applies to serious backpackers and thru-hikers, whose feet are more prone to swelling after many miles and thus need a bigger shoe. “The best way to do that is to be sure you get footwear that’s at least one size bigger than what you normally wear,” he says. (Not that there’s anything wrong with buying a gorp-y pair of boots for your strolls around the city.) When picking out trail shoes, Pacific Crest Trail Association communications director Scott Wilkinson advises that “it’s absolutely critical” to maintain circulation in your feet. Hiking footwear is trendier than ever, which can make it difficult to find shoes that are equally functional and fashionable.

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