I struggle with the question of whether or not golf shoes are good for hiking. The short answer is that they might be, but it’s hard to say for sure.
Golfers may enjoy hiking in their new shoes and their feet might be well protected, but hikers tend to have different needs than the golfers they would encounter on a course.
Hiking is hard on feet. A hiker’s feet are subjected to sharp rocks, thorny brush and other hazards found in nature.
In some ways, golf shoes have better traction than hiking boots, but then again that doesn’t mean much if the hiking trail is covered with mud or snow.
Let’s have a look at some of the facts.
1) Golf shoes are made for comfort, not for protection.
Golfers want shoes that feel good and fit well. They want shoes that make them walk with a certain stride (not too short and not too long). The types of hiking shoes many people wear today were designed for protection from the elements. While some golfers might like to hike in their golf shoes, they are probably not going to enjoy having their feet lashed by twigs and exposed to the sharp edges of rocks.
2) Golf shoes won’t protect a hiker’s feet if they are wet.
The golf shoe is usually made of a synthetic material and it benefits from the technology that is used to make it soft and pliable. But while a golf shoe might look good, it’s not going to offer much protection when water gets inside the shoe. The lining will quickly get wet and much of that water will run into the footbed. When the foot gets wet, it loses its ability to provide a firm grip on surfaces. The hiker could lose balance or fall and hurt himself or herself quite seriously.
3) A hiker might be able to hike in his golf shoes, but it won’t be without problems.
Hikers will still have a lot of work to do to get their shoes in and out of the shoe clips or their laces. The problem is that the hiking shoe was not made with functionality as a priority. Some walking surfaces will require the hiker to use some force to walk on as well, which could make him feel uncomfortable or awkward while hiking.
4) They are designed to grip on grass.
Golf shoes are generally not made to grip on mud, rocks or anything else. This is probably the biggest shortcoming of golf shoes and also why many hikers like to walk in their hiking boots.
Now all of this doesn’t mean that golf shoes are bad for hiking. They can be used, but it will take some time to get used to them. While your feet might feel good, they won’t be protected when the going gets tough on a hiking trail. You could end up suffering with blisters and other problems that could bring your hike to an abrupt and unpleasant conclusion.
5) Golf shoes can make a hiker’s footbed wet and muddy quickly.
One of the problems associated with hiking in golf shoes is that the footbeds can get wet and muddy quickly. This is because the golf shoe usually has a synthetic upper cover, so water can run down into it very quickly. A hiker who wears his golf shoes while walking through streams or across a stream may find that they begin to cause him or her blisters. If your feet are wet, you’re vulnerable to all kinds of problems including cuts and scrapes.
6) Hiking shoes provide more protection than golf shoes.
The hiking shoe is typically made of a leather liner or some other material that will protect the hiker’s feet from getting wet. The shoes usually have a protective toe cap, but even so, hikers who wear golf shoes will find they are less protected than they were while wearing their hiking boots.
Which type of shoes are best for hiking?
It can be a little tough to find the shoes that are just right for you. If you want something to protect your feet and provide traction over muddy and rocky surfaces, then you would be better off choosing hiking boots instead of golf shoes.
You might feel as if they weigh too much, but this is not always the case. Many of these boots have lightweight designs that provide traction and protection in almost all situations.
As you’ll soon see, they will protect your feet much better than golf shoes ever could. You get the ability to walk on wet or muddy surfaces as well as the ability to take advantage of all kinds of terrain, including rock, sand and even ice.