Buy the Best Hiking Boots for Peru in 2020

One of the few things I splurge on for visiting Peru is a pair of hiking boots. Few things can ruin an experience as much as a pair of shoes that comes apart on your hike. So as long as you’re planning on visiting archaeological sites, the Andes or the jungle, here are brands and models that I consider the best for hiking in Peru.

Don’t Miss the Best 4 Hiking Boots for Peru

I only consider boots that go past the ankle, are water-resistant (or water-proof), and have a good reputation among fellow hikers and online reviews. Below are several boots that I would buy (or have used) for visiting Peru. This is in reverse alphabetical order, because it’s fun to start lists with Z:

Zamberlan Trail Lite EVO GTX Hiking Boots: I like that these are lightweight, waterproof and can be resoled. Since the sole is often the first part of the shoe to fall apart, resoling lengthens the boots’ lifespan and results in less waste. For hiking boots these are super fancy-looking and can be worn in non-hiking scenarios. The Gore-Tex lining makes them breathable as well.

Oboz Sawtooth II Mid BDry Hiking Boots: These are the boots my wife currently uses. In our home we love Oboz!!! This particular product features a duel-density EVA midsole. In English, that means the boots have extra cushioning and stability. 

La Sportiva Blade GTX Hiking Boots: This vegan option has a GoreTex mesh, making them waterproof. Relatedly, today I learned vegan clothing is made from zero animal products and only from cruelty-free sources. If you buy these, know that some reviews mention that they run a tad small.

KEEN Targhee Vent Mid Hiking Boots: KEEN is another well-recognized name in hiking. These boots are noted for being very breathable and so are recommended for jungle treks or hikes that have a large change in altitude. They also contain Cleansport NXT, which provides natural odor control, which will be very important to your fellow hikers.

Factors to Consider when Choosing Yours:

• Weather: Most of the treks in Peru involve huge changes in altitude and maybe rainfall. So boots that are at least water resistant are recommended. If you’re going to the Andes or jungle during rainy season (generally November through April), get waterproof boots. I avoid insulated boots since temperatures can vary greatly throughout the day. And nobody likes sweaty boots.
• Quality: Yes, it’s obvious, but you want high-quality boots to get you through the tons of walking that you’ll do in Peru. While I like to try new brands and to support start-ups, this is a case when I stick to what are generally recognized as high quality brands.
• Height: I only use boots that go past the ankle when in Peru. It’s easier to twist your ankle when you’re tired from hiking or aren’t familiar with the terrain, so protect yourself! There is no good place to twist your ankle, but there are many bad places. Peru is one of those bad places.
• Weight: I don’t have a rule of thumb for how heavy/light a boot should be, but I try to opt for lighter boots when all else is equal. After days of traveling, one starts to notice a difference if their boots are heavy.

Why it’s Worth Investing in Hiking Boots for Peru

I cannot emphasize this enough: Unless you’re just going to hang out in the cities or the beach for the whole trip, get solid hiking boots for Peru. It doesn’t have to be any product recommended by me, but if you’re going to invest so much time and money into visiting this fascinating country, make sure your feet are prepared for it!!!!

So once more, here are brands and models that I recommend for your trip to Peru:

Boot	Unique Features
KEEN Targhee Vent Mid	Cleansport NXT helps provide natural odor control. Water resistant. Breathable design.
La Sportiva Blade GTX	Waterproof mesh made with GoreTex. Runs a tad small. Vegan.
Oboz Sawtooth II Mid BDry	EVA midsole designed for extra cushioning and stability. At least water resistant.
Zamberlan Trail Lite EVO GTX	Can be resoled. Waterproof. Italian-made.

And if you have other recommendations or have a question, leave a comment below!