MD Podiatrist Warns Against Hiking in Sneakers

Here’s why experts say you shouldn’t wear sneakers on your treks into the wilderness, and why the best boots, hiking shoes, and trail runners are a better pick. “Flip most basic sneakers over and you’ll see a relatively smooth outsole with shallow, flat rubber,” says Dan Michaels, DPM. “That’s designed for friction on pavement, not to bite into loose soil, mud, or wet rock. On a damp, leaf-covered descent, it’s an injury waiting to happen.”

“Basic sneakers are mostly flat with minimal lug design, which is great on polished floors and terrible in mud,” Dr. Michaels says. The flat sole that’s designed to grip asphalt won’t have the tread to grip rock and can instead make you “feel like you’re skiing” when exposed to mud. They’re also rarely waterproof, so puddles and wet mud won’t just coat the soles but can also soak right through.