Crossing the Alps is a real adventure — but without the right hiking boots, it can quickly become a burden. Comfort, sure-footedness and the success of the tour depend largely on the right shoes. To ensure that you start your tour well prepared, we have some helpful tips for you from the specialist shoe store Mitterer — Der Fußfreund vom Tegernsee
Which shoe category is suitable for crossing the Alps?
Hiking boots are divided into categories from A to D — the higher the letter, the more robust the boot.
| Category | Category Description | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| A | Lightweight approach shoe, flexible, with grippy sole | Day hikes, city, hut |
| B | Trekking boots with good support and a flexible sole | Multi-day tours with moderate luggage |
| B/C | Sturdy mountain boot with a firm step and high ankle protection | More demanding tours, scree, snow fields |
Tip: If you are crossing the Alps with a rucksack, you should choose a category B or B/C boot — for sufficient stability and safety in alpine terrain and on longer tours.
What also counts:
- Tegernsee-Sterzing: easy to moderately difficult trail conditions, little scree — Category B recommendation by Martin Mitterer: Lowa Renegade, a comfortable classic: flexible sole, Gore Tex membrane, light ankle protection
- Obersdorf-Meran, E5: easy scree passages, no climbing sections — category B or B/C, e.g. Meindl Tonale GTX: medium stiffness, scree protection band or Hanwag Makra (with stiffer midsole)
- Hirschberg: Asolo Eldo Mid flexible shoe, up to the ankle
Martin Mitterer points out that when buying shoes, don’t just look at the category, comfort also counts. In addition to the stiffness of the sole, there are also differences in the material around the ankle.
Leather or textile — which is better?
Textile with Gore-Tex membrane
- Light
- Dries faster (ideal for multi-day tours)
- Good breathability
- Protects against wet feet
- Many models can also be resoled
- Can be very warm as the membrane incorporates an additional layer of material. Not always ideal in the summer months.
Leather (e.g. nubuck or full-grain leather)
- Extremely robust and durable
- Resoleable and easy to care for
- Better foot climate, as leather is a natural product
- Rocks more slowly, requires regular care
Both materials have their advantages. For a multi-day tour, Martin recommends a textile shoe with a Gore-Tex membrane, as it is easier to care for and less complicated, and it also dries more quickly if it gets wet.
Shoe care — how to keep your shoes fit for a long time
Before the tour:
- 2–3 days before the start: wax or grease leather shoes (e.g. beeswax-based, particularly kind to the skin)
- Waterproofing is sufficient for membrane shoes
During the tour:
- Air daily, remove insole
- Occasionally loosen the laces and remove dust / sand from the tongue
- When wet: remove the sole, put newspaper in the shoe and place in a heated room (not on the radiator!)
After the tour:
- Clean thoroughly — even the spaces in between
- Loosen the laces, leave to dry
- Use shoe trees Prevents the formation of heavy creases.
How long does a good hiking boot last?
It’s not just the mileage that counts, but also the age of the shoe — even if it’s sitting unused in the closet, the material can age:
- Service life: approx. 5–10 years
- Mileage: approx. 1000–1500 km
- Rubber and soles can become brittle
Martin reports on Alpine crossers whose soles disintegrate as soon as they arrive by train in Tegernsee. Fortunately, the shoe store is only 300 meters away. Even better: get new shoes in good time before the tour and break them in well.
Sustainable solution: Resoling
Brands such as Meindl, Hanwag and Lowa offer professional resoling with original materials and lasts. The shoe store can send your shoes in — if they are well cared for, this is worthwhile. Cost: approx. 120 EUR — significantly cheaper and more sustainable than buying new shoes.
Break in your shoes — absolutely!
Blisters don’t have to be a problem — good preparation makes running more relaxed:
- Break in your shoes well before the tour.
- The right socks that wick away sweat and do not form creases
- Test with additional weight (rucksack)
- Check over a longer period of time
- Possibly test custom-made insoles
Do I need a second pair of shoes?
You don’t necessarily need a second pair of hiking boots. For the hut, town or relaxing evenings, Martin recommends barefoot shoes (e.g. Pure Freedom from Meindl) — lightweight, small pack size and waterproof (not waterproof)
Alternatively, flip-flops, light sneakers etc. are also suitable.
Conclusion
- Think about your hiking boots early
- Take “almost new” shoes out of the wardrobe in good time and check the soles and condition
- Get advice from a specialist store — with plenty of expertise and suitable models
Worn and bought (the shoes actually belong to the respective wearer)
Lissi wears a flexible, modern model (Eldo Mid by Asolo) — she prefers little support and maximum freedom of movement.
Lydia wears an uncomplicated shoe (Lowa, Renegade, already in its second generation) that “takes everything in its stride” and lasts a long time.
Martin uses a more robust model (Forge Gtx from Tecnica) of category B/C — perfect for demanding tours with scree and changing terrain.