Likewise, it's important to consider the environment where you plan to hike and backpack: Southern California is rather dry, so super water resistant shoes are not as critical as say, in the Northwest, but popular backpacking destinations like the Sierras and Big Sur can get very wet and damp, especially since some trails are bound to cross streams and rivers.  In general, the fewer number of pieces that make up a shoe, mean there are fewer seams for water to leak through. Materials like leather and nubuck resist water well and generally hold up better than imitation synthetics.

After making the decision on where you are most likely to go, it's important to visit a a store where you can actually try on the shoes.  The internet is great, but it's impossible to tell how a shoe will fit just by looking online at a picture and selecting the right size. Outdoor recreation stores like REI should have a great selection. When visiting the store, make sure to bring along socks that you would use while hiking, as this can truly affect the fit.

via Examiner.com

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