In general, hiking shoes are more breathable than hiking boots. Compared to hiking boots, hiking shoes rely on lighter materials such as mesh and synthetics in the upper, with more flexibility in both the mid- and outsole. Where hiking boots may last 1,000 miles or more, you can expect most hiking shoes to need replacing after roughly 500 miles. Break-in PeriodAll footwear requires a break-in period, and that's doubly true of the best hiking boots and hiking shoes. Some companies (most notably Oboz and Danner) are known for hiking shoes with little to no break-in period.