Fit should be your first concern when buying hiking footwear. However, there's only one brand that can offer hikers a customized fit—Tecnica. Tecnica hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail runners can be heat-molded to your feet using technology adapted from the ski boot industry. Do you want to know more about the only customizable hiking footwear? You're in luck: I'm one of just a few footwear pros who's actually customized Tecnicas. My Tecnica brand review explains this custom-fitting process and highlights the best Tecnicas for hikers, the Forge and Plasma.
Tecnica brand review
Based in the Italian Alps, Tecnica has been a leading European brand since the 1960s. Like Salomon, Tecnica first made its name in the ski industry before it branched out to high-performance footwear. It's one of several top brands in the Tecnica Group, which also owns Nordica, Blizzard skis, Rollerblade, and Lowa. The brand's U.S. headquarters are in West Lebanon, New Hampshire.
Why choose Tecnica hiking boots?
Tecnica gets my vote as one of the best brands for hiking footwear for one main reason—it's the only brand with custom-fitted hiking boots and shoes. But that's just the start. Here's a quick overview of the brand's best features:
Customizable fit
Thermo-molding is well-established in ski boots, but Tecnica is the only brand that's adapted Custom Adaptive Shape technology to hiking footwear. Select outdoor retailers can customize Tecnica footwear in a 20-minute process that uses heat and pressured air bags to mold thermoform footbeds and uppers to your feet and ankles. This creates a custom fit in the ankle, heel cup, and arch (not the forefoot or toe box) that conforms to the unique shape of your feet. This can be a game-changer for hikers with hard-to-fit feet, foot problems, or ankle problems.
Photo courtesy of Tecnica
Traction
Like many premium brands from Italy, Tecnica sources its outsoles from Vibram, another venerable Italian brand. Vibram rubber has the reputation for the best traction on both dry and wet surfaces.
Photo courtesy of Tecnica
Stability & Support
Made with the Alps in mind, Tecnica hiking boots combine sturdy uppers with TPU shanks and sturdy outsoles for excellent stability and support. Overall, Tecnica seems to be a better brand for serious hikers, backpackers, and hikers who mostly hike technical terrain.
Custom fitting is complimentary with your Tecnica purchase. Importantly, however, Tecnica hiking boots can only be custom-fitted at select retailers equipped with Tecnica C.A.S. units. You need to visit these select stores in person for a custom fitting. Before you order Tecnica hiking boots online, please see Tecnica's store selector tool, which identifies the outdoor specialty stores that are equipped to customize Tecnica hiking shoes.
best Tecnica hiking boots
Tecnica Forge: best hiking and backpacking boot
Best Features
The Tecnica Forge is the first customizable hiking boot. The boot's thermoform uppers and insoles can be molded in select stores to custom fit the shape of your feet and ankles. That fit alone could be a revelation for many hikers--especially those with foot or ankle issues or hard-to-fit feet. However, the Forge would still impress even without a personalized fit. It features quality leather and synthetic materials, waterproof-breathable Gore-Tex, and Vibram's Megagrip outsole. This stiff and supportive boot would be great for backpacking, off trail hiking, or hiking difficult terrain. As you might have guessed, you do have to pay a premium for Tecnica's personalized fit and premium quality. If you’ve got the money, however, your feet and ankles may thank you for this award-winning boot.
Tecnica Plasma Mid: best lightweight hiking boot
Best Features
Based on the success of the Forge (above) and Plasma Low hiking shoe (below), Tecnica launched the mid-cut Plasma a couple years ago. The Plasma Mid is lighter than the Forge with a little over-the-ankle protection— placing it in between the high-cut Forge and low-cut Plasma on the support continuum. Like other Tecnicas, the Plasma features GORE-TEX waterproofing, Vibram outsoles, and C.A.S. Customizable uppers and footbeds. It's a solid day hiking that excels on tricky mountain terrain.
best Tecnica hiking shoes
Tecnica Plasma Low
Best Features
A year after Tecnica released the award-winning Forge hiking boot, it launched the Plasma hiking shoe. The Plasma is a customizable hiking shoe that's lighter than the Forge. However, this low-cut is still built much like its taller brother. It's also stiff, supportive, and protective with above-average grip from its Vibram outsoles. This package makes the Plasma a solid shoe for day hikers. At the same time, this sturdy hiking shoe may have enough backbone for backpackers with light to moderate pack weight. There's a lot to like here— even before mentioning its main selling point, its customizable fit. No other hiking shoe can be heat-molded to fit your feet like the Tecnica Plasma.
Pros vs Cons: Tecnica hiking boots/shoes
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Overall recommendation:
Tecnicas aren't cheap. Is it worth paying a premium for a Tecnica hiking boot or hiking shoe? Maybe. Thanks to its Custom Adaptive Shape Technology, Tecnica is a good brand for hikers who've struggled with fit or need help with foot or ankle issues. It's also a clutch brand for serious hikers and backpackers who mostly hike moderate to difficult trails.
Here are the brand's best fits and best matches:
Best Fit
narrow feet:
Tecnicas run narrow & may require extra sizing up
Best Match
hikers with hard-to-fit feet,
hikers with foot/ankle issues,
difficult hikes, backpacking
Should you buy Tecnica hiking boots & shoes?
Who wouldn't want a personalized fit? That's why Tecnica is one of the best brands for hiking footwear. The Tecnica Forge and Plasma are both high-quality, high-performance options that may provide the custom fit you've always wanted. As a trained footwear expert, I see Tecnica hiking boots and hiking shoes as great options for serious hikers, backpackers, and hikers with hard-to-fit feet. If that's you, Tecnica may be your go-to brand— if you can afford them.
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If not, please heck out my other recommended brands, my other brand reviews, or my curated lists of the best hiking boots, best hiking shoes, and best trail runners for hiking. There's a great chance that you'll find your best choice somewhere at hikingfeet.com.
