If you are wondering where to buy hiking boots in Nairobi, Hiking Outdoor Gear Hub at Mountain Mall, 3rd Floor, Shop D39, on Thika Road stocks quality thrifted and new boots from established outdoor brands. Trying boots on in person with your hiking socks is the surest way to get a comfortable, blister-free fit.
Boots are the one piece of hiking gear you cannot fake. A poor fit turns a fun day on Mt Longonot or Ngong Hills into hours of sore toes and blisters. This guide covers where to buy hiking boots in Nairobi, how to choose the right type, how to get the size right, what to check on a pre-owned pair and how to look after them.
Quick Facts
- Where to buy hiking boots in Nairobi: Mountain Mall, 3rd Floor, Shop D39, Thika Road, Nairobi, near Kasarani, Garden Estate and Thome
- Opening hours: Monday–Friday 8:30am–6:00pm, Saturday 9:00am–2:00pm, Sunday by appointment
- Online: Order at hikingoutdoorhub.com and pay with M-Pesa or cash on delivery
- Best type for most Kenyan day hikes: Mid-cut waterproof hiking boots with a lugged rubber sole
- Toe room: About a thumb’s width (roughly 1–1.5 cm) between your longest toe and the front of the boot
- Try-on tip: Shop in the afternoon, when feet are slightly larger, and wear the socks you hike in
Where to Buy Hiking Boots in Nairobi?
The best answer to where to buy hiking boots in Nairobi is a specialist outdoor shop where you can try several pairs. Our hiking gear shop at Mountain Mall on Thika Road stocks hiking boots and shoes for men and women, alongside socks, gaiters and other trail gear.
For many hikers, the most convenient answer to where to buy hiking boots in Nairobi is Mountain Mall, which sits along the Thika Superhighway, close to Kasarani, Garden Estate and Thome, so it is easy to reach by car or matatu from most of north and east Nairobi. The shop is open Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 6:00pm and Saturday from 9:00am to 2:00pm, with Sunday visits by appointment.
Most of our boots are quality thrifted pairs from well-known outdoor brands, plus some new items. That mix changes the maths of where to buy hiking boots in Nairobi, because a proper waterproof, supportive boot costs far less than buying the same model new, which matters if you are just starting out or kitting out a family.
What should you look for in a hiking boot shop?
The best place to buy should let you try several sizes, compare brands side by side and see the soles up close. That is the main test when choosing where to buy hiking boots in Nairobi. Our guide on where to buy hiking gear in Nairobi covers the rest of your kit.
Can you order hiking boots online in Nairobi?
Yes. Ordering online is another answer to where to buy hiking boots in Nairobi: order at hikingoutdoorhub.com and pay with M-Pesa or cash on delivery. If you are unsure of your size in a particular brand, send us your foot length in centimetres on WhatsApp before ordering so we can help you compare sizing.
Popular choices for hikers working out where to buy hiking boots in Nairobi include the Quechua waterproof hiking boot, a light, beginner-friendly option, the Lowa Renegade Evo GTX Mid for rough, wet trails, and the Keen Targhee Mid waterproof boots, known for a roomy toe box. Stock changes often, so check the shop for current sizes.
Which Type of Hiking Boots Should You Buy?
Most hikers in Kenya should buy mid-cut waterproof hiking boots, so settle on the type before you decide where to buy hiking boots in Nairobi. Mid-cut boots protect your ankles on loose volcanic scree, keep feet dry in the rains and grip well on muddy forest paths, which covers almost every trail near Nairobi.
| Type | Best for | Kenyan examples |
|---|---|---|
| Low-cut hiking shoes | Dry, well-made paths and light loads | Karura Forest, Oloolua Nature Trail |
| Mid-cut hiking boots | Most day hikes, mud, loose rock, light packs | Ngong Hills, Mt Longonot, Elephant Hill |
| Stiff high-cut trekking boots | Multi-day treks, heavy packs, cold and wet high ground | Mt Kenya, Aberdares, Kilimanjaro |
Our detailed guide to hiking boots for Kenyan trails compares materials, soles and waterproof membranes in more depth if you are still choosing between styles.
Do you need waterproof hiking boots in Kenya?
Waterproof boots are worth having in Kenya because both rainy seasons turn trails into mud, and high forests like the Aberdares stay wet much of the year. In the dry months a breathable non-waterproof shoe feels cooler. Pair waterproof boots with leg gaiters on very muddy routes.
How Should Hiking Boots Fit?
Hiking boots should feel snug around the heel and midfoot, with room to wiggle your toes and about a thumb’s width in front of your longest toe. Your heel should lift only slightly when you walk, and your toes should not touch the front on a slope.
- Try boots on in the afternoon, when your feet have swelled a little.
- Wear the hiking socks you plan to use on the trail.
- Before lacing, slide your foot forward and check you can fit a finger behind your heel.
- Lace firmly and walk around, including up and down a step or ramp.
- Check that your toes do not hit the front when you walk downhill.
- Try both boots, since most people have one foot slightly larger than the other.
The REI guide to choosing hiking boots gives more detail on fit, materials and break-in if you want to read up before choosing where to buy hiking boots in Nairobi.
What size hiking boots should I buy?
Buy the size that fits your longer foot with hiking socks on, not your everyday shoe size. Many hikers go up half a size in boots. Sizing varies between brands, so measure your foot length in centimetres before deciding where to buy hiking boots in Nairobi, and compare it with each brand’s chart.
| UK size | EU size (approx.) | US men’s (approx.) | US women’s (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 38 | 6 | 7 |
| 6 | 39 | 7 | 8 |
| 7 | 40.5–41 | 8 | 9 |
| 8 | 42 | 9 | 10 |
| 9 | 43 | 10 | 11 |
| 10 | 44–44.5 | 11 | 12 |
| 11 | 45.5–46 | 12 | — |
Treat the table as a starting point only. Whatever you decide about where to buy hiking boots in Nairobi, remember that pre-owned boots often show sizes from the brand’s home market, so a boot labelled US 10 and one labelled EU 43 may fit almost the same.
Gear up for your next hike
Shop quality hiking and outdoor gear at great prices — from socks and gloves to hats, balaclavas and camping fuel. Everything you need for Kenya’s trails, delivered fast.
Are Second-Hand Hiking Boots a Good Buy in Nairobi?
Yes, second-hand hiking boots are a good buy when the sole, midsole and upper still have plenty of life. A quality thrifted boot from a good brand often outlasts a cheap new pair, which is why many hikers asking where to buy hiking boots in Nairobi look at pre-owned boots first.
What should you check on pre-owned hiking boots?
Buying Checklist
- Tread: Lugs should still be deep and defined, especially at the heel and toe.
- Midsole: Press it with your thumb; avoid boots with deep creases, cracks or a crumbly feel.
- Sole bond: Bend the boot and check that the sole is firmly attached all the way round.
- Heel counter: Squeeze the back; it should feel firm, not collapsed.
- Inner lining: Feel inside the heel for worn-through lining that could rub.
- Uppers and eyelets: Look for splits in leather or fabric and check every lace hook.
- Fit with insoles: Remove the insole and stand on it to check your foot fits its outline.
Midsoles made from polyurethane (PU) can break down with age, even in boots that were barely worn, so a pair that looks new but has a crumbling or separating sole is not a bargain. Whichever answer you reach on where to buy hiking boots in Nairobi, flex the boot firmly before you pay.
How Do You Break In and Care for Hiking Boots?
Break in hiking boots by wearing them around the house and on short walks for a week or two before a big hike. Clean off mud after every outing and dry boots slowly at room temperature, away from fires and direct sun.
Modern fabric boots need little break-in, while stiff leather trekking boots need more time. Combine your boots with cushioned merino wool hiking socks, which manage sweat and reduce friction on long days. Re-proof leather with a suitable wax and fabric boots with a spray-on treatment when water stops beading.
Before a long trip, take your boots on a proper test hike. A day on the Mt Longonot hike is a good test: steep, loose and dusty on the way down. With the short rains here, see our guide to rain jackets for hiking in Nairobi to complete your wet-weather kit.
Ready to hit the trail?
Join one of our upcoming guided hikes — from beginner-friendly day hikes to longer treks across Kenya’s best routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to buy hiking boots in Nairobi on a budget?
The best place to look for where to buy hiking boots in Nairobi on a budget is a shop selling quality thrifted outdoor gear. Hiking Outdoor Gear Hub at Mountain Mall, Thika Road, sells pre-owned and new boots from established brands, so you can get a waterproof, supportive pair for less than a new one.
Can I hike in sneakers instead of hiking boots?
Sneakers can work on short, dry, well-made paths such as Karura Forest, but they lack the grip, ankle support and protection needed on loose or muddy trails. For Ngong Hills, Mt Longonot or any hike in the rains, hiking boots or trail shoes with a lugged sole are much safer.
How long do hiking boots last?
Hiking boots typically last several hundred kilometres of trail use, but lifespan depends on weight, terrain, materials and care. Replace boots when the tread is worn smooth, the midsole feels flat or cracked, the sole starts separating or the boots no longer keep water out despite re-proofing.
Should hiking boots be a size bigger?
Hiking boots are often half a size bigger than everyday shoes because you wear thicker socks and your feet swell on long hikes. The right size leaves about a thumb’s width in front of your longest toe while holding your heel firmly. Always fit boots to your larger foot.
Which hiking boots are best for Mt Kenya?
Mid- or high-cut waterproof boots with a stiff sole and good ankle support are best for Mt Kenya. The routes cross bog, scree and cold, wet ground above 4,000 m, so choose boots with room for thick socks and break them in well before the climb.
Final Thoughts
The simplest answer to where to buy hiking boots in Nairobi is a shop where you can try several pairs with your hiking socks on. Choose mid-cut waterproof boots for most Kenyan trails, fit them to your larger foot and check the sole carefully on any pre-owned pair.
Now you know where to buy hiking boots in Nairobi, visit Mountain Mall on Thika Road to try boots on, or order online with M-Pesa or cash on delivery. Then break them in on a short local hike before your next big adventure.
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