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You can buy the
best boots in the world, if they are not fitted properly it won't
matter, you will be sore, you will have blisters and you won't be
happy. When looking for new hiking boots we offer the following
suggestions:
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Wear/bring
the socks you will use hiking. Cotton socks should
general be avoided. Wool, Cool-Max, VVS, or a wool-blend
material are ideal. Liner socks made of Cool-Max or VVS
should also be purchased. Good quality socks for hiking can
range from $7 to $20 a pair, and some even had specific designs
for left and right feet.
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Shop at
the end of the day. Try to go for a walk or be on your
feet. It is not a good time to look after sitting at a desk
all day. Do a day of running around for errands and then go
try on boots. Your feet will be slightly swollen, which will
better simulate a couple of hours of hiking.
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Have
your feet measured. Most people that own a number of
shoes know that there size will probably wobble 1/2 shoe size in
either direction depending on the style and manufacturer.
Don't assume you are a size 11, get measured because our feet do
change over time.
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Walk
around in your boots. Walk around in the store.
Try to purchase for a location that has an incline ramp. If
they don't hop around from bench to bench (hey, this is a big
decision -- and our editors here have done it at a number of
stores). Climb up on benches, chairs, or anything you can and
hop down. Does your
heel lift off of the sole when you step up? Do your toes get
scrunched when you step down? If they do re-lace your boots
and try again. If your foot is moving more than a 1/2 inch
off of the heel, or your toes are uncomfortable when stepping
down, try a different size or style. Don't get hung up on
buying a particular style from a particular company -- trust your
feet.
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Kick
some hard objects. Find a solid object and kick it a few
times. Do your toes move forward in the boot? If so
re-lace them and try again. If your toes move forward the
boot may be to large, conversely if you can feel what you are
kicking and it is uncomfortable, your boot may be too small.
One
boot may not do it all. One boot may not cover all of
your needs. If you plan to do backcountry hiking with a
heavy pack, and also plan to explore the Rim Trail on the Grand
Canyon in a leisurely stroll, you should not expect your On Trail
boot to meet your backpacking needs. Just like many active
paddlers own several boats for a variety of conditions, a number
of active hikers own a variety of footwear for the conditions they
experience. -
Don't
buy boots from the internet. You read that right, don't
buy your boots from the internet. If you are new to hiking
you should get your boots professional fitted. At the bare
minimum try and fit them in a store and then buy what you are
looking for on the internet (if your conscious doesn't bother you
doing that). Remember, mass produced products are built in
lots, the size 11 you tried on at the local hiking store may come
from a different lot off of the internet and not feel the
same. If you find a boot that fits well, go with it.
This is the specific reason why OutdoorPlaces.Com does not offer
boots on our site, and we never will.
Other general
features you should look for in a new hiking boot include:
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The less
number of pieces the upper is made from, the better. Try to
find uppers made for three or less pieces of material.
Complex stitching and patterns on the upper allow for points for
water to get into, make a weaker boot, and each seam is a
potential point of irritation.
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Select a
boot that has a reinforced heel. Just like toe rands are
important, a reinforcement of leather or other material stitched
over the seam on the back of the heel protects this vulnerable
spot from getting cut when hiking.
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Boots with
linings from a number of materials that wick away moisture should
be given consideration. Your feet naturally sweat when you are
on the trail and lined boots can help on keeping that moisture
away from your skin. Leather lined boots can be especially
comfortable but add a lot of cost to the construction, and require
special care to prevent mold from growing on the inside of the
boot.
Select
above ankle boots that have speed lacers. Instead of eye
loops running up to the top of the boot, the laces slip into
notches that allow for quick lacing, and easy adjustment to the
amount of pressure around the ankle. Speed lacers also
assist in preventing the tongue of the boot from irritating the
top of your foot.
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