How Do I Choose A Hiking Boot?

Your hiking boots can make or break a trip. If you plan on doing a multi-day hike, you will spend a lot of time with your boots. Therefore, it is a good idea to know them well before leaving and choose wisely (or else you could literally find yourself in a lot of pain).

Boots or walking shoes?

The right footwear for best-hiking boots comes in two main varieties: trekking boots or trekking shoes. You will always meet some hikers who claim that you only need a pair of running shoes, and although these may be more comfortable when things are going well, they are less likely to protect your feet and ankles from the tensions of irregular terrain.

The advantage of shoes over boots is that they are generally lighter, while boots provide more support for the ankle. Also, if you are going to make a longer trip and want to pack light, trekking shoes can often function as city shoes for general activities and sightseeing. Trekking boots do not resemble anything other than trekking boots, so if the multipurpose style or use is a priority, boots may not be the best.

When should you buy them?

Trekking boots (or shoes, if that's what you have decided to buy) should never be purchased immediately before a multi-day trip. Doing so means that the boots will not be worn correctly before you have to wear them. In addition, if there is any problem with the fit or even the quality of the boot, you will not have the opportunity to see any problem before having to spend several days without stopping with the shoe on your foot. You run the risk of weakening blisters or other problems with the boot or fit at a point where you can't do anything about it.

You should also buy trekking boots later in the day, ideally at night, when your feet are swollen from the use of a day. Trekking, especially in hot climates, will make your feet swell. You should make sure that the boots fit well, not only when your feet are colder and, therefore, smaller.

How should they fit and feel?

Because hiking boots have a different use than normal shoes, you should check for different sensations when you try them on. It is not good to tie them up and down the room a couple of times and buy them, as you would with other shoes.

Try boots with hiking socks. I even bought some hiking socks. These are thicker than normal socks to protect your feet from blisters and keep them warm. Normal thick wool socks are not a good idea, as they are more likely to get wet and rub after a while. Good quality hiking socks made of synthetic material are designed to remove moisture from the skin's surface.

What else should you look for?

You have reduced the selection to a pair of boots that feel good. What else should you consider?

The material is important. Are they leather or cloth? Leather can be more resistant and waterproof boots, and last longer than boots made of synthetic materials. But they can take longer to enter and are heavier.

Is the tongue with bellows, that is, is it connected to the boot under it with a fabric flap? If so, it will protect your feet from the sand and other pieces that enter your boot. It will also be more water-resistant.

Conclusion

This old adage is largely true when it comes to trekking boots. While some brands of equipment for outdoor activities are too expensive, it is advisable to buy boots from a reputable brand that prioritizes substance over style. This may mean paying more than you would normally pay for a pair of shoes, but think of trekking boots as an investment, whether you walk once a year or every weekend. Buying imitations that crumble after wear, or worse, in the middle of your trip, is a fake economy.