Whether you’re a keen walker, want to hike to Machu Picchu or go on a trekking adventure to Everest Base Camp, having properly-fitting hiking boots is essential.
Here, I step into the heart and sole of the matter providing some advice about what hiking boots to get.
We all remember the first time we went shopping for shoes after our feet officially stopped growing.
Gone were our parents’ pressing fingers and their debates over the amount of room left for our wee toes to grow.
After that, shoe shopping became easy: a shoe either fit or it didn’t. The only question really left needing an answer was whether the shoe caused the dreaded ‘slipping heel’. Even then, a simple lap of the shop would do the trick.
We hate to say it, but buying the right hiking boot involves you playing the parent of old. You’ll need to ask a lot of questions, and yes, you’ll even have to worry about how much room is sitting in front of your ten precious toes.
Why?
Well, while trekking you’re usually carrying a backpack, which will slightly flatten your feet, and thus lengthen them.
And most importantly, as you make long descents, each successive footstep will force your toes forward in your boot. If you’ve sized your boots like you size your trainers, you’re in for a world of hurt.
While shopping for boots, a quality store should be able to supply you with a weighted backpack and a ramp to test walking both downhill and up. Besides taking steps down the ramp, try everything in your power to make your toes hit the front of the boot – even kick the toe of the boot into the floor if necessary.
An ideally-sized shoe will have enough room to protect your toes, while at the same time fitting snugly enough around the heel and the length of your the foot to stop it from sliding around.
Taking strides up the ramp will enable you to feel if the heel cup is properly suited to your feet. If your heel slides up, or if the cup puts too much pressure on the Achilles area, the boot is not for you (even if it passed the mighty toe test).
For long treks with a backpack, boots should have a shank. This is typically a rigid piece of plastic or metal running along the length of the boot. It’s shaped to help your stride, as well as to prevent your sole from feeling rocks underfoot.
Both will greatly reduce fatigue over long treks and add to your comfort. Ankle support is also important, so before trying on a boot see if you can bend the ankle section with your hands. If the boot gives, it’s not even worth trying on.
If you may be trekking through wet weather, waterproof boots are best, as having wet feet causes more blisters. Leather styles, which can be treated with various waterproofing agents, are great, though be careful of options with abundant stitching (the fewer pieces of leather the better). If the best fitting boot for you isn’t waterproof, consider GORE-TEX socks.
Another key thing to keep in mind while shopping is that there is not one brand of boot that will suit everyone. Your friends may rave about a particular boot company, but there is no guarantee that brand will be comfortable for you. This is why I’m not going to recommend any specific boots, you really need to see what feels best for you by trying some on.
Be wary if a store is pushing one brand at you, particularly if they are saying it is the best. A boot can never be the best unless it first fits your foot!
Lastly, after purchasing your boots, wear them around the house for a week or two. You’ll quickly come to realise if there are any issues. If there are, the fact you haven’t worn them outside should ensure you can return them without a problem.
Happy shopping! And happy trekking!
