How to Buy Proper Hiking Boots
Hiking lets you get out and explore the world, whether that be a multi-day venture through Yosemite or a short, peaceful day hike through the park with your family. The boots that you purchase for hiking can make all the difference to how you feel out on the trail and after your day is done. Most hikers desire a boot that is both light and comfortable. Know what to look for when purchasing a pair of hiking boots.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Bring a pair of hiking socks to the store you visit to purchase your hiking boots. You want to try on boots with the same type of socks that you will be wearing out on the trail. This will help prevent your boot from fitting differently on the trail compared to how it fit in the store (i.e. too tight or too loose).
-
2
Speak with a store representative about his or her hiking boot recommendations in terms of your interests, including the type of hiking you will be doing, the ability to re-sole the hiking boots after long-term use, price and any other factors that you think will be important in the purchase of your boots.
-
-
3
Select a pair of hiking boots from the display that match your outdoor interests and shoe size. Place your foot in the boot and stand up. Do not worry about lacing up the boots yet. Use your thumb to check the spacing between your big toe and the front of the boot. If there is no space between your toe and the boot then you will need a larger size. Having this space will allow your feet to fit comfortably in your boots and will help prevent your toes from being smashed into the front of your boots when walking downhill.
-
4
Lace up the boots and walk around the store to get a feel for the boots. Verify that the boots fit correctly and that your toes are not touching the front of the shoes. If your toes do touch the front of the boots, then ask a store representative for a half-size larger to see if those fit better.
-
5
Test the boots on a slant board is the store has one available. A slant board is a fixture that you walk up and down to test the boots to make sure that there is no rubbing or sliding between your boots and your feet. If the store does not have a slant board, ask the store clerk what alternatives are available for testing your boots out on an incline. If the boots feel uncomfortable for any reason, do not hesitate to try on another pair. Remember that you will be spending hours in the boots and that you want them to feel as comfortable as possible for your hiking trips.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit work boots image by palms from Fotolia.com
