How to Buy Hiking Boots

Hiking boots are the most important piece of equipment you have on the trail.

They may seem like a fairly simple bit of outdoor gear, but there’s actually a lot more that goes into a pair of hiking boots than meets the eye. And although you don’t need to know every intricacy of how your boots manage to provide such great support and protection, it certainly helps to know a little about what you’re stepping into.

To state the obvious, taking care of your feet is essential. So is staying upright. The consequences of choosing footwear poorly compromise your ability to do both. 

Years ago, I was in the envious position of testing hiking boots. I walked thousands of miles using every brand and style imaginable.

Here’s what I learned

Low-end boots aren’t worth it.

Don’t even go there. Your safety is worth good boots. The hallmarks of cheap boots are poorly glued on soles that quickly delaminate, poorly stitched uppers that start fraying and falling apart, midsoles made from cheap foam that lose their cushioning qualities, and outsoles that are hard as a rock, resulting in no cushioning and poor grip.

Always consider your terrain.

Hiking in the desert and over the summits of the White Mountains couldn’t be more different. Your choice of boots needs to accommodate the terrain. If I’m hiking in mostly rocky areas (e.g., the AT) I always wear “above the ankle” style boots. There’s little more painful than rocks and roots hitting bare ankle bones. The added protection is key. I also prefer the extra stability that high boots provide. My trail miles have included a few ankle twists and rollovers, so the higher style helps a lot.

Leather or Leather/fabric?

I frequently get asked this question. It’s totally personal preference. Leather/fabric is lighter and more breathable. All leather seem to provide more durability and stability over the long haul. I always go with all leather.

Fit.

The most important consideration is the one many people don’t research enough. Here are four critical things to remember.

1. When you try on hiking boots, you should ALWAYS wear the socks or sock combinations you will wear on the trail. If you forgot to bring socks with you to the store, lay down some coin and buy some new ones off the rack. I always wear polypropylene liner socks and wool outer socks. I wouldn’t consider trying out a pair of boots without wearing them. Not every store carries liner socks, so I always bring them with me. Obsessive? Perhaps. But I’d rather be sure about my boot fit than be suffering from sore feet three days from the trailhead.
2. The shoe store floor is flat as a pancake. The trail isn’t. One store I used to buy boots from had a ramp you could walk up and down to see if your foot slid forward in your boots or not. This was pure genius. Unfortunately, they got rid of the ramp. But they still have an impressive set of stairs next to the shoe department. I use them. Here’s why. If your heels move in the boots, you’ll get blisters. If your feet slide forward, you’ll bash your toes against the front of the boots on descents. Either problem is disastrous. If your heels slip, but other aspects of the fit seem fine, see if you can “lock down” your heel position by making sure your laces are snug across your arches (the position of the fourth set of speed laces from the top of the boot in the graphic shown below).
3. Make sure you have enough room in the toe box of the boot to allow some expansion. Your feet swell during the day. If your boots start out too snug, you’ll likely suffer from foot pain as the day wears on.
4. Check for “bad toe breaks”. Stand with both feet flat on the floor. Bend your right knee until it is in front of your right toe. Only the toe of your boot should remain firmly in place, while the rest of your boot raises off the floor. The boot should crease just behind your toes. Repeat the same process with your left foot. In both cases, if this crease presses into the top of your foot, you need to reject the boots. It almost always means that the arch of the boot isn’t high enough to accommodate the shape of your feet and you need to go a half size up or try another style of boot. (In some cases, it’s just the particular pair of boots doesn’t break well. It’s worth trying the same size of the same boot to find out before you start trying other styles.)

In store or online?

For all the reasons outlined above, I almost always prefer buying my boots in a store. But there is an exception. Boot manufacturers tend to use the same molds (called “lasts”) when they build their boots. It’s really expensive to change the lasts, so, while boot styles change from year to year, the fit rarely does. What this all means is that if you find a boot that fits, you can be reasonably sure you can buy a pair made by the same manufacturer and get the same result.

Breaking them in. 

If you take a pair of boots out of the box, put ’em on, and start hiking down the trail, there’s a good chance you’ll regret it. I suggest wearing them around town, on short hikes, or wherever you can provide a bit of a break-in period. The boots will conform to your feet and feel a lot better when you take them on their first long spin.

Understand what you’re stepping into. 

Understanding the purpose and job of each component of your boots also helps you appreciate their value, and makes choosing and buying a new pair much easier. This is especially important when you are shopping for boots in store; your sales assistant will be using all sorts of terminology that is totally meaningless without some background knowledge.

So whether you decide to snap up a new pair of boots online or in-store, be sure to scrub up on your hiking boot knowledge before you start looking for the best hiking buddies you’ll ever have!

Boot graphic courtesy of www.CooloftheWild.com.