Buying a pair of good-fitting hiking boots is incredibly important. Chances are you will be
spending hours in your new boots hiking miles and miles over all kinds of terrain, so it's is
essential for your boots to fit right. Here are a few things to look out for when buying a new pair
of hiking boots.
Try them on
This may seem obvious, but as soon as your new boots arrive you should try them on and walk
around in them. You don't want to wait until halfway through a 10 mile hike to discover they
don't fit correctly. The first thing you should do is take the laces out and completely re-lace your
new boots so there is no slack in the laces, but be sure not to over tighten them. Next, you will
want to be sure to try them on with correct socks. If you plan on hiking in colder conditions, you
will want your boots to fit comfortably with a thicker pair of socks. Finally, try them on in the
evening to get a real sense of how they fit throughout the day. Our feet swell during the day, so if
they fit snug in the morning, they might feel too tight by the time the afternoon rolls around.
Toe Room
It is important to have the correct toe room in your boots. When they fit correctly, the toe room
will prevent your feet from banging against the front of the boot when going downhill, and will
allow for some swelling throughout the day. Your boot should have a snug fit throughout the
heel, ankle and forefoot, and have ample toe room.
Heel
Your heel should rest snugly in your boots. If you feel your heels sliding a little, first try
tightening the laces near the bend of the ankle to see if that makes a difference. It is important
that your heel stay comfortably in place as you hike so you don't end up with blisters after a long
day.
Forefoot
Different people have different foot widths, so it's a good idea to take your size into
consideration. If you have a wide foot, you might want to try loosening the laces where it feels
too snug around the ball of your foot. You can also get thinner insoles to give your feet more
room. For a narrower foot, try tighter laces and a thicker insole. If the boots still don't fit, you
might just have to go with a different model or brand.
Once everything checks out okay, take your new boots outside for some testing. Be sure to
incorporate different types of terrain and hills into your test walk so you know how your boots
will hold up. New boots may need to break in a little before they're totally cushy, but at the same
time you should feel happy wearing them in the meantime. Don't stick with a pair of boots that
hurt your feet - you owe it to yourself to be as comfortable as possible on your hikes.
Author Resource:
As well as being a keen hiker, the author is a born again biker with a special interest in Arai Helmets for motorcyclists.
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