How to Choose the Right Hiking Boots

March 23, 2010, By Jeff Waddle 0 comments

If you’ve taken a healthy hike in a pair of cheap or ill-fitting boots, you know the best men's boots are a must. Indeed, the right boots spell the difference between a spirited jaunt on the trail and a painful plod straight to Blister City.

It takes some effort to find the right hiking boots, but it’s more than worth the trouble. Read on and your feet will thank you.

What kind of hiker are you?

Hiking boots are definitely not a one-type-suits-all proposition. There are different boots for the various types of hiking people do, from lightweight, low-cut day hikers to stiff, high-cut expedition models for when you’re hauling a 45-pound backpack for several days.

If you’re a day hiker, there’s no reason to buy more boot than you need because heavy duty boots are heavier, more expensive and in many respects, not as comfortable. But even adventurous day hikers can find themselves on rough trails full of mud holes and jagged rock outcrops where waterproof Gore-Tex lining and solid ankle and mid-foot support are a good idea. The key is to know what kind of hiker you are, and buy accordingly.

Don’t Go Cheap

Sure, you can find a pair of decent boots cheaper at a big-box chain store, but that’s a classic penny-wise, pound-foolish scenario. Instead, seek out a retailer that specializes in outdoor gear or high-quality performance footwear like running shoes.

Once there, make sure you’re being helped by someone knowledgeable with the store’s line of hiking boots and how to fit them. Explain your hiking goals and get your feet measured. Don’t trust measurements from other types of shoes you have because boots sizes can be substantially different.

Other advice:

Shop for boots in the afternoon when your feet are at their maximum size. Feet tend to swell as the day progresses, so make sure you’re not buying boots that feel snug in the morning and uncomfortably cramped at the end of the day.

Bring the socks you’ll wear on the trails because they will impact fit. If you don’t have a good pair of hiking socks that wick moisture (cotton socks fail miserably at this), ask for suggestions and invest in a pair as you’re boot shopping.

Don’t make a quick decision even if the first pair feels fantastic. Performance hiking boots from quality manufacturers can have vastly different fits that are tailored to specific types of feet (narrow, high arches, etc.), so it’s wise to try on several pairs. Remember, you’ll have these boots for quite a while and one bodacious blister can make your purchase regrettable.

Take ‘em for a test drive in the store. A good outfitter should have an incline board where you can feel how they respond as you walk up and down an incline—something you’ll do frequently on the trails unless you’re a desert valley hiker. Pay attention to how your feet move. You want plenty of room in the toe box to keep your toes from jamming the front on descents but a snug fit in the heel. Otherwise, your foot will likely slip around too much and Mister Blister is destined to make your acquaintance.

Don’t hesitate to walk out if you can’t find the right fit, even after trying on a bunch of boots. Better no boots than bad boots, especially when you’re investing a couple hundred bucks or more to outfit your feet.

Don’t buy boots expecting the fit to improve after break-in. The stiffer and more heavy duty the boot, the more break in they require but don’t expect the fit to improve a lot either way. That said, it’s wise not to buy new boots right before a big trip with lots of hiking. Give yourself at least a few miles to determine if they really do fit you properly or if a sock switch might help. Sometimes, switching insoles can help, too. Most performance shoe stores offer several options in custom foot beds that can improve your boots’ fit and performance.

Read more about some of the best gadgets for hikers.

Jeff Waddle is a featured contributor to ManoftheHouse.com.