 Fitting Hiking Boots
Up to seventy percent of hikers wear hike boots that don't fit right and they often don't even realize it. Their hiking boots leave them with blisters, sore feet, and pressure points, but they think that's just part of hiking. Pain from exaustion, lactic acid, cramps, etc., can happen, but regular hiking does not have to include sore feet.
Hiking boots that don't fit right can also lead to sore knees, ankles, hips, and back. Your feet support the entire weight of your body and backpack, which can be a lot of pressure. Since your boots determine the comfort and support of your feet, which in turn support your entire weight, hikers generally agree that the most important piece of hiking gear is the boot.
That little bit of information means it is worth it to make the investment of time and money in finding the right hike boot. Here is some basic Hiking boot fitting criteria:
Quality:
When it comes to hike boots, you uasually get what you pay for. Inexpensive boots are made from cheap materials that bind, chafe, and fail to protect your feet from moisture and other hazards. Manufactures cut down on costs by cutting corners and you pay the comfort price.
Excellent boots can be found for under $200(cdn), but unless it's a very good sale, you probably won't find a quality boot for less than $100.
Features:
Look for at least two sets of lace-hooks at the top. Lace holes make it more difficult to adjust your lacing for up-and down-hill stretches, and manufactures of good hiking boots know this.
The exterior material should be waterproof and durable. The interior hiking boot's material should be smooth with no sticky or poking parts.
The tongue should be pleated to keep out water. And the hiking boot's sole should have an effective traction design and be stiff enough for your typical use (hikers carrying heavy packs need stiffer soles than day hikers, for instance).
Fit:
Be careful with that "breaking in" period as hike boots should be comfortable right off the bat. True, hiking boots will pack-down somewhat and form to your foot, but boots that rub or bind anywhere will never fit right. Also, make sure that your toes have room. If they are touching the front of the boot at all, hiking downhill will be painful, no matter how tight you lace your foot back.
Fllow these simple hike boot fitting guidelines and you should end up with hiking boots that will last for many years and make every hike a pleasure.
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