Choosing the Right Hiking Boots

Choosing the right hiking boots is probably one of the most important gear decisions you can make. Choosing the wrong boot can cause problems that will make your trip very miserable.

So What can you do? Well besides Choosing the Right Hiking Socks, You should first figure out what kind of boot will be most appropriate for the type of hiking you plan on doing. There are actually several types of boots that you can choose from.

Trail Shoes
While trail shoes are not technically boots, they are a very popular and comfortable option for certain types of hiking. Trail shoes are a great option for those who are hiking in hot and dry climate on well-established trails that don’t have a lot of rocks. Trail shoes are best suited for short day hikes when you are carrying a light backpack. Trail shoes are usually good right out the box , and require little if any real breaking in time.

Mid Weight Trail Hikers

If you plan on encountering rougher than normal terrain or plan to stay out a little longer than the average day hike, you will need some sturdier, higher-cut hiking boots. The added stability and ankle support will help protect you against rougher terrain and rocks. These boots will need some breaking in and should be worn a bit before hitting the trails.

Heavy Weight Hiking Boots

These kinds of boots are generally used for people who are cross-country backpacking or those who are going out on very rough terrain. While many people prefer the new lighter boot options they are still very popular for those carrying heavy loads through rough terrain

The main thing to remember when picking out your boots is your comfort. Don’t let a salesperson talk you into the wrong boot. Take your time and really get the feel for a boot before you purchase it. Many stores actually have small little hiking areas set up to help you get a real feel of how they boot performs.

If the store doesn’t let you walk around in them go somewhere else. You are far better off finding out how your boots performs in the store than you will be with a heavy pack out on the trail. And speaking of a heavy packs, its a good idea to try on boots while wearing hiking socks and a backpack to simulate real world conditions.

A little extra time now can save you a lot of pain and misery out on the trail.