Walking Boot Guide by Foot Trails

Walking & Hiking Boot Buyers Guide

By David Howell, Foot Trails

The Essential Expert Guide Buying the right pair of walking / hiking boots or shoes is essential to the health of your feet and the enjoyment of your walking.

The wrong pair of boots can give you bruising, sore ankles and blisters and ruin even the most gorgeous of walks.

With an average pair of walking boots costing £80 to £150, mistakes can be very costly. Why not keep this guide in a handy place and take it with you when you next buy your boots?

With a bit of expert knowledge from Foot Trails' co-founder, David Howell, buying the right pair of boots needn’t be confusing or complicated.

Contents: * Before you buy * What makes up a walking / hiking boot * Rough guide on what to look for * Selecting and trying on your boots * How to ensure the right fit

Before you buy As a starting point, consider how you will use your boots or hiking shoes. Will you be enjoying a pleasant few miles on a gentle Sunday stroll? Or do you intend to be hiking 15 miles and climbing hills? If you like to walk long distances, then the weight of your boots will be a consideration, as you will want a lighter pair.

Consider the time of year you will walk, too, as this will influence your choice. Do you only like to walk in sunny, warm weather? If so, a shoe might be more suitable for you. Or do you walk all year round, when a fully waterproof and cleanable boot would be more appropriate?

Many bootmakers put a season rating on their boots but this can sometimes be misleading. For general all-year country walking in the UK a 3-season boot will be perfectly suitable.

However, if you are going to be heading to the Lake District for hill walking, for example, or somewhere mountainous, you might want to consider a specialist boot.

What makes up a walking / hiking boot?

The upper This is everything above the sole! It is there to protect your foot and needs to be snug and well made and, of course, waterproof. There is the tongue, to cover the opening of the upper (a gusseted tongue is attached to the upper and helps to keep water out), padding to cushion and soften contact points around the ankle and a liner, to help with waterproofing and in wicking away moisture.

The sole This is made up of different parts – an insole, mid-sole, the sole and the

lugs (grips). Insoles are generally shaped to provide support and balance and are often removable. Mid-soles provide a cushioning layer to absorb shocks and uneven ground. The sole and lugs give the right amount of contact with the ground for grip in differing conditions and also redirect the impact of shock over the sole.

What to look for when selecting boots in the UK In dry conditions only, up to 8 miles a day on good, even surfaces

Look for Absorbent soles but with a reasonably solid mid-sole construction. Make sure the soles are flexible enough to support the natural motion of your walk and provide support to the arch of your foot – they should not be forcing you to walk flat footed! Consider shoes as opposed to boots. Consider fabric as opposed to leather, it is more lightweight and often more comfortable.

For walking in spring to autumn , up to 10 miles a day on good, even surfaces

Look for Waterproof boots , these are always advisable in the UK. Leather is often best and many boots are combined with a waterproof liner, such as Gore-Tex. The only drawback is in really hot weather, when moisture can’t escape a leather boot and your feet may get too hot. Look for absorbent soles but with a robust midsole construction, lined and padded inside. Also ensure that the tongue is gusseted so as to reduce any water from getting in through the opening.

For spring to autumn walking, up to 10 miles and on mixed and uneven surfaces

Look for All of the above are important, but on varied and uneven terrain the sole becomes far more important. Make sure the sole has good, deep clog-free tread and also that that it is constructed with a robust mid-sole. Boots should be firm but flexible enough to allow for the motion of your walk.

More than 10 miles a day and / or hill walking and rough ground

Look for Everything we have so far mentioned should be considered, but if you are hoping to walk longer distances, also consider the weight of the boot. There are some great lightweight boots available that will minimise the weight your feet are picking up with each step. For hill walking check the quality of the grip – if you are heading to a mountainous area look at specialist mountain / hill walking boots that allow for crampon attachments.

Selecting and trying on your boots.

Here are some great measures you can take to ensure you select the best boots for you. I would advise allowing plenty of time for trying and fitting, probably about an hour and any good outdoor shop will be happy to be patient.

Take the heel and forefoot and twist them in an opposite direction. Then bend the toe end of the boot looking for where it flexes.

Bending the shoe gives you an idea of how much support your foot will get and where the boot will flex when you are walking. The twist actions give you an idea of how much support the sole will give to your ankle.

Top tip If the shoe or boot gives easily without effort then these really aren’t

appropriate for anything other than a few miles on pavements or roads.

Look inside the boot before you try it on. What is the boot lined with? Are there awkward seams inside that might rub? Padding around the ankle is good, but there should not be any 'foam' or padding around the foot, this will make your feet to hot.

Top tip If there are rough, exposed seems or the ankle is not well padded then this could be uncomfortable and cause rubbing.

Trying on your footwear - there are three very important things to do.

One Only try on your boots with a new pair of your preferred walking socks. Old socks have been worn and flattened by the pressure points of your old boots! If you use an old pair of socks you might find your boots don’t fit as well when you change your socks.

Two Try on several shoes / boots and preferably from different makers / brands.

Each maker will have a different foot mould and you need to find the one that suits your foot, especially when it comes to the width of the shoe / boot.

Don’t be swayed by good reviews and top brands, take some time to try different makers of boots and find the right fit for you. You will know when you find it!

Once you find a maker / brand that feels good then try on the rest of their range.

Three Try on boots late in the day, when your feet are warmer and swollen from the day’s activity.

How should a good boot feel?

When trying the boots your feet should feel nice and snug but not tight around the ankle and middle part of your foot. You should have ample room around your toes, being able to flex them easily.

You should feel like you could be in them all day, I always say its like 4-wheel drive for your feet!

How to ensure the right fit To test the footwear, firstly make sure you can freely move your toes inside. Then stub the toe end of the boot into the ground (this will mimic the action of walking down hill), if your toes touch the end of the boot when you do this then they are too small.

The other test is to hold your foot slightly in the air and rotate your ankle and foot plenty to see how much support / pressure there is. Look out for pressure points on your foot that might become potential rubs.

Then walk around plenty, for at least 5 minutes to get your feet warm. Get a feel for how your foot moves in the boot and how comfortable it is. Check for tight spots and take your time and look after your feet! (Don't feel pressured, take your time.

Any good outdoor shop will understand.)

If the boot does not feel right, try another size and / or another brand. Trying on several will soon help you to identify the most comfortable pair. If you can’t find a comfortable pair, try different socks or ask the shop about foot beds or volume

adjusters or even consider two pairs of socks! Make sure, though, that you use a liner sock and not cotton.

Good footwear stockists will have a simulated rough path and hill in the store on which you can test out your boots, use it to get a good feel of the boots' performance for you.

And finally, socks Socks are often an overlooked part of the walker's kit, but are an essential part of a good fitting boot. Generally it is best to wear one pair, not two, of dual-layer hiking socks that will remove sweat and keep your feet dry.

Avoid cotton because it doesn't wick away moisture effectively, nor dry easily. Also it is best to avoid anything with seams. Stick to using your socks only for your walking boots and even your left and right foot (good walking socks have an L and R labelled for you)!

Good luck and happy walking feet!

Please note The information in this advice sheet is based on the personal experience and opinion of Foot Trails guide David Howell. Choosing the right boots is your personal responsibility and we cannot accept liability for incorrect choices.

Contact us +44 (0) 1747 820 626 (landline) enquire@foottrails.co.uk www.FootTrails.co.uk www.facebook.com/foottrails Twitter/Instagram @footrailsUK Alison Howell's Foot Trails 9 Berwick Courtyard Berwick St Leonard Salisbury Wiltshire SP3 5UA