3 Steps to Buying Perfect Hiking Boots

I recently took a solo trip to the Lake District in England where I planned to do a lot of walking. (Pictures & story here: Falling in Love in the Lake District). But walking in the UK is like hiking in North America. The terrain needs more than the “walking” shoes I brought so, on day 2, I headed to one of the many outdoors shops in Ambleside to buy a pair of hiking boots.

The paths were rocky, slippery and wet.

My new hiking boots - day 1.

My criteria for hiking boots:

• Waterproof
• A good tread
• Good support
• Average quality
• Not too expensive

The 3 Steps to buying hiking boots:

1. Choose a boot that meets your criteria in your usual shoe size. Pull out the insole and place your foot on it to see how it fits. There should be a 1/2 inch at the big toe and it should fit the width of your foot well. If the insole looks too large or small, the boots will be as well.
2. Put the insoles back into the boots and try them on with the socks that you would wear when hiking. If you’re a double sock person, try them with double socks. If they feel pretty good, (snug, but no pressure points), go to a ramp (they often have them for testing boots) and mimic the climbing up and walking down. Your heal should not lift as you climb up and your toe should not reach the end as you go down. If you are comparing two different boots, have one on each foot and see how they feel.
3. Once you think you’ve found your hiking boot, walk around for 10 – 15 minutes. How do they feel? Do you get hints of problems after that time? If not, you have probably found your boots. Go walking/hiking and enjoy!

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