Selecting hiking boots

Selecting hiking boots is going to be one of your most important decisions you will need to make before you start hiking. Or if you are already hiking, and the boots that you own hurt your feet, then you also need this information before you buy your next pair.

The first thing you need to keep in mind is the fact that the most popular boot on the market may not be the best boot for you. Do not buy what someone else recommends or says that a particular boot is the best boot. You need to buy the boot that fits you. (Fitting hiking boots is another topic altogether.) Whether is be a Merril, Vasque or any other brand name, if an off brand fits your foot better then buy it and not the name brand just because of the name.

You have the lightweight hikers. Boots weighing less than 2.5 lbs fall in this category. They can be made of fabric, leather, nylon or suede or a combination of any of these fabrics. Lightweights are designed for day hikes and short overnighters. They are built more for comfort and have less support and durability than the other types. These include lightweight boots and trail shoes.

The most popular when selecting hiking boots are the the mid-weight hikers. Boots weighing more than 2.5 lbs are in this category. The usually have decent waterproofing and good tread. These are built for on and off trail hiking and with medium backpack loads. They give more support and are built better than the lightweight hikers. These are recommended if you are going to be out for 3 days to a week.

And then the Heavyweights. Usually weighing more than 5 lbs these can be used for a good many hikes. They can also have crampons attached for ice and are very waterproof. These usually provide excellent support and have a very good durability factor. Although heavier these are probably what you want to wear on extended hikes.

While you are selecting hiking boots you should also be looking at a few other things in the boot itself.
Materials.
Fabric, nylon and split grain leather boots. These are less water resistant but are lighter in weight. They also breather easily and are softer on the feet. They also take less time to break in and cost less than full leather boots. They are good for medium hikes and moderate weather. Although they are not as waterproof, some models do have waterproof liners that can make them just a water resistant as the full leather boot.
Full-grain leather boots. Very waterproof, excellent support, long lasting but heavier. Ideal for long, heavy hikes. They do require a longer break-in period also.
Waterproofing.
Gore-tex is built into many boots too build up water resistance. It comes in most of the styles and depending on how the boots are cared for depends on how long the material will last. Hiking boots care will give you more information on that topic. If cared for properly it may well outlast the boot itself

Another thing you need to look at when selecting hiking boots is the construction of the boot. You will need to check the seams on the boot itself. Look to see how many seams and how well the seams are sewn together. The more seams the boot has the more likely for a leak or a blow-out. Blow-outs are when the two panels separate because the stitching came loose. Look for a boot with fewer seams.

Look at the way the upper is connected to the sole. It will either be stitched or cemented. Stitched connections can be resoled when it wears down and the type of stitching will give the strength value for the connection. Cemented connections can also be replaced on most boots. With the growth of technology in this field the connections are pretty durable and long-lasting.

Now that you know how to choose hiking boots and you have your boots picked out, try them on. Try them out on a flat surface first and than also on an incline. One thing to keep in mind is that you may want to get your boots ½ size bigger than normal. When you go down an incline your foot will slip forward in the boot and you toes will jamb against the front of the boot. That is why you want to try them on an incline first, downhill, and if your toes hit then go up ½ size.

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