Hiking requires a sturdy pair of boots to give your foot protection.
To give you this protection a good pair of hiking boots should have the following characteristics:
* A solid bottom so that you cannot feel rocks or stones, you should also not be able to twist the sole in your hands - if you can it is too soft.
* Good side protection - extra padding is normally a feature of a good hiking boot and this will protect your foot from anything that could penetrate the side of foot whilst you are hiking e.g. branches, stones or rocks.
* Good ankle support is essential to protect your foot. To test the strength of the ankle support see if you can bend the boot sideways from the top, if you can then it is not strong enough.
* Your hiking boot must be waterproof or able to be waterproofed, as the last thing you want is wet feet!
Always buy a hiking boot that fits your foot. Don't buy a well-known/ fashionable brand just because everyone is saying that it is the brand to own.
Buy your hiking boots at a reputable outdoor store that specializes in hiking and backpacking they will have the specialist knowledge to give you the best help and advice. Some stores also have a "wear at home" policy, which enables you to try their hiking boots inside your home before you commit to the purchase.
When trying on the hiking boots take the socks you intend to wear with you to the store.
Hiking boots are slightly longer than normal shoes to allow room for your feet to move forward when you are walking downhill with a full backpack. To test you have enough room at the front of the boot whilst in the store, with the boot fully unlaced slide your foot as far forward as you can, the right size of boot will allow you to slip your index finger down the inside of the boot at the back.
Try the hiking boots with your bare feet to check for whether any parts of the boot are tight or pinch your toes, also check for tightness around the ball of your toes and on either side of the arch of your foot. If you detect any pinching or tightness at all then choose a different boot.
Try the same test with your socks on, the boot should also not feel generally tight or loose.
Now walk around the store and see how they feel, pay attention to any sliding of your foot in the boot as well as any toe pinching.
A lot of stores have what is called a "slant board" which enables you to try out how the hiking boots will feel walking up or downhill. Notice whether your toes are jammed into the front of the boot. If your toes touch the front of the boot you will need the next size up.
As hiking boots are expensive take your time choosing them, shop around and find the right pair for you - your feet will thank you for it.
Jakki Francis operates the website www.1st-for-boots.com
