Get the right hiking boot fit for long days on the trail
If you’re only going to go overboard on one piece of hiking gear, it really has to be your hiking boots. Get these right, and you will barely notice that you’re wearing anything on your feet. But get them wrong, and you’re in for a world of discomfort, blisters, sore points, and a long day of complaining. Sure, you can go out and buy the best pair of hiking boots on the market and spend hundreds of dollars, but unless they’re properly fitted then you’ll hurl them into the back of a cupboard and swear off hiking forever.
I can’t tell you how many people I have guided and met on the hill who have had their day ruined by poorly fitted boots. If you’re serious about hitting the trails this spring, then you need a pair of boots that fits your feet perfectly and for that. But how should hiking boots fit? Your best bet for a perfect hiking boot fit is still to hit the store and try them out. Wherever you buy your hiking boots from, test them at home around the house for a few days before heading outside in them to make sure you’ve got the right pair before it’s too late. Here’s how to test your boots.
Try your hiking boots as you would use them
You’ll want to test your hiking boots at the end of the day when your feet will be the most swollen from walking and standing all day. Your feet will get swollen when you’re hiking, so this is very important. Wear them exactly as you’ll be wearing them out on the trail. Wear the socks you’ll be using, and don’t forget sock liners if you wear them. If you have special orthotics or other insoles, try them with the boots, too. All of these factors will affect the fit. Read More…