“Best Hiking Boots”

Your hiking boots, more than any other piece of your hiking equipment, can make or break a hiking trip.  Think about it; if your stove breaks you can always build a fire and cook over open flames.  If your tent leaks you can patch it or build a shelter, or if there’s enough room you can just move to another part of your tent.  If your jacket tears you can put on another layer to stay warm.  However, if your hiking boots are uncomfortable every single mile on the trail will be agony, especially if you plan on hiking for a few days in a row.

Best Hiking Boots

If you’re out to find a new pair of hiking boots there are a lot of choices out there.  However, if you’re looking for a standard multi-day hiker you’re in pretty good hands, as this is where most of the best hiking boots in the market is targeted.  Sure, there are some low-topped day hiking boots and some huge, overbuilt expedition boots, but what you’re looking for is a best hiking boots that will give you lots of ankle support over a lot of miles.  Pay attention to the construction and stitching, as a good pair of hiking boots should last you for years before wearing out, and even then most soles can be replaced, at least on best hiking boots.  Many hikers like waterproof boots lined with Gore-Tex or a similar material, though most of these boots still won’t keep your feet bone-dry if you’re wading through water during a stream or river crossing.  Also, the lined boots may keep your feet a little warmer, though if they do get soaked in a river crossing they’ll take longer to dry out than unlined boots.

A boot’s features are only secondary to how your hiking boots fit your feet.  Don’t just try on a new pair of boots, stand up, walk around the room once, and declare them good to go.  Keep them on for a half hour or so, and try walking around the outdoor store with a loaded pack on your back to test how the boots feel under weight.  Pay attention to any hot spots that develop on your feet and how your arches feel when you step forward.  Try this with a few different boots to see how they match up to each other and never, ever buy a pair of hiking boots without trying them out first.

Finally, before you head off on that big hike, be sure to break in your boots first.  When new, hiking boots can be stiff and will be hard on your feet in the first few days; wear them around the house to avoid having sore feet once you hit the trail.

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