Choosing Hiking Boots
If you've ever been 5 miles from the trailhead with painful blisters, or even a sprained ankle, you will appreciate how much your hiking enjoyment rests literally on your feet. The selection of the correct hiking boots can be the difference between a great experience and a disaster. The choice of the right pair of boots can add considerably to your comfort and personal safety, especially in rugged or difficult terrain.
Before you start comparing the many brands and styles of hiking boot, consider the type of terrain and your style of hiking. Do you take extended treks through the mountains or just stroll through the local park or greenbelt? Select a boot based on the most difficult terrain you will encounter. Do you carry a heavy pack? The heavier the pack the sturdier boot you will need. Are you an all-weather hiker? Do you need a lightweight breathable fabric or a heaver waterproof material?
Modern hiking boots do not weigh as much as older styles. Lightweight high-tech materials have replaced the metal shanks used in older boots and modern fabrics offer many advantages. A lightweight boot can still offer plenty of support and be a lot easier on the feet over less rugged trails. Many of today's top quality lightweight hiking boots offer a Gore-Tex® liner that helps keep water out while still allowing your feet to breath. All-leather boots provide more support than the leather and fabric styles and they are easier to waterproof. They lend themselves to rocky terrain but they are heaver and less flexible. In my experience, leather boots will outlast the lighter styles, partly due to the heavier construction but also due to the fact that they have less seams which are always the weak point in any boot.
Have your feet properly measured and wear the type and thickness of sock you will be wearing on the trail when trying on boots. Boots should fit snugly but not too tightly. Remember they will become more comfortable with wear. Make sure they fit and provide support around your ankle and instep. You will need good ankle support, especially when carrying a pack. Hiking boots will never feel as comfortable as that old favorite pair of sneakers, but if you develop blisters or have pressure points, then you need a different boot. Look for boots with foam padding around the ankle and tongue for comfort. Removable inserts will help to fine-tune for a perfect fit.
Once you've found the perfect pair of hiking boots, be sure to break them in slowly. Start with short walks around the neighborhood and progress to 3 or 4 hour hikes before that weeklong hiking vacation.
Marty is the editor of a number of websites including #1 Outdoor Gear and 1001shoes.com
Make Money Today
Start Earning a Full Time Income Working at Home From Your Computer!
Visitors to Your Website
Start Getting Your Web Traffic Like The Big Dogs Do!
Lose Fat Fast
Lose 9 Pounds Every 11 Days with the Idiot Proof Diet. Guaranteed!
The Net's #1 Virus Killer
Try NoAdware FREE. Remove Harmful Adware, Spyware, Trojans, Dialers and Worms. Download Today!
Parental Solutions
Is Your "Out of Control" Teen Driving You Crazy? We Can Help!
Your Computer is Infected
I Guarantee it! Let us Prove it to You Absolutely FREE.
Related Articles:
Study Shows Outdoor Behavioral Therapy Helpful for Teens Struggling with Substance Abuse, Depression
Adolescent participants of clinically based and licensed wilderness treatment programs report reduced substance abuse and greater willingness to take corrective action.
Axo Motocross Gear And Motocross Boots
AXO: the best in offroad gear and racing accessories
If you love all kinds of offroad gear and love to ride in style then AXO has just the thing for you
Hit-Air Riding Gear -- From Stylish Airbag Jacket to Lifesaving Device in a Split Second
The Atlanta, GA based Bikebone.com and its parent company PEDCO, LLC have announced that they have an agreement with Mugen Denko to market the Hit-Air motorcycle jackets and vests in the USA.
Visionary Installs Additional Fiber in Wyoming
Visionary has completed installation of a second fiber connection on their network to support Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) users. The new fiber data connection was installed in Casper, and will service the company's DSL users throughout Wyoming.
Wholesale Women'S Plus Size Clothes
How To Buy Dvd Wholesale
Joe Montana Visits Miami to Raise Awareness of High Blood Pressure (hypertension) and its Impact on Health
Super Bowl XLI excitement is in the air and football legend Joe Montana is once again part of the action. This time, though, the action is off the field and his teammate is Harvard-trained cardiologist James Rippe, MD. "Joe Cool" is talking about something close to his heart - high blood pressure, or hypertension.
Applying Concert Lighting To Outdoor Areas For Electrifying Results
Have you ever been to a concert and been wowed by the impressive displays of lighting that seem to enhance the mood of the music being played? Indoor and outdoor concert lighting both make use of subtleties in order to highlight the band playing without being too overwhelming.
The Beacon Street Girls Discover Montana in New Book "Ghost Town"
The new Beacon Street Girls book, Ghost Town, sends the girls to a deserted town in Big Sky country. Ghost Town, the eleventh book in the Beacon Street Girls (BSG) series, provides thrills and chills, and a chance to explore beautiful Montana.
Somewhere Magical in Northern Spain, Try the Pazo de Almuzara in Galicia?
As expected the hotels in Galicia and Northern Spain are extremely spacious very clean and comfortable. The hotels are awarded between one and five stars and these are allocated by the local tourist Authority.
Looking for Marmot Camping Gear?
If you are looking for Superior Camping gears then you must look at the Marmot Camping gear brand. Known and respected throughout the camping community you can be sure to have access to the right gear for any condition or season.
HangAir Race Suit Dryer, an Amazing Portable Hanger with Built-in Fan Dries Your Racing Suit or Riding Gear in Record Time, Distributed by Rising Sun
The HangAir, a low cost portable dryer hanger, offered by Rising Sun Cycles (RCS) dries racing suits or riding gear quickly when they get wet from perspiration or rain and must be dried before the next race or ride. It also helps to eliminate odors and could extend the life expectancy of a racing suit or riding gear while maintaining it's structural and safety integrity. The RSC team is proud to announce the availability of this durable, safe, high-quality product at their online store, www.rscycles.com for $49.95 each.
Changes in Modern Day Camping
Camping is considered as one of the oldest hobbies of Americans It started in the 1800s when people had makeshift homes in the forests and live with nature
LED Flashlights: Being Prepared For A Winter Hiking Adventure
Winter hiking can be a tranquil even surreal experience when done properly. The peace of walking through cold and wintry scenes captured in the outdoors is considered by many to be a great way to spend a day. Additional precautions are needed when hiking in the winter, however, as winter weather can create a number of issues not typically a problem in the summer. It is important to protect yourself from both colder temperatures and potential winter hazards this time of year. Making sure that you have the right equipment for your hike and taking extra time planning so that you can avoid many potentially dangerous situations are important to winter hiking safety.
Technical-Gear Sports Sunglasses Announces Top Sports Goggles and Gear for 2007
Technical-Gear Sports Sunglasses spent the year finding the best sports goggles and other gear for consumers. The company is proud to release the company's top picks for 2007, allowing consumers to get the most from purchases.
Used Foundry Networks: Used IT Gear Goes Mainstream
San Francisco, CA April 10, 2006