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Hiking Boots

Choosing the right type of boot is certainly important, however, upon joining a troop, most scouts can use either a lightweight or midweight hiking boot.  As they mature, some will be interested in the "big" hikes.  It is only these few scouts will need a heavy boot.  The following information goes into greater depth that most scouts will need but for those few that are interested, I have included in depth information.

Some of the key considerations are:

1.  Consider the Kinds of Trips You Have Planned

Outdoor footwear can be divided into 3 basic categories.  Begin your search for the right boots or shoes by focusing on the category that best matches your backpacking plans.

• Lightweight hiking(Men's/Women's/Kids') - These boots (and trail shoes) are designed for day hiking and very short overnight trips only.  They stress comfort, cushioning and breathability. As a result, they are less supportive and durable than the options below.
• Midweight hiking/backpacking(Men's/Women's/Kids') - These boots are designed for on- and off-trail hiking with light to moderate backpacking loads.  They are more durable and supportive than lightweight hiking boots, but they are still intended primarily for short to moderate trips over easy to moderate terrain.
• Extended backpacking/mountaineering(Men's/Women's/Kids') - These boots are designed for on- and off-trail hiking with moderate to heavy backpacking loads.  They are designed with multi-day trips in mind. Durable and supportive, they provide a high degree of ankle and foot protection.  Some of these models are designed specifically for rough terrain with heavy backpacking loads.  They offer the very best in durability, support and protection.  Some are stiff enough to accept crampons for snow/ice travel.

2.  Consider the Materials

The materials used in a given boot or trail shoe will affect its weight, breathability, durability and water-resistance.  Since boots made of different fabrics can be very similar in performance, however, personal preference is often the key when choosing between them.

• Nylon mesh and split grain leather - Nylon and split-grain leather boots are lightweight and breathable, which makes them perfect for warm- to moderate-weather use and short to moderate backpacking trips.  They tend to be softer on your feet, they take less time to break in, and they are almost always lighter than full-grain leather boots.  They also cost less.  Unfortunately, nylon/split grain boots tend to be less water-resistant than full-grain leather boots (although styles that feature waterproof liners can be just as water-tight, if not more so).
• Full-grain leather - Full-grain leather is extremely water-resistant, durable and supportive (more so than split-grain leather or nylon).  It's used primarily in backpacking boots designed for extended trips, heavy loads and hard terrain.  Not as lightweight or breathable as nylon/split grain combinations, but it typically lasts far longer.  Full-grain leather usually requires a break-in period.
• Waterproof barriers - Lightweight, waterproof barriers (like Gore-Tex®) are built into many hiking boots to enhance their water resistance.  These barriers are available in a variety of boot styles, from lightweight hikers to extended hiking/backpacking models.  Waterproof performance depends upon the type of barrier used, the materials protecting it and how well the boots/shoes are taken care of.  If cared for correctly, these waterproof barriers often last longer than the boots themselves.

NOTE: Be careful when shopping for backpacking boots to differentiate between the following:

• Waterproof leather -- This is leather that's been treated to be waterproof.  It's great stuff to have, but remember -- leaks may still occur (depending on how well the boot pieces are put together).  Waterproof (or water-tight) construction -- This refers to construction techniques designed to keep leaks out (like seam-sealing, special stitches and precise designs).  Water-tight construction is typically combined with waterproofed materials.
• Waterproof liners -- These are the special waterproof barriers described above that are built right into the boot to protect you from whatever leaks make it through the boot materials.  These liners typically do a great job of keeping you dry.  But remember, Gore-Tex (and the others) don't last forever.

TIP:  The water-proofness (or water-resistance) of your hiking boots depends significantly on how well you treat them.  Be sure to follow all care instructions that come with your boots so that they can perform well and last a long time.

3.  Consider the Way the Boots are Constructed

Upper construction

• The more seams a boot or shoe has, the higher the risk for leaks and/or blow-outs.  Leaking occurs when water seeps through the needle-holes or spaces between the boot panels.  Blow-outs occur when general wear, repeated flexing or a snag causes a stitch to break and 2 panels to separate.  In general, the less seams an upper has, the more water-resistant and more durable it will be.

Connection between the upper and the sole

• Hiking boot soles are either stitched or cemented to the rest of the boot.

Stitching - Durable, reliable, can be undone to replace the sole once it has worn down.  Different techniques (Littleway, Norwegian) result in different strengths and stiffnesses.

Cementing - Faster and less expensive than stitching, resulting in lower boot prices.  It hasn't always been reliable, but most modern methods produce durable, lost-lasting bonds (depending upon the process and specific glue used).  Most cemented boots can now be resoled just like traditional stitch-down models.

4.  Test for Fit

Once you've narrowed down your options to a handful of boots or shoes, the best way to decide between them is to try them on.  Don't rely solely on your "regular" shoe size when searching for the best fitting boots or shoes.  One manufacturer's "9" may vary widely from another's (see below).

• Fitting tips:

Begin with a foot measurement - Have an experienced salesperson measure both of your feet using a Brannock device (a good place for this is REI).  Use these measurements as your starting point for trying on boots.  If one foot is larger than the other (which is quite common), fit your larger foot first.  You may need to use extra socks or an insert to take up extra space in the other boot.

Pick the right socks - Wear the type of socks and sock liners that you'll be using out on the trail whenever you try on boots.  Check the initial fit - Lace up the boots and stand up.  They should feel snug around the ball and instep of your foot, but loose enough that flexing your foot forward is not uncomfortable.  Your heel should be held firmly in place.  If your foot feels like it's "floating" inside the boot, try a half size down.  If your foot feels cramped or your toes make contact with the front or sides of the toe box, try the next bigger size.

Take a walk - Take a walk and see how comfortable the boots/shoes are.  Check for any looseness, foot movement and/or heel lift.  Good-fitting boots will hold your feet firmly in place without binding or pinching them.  New boots may feels a little stiff at first, but they should still be comfortable.  After a quick walk across a flat surface, step onto an incline facing downhill (if one is available) to check for foot slippage.  Your feet should not slide forward easily, nor should you be able to move your heel from side to side.  If either of these is possible, try a smaller (or lower volume) boot.  If your toes make contact with the front of the boot without much forward movement, try a larger size or a different boot.

Investigate your options - Try on a number of boot models before you decide on a single pair, even if the first pair feels good.  Every boot model is built around a different "last" (standard foot shape), so each one will grab you a little differently.

Caring for your Hiking Boots

All hiking boots, especially leather ones, benefit from frequent cleaning and occasional conditioning with special boot treatments.  These treatments condition leather and provide additional water protection to keep your feet dry.

Proper boot care and conditioning is important whether you hike in dry, hot climates or wet, temperate areas.  Taking a little extra time to care for your hiking boots can add years to their useful lives.

Basic Boot Care

The key to keeping your boots in good shape is to keep them as clean as possible.  Dirt particles are very abrasive and over time they can damage just about any boot material.  It's hard to keep your hiking boots clean while you're using them, of course, but brushing the dirt and mud off them after every hike will help keep them in good condition.

Drying your Boots

Whenever possible, dry your boots completely after each trip. To dry them, simply store them in a dry, warm area.  Don't set your boots near a fire (or other heat source) to dry them more quickly, since high temperatures can damage boot materials and the cements used to hold them together.  If you need to speed up the drying process, try stuffing dry newspaper inside your boots to absorb water.  Replace the newspaper frequently for best results.

NOTE: If your boots are wet and dirty, it's best to dry them first, then brush the dirt off.

Washing your Boots

Most fabric boots can be washed on the outside with non-detergent soap and water to remove built-up dirt.  Leather boots can also be rinsed off, but repeated washing and drying can dry out the leather over time and make it brittle.

Treating/Conditioning your Boots

A variety of boot treatments are available to condition the leather (and other materials) in your hiking boots.  Most of these treatments are also formulated to enhance water-repellency.  Boot treatments come in spray, liquid and paste form.

Different types of treatments are intended for different types of boot materials.  To help you find the best match for your boots, stores such as REI include specific treatment suggestions in Footwear Spec Charts.  Refer to the manufacturer's care instructions for specific details on how to use these products.

To condition your boots correctly, simply follow the instructions included with each boot treatment.  The number of times you have to apply the treatment each season will depend the boots you own, how often you use them and the specific treatment you choose.

A Note on Oil Treatments

Avoid using oil-based treatments like Mink Oil on any leather hiking boots.  Oil-based products are intended to soften leathers and make them more supple, which can negatively affect the support of hiking boots.  Use wax or silicone-based treatments only.