Need hiking boots? Consider the demands before buying

Sunday, May 15, 2005

Hikers travel on their feet, so the selection of the proper hiking boots is critical to happy feet on the trail. Nothing can ruin a good hike faster than ill-fitting boots, boots that are either too heavy or too light for your intended use, or boots that are poorly made.

I once hiked more than 200 miles on the John Muir Trail in California in big, heavy-duty leather boots that just never quite fit right. It was a beautiful two-week hike, but nearly every step of the way was agony as the clunky boots turned my feet into hamburger. You don't need to make the same mistake.

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"Pick the shoe for what you're going to use them for most of the time, not for some trip down the road," recommends Todd Forsyth, co-owner of Maine Mountain Works in Portland. "Try on a wide range of shoes, go through the whole selection" before selecting a boot.

The trend in hiking and backpacking today is toward lighter gear, and lighter gear means you can wear lighter boots, said Forsyth. Maine Mountain Works carries boots that range in weight from just 13 ounces to a little over 2 pounds per pair. That's quite a change in weight from just a few years ago.

"The demand for stiff, heavy boots has dropped way off," Forsyth said.

Hiking boots come in three categories: trail runners, day hikers and backpacking boots.

The lightest shoes are the trail runners, which require no breaking in. They look a bit like sneakers but have a wider, stiffer sole that provides good stability underfoot, and have a lugged, often sticky, sole for good traction.

On the other end of the boot spectrum are the mid-weight boots, which may take several months to break in. These have a full nylon shank and wide sole for protection underfoot and thick, durable leather or synthetic uppers for support and durability. A full, deep lugged sole provides excellent traction for both on- and off-trail use.

In the middle-of-the-road category are the day hikers. These are usually made of a fabric and leather combination. They are lighter and more breathable, but provide a little less ankle support and durability than a heavier boot.

The lighter, lower cut shoes are often made with a Gore-Tex lining, and many mid-weight boots are going that way too, Forsyth notes.

Gore-Tex is basically a nylon wrap — like a bag around your foot — inside your boot.

Gore-Tex is redundant, in Forsyth's opinion, because leather boots are naturally very water resistant.

"Gore-Tex is not as breathable as they say it is and actually helps hold in foot heat," Forsyth said. "You may not have water coming into your boot, but you'll be holding all your sweat in."

Forsyth recommends bringing your own socks when you come into the store to try on boots, although most shops will provide "try-on" socks for you to use. Fit your boots using a liner sock under a heavier sock if you tend to sweat heavily, otherwise just a single heavy sock will suffice.

Try the boot on and lace it up, then push your toe as far forward as possible.

"Make sure you have at least a finger's width of room in the back of the shoe," said Forsyth. "That'll ensure that you have enough room in the toe box to wiggle your toes."

Then walk around the store and see how the boots feel, making sure that you don't have a lot of heel lift, an indicator of poor fit.

Once you buy the boots, try them out at home indoors for a while. If you don't like them, most shops will allow you to exchange them for another boot. But wear them outdoors and you'll own them.

Forsyth recommends buying a good pair of socks. Your choices include Merino wools socks or a Cool-Max and wool blend. Both should have a cupped heel, thicker fabric under the heel and the toes and Lycra over the mid-step for a snug fit to prevent slipping.

"Stay away from cotton blend socks," said Forsyth. "They hold moisture, don't dry out well and will cause blisters."

Specialized insoles, to replace the softer factory insoles, are also a good investment. They offer increased support under the arch and heel and will add longevity to your boots.

When it comes to boots "you basically get what you pay for," cautions Forsyth. Shoe manufacturers have ways to cut prices by cutting corners on stitching and cement, for example. There may be a good reason that the hiking boot you're considering is priced at $50, so buyer beware.

CAREY KISH of Portland is a Registered Maine Guide and has hiked and camped extensively throughout Maine. He can be reached at: maineoutdoors@aol.com

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