Best Hiking Boots

Support and Flexibility: Finding the Best Hiking Boots

There are many considerations to take into account when searching for the best hiking boots, whether it is a kid's hiking boot or an adult's hiking boot. The best hiking boots are those that will provide the hiker with the flexibility that is appropriate for the terrain he is going into, the breathability that is adequate for the climate, and the support that he needs for his ankle.

Considerations

Many hikers and backpackers have more than one pair of hiking boots and hiking shoes so that they can choose the best hiking boots to meet their needs for that particular trip. If the trip is going to be taken in rainy weather, snow, or across streams or rivers where the boot could be submerged, the best hiking boots are waterproofed, which means the foot will not get wet when the boot is submerged in water.

Snowy or cold conditions also mean that the boot should be insulated so that the foot is kept warmer. There are Gor-Tex socks that can also be worn to promote these insulation properties in waterproof boots that are not insulated. If the boots are unlikely to be submerged in water, or if it is only a light rain or shallow snow, then water resistant boots are probably the best hiking boots because they breathe more yet also provide water protection for the foot, but will let water through if the boot is submerged.

Another consideration for the best hiking boot is whether the trip is for multiple days carrying a pack with an average amount of weight in it, such as twenty to thirty pounds. If this is the case, then a medium weight boot is usually needed to provide a moderate amount of support to the foot and ankle, increasing the length the hiker can go without fatigue to his legs and feet. These boots feel a little awkward to the foot since the soles are thicker than a normal shoe and do not bend with the foot as much when hiking. They also need a longer period of time to break in before a trip so that the hiker does not get blisters.

A hiking boot that is the best for day hiking trips is a lightweight hiking boot or a hiking shoe. Lightweight hiking boots are very flexible so that the boot bends and moves with the foot, providing a comfortable fit. Since it is a boot, it also gives more support to the ankle, which is important when going through rough terrain, even if it is only a day hike without a pack.

Men's Hiking Boot

Rugged and Comfortable: Men's Hiking Boots

Finding the best hiking boots depends on the type of hiking that a person most often participate in. Many avid hikers keep multiple pairs of hiking boots in their closets so that they can choose the right ones depending on the hiking trip and the weather they will be experiencing. If someone is new to hiking, it is a good idea to try to borrow a friend or relative's pair of hiking boots, if the sizes match up, so that he can see what types of boots work the best for his foot before going out to buy some of his own. If that is not possible, men's hiking boot stores have sales people specialized in helping a person find just the right boot for his foot and for the excursion.

Types of Boots

The most rugged type of men's hiking boot is the mountaineering boot, which has the thickest sole and is very stiff, giving the most support to the man's foot and ankle. This type of boot is also waterproof most of the time, since mountaineering conditions usually encompasses snow, rain, rivers, and other conditions that require a waterproofed boot. In addition, there are some men's hiking boots in this style that allow for crampons, which are used when crossing and climbing glaciers so that slipping is less of a likelihood. These boots are also good for longer backpacking trips that require the backpacker carry up to forty pounds of equipment on his back.

The next most rugged men's hiking boot is the backpacking boot. This boot's sole is a little less thick than the mountaineering hiking boot, allowing for more flexibility when walking, which feels more natural for the foot. It is made for multiple day hiking trips, even up to a week, where the backpacker has to carry a load, but it is not a more extreme weight, pushing forty pounds. This boot also provides solid support for the man's foot and ankle so that it does not become fatigues when walking those distances for days at a time while carrying an average, twenty pound load.

The final category of men's hiking boot is the lightweight boot which is made mostly for day hiking or some backpacking through low impact terrain. These boots are usually very breathable and flexible, providing the most comfort and natural movement for the foot and ankle. They do provide more support than a hiking shoe, which is only slightly more supportive than a tennis shoe, having a thicker sole, and does not come up around the ankle.

Women's Hiking Boot

Finding the Right Fit: Women's Hiking Boots

In the past, if a woman wanted to find a good pair of hiking boots she would have to go to an outdoor clothing store and try to find a pair of men's hiking boots that would fit her normally more slender foot and smaller shoe size. Today, there are about as many varieties of women's hiking boots as there are for men, from simple day hiking boots right up to the most rugged mountaineering boots on the market. Finding the right pair of women's hiking boots is important for the health of the feet and legs of the hiker, as well as for her endurance on each hiking trip.

Types

There are women's hiking boots that are made for different hiking conditions, since there are some hikes that only last a few hours through mild terrain, while others are weeks long and cross glacial passes. Each condition, both in terrain and weather, requires a different type of women's hiking boot for the health, endurance and safety of the woman.

Day hiking boots for women are designed to be lightweight and flexible. Although they provide more support than a hiking shoe, which tends to be only a little more stable than tennis shoes and bend with a person's foot, they are still very flexible which makes them move in a natural way, increasing endurance. This type of women's hiking boot is usually not waterproof, although there are ways to waterproof the boot after it is bought if needed.

A sturdier women's hiking boot is one that is made specifically for backpacking, so that it holds up well and gives more support to the foot while carrying heavier loads for longer distances. This type of women's hiking boot has a stiffer feel since the sole of the boot is thicker and does not bend as naturally with the foot. It also requires more breaking in time so that the woman does not get blisters on her foot on the trip. This type of boot does give solid support for the foot and ankle while walking over rough terrain and are also great boots for trips that cover several days and even up to a week. They also provide more choices in waterproof boots so that the hiker can choose the type of water resistant or water proofed material, depending on her needs. Waterproof boots will keep the foot dry even when submerged in water which water resistant is only good for splattering of water, such as smaller puddles or mild rain.

Hiking Boot

Comfort and Strength: Hiking Boots

Buying hiking boots is an important endeavor for an avid hiker or backpacker. Hiking boots are one of the key investments towards the success of any hiking or camping trip since the feet have to carry the person where they need to go, and if the feet are uncomfortable, the person will be uncomfortable throughout the trip. There are many different types of men's and women's hiking boots, so it is important to have some idea of the type of boot and the fit that should be expected, as well as how to break in a new boot before a trip.

Buying New Boots

If a person normally only goes on day hiking trips so that there is little to no weight on his back and he is not walking for days in a row, then the type of hiking boot should fit that type of hiking. Day hiking usually only requires light, flexible boots, and quite possibly only a hiking shoe, especially if the terrain is mild. A hiking boot will give more support than a hiking shoe, so if a person knows that he has trouble with his ankles then a lightweight hiking boot is probably the best choice. Since these boots are made of lighter material they do not hold up as well under longer hiking conditions, and since they do not give as much support as a heavier boot, the hiker will also end up feeling more fatigued.

If it is a backpacker buying hiking boots, or a person who participates in more extreme day hiking trips, then they will want to buy a mid-weight boot which will provide more support for those activities. These boots have a stiffer sole than the lightweight boots so they feel a little more awkward walking in them since they do not bend with the natural bend in the foot like the hiking shoes and lightweight boots do. However, these boots give solid support to the foot and ankle in rougher terrain which allows the hiker to have more endurance on the trip without fatiguing their feet and legs.

Mountaineering hiking boots are needed when the camper is going on a long trip requiring a heavier backpack and usually more off-trail hiking. These boots are the stiffest to wear but will provide the best support for the foot and leg. This type of boot can also be designed to be used with crampons for hiking in glacial regions.

With any type of hiking boot, if the hiker knows that he will be hiking through snow, puddles, or streams, it is a good idea to get a waterproof hiking boot. There are some boots that are not waterproof even though they look like the boots that are, such as Gor-Tex. If there is not a water issue, then the hiker would probably be better off not getting waterproof boots since the other kinds provide more air, or breathing, for the foot.

Hiking Boot

Out for an Excursion: Hiking

There are many different places to go hiking, whether it is up in the mountains for a camping trip or down rugged seashores, and can be done in every season of the year. Depending on the type of hiking a person does, there is different equipment that is needed, from clothing to camping gear.

Types of Gear

When planning for a hiking trip, there are different types of clothing to think about, especially if the trip is overnight. If the camping is done in warmer weather and around water, then flip flogs or other sandals that can be used in the water are important in addition to a bathing suit (although shorts and t-shirts work as well.) If the weather is colder, there is more gear required, such as long underwear, extra socks, fleece jackets, rain gear, hats and gloves or mittens. In addition to these wearable items, clotheslines for drying things and a dirty clothes bag to keep them separate from the clean ones in the pack are also helpful hiking gear items.

Hiking boots are essential gear since everything is done by walking, including carrying packs that can be cumbersome if not done in a lightweight manner. There are different types of boots or even hiking shoes that can be worn depending on the hiking that will be done. Day trips in easy terrain usually only require hiking shoes that do not have as much protection or support as boots. Overnight trips in more rugged terrain require a boot in most situations, but it does not have to be as supportive or tough as mountaineering boots which have to be able to support crampons.

In addition to clothing and boots, hiking gear for overnight trips also includes cooking materials, such as camp stoves, eating utensils, pots, plates and fuel. All of these materials should be as lightweight and stackable as possible, so that they fit securely in the pack without wasting space or much weight. In addition, food and water must be packed in, which can add a lot of weight to the pack, although the weight diminishes as the trip progresses. Water weight can be reduced by bringing a water purifier rather than packing in the water itself.

Overnight hiking trips also require tents and sleeping gear, which should be lightweight and very compact so that they easily fit into the pack or can be strapped onto the back of the pack. There are many lightweight tents on the market which are easy to assemble and sleep anywhere from two to ten people, depending on the trip. Sleeping pads and sleeping bags are also lightweight and made for the weather conditions that the person thinks they will encounter on the hiking trip.