AMC Outdoors, May 1999
By Michael Lanza
I had one criterion the day I bought my first pair of hiking boots: price. The cheapest canvas day-hikers in the store were the ones for me.And they certainly served me well enough on day hikes. But when I started backpacking in them, my feet throbbed at the end of each day. Then I wore them into the backcountry of Alaska's Denali National Park, and my poor feet spent three days cold and wet. By trip's end, they looked like they'd been hidden under a Band-Aid through too many showers, and I wondered how to recognize trench foot.
Still, I hiked in those boots for years, until they'd worn so thin I could practically play "This Little Piggy Went to Market" without taking them off. But times have changed. Now I have so many pairs of boots my wife calls me Imelda.
Were the Filipino shoe maven a hiker today, she would delight in the selection of boots on the market – although so many choices can make buying boots seem very complex. But all those models actually translate to greater assurance that you'll find boots suited to your needs and that fit your feet. The first decision you need to make is about the type of boots. Are you strictly a day-hiker? Do you mostly day-hike but occasionally backpack? Or are you someone who spends every weekend and all your vacation time shouldering a heavy pack into the backcountry?
Types of Boots
The categories below describe the three general types of boots worn by hikers and backpackers, in terms used by boot manufacturers as well as retailers. I've left out winter and mountaineering boots; we'll cover them in a future issue.
Day-hiking boots are lightweight, cut at or below the ankle, cool and comfortable on hot days, inexpensive, and not waterproof. They fit snugly like a sneaker and require no breaking in, but provide minimal ankle support and protection for the sole of the foot against sharp rocks. They are best for day hikes of any length with a light pack, but don't have enough support for trails that are frequently wet and muddy.
Light backpacking boots are cut at or above the ankle for enhanced ankle support when carrying a fairly heavy pack. They have a fairly stiff midsole for support and to protect the sole of the foot from rocks. Some have a waterproof-breathable liner, which bumps the price up significantly. They rarely require breaking in and have fabric uppers that make them cooler – but wear out sooner – than all-leather boots. If you're looking for one pair of boots for both day-hiking and occasional backpacking trips of five days or less, a light-backpacking boot with a waterproof-breathable liner is well worth the investment.
Backpacking boots have thicker, deeply lugged soles of hard rubber, a high-cut ankle, and a partial or full shank in the midsole, which stiffens the boot and provides greater support and protection than a light backpacking boot. Leather uppers enhance support and protection of the foot, repel water, and make the boot warmer. They often have a waterproof-breathable liner. They typically require a breaking-in period of a couple to several days – don’t take a new pair out on a four-day trek. They are ideal for backpacking with a heavy pack, especially in wet or cold climes, but are usually too hot and heavy for fair-weather day hiking.
Some boots on the market overlap these categories, so rely on your own experience, demands, and hiking style to determine your ideal boot. For instance, frequent backpackers who move nimbly on the trail and watch where they step may want a lighter boot because support is less critical to them than weight. At the other end of the hiking spectrum, occasional day-hikers might prefer the support of a light-backpacking boot. In general, go for the lightest boots that serve your purposes: they will be more comfortable out of the box, cause less trail erosion, and go easier on your wallet than a beefier boot.
The critical trait of any boot is that it fits your foot. Sizes vary slightly among manufacturers, as does the "last" – essentially a model foot – around which boots are constructed. Some boots are narrow, some wide, some too snug in the toes, some too wide in the heel. Shop around until you find a pair that feels good. Women can choose from models designed for their narrower feet.
Try on boots with the socks you intend to hike in. Socks should be a mid- or heavyweight wool-synthetic blend worn over a thin liner. When trying on boots, you should feel little movement around the heel and ankle. Too much rubbing causes blisters. Look for a comfortable fit in the length and width of the boot. In day-hiking boots, the toe box will fit snugly; in backpacking boots, the toe box is bigger to prevent toes getting jammed while walking downhill with a big pack. Day-hiking and light-backpacking boots should fit right out of the box.
Stiffer boots require breaking in to flex with and conform to your foot while walking, but the fit should be comfortable standing in them.
With a pack on, walk around the store in the boots before buying them. Many stores will let you take new boots home and walk around the house for a day or two to test out the fit, as long as you don't wear them outside. Boots typically come with an insert, but sometimes trying another brand or type can make the critical difference in fit and comfort. Some of the individually sold inserts are better shaped and padded, and greatly reduce the abuse your feet suffer on the trail, particularly under the weight of a pack.
Depending on the sort of hiking you do, you could be happy with one well-chosen pair of boots. As with any piece of outdoor gear, though, the route to satisfaction is making sure you buy a product designed for what you intend to put it through. The right boots may cost a few more dollars, but they should save you the anxiety of wondering how to recognize trench foot.
—Michael Lanza is author of The Ultimate Guide to Backcountry Travel, from AMC Books.
