How to size your Boots (Definitely read!!)

A pair of boots can be the single most important part of equipment you buy. A pair of boots that do not fit correctly can make the trip miserable and has the possibility of limiting your trip.

The first thing to consider when buying a pair of boots is the terrain that the boots are going to be used on, the experience of the hiker and the weight of your pack. The terrain is pretty straightforward the rougher the terrain the stiffer and tougher a boot you should have. The experience can be a tough one to judge. What I mean by this is that the more experienced you have, you may be able to have a boot that does not need as much ankle support. After hiking 650 miles I decided to go to an all terrain low boot because I felt my ankles had strengthened enough and I could use some more padding. The downfall of this is that you will have to replace your footwear much more often because it is not made to handle the terrain. Most of the time this footwear is half the price of a regular boot so financially it is about the same long term. The advantage is that you get more padding and a more supple shoe that is easier to move in. The final concern in determining what type of boot to hike in is the weight of your pack. While on the trail I was carrying a pack that was 27-33 pounds and so I was able to make this transition to a lighter pair of footwear. If I would have been carrying a 50-pound pack I may not have changed because of the added ankle support I would have needed for a pack of this weight. This can be another motivation for reducing your pack weight because you can change your footwear to be much more comfortable.

After you have determined the type of boot that is right for your hiking or backpacking situation it is time to determine the fit. Go to a local outfitter store and try on many pairs of footwear. Most of the time it is a good idea to buy your footwear at an outfitter because you can try each one on. If you mail order your boots you will be hesitant to send them back even if they do not fit perfect.

The first thing that should be done is to take the insole out of the boots and lay them on the ground. Place your foot on the insole and make sure that you can fit your thumb in front on your toes. Usually this means that it will be a ½ size larger that normal. See the illustration below.

Once your foot sits on the insole correctly place the insole back in the boot. Now place your foot in the boot and lace up. This is the time to see how your foot feels in the boot. You will feel a little extra room in front of your toes but this is necessary do to the sliding and swelling of your foot while hiking. If the boot feels good in all areas and then the boot is a good selection.

One last recommendation that I would make is to buy a pair of insoles. Be sure not to buy any insoles only SUPERFEET insoles. I tried four different pairs of insoles before I got SUPERFEET at MRO in Damascus, VA. They were great and held my foot and gave me support. I wore them for the rest of the trail (1800 miles) and I am still wearing them today. Superfeet are a little expensive at $30 but they are definitely worth it. Trust me on this one and email me what you think after you have tried it. Here is a link - SUPERFEET.

Before you wear your boots outside be sure to wear them inside just incase there was a pressure point somewhere that you did not feel before. Different types of lacing and different combinations of socks can sometimes clear up this problem.

The last thing you should do is make sure you break in your boots on day hikes and over nights before attempting a multi-night or long distance backpacking trip. This will make sure that your foot is seated in the boot properly. The break in period can range on the type of footwear from 30 miles to 300 miles depending on how tough and rugged the footwear is.

If you follow these steps I have outlined here I believe that the boots will feel great on your feet in the long run. I have learned this method after hiking many miles and listening to many people’s opinions and trying on and buying many pairs of boots. Trust me many stores will try to fit you other ways but I believe this way is the only way you should fit your boots.

Please email me and let me know how things turn out or if you have any other questions- bjdickhans@yahoo.com