Purchasing hiking boots is one of the toughest parts of taking up the hobby of hiking! There is so much to know, so many choices, many technical terms, different fabrics, boots for different types of hikes, different types of materials, and so much more to know. Add to that, getting the right fit for you is a process in itself. As always, Niagara Adventure Club is always available to help in getting the right equipment for you, but for those of you that want to try it on your own, take the time to read this week's article first!
Ill-fitting boots can ruin an otherwise great hike. Boots that fit properly protect your feet, stabilize your ankles, and minimize the chance of blisters, not to mention prevent injury and unsightly bruised toenails. If you’re shopping for your first pair of boots (or if it’s been a while since you last took a spin through an outdoor retailer’s footwear section), these tips can help you get the perfect fit.
Tip 1: Try Hiking Boots On Before You Buy
Shopping in an actual store allows you to easily try on multiple sizes, styles, and brands. Though plenty of stores sell hiking boots, an outdoor retailer like REI, might offer the best experience since its employees know exactly how to assist in your search. If buying online is your only option, order several sizes to try on at home, just be sure to confirm that the retailer provides free shipping on returns.
NAC NOTE: Here in Canada you will want to visit retailers such as Outdoors Oriented,Hiker's Haven,SAIL or Mountain Equipment Company. The staff at these stores are highly knowledgeable and will ensure that you get the right boot for you! And remember, NAC Season Pass Holders get discounts at the first two!
Tip 2: Try Boots On At The End Of Day
Feet swell throughout the day and change sizes, which makes shoe shopping at the end of the day ideal. It’s important to buy a pair of boots that fit when your feet are at their largest so that they never pinch or squeeze, no matter the time of day, says podiatrist and former Wirecutter writer Jim McDannald.
Tip 3: Size Up, Not Down
For the same reason, always try boots that are true to size or a half-size up but never a half-size down. Beth Henkes, REI sales lead for footwear in Alderwood, Washington, says she normally encourages everyone to go up a half-size. “If I measure someone and they are dead on an 8, in most boots I am going to grab them an 8½ and at least start there,” she says. (The same is true for running shoes.)
Tip 4: Wear The Socks You Plan To Hike In
Make sure the boots you choose fit well with the socks you typically wear while hiking, a thinner or thicker pair might affect the fit and could lead to an uncomfortable hiking experience. If you’re a hiker who prefers to double up on socks (which we don’t think is completely necessary), bring both pairs of socks with you to the store.
Tip 5: Lace Your Boots Correctly
The right lacing technique can relieve hot spots, prevent blisters, and tailor your boots to your feet. An outdoor-gear sales associate should be able to help you try a few different techniques so you can see what works best. If you’re trying your boots on at home, this Wirecutter video lays out the basics.
Tip 6: Check For A Thumbs Width Of Space Between Your Toe And The End Of The Boot
Boots that fit well should allow you to spread out your toes and wiggle them. If the boots feel tight while you’re standing still, they’ll only feel more constricting once you’re on the trail. You’ll need that extra room because your feet will swell while you hike, and that wiggle room will also prevent your toes from jamming into the front of your boot while you’re going downhill. That’s how you lose toenails, and Henkes says those take about a year to grow back. Yikes.
Tip 7: Make Sure Your Foot Doesn't Move Around Too Much
Your boot might be too wide for you if your foot slides from side to side when you walk, so try a narrower fit or another brand if that’s happening. A tiny bit of movement at the back of the boot is important for protecting your Achilles tendon and preventing blisters, says Henkes, but your heel shouldn’t rise more than a quarter of an inch.
Tip 8: Check The Volume (A Sneaky Component Of Boot Fit) Make sure the depth of your foot matches the depth of the boot. This dimension is called volume, Henkes says, and it’s one of the most important pieces of fit advice. If a boot isn’t deep enough for your foot, your foot will fall asleep. If a boot is too deep, your foot will slide underneath the laces, letting your toes hit the end no matter what size the boot is. Pay attention to where the boot hits your ankle bone. If it’s uncomfortable, you might want to try another boot that’s more or less shallow.
Tip 9: Walk Up And Down A Ramp Make sure your toes don’t squish against the toe box while you walk downhill. Likewise, confirm that your heel doesn’t rub uncomfortably against the back of the boot while you’re hiking uphill. NAC NOTE: Some more modern stores offer treadmills, so you can lace up and walk for a bit. These treadmills offer incline and decline letting you really get a feel for how the boot fits in the field!
Article written by Elissa Sanci, featured on Wirecutter Blog, on October 15, 2021
N.A.C. NEWS
(Sunday, October 31, 2021)
Good Morning,
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
The new webpage is slowly being completed, but it is far from perfect yet. Please bare with me while I continuously work on making it absolutely perfect ;). So far, the main page is complete, and the events page is up and running with it's first two events posted. I am still working on the registration pages, and many other aspects of the web site. You may also notice that the web page looks pretty good on a personal computer, but not quite right on your mobile device or tablet yet. I will be working on optimizing it all for mobile devices shortly, so again, please be patient. If you are having problems with anything, please let me know. Don't forget to create your new Site Member account, you can do this on a PC by clicking the "Log In" button on the top right corner of the web page and clicking the "Sign Up" link. On a mobile device, click the menu button (3 parallel lines at the top right of the screen), then click "Log In" at the top of the menu, and then click the "Sign Up" link at the top! Once you have created your new account, you can use the down arrow next to your name to add a personalized photo, add some info to your bio, contact other members, check on your badges and much more. Take some time to learn about your profile and what you can do. Also, once you create your account, you can then RSVP for NAC Adventures and add posts to the Adventure Forum! There is no need to re-subscribe to the mailing list, all the subscriptions and member information has been moved over from the old web site! The NAC Shop is no more. The old online store did not generate nearly enough revenue to cover the incredible cost of operating ecommerce on the site, and so it has been removed. If you do need any hiking gear, please check in first, as I still have access to all my wholesale equipment and can still order products for you. And don't forget to check out the forum, now entitled "The Adventure Forum". On the forum you will have access to many articles that can be very helpful. You can also check out all the past articles from Adventure Weekly (being added as quickly as possible) and post articles and questions of your own! So be sure to give that a try.
That's all the news for this week. As always, stay safe, and happy hiking! Lenny Burch Niagara Adventure Club