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Find the Best Hiking Boots

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Why is it Important to find the Best Hiking Boots?

Choosing the best hiking boots for your feet can be confusing, but here is some advice to make it easy.

Your boots are probably the most important item that affects the enjoyment of hiking. That is why you want to pick the best hiking boots for your needs. If you have a pair of boots that are uncomfortable or are designed for the wrong hiking experience, it can ruin the entire trip.

Healthy feet make a happy hiker!

Best Hiking Boots - Let Me Count The Ways

There are all kinds of boots out there, which one is right for you?

Another thing to consider is that these boots are to last you for a long while, so don't just buy a boot because it's on sale. Get the right set of boots for you. Don't ever skimp on your boots.

Lastly, remember to read the care instructions for the boots that you purchase. It is important to keep your boots in top condition. You don't want to get caught 5 miles into a hike and have a boot failure because of lack of care.

Selecting the Best Hiking Boots

When Choosing the best hiking boots for you, keep these things in mind:

  • Materials:
    • Leather: More durable and water resistant. Heavier than synthetic. Normally meant for longer hikes with a full backpack.
    • Synthetic: Lighter weight than leather, but shows wear and tear more.
    • Waterproof materials: Many boots offer a waterproof membrane that is attached to the inside of the boot. (such as Gore-Tex ®)
  • Hiking Type:
    • Day Hikes with a couple bottles of water in a fanny pack
    • Over Night Hikes with a small pack
    • Multiple Day Hikes with a 40 to 50 pound backpack
  • Boot Cut:
    • Low Cut: Good for more level terrain, shorter hikes. Not a lot of ankle support
    • Mid Height: More ankle support, can be used for short multi-day hikes with a lighter pack.
    • High Cut: Normally the most durable and sturdy boot. Perfect for long multi-day hikes with a heavy pack.

Below, a Visual Guide to Help you Select the Best Hiking Boots!

Best Hiking Boots - Day Hike / Low Cut Boots

Let's look at the best hiking boots for day hikes. These would be used on a day hike with level terrain. You would have a small day pack or a fanny pack with a couple of bottles of water. Also, the trail should not have a lot of gravel, because it could get in between your sock and the boot.

These boots can also be water proof and are made of synthetic or synthetic/leather combination.
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Best Hiking Boots - Long Day or Short Multi-Day Hike / Mid Cut Boots

The best hiking boots for a longer hike would be a mid cut. Mid Cut will be good for steeper inclines and they have more ankle support. Most are waterproof and come in synthetic or a synthetic/leather combination. They do a slightly better job of keeping out gravel and pebbles and will give you more stability on muddy surfaces. For carrying a lighter small backpack.
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Best Hiking Boots - Mountaineering or Long Mult-Day Hike / High Cut Boots

This are the best hiking boots for the serious hiker. Leather or Leather/synthetic combination. An extremely strong boot with a lot of ankle support. Worn with a heavy pack. Can be used with crampons for snow. Designed for the most challenging terrain.
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It's great to have the Best Hiking Boots, but what happens when your laces break?

It's important to have a spare pair of laces on the trail. The laces should be designed for boots and not shoes. I would suggest a round instead of a flat style lace, these tend to last longer. The support that laces provide is paramount to a comfortable hike.
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Best Hiking Boots - Other Footwear to Consider

You may find the best hiking boots, but what about the socks or inserts? They are important as well. Even if you have a great hiking boot, if you have the wrong pair of socks, it can ruin your hike. These articles that will show you the best hiking socks and insoles to select.

Also, what about a hiking sandal. What happens if you have to cross a stream? You must have the proper footwear.
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Doggie Backpacks

This is an essential article for those who love to hike with their pets.
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Other Items That Are Important For Hiking

Outdoor Backpack & GPS for Hiking

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Best Hiking Boots - Poll

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Hiking Revealed

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Tell me about your best hiking boots or worst...

We all have hiking stories, especially about the one that got away. Wait, that's fishing. Well, tell me your favorite, least favorite or funniest.

  • HarmonyArtMom Feb 3, 2012 @ 10:47 pm | delete
    Squished a spider in my shoe when I stuck my foot in first thing in the morning after a night out on the trail. Eeewww! I love my low cut hiking shoes...lightweight and comfortable. Enjoyed your lenses.
  • fullofshoes Dec 8, 2011 @ 4:48 pm | delete
    I'm a shoes, boots, and take your of your feet nut so of course I love your lens. Great info!
  • PatriceBeaulieu Nov 3, 2011 @ 6:37 pm | delete
    The funniest hiking story I have is when I was hiking around my father's farm (I would call it more of a long walk than a Hike) with my dog. It was the weekend of the balloon festival and my dog decided to bark and chase a hot air balloon as it flew overhead. It was so funny to watch her protect me from that hot air balloon. I would have loved to know what she was thinking! P.S. waterproof hiking boots are definitely the way to go.
  • shoppingCentralBiz Aug 16, 2011 @ 7:26 pm | delete
    Great lens with lots of good information. A good pair of hiking shoes is very essential if you want to enjoy your hiking trip. One that is waterproof is even much better.
  • sushilkin Jul 4, 2011 @ 10:57 pm | delete
    Nice Lens Thanks for sharing !
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GeorgiaHiker

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