When you’re traipsing through forests or climbing steep trails, a comfortable pair of boots is key. Without them, you can wind up getting blisters, hotspots, or worse — twisted ankles and falls. On top of that, boots help you climb boulders while making your way across rugged territory that sometimes, regular old tennis shoes just can’t accommodate.
In this guide, I’ll go over critical information on how to accurately measure your foot for hiking boots, tips for adjusting the fit and comfort, the importance of choosing quality insoles, ways to avoid common fit issues, and signs of ill-fitting boots. Plus, I’ll throw in some recommended practices for breaking in hiking boots to ensure you have the best gear for your fly fishing and other outdoor hobbies.
With that information, you’ll be ready to get out on the trails without running the risk of injury.
Different Types of Hiking Boots and How They Fit
One thing to understand as you search for the perfect hiking boots is that there are actually a couple of different types out there, including:
- Light hiking boots
- Day hiking boots
- Backpacking boots
- Mountaineering boots
Let’s go over each of these in a bit more detail to help you understand what each is for and how they fit.
Light Hiking Shoes
These are a hiker’s dream for a breezy, quick trek. Light hiking shoes are designed somewhat like running shoes but with added support and durability for the outdoors. They rest below the ankle, providing less support for the joints but more freedom of movement.
Due to their flexible construction, fitting light hiking shoes usually mirrors fitting regular footwear, but remember to still account for thicker socks or swollen feet after a long day on the trails. An example of light hiking shoes would be the Men’s Salomon XA PRO 3D V8 Hiking Shoe.
Day Hiking Boots
Intended for shorter hikes with light backpacks, these boots typically have mid to high-cut models providing more ankle support than hiking shoes. Despite their sturdy structure, these boots are known for their relative flexibility and require less breaking-in time. That being said, they also need to fit snugly around the midfoot and ankle to prevent slippage while ascending or descending terrain.
A nice pair of day hiking boots might be the Women’s Keen Circadia Waterproof Mid Hiking Boot.
Backpacking Boots
Crafted for heavy loads and long journeys, backpacking boots are renowned for their high-cut design, offering maximum ankle support and showcasing robustness to withstand multi-day treks. These boots need to be firm but comfortable around your feet and ankles. Remember, your feet will most likely swell after trekking for days, so a precise fit that’s on the roomier side may be optimal.
An example of backpacking boots could be the Women’s Vasque Breeze AT GORE-TEX Hiking Boots.
Mountaineering Boots
As the titans of hiking footwear, mountaineering boots are constructed to endure the harsh conditions of mountain trekking, icy terrains, and rock climbing. Their stiff build means ensuring a proper fit is essential to avoid discomfort or cold spots. Often available in different sizes, their fit should be roomy enough for wiggle room and thick socks yet snug enough to keep your foot stable.
The Role of Insoles in Ensuring a Proper Fit
It’s not just the boots themselves that matter when selecting hiking shoes. You’ve also got to think about the insoles.
Insoles provide extra cushioning, reduce impact, and enhance the fit of your boots. They are particularly essential if your hiking boots feel loose or if you have specific foot conditions, such as flat feet or plantar fasciitis.
If you’re experiencing heel slippage, for example, adding an insole can take up the extra volume in your boot, securing your foot in place. Or, in the case of pronounced arches, insoles with arch support can significantly enhance your hiking experience by reducing foot fatigue.
It’s important to select the right insole, as they come in a variety of types, each designed for different foot shapes and support needs. For instance, if you have high arches, insoles would be ideal as they offer maximum support. Or, for those with flat feet, insoles can help stabilize your foot and prevent it from rolling inward.
As you choose your hiking boots, also look into different types of insoles and consider which might be best for your needs.
Top Tips for Fitting and Trying on Hiking Boots
The last thing you want is to plan a grand mountain adventure only to realize too late that your boots are causing blisters and discomfort. To avoid these kinds of issues, it pays to know how to try on hiking boots before you buy them.
Don’t Assume Your Size
The first step to achieving this fit is knowing your exact foot size, and don’t assume it’s the same as your regular shoe size. Feet change over time, and various factors like age, weight fluctuations, and even pregnancy can cause feet to grow or widen. Not to mention, hiking boot sizes and fits will vary between brands and styles.
Use a Brannock Device
This tried-and-true tool measures not only foot length and width but also the arch length, which can impact where your foot flexes within the boot. Ensure you’re standing while your foot is being measured since your foot expands under your body weight.
Try on Boots in the Afternoon or in the Evening
Most people tend to forget that our feet naturally expand throughout the day. They start off smaller in the morning and gradually get larger as the day wears on, much like a sponge soaking up water. Trying on boots later in the day simulates how your feet will feel after a long day of hiking and ensures a more accurate fit.
Wear the Right Socks
You should wear the same kind of socks while trying on boots that you plan on wearing on the trails. If you plan on wearing thick wool socks to keep warm during a winter hike, don’t try on boots with thin, cotton socks. The thickness of the sock will impact the fit of the hiking boots significantly.
Move Your Feet
Don’t just stand there in the store. Take them for a little spin. Walk around the store to get a feel for how the boots fit. If it’s a specialized outdoor store, like Jesse Brown’s Outdoors, there will be an incline board around. Use it by walking up and down the incline, forwards and backwards, with the assistance and watchful eye of a store associate. You need to be sure your boots are comfortable even on diverse terrains.
Sidestepping Common Hiking Boot Fit Issues
As you select a pair of hiking boots, there are a couple of fit issues that you might come across. Knowing how to tackle these is the key to ensuring your boots feel as good as they look.
Ensuring Adequate Forefront Room
One of the critical fit areas in hiking boots is the ‘toe box,’ or the forefront. Our feet have a tendency to swell during vigorous activities like hiking, and believe me, squished toes aren’t fun!
To check for proper forefront room, slip on the boots and tap the toe on the ground. If your foot easily slides forward and your toes hit the boot’s front, they’re too loose. On the other hand, if your toes are right against the front of the boot before you tap your toe, it’s too tight.
Ideally, you should be able to wiggle your toes freely, with about a thumb’s width between the front of the boot and your longest toe.
Checking for Proper Heel Fit
If your heel significantly lifts inside your boot while walking, you risk the formation of painful blisters, an ailment you dont want the misfortune of experiencing.
To check for proper heel fit, lace your boots snugly and walk around. If your heel lifts more than a bit, better keep looking for the right pair, or consider getting a boot with a narrower heel cup.
Ensuring Solid Ankle Support
Not all boots offer the same level of ankle support. Low-cut shoes and light hikers can leave ankle areas exposed and more vulnerable to twisting, especially if you’re venturing on rough terrain or carrying a heavy backpack. Consider mid- or high-cut boots for challenging hikes. They provide more ankle support and protection against knocks and scrapes.
Adjusting Your Hiking Boots to Fine-Tune Their Fit
Even if you try on a pair of boots and feel like they aren’t quite right, there are a couple of things that you can do to fine-tune their fit. Let’s go over a couple of these tips to help you get a boot that fits snugly and feels great.
Tighten Your Boot Enough to Secure Your Heel
Most boots provide ample room for adjustments. For example, if your heel begins lifting, it is essential to review your lacing strategy. Ensure that the boots are tightened enough that your heel is secure but not so tight that it becomes uncomfortable.
In most hiking boots, you can achieve this by looping the laces around the hooks or eyelets in the ankle area in a “lock” fashion before tying to hold the heel down snugly.
Adjust How You Lace Your Boots
Sometimes, the way that you lace your boots might be what’s causing you to slip and slide. For instance, if the traditional way of lacing isn’t working perfectly, I’ve found that crisscrossing the laces after skipping one set of grommet hook-insoffers a solid grip. Each foot and boot is different, so don’t hesitate to experiment with different lacing techniques until you discover what provides the best mix of comfort and stability.
Fit Can Be Influenced by Your Socks
Thick socks often provide extra padding that can enhance the fit of the boot, particularly in the areas where the boot shape does not perfectly conform to your foot. Conversely, they may make a snug boot too tight, so consider your sock thickness when trying on boots. Play around with pairing your boots with different socks to help you find ones that fit properly.
Warning Signs that Your Hiking Boots Don’t Fit Properly
As you try on your boots, there are a couple of warning signs that a pair isn’t for you. Let’s go over a few of these and what to look out for as you try boots on to ensure that you get a comfortable and supportive pair.
Persistent Discomfort
If you lace up and feel an immediate pinch, pressure, or rubbing, you know something’s off. Remember, hiking boots should feel snug but never tight. Continuous discomfort may lead to problems down the trail, even if the boots are still in the breaking-in phase.
Blisters
These tender, fluid-filled pockets are often a product of friction between your foot and the boot, indicating that your boots are either too large, causing your foot to slide, or too small, causing constant contact. If you are experiencing blisters after wearing your boots, there’s a good chance they’re not the right fit.
Bruising
Bruising occurs when your foot is constantly pressed against a part of the boot with each step, leading to blood vessels breaking under the skin. For instance, a boot that’s too small may cause toenail bruising, affectionately known as “black toe,” an unpleasant outcome.
Movement of Your Foot Inside the Boot
This can include sliding forward when going downhill, which can happen if you inadvertently buy a boot size too large. Those kind of downhill treks can be less than thrilling.
Why and How to Break In Your New Hiking Boots
Once you’ve selected a pair of boots, you’re still not quite ready to pop them on and hit the trail. You still need to break the boots in. This phase is crucial to avoid painful blisters, shoe bites, and other foot sores that can quickly turn a fun hiking trip into a torturous experience.
Unlike your typical casual shoes, hiking boots are built with robust materials designed to protect your feet from rugged terrains. This sturdiness can also mean initial discomfort and stiffness.
By breaking in your boots, you effectively mold them to the unique shape of your feet, ensuring that they flex where your feet flex, provide support where it’s needed, and do not rub or pinch anywhere.
How to Break in Your New Boots?
To break in your boots, you’ll want to start by wearing them around the house. Paired with the socks you’d usually wear for hiking, spend a few hours each day walking around, climbing stairs, or doing some light chores. If at that point the boots feel uncomfortable or cause pain, it’s still easy to return them – and they are still clean!
Once your boots feel comfortable indoors, take them outside for short, easy walks around the neighborhood, in the park, or on local trails.
As your boots become more pliable and comfortable, gradually increase the length and difficulty of your walks, including hilly terrains, rocky trails, or steep climbs. Remember to pay attention to any discomfort or developing hot spots on your feet. These outings will simulate the conditions of a real hike and will further mold the boots to your feet.
After each session, allow your boots to dry naturally if they’re damp from sweat or water. It helps keep them in good shape, prolongs their lifespan, and precludes the development of unpleasant odors.
Find Hiking Boots That Fit Your Feet
Nothing compares to a good pair of well-fitted hiking boots. They’re what keeps you moving and ensures safety on the trail, whether you’re traversing a rocky mountainside or leisurely strolling beside a serene lake.
A poor fit, however, can turn a beautiful outing into a challenging experience. Remember to pay close attention to how your feet feel in your boots and to look for warning signs that you don’t have the fit right, such as blisters and bruising.
Now that you know how to choose a pair of well-fitting hiking boots, it’s time to pick up a pair for your outdoor adventures. Head over to Jesse Brown’s Outdoors to find a pair of boots that you love, and to experience their famous boot-fitting service, should you be able to visit them in-store. Or, if you’re not quite ready to buy, subscribe to their newsletter to get alerted to new releases, discounts, and more tips to help you find the best hiking boots.