Although you don't wear walking shoes every day, you obviously shouldn't think about them not running well. Nothing is more terrible than sore feet, ugly blisters, cramped toes or a magpie's eye. OK, those who love hiking know: good walking shoes are priceless. What should you pay attention to when finding the best and finest hiking boots that fit your foot? Amy works in an outdoor shop and knows all about it!
The best hiking boots: there is no one size fits all
As a salesperson in an outdoor shop, I sell dozens of hiking boots every week. A few customers are immediately convinced by the shoes after trying them on for the first time, but in most cases it takes quite some time to find the right hiking boots. The hiking shoes must be suitable for the ground you will be hiking on, they must fit your feet well, but they should also not be too tight. You probably also want hiking boots that look a bit nice and they should be well and fairly made. That search can sometimes be quite challenging, but there are tips to speed up the search for the best hiking shoe for you.
The most durable hiking shoe? A shoe that lasts a long time!
In search of the perfect hiking boot
What does a well-fitting hiking boot have to do with durability? Well, a well-fitting hiking shoe lasts much longer than one that is too big or too small. So actually, we can already conclude that the most durable choice is a shoe that fits perfectly and feels great, because then it will last longer. So really take the time to look for the best shoe for your feet and your hiking style. If a hiking shoe is too wide, for instance, you will notice that you are more likely to get blisters and the material will tear more quickly. If your shoes are too narrow, you are likely to find that the top of the shoe comes off the sole. Or if you have jubilant toes, then chances are that you will get blisters inside no-time through the waterproof layer. You read it, finding that perfect hiking boot is not that easy. And the balking often comes later.
Tip: loosen your laces! In the shop, I regularly catch customers taking off shoes without loosening the laces properly. Don't! That makes shoes wear out faster.
Buying hiking boots first aid
When buying hiking boots, it is therefore important to seek advice. If you still prefer to buy shoes yourself (e.g. because you are looking for a ‘good as new’ pair on Marktplaats), there are a few things to pay attention to. Hiking shoes are usually bought half or full size bigger, so that your feet have enough room to expand during the hike. To check if you have the right size, take the sole out of your shoes and stand on it. Can you put a finger in front of your toes on the front of the sole? Then that should be the right length measurement. Want to know if the shoe is wide enough? When you go for a walk, you don't want to feel like you're sliding in the shoes, but you also don't want to feel pressure points. As soon as you put on a shoe, it should immediately feel comfortable. The moral of this story: don't think that a pressure point will get used, because it usually doesn't.
Are you interested in second-hand shoes though? Here are tips on what to look out for when finding good pairs.
What the best hiking boots are for you also depends on what kind of hike you will be taking.
What kind of hiking type are you? Because that too matters!
Different hiking shoes are made for different uses. If you like to walk in a very light shoe, but go into the mountains with a heavy backpack, you will find that the sole wears out quickly. Light hiking shoes are simply not made for tough terrain. If you walk on very heavy shoes over Dutch asphalt or even through the flat forest, you will probably feel that this is not very comfortable at all. The shoes will not roll off nicely and that will cost you more energy.
You can also be too frugal with your shoes
Being economical with your shoes is nice, but you can also be too economical with them. Did you know that if you use shoes infrequently they can spontaneously dry out? That's called hydrolysis. The best way to avoid this is to wear your shoes often. Can't do that in your case? Then at least make sure you store them dark and dry to reduce the chances of it happening. Find more care tips for hiking boots here.
The best hiking boots for you
When it comes to sustainability, many people think of buying hiking boots that are better and fairly made from sustainable materials and in pleasant and in fair conditions. This is absolutely true too, but clothing is also about finding the best and finest item so that you can enjoy it for as long as possible. This applies perhaps even more to hiking boots than to other (outdoor) clothing. Get good advice, go for quality, go out often so that the shoes are worn often and maintain them well. Tips for maintaining your hiking boots can be found here. We wish you lots of fun in nature. Enjoy it, our planet is a wonder!
More sustainable tips from thegreenlist.nl
- Want to learn more about what to look out for when choosing sustainable shoes, then check out this article.
- Go on your new (second-hand) walking shoes Sustainable hiking holidays in the Netherlands or surrounding areas.
- Are you in the Rotterdam area? Then be sure to go for a stroll through the Buijtenland of Rhoon.
Photo credits: main image: Dayn Topkin (Unsplash), hammock: Simon Miga (Pexels), man and child: Yogendra Singh (Pexels), woman mountain hiking: Nina Uhlikova (Pexels), walking path grass: Sonny Vermeer (Pexels).
