Need New Hiking Boots? Hiking Footwear Guide

Spring has sprung and now is the perfect time to hit your favorite hiking trails. The weather is just right, the snow is mostly melted, and spring wildflowers are beginning to bloom. This season is made for hiking.

Fortunately, you don’t need a lot of gear to go for a hike. But you may need a new pair of hiking boots or trail shoes. If so, you’ve come to the right place. Sierra Trading Post has the best deals on famous name brand hiking footwear. And if you need a little help deciding exactly what type of boots you need — we can help you there, too.

The Hiking Footwear Guide covers everything you need to know about lightweight hiking boots, trail shoes, and burly backpacking boots. What kind is right for you?

Here’s an excerpt from the Hiking Footwear Guide…

Proper Fit

It doesn’t matter if a shoe has all the bells and whistles; if it doesn’t fit, it’s not right for you. Here are a few fit tips to help get you down the trail in comfort.

* Your boots should feel snug around the ball and instep of your foot, but loose enough so you can flex your foot forward comfortably. Rock onto the balls of your feet and then back on your heels. This motion should not make your feet feel restricted.
* You should be able to wiggle your toes comfortably inside the toe box. With the right amount of room in the toe box, you should be able to spread your toes for stability and to allow for natural swelling. A fairly roomy toe box will also prevent cutting off your circulation, which increases your chance of getting cold feet.
* Your heel should stay in place when you walk. This reduces the friction that causes blisters and prevents your foot from sliding forward.
* When trying on or breaking-in hiking boots, be sure to wear the same socks that you will in the field.
* Address all fit problems. Extra insoles, better socks and various lacing techniques may need to be employed to get your most comfortable fit. If you have high arches, for example, you may need to invest in a new footbed (in the form of an orthotic insert) to fill the excess space in your boot. Thick, moisture-managing socks keep blisters at bay, while lacing your boots in a different way may eliminate hot spots on the top of your foot.
* Remember that while a boot will become a little softer after a breaking-in period, an ill-fitting boot can never be broken in enough to solve problems inherent in the fit.

Read the entire Hiking Footwear Guide.