Walking Boots

Walking boots are the foundation of comfortable and safe walking. Make a poor selection in this basic kit; it could leave you with blisters, hobbling in pain, and turn your trip into utter misery. Generally, a single pair of walking boots must be sufficient for hiking, climbing, travelling over creeks, plodding through mud, negotiating slippery logs, blundering through brush and perhaps even step-kicking in snow. A good boot is, therefore, a happy compromise amongst all these conflicting requirements.

Walking boots should be tough enough to withstand the scraping of rocks and stiff and solid sufficient to step-kick snow. Also high enough to protect and support your ankles in rough walking conditions. If you plan on doing a lot of winters walking, consider a double-skinned boot with insulation between the sole and insole. Remember, the sole should also provide traction on slippery surfaces or smooth rock.

You might also want a pair of lightweight‘ bivvy boots’ to wear around the camp when not walking. You can purchase ones like those pictured on the right, but light tennis or runners are fine for summer trips. Having lightweight boots to slip into after a long day is a beautiful sensation. It gives your walking boots time to dry and air. If you are in winter conditions and snow, you might like a pair of down-filled booties instead. Australian Geographic Outdoor has a few valuable tips on purchasing walking boots.

Fitting

It is important to remember that you must have room in your walking boots to wriggle your toes, but the fit should not be so loose that your foot can slip around, which will cause blisters, and your foothold will not be as secure. When trying on boots for size, make sure you do so with the number and type of socks you will wear when walking. Boots that are too tight may constrict your blood circulation. This causes your cold feet and, in winter conditions, makes you susceptible to frostbite. If you have time, try the boots on, and if they fit well in the shop, come back another day and try them on again. Don’t begin your trip with brand-new boots, as this is certain to create problems. Wear the boots around your home, go for a walk and wear the boots in.

Price

There are dozens of walking boots in every imaginable style, and you must decide what most of your walking will be. Is it the odd short trip or two? Or are you planning on making extended trips of many days? Price is usually a fair indicator of leather quality. Inexpensive walking boots sometimes fall apart after a season or two. A good pair of boots will last many years if you look after them. Keep them clean and dry, and look after them using waterproofing compounds or leather conditioner. If they get wet (which they will), don’t roast them on fire to dry!

Socks

Socks provide; cushioning, insulation, absorption of sweat and reduced friction between the foot and boot. Wool is a good material for socks, and a light, smoothly woven pair is often worn next to the skin and heavier woven wool over the top. The toes must always be free to wriggle! Three tightly-packed pairs of socks crammed into your walking boots will provide less protection from the cold than two looser layers. Some good synthetic socks have deep loft/pile and are very comfortable. However, my favourite socks are made from bamboo and are very comfortable. The only downside is that they take quite some time to dry.

Mountaineering Boots

The Nepal Extreme mountaineering boot is an example of a boot ideal for technical use on high-elevation terrain and ice. The insulating Gore-Tex®/Duratherm® lining makes it completely waterproof and breathable. The upper features a “3D Flex system” hinge. The innovative multi-directional ankle hinge combined with an elasticatomical snow protection in the back and a small integrated elastic gaiter. The insulating Ibi-Thermo footbed gives the boot exceptional insulation from the cold. This features a tapered HP3 midsole and shock-absorbing PU, which inserts in the area under the heel and the football.

It also has a new exclusive sole with the innovative Impact Brake System technology, developed in collaboration with Vibram® and designed to soften the impact on hard ground. The removable tongue with an incorporated ventilation system allows the fit to be adjusted and personalised for any foot. The EZ OUT pull loop facilitates the unlocking of the lace lock. Other features include:

• Upper: 3+ mm water-repellent idro-perw roughout leather. Insole: insulating Ibi-Thermo 9 mm. Midsole: Mountain Evo Suspension. Sole: Vibram® IBS, easy to resole. Sizes: 37 – 48 • Weight: gr. 2.080 per pair • Lining: Gore-Tex®/Duratherm®