There are seven billions people in this world, and yes, everyone really has different feet. Just because Ben - your backpacking buddy hails his new pair of Salomon X as the best hiking boots of all time, it does not mean that the same is going to apply to you. Everyone has different shapes of feet: some are more flat, others are thicker; some are wide, others are narrow. Some people have bunions - the little lump bulging out from their toes - which is not at all that rare. If you have bunions or any other peculiarities, it is even more important that you take note of them when buying hiking boots.

 

 

our feet carry your entire body, so you would want to keep them comfortable at all times. We all know that feeling of tightness and burns when wearing shoes that are too small, or when your heel constantly slips up and down when the shoes are too big. Especially when walking for long distances like going on a trek or backpacking through the mountains, feet comfort is paramount.

 

Wearing small boots not only causes discomfort, it also deforms your feet. Some people develop bunions from wearing pointy shoes or shoes that cramp their toes for a long time. This forces the toes to squeeze together, and the bones will gradually be bent in such a way to fit inside those shoes, thereby forming a bunion. And bunions-- they can only be solved through surgery.

 

 

To avoid any obvious mistakes, it is best to put these boots on right when you are buying them. Trying on at the store might not help detecting the best waterproof hiking boots (I mean you can ask for a cup of water, but the salesman might not be all that happy) but you sure can know whether they fit your feet, if you like the colour, whether they are light enough or a bit too heavy, so on and so forth. Hiking boots are pricey, so you have every right to take your time and precaution before settling on one.

 

 

Before setting out on your long-planned journey, it is crucial to give these guys a test run. Top rated hiking boots brands will have return policies that allow for a couple of days for you to return the boots if you are unhappy with them, so make sure you take advantage of it. Wear them in your house, run up and down the stairs, do a few jumping jacks to see how they cope with strong body motions, and see if you have any problems with them. With that said, step 5 lays down the problems users often have with new shoes.

 

 

Be honest with yourself, and listen to your feet. Now is not the time to be lazy nor regret the money you have spent - you can always get it back, and the couple of days after buying the boots is the golden chance to do so. Below are the three common problems users have with new shoes:

 

 

You might find yourself in the situation where the boots fit perfectly at the store, but suddenly shrink when you bring them home. The answer might be the different kinds of socks that you were wearing. Thick socks add up considerably to the thickness of your feet. If you’re preparing for a long trek, it is best to put on the socks that you are going to wear on that day to give the closest, most realistic feel.

 

 

Now that your boots have passed the indoor test, now is the time to bring them outside. Since you are going to be wearing them on your outdoor trip, testing them outdoors gives the best resemblance.

 

Put them on, run around the block, purposefully tread on hard terrains, because the mountains will not be just flat highways. Whether or not your boots are the best rated hiking boots will be revealed in this process. Good hiking boots are not enough, they have to suit your needs, and that is why breaking in is never a short process.

 

 Useful Reference: Best Hiking Boots: Which Boots Will Help You Tackle Any Terrain?

 

 

No one backpacks with just their bodies. If they did, that would have been called “going for a run” and not “backpacking”. Hence, to make it most realistic, add some extra weight on your back. Try putting stuff that you are going to bring on your real trip in a backpack, then carry it around wearing your new hiking boots.

 

Among others, the best hiking boots for men such as the Salomon X or the Timberland Chocorua are sturdy and should be able to withstand large weights. The best hiking boots for women include the Tecnica Forge GTX and the Keen Women's Explore Vent, and these babies perform just as well.