Articles

Buying walking boots can be a frustrating exercise if you are not sure of which ones to get. Information on walking boots is therefore extremely important for the potential hiker.

To start with, there are a number of types of walking boots to choose from and there are various different makes of boots to consider. It is important for instance to decide whether you want leather boots or boots made from fabric. The implications of these decisions are far reaching as they will determine the comfort of your hike or expedition.

Each boot type has a season rating from 1 to 4 which gives an indication of which weather conditions the boots are suitable for. Rating 1 is suitable for mild and dry weather, while rating 4 is for more extreme weather conditions. This will also determine the make of the boots. Fabric boots will be a good choice for mild, sunny and dry weather, while leather boots with fabric or wool as an inner will be appropriate for extreme weather conditions.

Another consideration when choosing walking boots is the matter of maintenance. The different kinds of boots will require a different measure of care. Walking boots made of fabric is washable and therefore easier to maintain. They are also easier to "walk in" and get used to. Leather boots, on the other hand, take longer to "break in" and can be sensitive to exposure to water. Leather boots need to be specially treated to tolerate water and they take longer to dry out.

Both leather and fabric boots tend to trap odours on the inside of the shoe and sometimes these odours intensify when the boots are cleaned. It is therefore also necessary to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to prevent this unpleasant occurrence.

Another consideration is the matter of boot laces. Boot laces are necessary to ensure that the walking boots fit snugly and comfortably. When they start fraying and become worn out, it will be necessary to replace them with good quality laces. The question that you need to ask when considering a pair of walking boots is how readily available the laces for those specific boots are.

Finally, along with all the decisions on leather or fabric, odour retention and laces availability, comes the question of detergents and chemicals that will be appropriate to use with the boots. Leather will need some sort of polish that will insulate it against water damage and fabric boots will need a type of detergent that will clean but not damage the fabric that the boots are made of. This decision is critical to the successful maintenance and lifespan of your new walking boots.