| a new pair of boots, especially if you are new to | | | | footbed of the boot. Test the stiffness of the |
| walking, can be a little daunting. A good pair of | | | | heel cup in the same way as the toe box. To |
| boots that will last you for years will cost | | | | check the midsole stiffness, try bending the toe |
| upwards of £100, no small investment. | | | | up and also twisting the boot. If you intend to do |
| Firstly, go to a good outdoors shop where the | | | | winter walking using crampons, you need a very |
| staff are knowledgeable. It is no good buying | | | | stiff midsole. |
| from a place where the staff clearly are not the | | | | For walking on uneven ground, support for the |
| outdoors types. Talk to the staff, tell them the | | | | foot is essential, to test this, either use something |
| sort of walking you will be doing and how often | | | | hard under your sole or use the corner of a step. |
| and they will be able to make some | | | | Boots that offer little support in these situations |
| recommendations. | | | | will leave your feet fatigued and possibly sore |
| Below is a guide that could help you to avoid the | | | | after a day on an uneven surface. Consider also |
| bullsh*%t factor from sales assistants ... | | | | the ankle cuff, this can give useful extra support |
| Starting at the front of the boot, check the toe | | | | but if it is very stiff, it can easily rub your heel or |
| box, that will save your toes from a battering | | | | ankles on a walk. On the sole, look for deep, |
| when crossing rocky ground. A firm toe box is | | | | widely spaced lugs and grooves, a useful measure |
| needed if you intend doing a lot of mountain | | | | is the thickness of 2 one pound coins placed |
| walking, it is not so critical if you will be mainly on | | | | together. A softer sole will give better grip on |
| fells and farmland. | | | | rocks but will wear out faster. |
| Leading back from the toe you will find the rubber | | | | OK, so you have selected your ideal boot but |
| rand, this adds durability to the boot and | | | | remember, it must fit properly and be |
| protection from rocks; a full rand, such as those | | | | comfortable! Check for tongue padding by lacing |
| found on Meindl boots, helps keep the water out | | | | the boot up, you should not feel the laces through |
| of the bottom of the boot when wading through | | | | it. Check the fit is right by wearing your walking |
| shallow puddles. | | | | socks when you try on the boot, it should be |
| Talking of waterproofing, a boot with a gore-tex | | | | about 15mm or a little less. A convenient way of |
| lining is the best, but only initially. The lining will | | | | testing this is to loosen the laces and push your |
| inevitable fail well before the boot is worn out. It | | | | foot forward, until the toe contacts the inside of |
| also can make the boot a little more clammy, | | | | the toe box. You can then check the gap at the |
| despite its breathability. Leather treatments are | | | | back of your heel. When laced up, the upper |
| getting better and better and you will find most | | | | should feel snug and comfy round your foot. If |
| boots will be pretty waterproof if treated | | | | you are aware of the lace eyelets against your |
| regularly. A shop in the Lakes told me not to | | | | feet then that can lead to soreness. Squeeze the |
| clean my boots before treating them as the dirt | | | | upper of the boot as well, a soft upper may be |
| helps to seal them against water. I am not so | | | | more comfortable initially but unless you are going |
| sure about that, it sounds that could make them | | | | to be sticking only to gentle walking on good |
| less breathable - I find that the waterproofing is | | | | surfaces, you are better with a stiffer upper. |
| absorbed better after they have been cleaned. | | | | To sum up, decide on your style of walking |
| Make up your own mind! One piece uppers are a | | | | before buying a boot, take your walking socks |
| definite if you are looking for waterproof boots - | | | | with you and talk to the staff when you are |
| fewer stitching holes and seams to allow the | | | | trying on the boot. This short guide is not the |
| ingress of water. Most boots now also have | | | | definitive guide to buying a walking boot but it |
| bellows tongues - the tongue is linked to the | | | | may help you to spot sales BS. |
| upper which also helps to keep water out. | | | | Disclaimer (probably not necessary but here goes |
| At the other end of the boot, the heel cup is the | | | | ...): This is intended for your information only, you |
| next thing to consider. For mountain walking or | | | | need to accept the responsibility for your own |
| walking over rocky ground, you need a stiff heel | | | | purchase - we cannot be held responsible for any |
| cup - this will hold the foot in place and reduce the | | | | problems that arise from the purchase of your |
| likelihood of blisters. For the same terrain, you | | | | boots. We recommend that you take the advice |
| need also a boot with a stiff midsole. The midsole | | | | of the sales person in the shop and make up your |
| is hidden from view, between the sole and the | | | | own mind about the boot. |