Choosing Good Hiking Boots
What’s more important for a backpacker, good hiking boots or a good sleeping bag?
It can be argued both ways (endlessly), but … Even if you’ve been watching Survivorman, notice that he’s always wearing at least a decent pair of boots or shoes. Good footwear is that important.
That’s why this boot-picking guide by the St. Louis Dispatch is a great piece for beginning and exerienced backpackers. One thing to remember is that the article gives great advice from professional boot-fitters - but doesn’t specifically recommend that you should do the same. In my experience, no matter how experienced you are with camping gear get a second opinion when your own feet are involved.
One other useful thing: Don’t trust the shoe sizes printed on the outside a box. Some European boot companies don’t accurately convert their own shoes sizes to American sizes, use a good shoe & boot size conversion table as a second opinion. Likewise, every brand’s sizing is different, so go based on feel and the advice of a boot-fitter with experience fitting that brand.
Link credit: Thanks to the Two-Heel Drive hiking blog for the original link