hiking-bootsIf you are a walker, or if you are contemplating taking up walking for a hobby, then getting the right footwear is critical. So what do you need and how do you set about getting it.

The type of shoe or boot

Firstly you need to decide on the kind of walking that intend to do. Are you looking at short walks of up to 5 miles (2 hours), medium walks of up to about 12 miles (4 to 5 hours), or more extended walks that take a day or even longer.

Secondly, what kind of terrain do you intend to walk on? Will you be hiking on good quality paths and fairly level ground, or do you intend to take on the challenge of rough terrain and steep slopes where the footing is uneven and the path is rough.

If your walking will be of a short to medium duration and you only intend to walk on good quality paths, then you may be OK with what is sometimes referred to as a "day hiker".

This is more of a shoe than a boot and, although it has a stiffer sole, a more contoured tread and enhanced support, it looks something like a sneaker (trainer). This kind of shoe is comfortable and fine for general walking.

If you intend to take on longer walks and walks where the ground will throw up an uneven surface, loose rocks or inclines and declines, then you need a hiking boot.

A hiking boot has a very stiff sole, an "upper" that extends to (and sometimes beyond) the ankle and a structural shank (the part of the shoe that runs up above the heel). This kind of footwear offers a high level of support to the feet and makes walking of a longer duration, or walking on uneven ground, much more comfortable.

Material

Not too long ago leather was the only option for serious walking shoes and hiking boots, but today there are a range of different synthetic fabrics that offer waterproof protection plus high levels of breathe-ability.

The benefits of a waterproof shoe are pretty obvious, but having shoes that not only keep water out, but which also let water vapour (sweat) escape can enhance foot comfort considerably. These shoes use special fabrics and, when combined with thick breathable walking socks, they ensure that the feet are kept fresh and dry which in turn prevents blisters and soreness.

Shoe size

Buying walking boots or hikers that are the right size is important and here you should be guided by how they feel rather than how they look or your "regular" shoe size (measurement).

Always try on hiking boots whilst wearing thick socks and ensure that your feet do not slip in them.

Mens REI Raichle Hiking Climbing Boots M 105 M 10 1 2
Mens REI Raichle Hiking Climbing Boots M 105 M 10 1 2
Paypal   US .00
LADIES MEINDL BURMA L PRO MFS HIKING WALKING BOOT UK55
LADIES MEINDL BURMA L PRO MFS HIKING WALKING BOOT UK55
Paypal   US $148.21
MEINDL BORNEO LADY PRO MFS HIKING WALKING BOOTS UK 55
MEINDL BORNEO LADY PRO MFS HIKING WALKING BOOTS UK 55
Paypal   US 8.21
LADIES MEINDL BURMA L PRO MFS HIKING WALKING BOOTS UK 5
LADIES MEINDL BURMA L PRO MFS HIKING WALKING BOOTS UK 5
Paypal   US $148.21
BOOTS SNOW WATER PROOF WELL INSULATED SIZE 9 MED
BOOTS SNOW WATER PROOF WELL INSULATED SIZE 9 MED
Paypal   US .99
LADIES HI TEC V LITE FASTHIKE HIKING BOOTS SIZE 4 NEW
LADIES HI TEC V LITE FASTHIKE HIKING BOOTS SIZE 4 NEW
Paypal   US $22.46
Caterpillar Steel Toe Boots Size 10 1 2 Free Shipping
Caterpillar Steel Toe Boots Size 10 1 2 Free Shipping
Paypal   US .99
Timberland EURO HIKER 95310 Brown Women 9 US USED
Timberland EURO HIKER 95310 Brown Women 9 US USED
Paypal   US $1.00
LA SPORTIVA PINGORA GTX HIKING BOOTS WOMENS SZ US 55
LA SPORTIVA PINGORA GTX HIKING BOOTS WOMENS SZ US 55
Paypal   US .99
Colorado Hiking Boots
Colorado Hiking Boots
Paypal   US $5.00
Mens Merrell Chameleon Shoes Sz 9
Mens Merrell Chameleon Shoes Sz 9
Paypal   US .50
Mens Merrell Chameleon Continuum GORETEX XCR Shoes Sz9
Mens Merrell Chameleon Continuum GORETEX XCR Shoes Sz9
Paypal   US $10.50
BEARPAW Hiking Boots Size 10
BEARPAW Hiking Boots Size 10
Paypal   US .00
HERMANS SURVIVOR BOOTS STEEL TOE INSULATED NICE CLEAN
HERMANS SURVIVOR BOOTS STEEL TOE INSULATED NICE CLEAN
Paypal   US $9.99
MENS COLUMBIA 85 CORE TEX HICKING SHOES AWESOME SHAPE
MENS COLUMBIA 85 CORE TEX HICKING SHOES AWESOME SHAPE
Paypal   US .99
MENS VINTAGE OLD SCHOOL BRN HIKING BOOTS 10M EX COND
MENS VINTAGE OLD SCHOOL BRN HIKING BOOTS 10M EX COND
Paypal   US $9.99
AVIA MENS US 9 HIKING SHOES GRAY SUEDE
AVIA MENS US 9 HIKING SHOES GRAY SUEDE
Paypal   US $.99
Holubar Vintage Leather Down puffy Camping Boots Sz XL
Holubar Vintage Leather Down puffy Camping Boots Sz XL
Paypal   US $33.99
Columbia Razor Ridge Hiking Boot SZ 9 EUR 42
Columbia Razor Ridge Hiking Boot SZ 9 EUR 42
Paypal   US .00
VASQUE Waterproof Hiking Boots Womens 9 exc cond
VASQUE Waterproof Hiking Boots Womens 9 exc cond
Paypal   US $14.50
MERRELL Moab Ventilator Walnut Hiking Shoes Mens 7
MERRELL Moab Ventilator Walnut Hiking Shoes Mens 7
Paypal   US .26
MERRELL Waterproof Hiking Shoes Womens 75 used 1 time
MERRELL Waterproof Hiking Shoes Womens 75 used 1 time
Paypal   US $14.50
Vibram Gortex Boots
Vibram Gortex Boots
Paypal   US .00
ASOLO Waterproof Hiking Boots Womens 75 exc cond
ASOLO Waterproof Hiking Boots Womens 75 exc cond
Paypal   US $2.25
Womens La Sportiva Makalu Size 39 US 75
Womens La Sportiva Makalu Size 39 US 75
Paypal   US .00
Thermolite Hunting Hiking Boots Sz 8
Thermolite Hunting Hiking Boots Sz 8
Paypal   US $9.99
MONTRAIL TORRE GTX GORE TEX Mens Hiking Boots NEW 125
MONTRAIL TORRE GTX GORE TEX Mens Hiking Boots NEW 125
Paypal   US .99
Womens Danner Polaris Gore Tex Hiking Boots 85 EUC
Womens Danner Polaris Gore Tex Hiking Boots 85 EUC
Paypal   US $39.99
PR OF SALOMON HIKING SHOES WITH GORETEX CONTAGRIP SIZE7
PR OF SALOMON HIKING SHOES WITH GORETEX CONTAGRIP SIZE7
Paypal   US .47
Vibram KSO mens 43 11in Black Great condition
Vibram KSO mens 43 11in Black Great condition
Paypal   US $81.05
Montrail Womens Torre GTX Hiking Boot NEW Size 7
Montrail Womens Torre GTX Hiking Boot NEW Size 7
Paypal   US .99
Vibram Classic Womens 40 Great condition
Vibram Classic Womens 40 Great condition
Paypal   US $41.01
Vibram Sprint Women 38 great condition
Vibram Sprint Women 38 great condition
Paypal   US .00
La Sportiva Mens Makula Boot Size 44 1 2 or US Mens 11
La Sportiva Mens Makula Boot Size 44 1 2 or US Mens 11
Paypal   US $50.00
ASOLO Womens 0M2201 450 PowerMatic Hiking NIB Size 6
ASOLO Womens 0M2201 450 PowerMatic Hiking NIB Size 6
Paypal   US .99
KAYLAND New Womens Zephyr Size 75
KAYLAND New Womens Zephyr Size 75
Paypal   US $79.99
KEEN New Mens Targhee II Size 105
KEEN New Mens Targhee II Size 105
Paypal   US .99
RedHead McKinley Hikings Shoes Boots Sz 105 VERY NICE
RedHead McKinley Hikings Shoes Boots Sz 105 VERY NICE
Paypal   US $.99
WATERPROOF TIMBERLAND CARGO PANTS NR XXL
WATERPROOF TIMBERLAND CARGO PANTS NR XXL
Paypal   US .00
REI hiking shorts womens M NWOT
REI hiking shorts womens M NWOT
Paypal   US $5.99
NIB Wellco Combat Boots work hiking 101 2 105 Narrow
NIB Wellco Combat Boots work hiking 101 2 105 Narrow
Paypal   US .99
WOMENS TECNICA FUR AND LEATHER BOOTS SIZE 9 1 2 10 41
WOMENS TECNICA FUR AND LEATHER BOOTS SIZE 9 1 2 10 41
Paypal   US $19.00
Garmont Gore Tex Hiking Shoes Size US 85
Garmont Gore Tex Hiking Shoes Size US 85
Paypal   US .00
LOWA TANARK hiking boots mens 10 EUR 43 1 2 NICE
LOWA TANARK hiking boots mens 10 EUR 43 1 2 NICE
Paypal   US $24.99
RedHead Rancher Slip on Boots size 11MW WATERPROOF
RedHead Rancher Slip on Boots size 11MW WATERPROOF
Paypal   US .00
Merrell Chameleon Wrap Gore Tex XCR Womens size 6
Merrell Chameleon Wrap Gore Tex XCR Womens size 6
Paypal   US $69.00
womens size 4 convertible NORTHFACE pants dune color
womens size 4 convertible NORTHFACE pants dune color
Paypal   US .00
Vasque Mens 95 Boots accept crampons Gore Tex
Vasque Mens 95 Boots accept crampons Gore Tex
Paypal   US $25.00
Leather Bobsole BootsSize 111213Waterproof ShoeNew
Leather Bobsole BootsSize 111213Waterproof ShoeNew
Paypal   US .00
RED HEAD TRACKER II Hiking Boots
RED HEAD TRACKER II Hiking Boots
Paypal   US $10.99
Merrell Mens Hiking Boots
Merrell Mens Hiking Boots
Paypal   US .00
Merrell WaterPro Ultra Sport DK Shoes
Merrell WaterPro Ultra Sport DK Shoes
Paypal   US $49.99
Vasque Hiking Boot Shoe Size 75 New Out Of Box
Vasque Hiking Boot Shoe Size 75 New Out Of Box
Paypal   US .00
Merrell Hiking Boot Size 75 Mint Condition
Merrell Hiking Boot Size 75 Mint Condition
Paypal   US $45.00
FIRST QUALITY WOOL HIKING BOOT SOCKS 2 PAIR NEW
FIRST QUALITY WOOL HIKING BOOT SOCKS 2 PAIR NEW
Paypal   US .00
NEW ROCKY SIZE9MW HIKING CAMPING HUNTING BOOT LEFT FOOT
NEW ROCKY SIZE9MW HIKING CAMPING HUNTING BOOT LEFT FOOT
Paypal   US $2.75
Merrell Hiking Shoes Womens with Gortex olive
Merrell Hiking Shoes Womens with Gortex olive
Paypal   US .00
MERRELL Reflex Smoke Hiking Shoes Mens 95 exc cond
MERRELL Reflex Smoke Hiking Shoes Mens 95 exc cond
Paypal   US $26.00
La Sportiva Mens Gore Tex Hiking Boots 42 US 9 95 0
La Sportiva Mens Gore Tex Hiking Boots 42 US 9 95 0
Paypal   US .00
La Sportiva Mens Gore Tex Hiking Boots 95 10 43 0
La Sportiva Mens Gore Tex Hiking Boots 95 10 43 0
Paypal   US $100.01
La Sportiva Mens Gore Tex Hiking Boots 10 105 0
La Sportiva Mens Gore Tex Hiking Boots 10 105 0
Paypal   US 3.80
La Sportiva Mens Gore Tex Hiking Boots 105 11 0
La Sportiva Mens Gore Tex Hiking Boots 105 11 0
Paypal   US $97.00
La Sportiva Mens Gore Tex Hiking Boots 445 US 11 0
La Sportiva Mens Gore Tex Hiking Boots 445 US 11 0
Paypal   US 2.50
La Sportiva Mens Gore Tex Hiking Boots US 11 115 0
La Sportiva Mens Gore Tex Hiking Boots US 11 115 0
Paypal   US $110.50
La Sportiva Mens Gore Tex Hiking Boots US 115 12 0
La Sportiva Mens Gore Tex Hiking Boots US 115 12 0
Paypal   US 1.40
scarpa leather hiking boots sz445
scarpa leather hiking boots sz445
Paypal   US $180.00
Merrell Winterra Hiking Boots For Men
Merrell Winterra Hiking Boots For Men
Paypal   US 9.99
Nearly New Merrell Outland Mid Dark Olive boots Mens 11
Nearly New Merrell Outland Mid Dark Olive boots Mens 11
Paypal   US $105.00
PACIFIC TRAIL Ladies Hiking Shoes MUST SEE Sz8M
PACIFIC TRAIL Ladies Hiking Shoes MUST SEE Sz8M
Paypal   US .99
Mens Size 13 Military Police style Leather Boots NEW
Mens Size 13 Military Police style Leather Boots NEW
Paypal   US $10.51
BASS MENS HIKING BOOTS SIZE 13M
BASS MENS HIKING BOOTS SIZE 13M
Paypal   US .99
HI TEC YOSEMITE BROWN LTHR BOOTS WMN SZ 55M SUPER
HI TEC YOSEMITE BROWN LTHR BOOTS WMN SZ 55M SUPER
Paypal   US $6.95
HI TEC V LITE RADAR eVENT Ladies Hiking Shoes Size 45
HI TEC V LITE RADAR eVENT Ladies Hiking Shoes Size 45
Paypal   US .97
MONTRAIL HIKING BOOTS MENS 10 MEDIUM VIBRAM SOLE
MONTRAIL HIKING BOOTS MENS 10 MEDIUM VIBRAM SOLE
Paypal   US $38.00
HI TEC TIAGO LADIES HIKING SHOES NEW SIZE 5 UK
HI TEC TIAGO LADIES HIKING SHOES NEW SIZE 5 UK
Paypal   US .47
Merrell Winterra Hiking Boots Mint
Merrell Winterra Hiking Boots Mint
Paypal   US $60.00
NEW Mens Everest Waterproof Leather Hiking Boots 10 1 2
NEW Mens Everest Waterproof Leather Hiking Boots 10 1 2
Paypal   US .99
I think these are Limmer Hiking Boots Womens 75 M
I think these are Limmer Hiking Boots Womens 75 M
Paypal   US $39.00
Vintage Dexter Hiking Mountaineering Boots SIZE 11 1 2
Vintage Dexter Hiking Mountaineering Boots SIZE 11 1 2
Paypal   US .99
Itasca hiking boots size 75 waterproof slightly used
Itasca hiking boots size 75 waterproof slightly used
Paypal   US $11.99
LOWA RENEGADE GTX MID wide boots full leather mens 115
LOWA RENEGADE GTX MID wide boots full leather mens 115
Paypal   US .50
Ladies Hiking Boots Leather New Sz 10 will ship to CDA
Ladies Hiking Boots Leather New Sz 10 will ship to CDA
Paypal   US $12.99
MENS ROCKPORT XCS SHOES BOOTS TRAINERS SIZE 9 WIDE 44
MENS ROCKPORT XCS SHOES BOOTS TRAINERS SIZE 9 WIDE 44
Paypal   US .22
Mammut Mt Vista GTX Hiking Boots Womens US 70 NEW
Mammut Mt Vista GTX Hiking Boots Womens US 70 NEW
Paypal   US $189.99
La Sportiva Makalu mountaineering boot size 445 US 11
La Sportiva Makalu mountaineering boot size 445 US 11
Paypal   US .00
MENS BASS 11M BROWN CASUAL BOOTS AWESOME SHAPE
MENS BASS 11M BROWN CASUAL BOOTS AWESOME SHAPE
Paypal   US $19.99
Garmont Sticky Cat Approach Hiking Shoe Mens 85 8 1 2
Garmont Sticky Cat Approach Hiking Shoe Mens 85 8 1 2
Paypal   US .99
ASOLO FUGITIVE GTX hiking boots mens 12 EUR 46 1 3
ASOLO FUGITIVE GTX hiking boots mens 12 EUR 46 1 3
Paypal   US $51.00
KEEN TARGHEE II MID hiking boots mens 13 VERY NICE
KEEN TARGHEE II MID hiking boots mens 13 VERY NICE
Paypal   US .99
MENS NORTH PASS HIKING BOOTS SZ 105 101 2 GREAT SHAPE
MENS NORTH PASS HIKING BOOTS SZ 105 101 2 GREAT SHAPE
Paypal   US $9.99
ASOLO TPS 520 GTX hiking boots mens 11 wide NEW
ASOLO TPS 520 GTX hiking boots mens 11 wide NEW
Paypal   US .00
Asolo Gortex Hiking Shoes Ladies Size 9
Asolo Gortex Hiking Shoes Ladies Size 9
Paypal   US $50.00
Merrell Torrent Womens Waterproof Hiking Boots Size 7
Merrell Torrent Womens Waterproof Hiking Boots Size 7
Paypal   US .39
VTG HIKING MOUNTAINEERING BROWN LEATHER BOOTS MENS 12
VTG HIKING MOUNTAINEERING BROWN LEATHER BOOTS MENS 12
Paypal   US $9.99
VINTAGE HIKING MOUNTAINEERING CLIMBING BOOTS 105 D
VINTAGE HIKING MOUNTAINEERING CLIMBING BOOTS 105 D
Paypal   US .99
MBT womens hiking walking shoe Great condition
MBT womens hiking walking shoe Great condition
Paypal   US $39.99
BRAND NEW TEVA ELIXER FLIP FLOPS SANDALS SIZE 14
BRAND NEW TEVA ELIXER FLIP FLOPS SANDALS SIZE 14
Paypal   US .99
Mens Vasque Hiking Boots Made In Italy size 10 Medium
Mens Vasque Hiking Boots Made In Italy size 10 Medium
Paypal   US $22.05
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