Cost: $75 to $300
Priority: Moderate. Campers need an adequate pair of shoes with ankle support, but families can decide whether that needs to be hiking boots.
Using Existing Shoes
This is a definite option. It does not necessarily pay for a young, growing person to invest in hiking boots when they probably will not fit for more than one camping season. If you choose this option, remember these things:
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Shoes should be sturdy and made of leather; plastic shoes do not provide enough breathing, and canvas shoes are not sturdy enough.
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They should provide ankle support.
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They should have soles which will provide traction in wet, slippery conditions.
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Consider weight. Heavy work boots with steel shanks may not be appropriate.
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You should expect that your shoes will suffer some abuse. Hiking, particularly in wet or soggy conditions, can hasten the demise of any pair of shoes.
Buying Hiking Boots
If you choose to purchase hiking boots, here are some of the considerations to factor into your purchase:
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Material: Good quality hiking boots should be leather or a leather/fabric mix. Leather/fabric boots will be hard or impossible to waterproof and will be somewhat less durable, but they have the advantage of being lighter. Smooth leather is somewhat preferable to sueded leather in that it is easier to waterproof.
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Seams: The fewer of them the better. Seams tend to leak water and are more susceptible to overall wear and tear. Check also for quality of stitching.
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Sole: The sole should be stiff, but not rigid.
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Size: Be sure to take along a thick pair of socks (or two pair; see Socks in the next section) when trying on new boots, since this is what you will be wearing when you are hiking.
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Weight: Pay some attention to weight, although most boots sold today are considerably lighter than the hob-nailed waffle-stompers of yesteryear.
Caring for Boots
If you do choose to purchase hiking boots, some care and maintenance will help them to last longer.
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When you first purchase the boots, it is a good idea to seal any seams and the joint between the leather and the sole with Freesole.
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Next, waterproof the leather with a product recommended by the manufacturer. Make sure that the product you buy is intended as a waterproofing and that it is meant to be used on leather. Note that the products that most shoe stores will try to sell you are leather protectants, not waterproofing.
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Finally, before your first trip with your new boots, be sure to wear them as much as possible to break them in and allow your feet and your boots to become accustomed to one another.
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Make note of any pressure points which may surface in your break-in period. Protect these with moleskin on your first trip.
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If your boots get wet, never dry them by a fire, as this is harmful to the leather and to the glues used in the manufacture of the boot. Allow your boots to air dry. If you are still hiking, continue to wear them until they are dry.
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When storing your boots in a period of inactivity, you may choose to stuff them with crumpled newspapers. This will help them maintain their shape and will absorb any moisture left in the boots
