How to Look for Closeout Hiking Boots

Hiking boots have evolved greatly from the heavy, double welted leather designs of the 1970s. Modern boots are often lighter and warmer, even the mountaineering boots designed for climbing glaciers and ice. While hiking boots are usually not too expensive, you can save money by searching out deals on closeout boots from prior seasons' inventory. Both major shops and local shops often have closeout sales, and if you are near a boot manufacturer, you can sometimes pick up deals direct.

Instructions

    • 1

      Shop during the summer season to look for boots that appeal to you, based on fit and performance, and narrow down your choices. Look for things like ankle cuff height and seam construction; higher ankle cuffs have more support, but are hotter. Boots with more mesh or fabric are good for hot climates, but seams will allow water in unless the boot has a Gore-Tex liner. Boots with more leather are best for support during long hikes and when carrying heavy loads, but will require more break-in time before they are comfortable, and are hotter, since they do not breathe as well as fabric/leather boots.

    • 2

      Go to a manufacturer's website and see if they have a boot similar to that one from last season. Alternatively, near the end of the summer or in the fall, check the manufacturer's website again to see if they have announced a new model and are discontinuing the current one. Often, a manufacturer will simply update the colors or style on a boot and leave the essential components, like construction, materials and sole, alone.

    • 3

      Shop the major outlet stores online such as Backcountry, REI, and Eastern Mountain Sports to look for good deals on closeout items. These stores have a wide variety of boots and often have more closeout inventory. They also sell boots that are crampon-compatible for winter hiking and mountaineering. Winter hiking boots are either all-leather with insulation or plastic with an inner boot.

    • 4

      Shop your local store at the end of the season to see if they are offering closeout sales on the end-of-season inventory. Going to the local stores also makes finding a boot that fits both your foot and your needs easier, as you can try on lighter weight boots, low-cut boots, and stiffer, all-leather boots and get a feel for what might be best.