The Best Hiking Boots for Heavy Hikers

A heavy hiker is serious about his hiking. He will travel into rough terrain, over mountains and through forests. He'll withstand the rain, snow and moderate heat. He doesn't do this without the proper supplies, though. Aside from the tent, backpack and food supplies, one of the most important things he'll buy for his travels is a good pair of hiking boots. Since all of the work is done by foot, his feet must be well tended. Poorly fitting shoes can be disastrous. The technology surrounding active lifestyle textiles now offers hikers an amazing number of hiking boot choices.

  1. The Sole

    • The sole of the boot has to give firm support. Heavy hiking boots should have a steel shank in the sole for stability and support. Some hikers may opt for a half-shank to reduce the weight of the boot. The hiker is going to be carrying all of his equipment. Any place that weight can be minimized without losing function is a good idea. There should be a minimum of a half-shank and not less. Most hiking boot soles are made with Vibram rubber. A Vibram sole allows for good traction on the trail, especially in wet regions.

    Breathability

    • Most people sweat when exercising. The hiker's foot is trapped inside of a heavy leather boot for long stretches of time each day, sometimes up to 10 hours. That's a lot of exercise. There will be some sweating on the foot. It's best if that sweat isn't sitting on the skin, dampening the sock. The inside of the boot should be made from a synthetic fiber, typically nylon. There should never be cotton. Cotton fibers hold moisture. Synthetics wick the moisture from the source. It's important to note, too that good nylon socks are needed. Never wear cotton socks when hiking heavily.

    Bellowed Tongue

    • The tongue of the boot needs to be attached to the rest of the boot. The way this is done, while still allowing space for the foot to have room to get into the boot, is by use of a bellowed tongue. There's a piece of leather that is attached to the inside of the boot and also attached to the tongue. It makes a uniform closure around the entire ankle and lower calf. This is critical because it helps keep dirt, sticks, snow and water from getting into the boot while hiking.

    Waterproof

    • Most heavy hiking boots are already treated with waterproofing when they come from the manufacturer. This is important because hiking in wet boots with wet feet can be a miserable experience. Waterproofing will protect your feet when it's raining, or if you step in a stream or other standing water. While the boots may have been pre-treated, additional waterproofing before a long hike isn't a bad idea. After several hikes the treatment should be reapplied.

    Guarantee

    • Many outdoor outfitters will stand behind the products they sell. They will guarantee your satisfaction. They are assuming that most people will be reasonable and honest. No one expects a pair of hiking boots to last five years of heavy hiking. If, though, you are truly dissatisfied you may be entitled to at least a partial refund. If you just spent five weeks hiking and three days into the hike you noticed a defect that caused you to suffer either physically or financially, you may have a legitimate complaint.