THE10 CRUCIAL QUESTIONS IN BOOT-BUYING
Going boot shopping? Take these two pages with you. They might just help you find your new best friends…
SOME WALKERS KNOW precisely what they want from their boots, whether it’s the lightest of sneakers or the toughest mountain boot on the market – or something in between (and there is a lot of ‘in between’). Others just like trying everything and enjoying that eureka moment when they’ve found the perfect pair. However you go about buying your next pair of boots, always kick off with these questions…
1 WHAT’S IT MADE OF?
For their upper surfaces, walking boots use either leather (suede, nubuck or full-grain, in ascending order of affordability), a synthetic fabric, or a bit of both. Leather is stiffer and more naturally waterproof; fabric boots are lighter, more flexible and more breathable.
2 HOW HEAVY IS IT?
If a boot feels heavy in the shop, you might worry it will feel twice as heavy at the end of a walk. But heavy isn’t bad, per se; it generally means the boot is big on support and protection. And if you’ve got a lot of that, your feet may, in fact, feel less fatigued at the end of a walk than they might in a lighter pair that doesn’t shield you from the hardness of the trail.
3 HOW SUPPORTIVE DOES IT FEEL?
The skeleton of the boot is the shank: a metal plate that sits in the midsole. It sets the scene for how supportive the boot is; is it firm or cushioned, flat or contoured? How snugly does your foot fit in the heel cup? How high up the ankle does the cuff come? How easy are the laces, and where do they sit when fully tightened? These factors will all determine how confident you will feel over uneven terrain.
4 HOW TOUGH IS IT?
The higher you intend to go, the rockier the ground will be, and the stiffer and tougher your boot should be to cope with it. If you’re heading to the mountains, look for a tough, grippy outsole, a hard rubber toebox, and possibly a rand (a band of toughened rubber running round the outside, providing maximum stiffness and protection, at the expense of some flexibility).
5 IS IT WATERPROOF?
Most boots have a waterproof, breathable membrane to repel external water whilst moving internal moisture (sweat) to the outside. Gore-Tex is still the biggest name in membranes, thus you’ll usually pay more for a boot with GTX after the name. Some go without one, either using premium-quality leather for natural waterproofing (good for long-distance summer trekking), or not being waterproof at all (for moving fast in the hottest conditions).
6 WHAT DOES THE SOLE LOOK LIKE?
Some tread patterns are knobbly and complex for maximum grip and shock absorption on mountain terrain. Others have more spaced-out lugs for better traction on grass and mud (and easier cleaning). Vibram remains the biggest name in outsoles, but there’s huge variety within their designs.
7 BITE OR ROLL?
The boot on the right ( below) has a rolling sole; it gives a comfy, natural motion, ideal for easier terrain. The boot on the left has a heel breast; it lifts your heel off the ground and its forward-swept ‘platform’ bites into the terrain, providing more traction over unstable ground – especially going downhill.
8 HOW MUCH IS IT?
Cost is a huge consideration, but don’t let it be your defining factor. Some cheaper boots might be absolutely perfect for your needs, and could be ideal for getting you out there if it’s been a while since you went walking. More expensive boots aim to justify their pricetag with a mix of technologies and features, premium build quality and ( hopefully) longevity.
9 DOES IT LOOK GOOD?
For many, this might be the first question rather than the ninth. Yes, it’s kind of important that you feel happy with how your boots look. But if reviewing hundreds of boots over the years has taught us one thing, it’s that looks are almost irrelevant next to comfort, function and Question 10.
10 DOES IT FIT?
The most important question of them all. Aside from discussing factors like width and comfort, our reviews generally don’t mention how well the boots fit the reviewer. We focus on the objective stuff: the features and technologies, the form and the function. The allimportant decision lies with you, so even if we love a boot for all its objective joys, if it doesn’t fit you perfectly in the store (and later, around the house), keep looking.