What Size of Hiking Boot Do I Need [The Complete Sizing Guide]
If you are curious to know about the size of hiking boots, yes then this article is for you. Here is the complete guide.
Introduction
Are you interested to know about the size of hiking boots?
Okay! Luckily you have come to the most valuable help available.
Before hitting the hiking trail, it is necessary to ensure your hiking boots are fit; otherwise, you might come family with blisters at the end of the day.
There is a lot of chaos over how a pair of hiking boots should fit. Some point out that hiking boots should be a size bigger. This post will show useful recommendations to help you check if a pair of hiking boots fits your feet correctly. Keep reading to know more details!
- Recommendation 1: Check for the Length
Foremost, check if the boots fit your feet in length. Most people have one foot longer than another so you must check for the length of boots with your longer foot.
With the laces losing up, put your longer foot into the hiking boot and stand up straightforwardly. Move your foot along until your toes touch the end of the boot.
Then request someone to check if there is room after your heel. The room behind your heel should fit one finger if the boots are perfectly fitted.
Your feet will swell after backpacking for a full daytime, thus, there must be room left in your boots. - Recommendation 2: Lace up the Boots and Check the Width
It’s also essential that your hiking boots likewise fit in width. If the boots are also wide to keep your feet, you will get blisters on your feet; while if the width is also tight, the sides of your feet will be uncomfortably crunched during the full expedition.
To check if the boots fit in width, lace up your boots at foremost and then touch your feet in the boots. Make certain your feet are not packed inside and can’t slide from side to side.
It’s alright that the boots are a little snug since your hiking boots usually have about a 5 per cent stretch. - Recommendation 3: Confirm There is No Heel Lift
Put on the hiking boots and walk on your toes to confirm there is a heel lift. When lacing your boots, leave the top of your feet relaxed and tighten up the area across your ankles to maintain your heels assured. It will give you blisters if your heel slips up and down when you are hiking. - Recommendation 4: Put Your Socks on When Trying the Boots
When checking if your hiking boots fit, put on the hiking socks that you are moving to wear for the journey. This can make you confident that the boots fit perfectly. - Recommendation 5: Walk on an Inclined Surface
Since you have to walk up and down during hiking, you should try the boots on a willing surface and see if they discern satisfied when climbing.
Furthermore, spend 15 to 20 minutes walking around with the boots so that you can get used to the boots. - Recommendation 6: Try the Boots at the End of the Day
Your feet are usually sweaty and swell a bit after a complete day of walking. Trying the boots when your feet are small and bloated assists you in making the most accurate judgment. - Recommendation 7: Wear a Heavy Load
When trying on hiking boots, wear a heavy load to affect the real-world problems in hiking. When you are hiking on the trail, the heavy backpack will count weight and your feet will shift a bit inside your shoes. Thus, you like to see if your feet feel relaxed in the boots when wearing your pack.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Should your hiking boots be bigger?
- Many hikers suggest that a pair of right hiking boots should be a half or full size larger than their regular shoe size or the hiking boots that fit you correctly.
- You should choose a size larger if you are:
- Moving to a long thru-hike
If you are going on a long-distance hike for many days, you should choose hiking boots that are a half or one size up since your feet will swell after some days of hiking. - Having Boots that have a Narrow Box
If you won’t have a narrow toe box in hiking boots, you may like to go for one size bigger to guarantee your toes won’t be squeezed. - Sporting the Boots for the Whole Year
If you’re going to use the boots for both summer and winter, you may like to size up the boots. Since you might wear thin socks in summer and socks that are denser in winter. And you might likewise add insoles in winter. Thus, a pair of larger hiking boots can match your different requirements.
Wrapping Up
Confirming proper fit is important when choosing hiking boots. Start by checking the length, ensuring there’s a finger’s width behind your heel. Lace-up the boots to assess width, avoiding tightness or extreme looseness. Confirm no heel lift while walking on your toes.
Try the boots with hiking socks, on an inclined surface, and at day’s end when your feet may be slightly swollen.
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