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Hiking Boots: Fit & Care
Our boots are made for walking, and that's just what they'll do (if you follow these guidelines)
Everyone has had at least one pair of boots that they'd rather forget. Jammed toes, blistered heels, and raw tendons are no fun—especially if you're four miles from camp with a 20 or 30 pound pack. If you're on a foot search team, it means you become a victim rather than a rescuer.
Your feet are also ill-served by boots that fall apart prematurely. Things like torn seams, delaminated soles, and uppers flapping in the breeze make you wish you had taken care of your footwear.
Here are some points about boot fitting and care from Merrell, Inc., a well-regarded manufacturer.
Fitting
The best starting point for sizing is your normal shoe size.
- Put the boots on over your socks without lacing. While standing, push your toes forward so they touch the front of the boot. You should be able to slip one finger into the space behind your heel. If there isn't enough room or if you have to force it, the boot is probably too small and you should try the next half-size larger. For boots to be used carrying a moderate to heavy load, a generous finger is highly recommended.
- Tap the heel back in the heel cup and lace the boot. The boot should feel snug across the ball, around the instep and in the heel. The arch should be comfortably supported and the toes should be free to wiggle and curl.
- To check the fit in the heel, walk up an incline. Your heel should lift a maximum of one-half inch.
- The toes should not jam into the front of the boot. Check this by walking down an incline or tapping the toe lightly into the floor or against the wall. If the boot fits correctly, your toes should at most, gently touch the end of the boot.
Cleaning
Leather boots: On a regular basis brush away surface dirt with a soft brush. After extended or rugged use, scrub the boots with a nylon brush or saddle soap, then rinse with warm water. CAUTION: do not use saddle soap or any type of cleaning agent on silicone-impregnated waterproof leather boots. For these models use a nylon brush and warm water.
Fabric/Leather boots: On a regular basis, brush away the surface dirt with a soft brush. After extended or rugged use, use a mild soap and warm water to clean the upper.
Drying
Wet boots must be dried slowly and carefully. Overheating boots by placing them near a heater or campfire can damage the uppers and cause the soles to delaminate. The proper way to dry a boot is to open the boot fully, remove the footbed and laces and let it dry at room temperature. Stuffing the boots with newspaper will speed up the initial drying process. Be sure to remove the newspaper once it is soaked; otherwise it will actually slow down drying.
Waterproofing And Conditioning
Waterproofing and conditioning is vital, not just to help keep your feet dry and comfortable, but to keep your boots supple and long wearing. Treat boots before you first use them and then whenever they have been cleaned and dried. Recommended treatment will depend on the construction and materials used in the boot. There are a variety of products on the market. The ones we recommend here are not the only products that work. Please note that the use of these treatments may alter the color and appearance of the boots. If you are concerned about this, test the treatment on a small corner of the boot.
Leather boots: To protect the leather and enhance performance, treat the leather with a waterproofing agent. We recommend Biwell Classic, Biwell Trekking, Boot Guard, Nikwax Paste Wax, or Nikwax Aqueous.
On Nubuk or split grain leather these treatments work effectively but will flatten the finish. Nikwax Nubuk is available for this leather and will not affect the finish as much as the other treatments.
Sealing the seams and welts on the boots with an item such as Stitch Guard will increase waterproofing of boots. Normal treatment of the boot will prevent most water penetration along these seams, but Stitch Guard is more durable.
Fabric/Leather boots: Treat the leather areas on the boot in a similar fashion to treating an all-leather boot. The fabric areas on the boot should receive a treatment that will increase the water resistance and protect the fabric. For the fabric areas we recommend Tectron, Zepel, Scotchguard, or Nikwax Fabric/Leather. |