Boots!

This is definitely a department where the men get the better end of the deal, no question about it. I spent a long time trying to find boots, and most of the places I went to suggested that I just buy a man's pair of boots in a very small size. That's just ridiculous. I'm sorry. Men and women simply have different needs, such as:

Weight
Size (obviously!)
Durability
Support
Style (this should NEVER be a deciding factor, but it's definitely a nice perk)

I have two main categories for hiking boots - winter and summer. In the winter, I am often out hiking in snow and ice, so my winter boots are completely water proof, full leather, insulated, and come up quite a bit further on my ankles. In exchange for this, they are also heavier than my summer boots. It's a tough trade, but so is having sprained ankles and frozen feet. I haven't bemoaned the extra weight. On the contrary, it actually helps me to get in even better shape by the time summer comes around and I spend more time on the trails. Believe me, after wearing your winter boots for several months, your summer ones are going to feel wonderful!

My summer boots come up just a little bit above my ankles (I have done quite a bit of damage to my poor ankles over the years and need the extra support). They have a mesh covering over top and are water resistant. They are, of course, much lighter than my winter boots and lack the insulation that my winter boots have.

Some advice:

1) Always, ALWAYS break in your boots before you take them out on a long hike. My first time out in my winter boots I ended up hiking about 13 miles instead of my intended 7 (got lost/distracted) - I still have scars on the back of my heals from that lovely adventure.

2) Forget finding boots close by in Walmart or Dicks. I even went to Bass Pro and Cabela's with no luck. The only place I found that had a good selection of women's hiking boots (that were of good quality!) was REI, an outdoor/recreation retail store up in Kansas City, MO. You might pay a little more there, but it is well worth it. Without good boots, you'll be rueing the day you ever set foot on a trail.

3) Spring for the wool socks! These are a must in my opinion. They help a lot with blisters because they allow your feet to breath a little more, reducing sweat, reducing rubbing, and thus reducing blisters. Also, if you're really concerned about it, they make lining socks that are very thin and go under your wool socks - these can be a life saver when it comes to preventing blisters.

I've heard of lightweight backpackers who wear boots that look more like sneakers. I understand that weight is... uncomfortable and can slow down your progress. But the way I see it, rather than sacrificing your safety (you only get one pair of ankles!), it would be much more prudent to simply build up your own strength and endurance to the point that the heavier boots no longer seem to drag you down. That's just my two cents on the matter.

Some Considerations:

1) What type of terrain will you be hiking through?

AKA: Will you be crossing a lot of streams and need water proof shoes? Will you be walking over rocky ground that will require a thicker sole? Will you be going through a lot of mud and so need minimal traction, or going through leafier areas and need extra traction?

2) Do you have a history of weak ankles?

If you find yourself rolling your ankles a lot, you might want to go with boots which lace up higher on your ankle to prevent further injuries. A rolled ankle on a day hike will be ten times worse on a weekend hike with a pack on your back!

3) What type of hiking do you plan on doing?

If you spend most of your time on paved (or at least well maintained) trails, you probably don't need a heavy duty pair of boots. If you spend a lot of time bushwacking it or traveling trails that are rarely travelled (like most of the ones covered in this blog), you might want to invest in some sturdier boots.