How And Backpacking Hiking Boots Should Fit
You might not notice an ill-fitting hiking boot at first. They can feel perfectly fine for the first mile. It’s on miles two, three, and four when your feet will let you know that you got the wrong pair. Knowing how hiking boots should fit and fitting them properly before you purchase them can keep you from making this terrible realization on the trail… Something you certainly want to avoid if you’re going on multi-day hiking trips!
A good pair of hiking boots or shoes are an essential part of any backpacker or hiker’s outfit. Proper footwear is one of the key pieces of essential backpacking gear that we really wouldn’t suggest setting out in the forest without. After all, they literally carry you through the backcountry.
Every mile ahead of you will feel a lot more grueling when your feet hurt. The pain doesn’t stop there, either. Back pain, leg pain, and even neck pain can all result from poor-fitting footwear.
Not to worry, you are in the right place to learn everything you need to know about how hiking boots should fit. We’ll help you find that perfect fit for your next pair!
Knowing Your Size
Step one is knowing your shoe size. It sounds simple enough, but you’d be surprised how many adults don’t know their correct shoe size.
Even if you have been wearing the same size for years, get yourself measured! A specialist in a local store can make sure you are starting out with the right size, and it only takes a couple minutes.
If you’re shopping online, you can do the measurements yourself. Get some measuring tape out and pull up the brand’s size chart. This isn’t the most accurate method, but it is a good starting point if you have never worn that brand before.
Trying Them On
Trying your footwear on shouldn’t be an afterthought. It may sound silly but you should put some planning and preparation into trying on a pair of hiking boots.
We suggest that you avoid trying on the shoes or boots in the morning. Most people’s feet swell as they spend more time moving around throughout the day. It is best to try on shoes in the afternoon when your feet are at their most swollen. This helps assure that they won’t feel tight after a day of hiking.
Be sure to also bring along any accessories to try the boots on with. Bring along your favorite hiking socks for the season that you are going to be wearing the boots for. Bring a variety of different socks if it is a multi-season pair of boots. If you use orthotics, be sure to bring those along as well. You’ll want to know how your hiking boots should fit with these accessories on, they will all impact the feel of the boot.
Don’t rush when you are trying them on, either. Take your sweet time. Walk around the store, walk up some stairs, and look for small ramps to climb up. You want to mimic the hills and switchbacks you’ll be hiking on to see how they fit. It’s also a good idea to carry a pack around to see how the boots feel when you have weight on your back. It may sound like a lot of work, but it’s worth it!
Checking the Fit
Checking how your hiking boots should fit can be based off 3 key factors: length, width, and heel lift. You’ll want to check each of these before committing to a new pair.
Length
With the laces loosened, put your foot into the boot and stand up straight. Slide your foot forward until your toes are touching the front end of the boot. With the help of a buddy, check that one finger can fit between your heel and the back of the boot.
Since people all have different sized fingers, it is okay to have a little more or a little less than your friend’s finger size. However, it should not be a significant difference.
This little extra space we are measuring for here is to give your feet room to swell throughout the day of hiking. It keeps the foot snug, but not crushed.
Note that most people have one foot a smidge bigger than the other. So check the length using your longer foot. If you can’t tell which one is longer, do this test with both feet! Better safe than sorry.
Width
Next, it is time to check the width. Lace up your boots as you would before setting out on the trail. Then stand up and take a few seconds to focus on how your toes feel. They should be snug, but not uncomfortable.
If your hiking boots or shoes are too wide, your feet will slide around in your shoes. That friction can lead to painful blisters and irritation. On the other hand, if they are too tight your feet will be crunched. This can lead to discomfort and sometimes cramping.
How hiking boots should fit in terms of width is snug enough so that the sides of your feet are touching the sides of the boot. It’s alright for it to be a little snug, most hiking footwear have a bit of stretch to them. However, if you feel any discomfort, try a size up.
Heel Lift
The last thing to check for is heel lift. With your boots still fully tied, take a short walk back and forth and focus on your heels. With each step, your heel should stay comfortably in position.
If you feel your heels sliding up and down, you’ll want to try a different size. A small amount of slippage is alright and may go away as you break the boots in. However, if your heels are moving around quite a bit, that’s a bad sign. When your heel rubs against your shoe as you walk, you may develop blisters and sore areas.
Break Your Boots In
Now that you have your favorite pair of boots yet, you’ll be eager to get out on the trail with them!
Before you set off on your next long hike, make sure you break those new boots in. Ideally, you should wear them for a few days around the house or in your office. If you feel uncomfortable doing so, go to a local rec center and walk around the track a bit instead. Wearing your boots for a trial run indoors allows you to get a good feel for them without getting them dirty. That way you can easily return them if they start to rub you the wrong way.
Once you feel good about the boots, continue to break them in before any big trips. Wear them while you walk your dog, go to the store, or take them on shorter hikes. You want to have them good and broken in before you take them on a proper multi-mile trek.
There are a few things to look out for when you are breaking them in. For one, if your toes are rubbing against the inside of the boots or shoes, they may be too small. How your hiking boots should fit is snug, but not crammed. Give your toes room to wiggle!
If you feel that pins and needles feeling, that is also a good sign that your boots are too tight. On the other hand, if you find yourself stumbling over your own feet, they are likely too big or too heavy. These are all signs that you should consider getting a different pair.
Photo by Fidel Fernando on Unsplash
