Useful information, tips, advice, offers about hiking, the great outdoors and other topics.

Hiking-Boot Buying Strategy: The 5-Minute Test.   

For best results, Make sure:

-Feet are Clean, Clipped and Dry.

-New Socks: use Clean, Cotton, Cushion socks. 

1.    Open both laced-up boots ‘wide-open’.Briefly ‘Field Inspect’ both boots or shoes.-Check for any obvious defects-Look for a ‘rugged, field-grade quality look & feel’. 

2.    Slip & Snug.-Slip on the ‘wide-open’ boot or shoe.  Without disturbing sock fit.-Snug the laces: ‘comfortably & evenly snug’.  But not tight.-Readjust laces if needed.

Test 1: Just Stand.  Keep loose.  Don’t think about the shoes.Stretch.  Scratch.  Pick out the pair of boots you will evaluate next.  Remember: ‘Good hiking boots don’t distract when being worn’. 

Test 2: The Balance Test: Carefully do some exaggerated high-steps.  “Like you were stepping over that log in the hiking-path”.Do the boots want to help you over that log?  Or, tip you over? 

Test 3: The Potty Trot Test: Take short, quick, up and down steps in-place.  Do these hikers feel like they’re fun?  Or, a drag. 

Final Evalution