Surely the single most essential part of any walker’s wardrobe is their boots. A good, stout pair of walking shoes or boots isn’t just a necessity; it’s potentially a life long friend! Trust us, you wouldn’t want to make an enemy of your walking boots. The consequences, not to mention the calluses, corns and blisters can be quite severe!
So what do you need to look for when you’re making your perfect purchase? Comfort, first and foremost. If it’s a struggle just getting into your trendy track shoes or sculpted boots, you’ll be letting yourself in for an even bigger struggle when you actually start walking. So make sure your walking boots or shoes fit properly. That means taking account of the dimensions of your feet (obviously enough) but also the anticipated terrain, how often you walk – and how far; and, inevitably, how much you want to spend.
Now we all know that shoes have souls, but how do they breathe? If your walking shoes don’t breathe, your feet will start to sweat, even on the very gentlest of walks. Uncomfortable, unhygienic and pretty unpleasant for everyone else! But you can avoid the perils of sweaty boot feet by selecting a shoe that whilst tough and sturdy will still allow your feet to breathe. Your feet will thank you for it!
Finally, and while bearing in mind these shoes and boots were made for walking (as opposed to hiking) make sure they’re at least sufficiently durable to handle the occasional off track hazard. Stout walking boots needn’t be uncomfortable and they’ll enable you to walk wherever you want – safely and comfortably.
© Outdoor Clothing And Equipment.co.uk 2008
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