Should You Buy Hiking Boots A Half Size Bigger?
Hiking is one vigorous outdoor activity that requires careful planning and preparation. Therefore, you must always consider your hiking boots as it’s vital for hiking.
The reason is that it offers support and protects your feet. Hence, it’s important to purchase the right size of hiking boots.
However, many amateur hikers are often perplexed and wonder if they should buy hiking boots a half size bigger.
It’s best to buy hiking boots that are a half size bigger than the size of your feet. Purchasing tight hiking boots could adversely affect your hiking experience, especially if the terrain is rough. Therefore, it’s best to purchase hiking boots that give enough room for comfort and breathability.
Should Hiking Boots Fit True To Size?
It’s not advisable to wear hiking boots that fit true to size. Many hikers often harbor misconceptions about the size of hiking boots.
They usually think that hiking boots must be a perfect fit. However, this mentality is wrong as it can cost you the best hiking experience.
Wearing hiking boots a little bigger than your normal size is best. This way, you can enjoy hiking to its peak.
Therefore, you can shop for hiking boots at a shoe store where you can pick the best. It’s not advisable to pick tight boots because of their aesthetic appeal.
The boots often take their toll on you when you start hiking. Let me explain vividly! Wearing tight boots often causes blisters which make it difficult for you to walk.
This can lead to a huge injury, especially hiking on mountainous or hilly terrain.
Furthermore, your feet might swell after the long walk, and you might be unable to continue for a while.
That’s one of the reasons why it’s crucial to carry a first aid kit while hiking. It enables you to treat the blisters and reduce the swelling of your feet.
Nonetheless, it’s best not to purchase hiking boots that are way bigger than your feet. You might be a little perplexed here, but I’ll explain explicitly!
Purchasing oversized hiking boots can cost you the best hiking experience. First, you’ll begin to struggle to break them in to kick off your hiking adventure.
You might fall frequently and injure yourself in the process. Walking the mountainous or hilly terrain will become extremely difficult.
Lastly, you’ll be unable to cover many areas during hiking as the boots will reduce your pace. Hence, you must purchase boots that are a half size bigger.
You can ask anyone with enough hiking experience to suggest the right boots.
Alternatively, you can visit a cobbler to make custom boots for hiking. This solution is best as you can avoid these unfortunate circumstances.
How Do You Select Hiking Boots Size?
Fit is one of the most vital factors when selecting the right hiking boots. This factor comes into play when you start hiking.
Notwithstanding, I’ll highlight some methods to select the right size of hiking boots.
#1. Measure Your Feet
The first thing to do before hiking is to know the size of your feet. You can use a tape measure to estimate the right size.
Alternatively, you can visit a cobbler to help you measure your feet accurately. With this knowledge, you can easily find the right size of hiking boots.
#2. Break In Your Hiking Boots
It’s advisable to break in your hiking at the end of the day. The reason for this is pretty easy to decipher!
Your feet usually swell when you begin and finish your daily activities. Hence, breaking in the shoes at that time can give you the wrong size of hiking boots.
You might purchase a size that’s too small or large for your feet. Thus, breaking them in is best after you complete your daily activities.
This way, you can accurately determine the size of your hiking boots.
#3. Wear the Right Socks
Putting on the wrong socks can lessen the fun of hiking. Many amateur hikers often opt for cotton socks since it provides enough warmth.
Unfortunately, cotton socks aren’t suitable for hiking. They usually cause blisters, especially when you pair them with the wrong hiking boots.
Hence, it’s best to opt for synthetic socks. Although it doesn’t provide enough warmth like cotton, it drastically reduces the risk of blisters.
Plus, it helps you determine the right size of hiking boots.
#4. Try On the Boots Regularly
It’s important to try on your hiking boots regularly as it enables you to know if the boots still fit.
Some hikers tend to purchase hiking boots and leave them until the day they want to embark on hiking.
However, this adversely affects them when they start hiking. For instance, if you plan to hike after a month, it’s best to try on the boots after each week.
Many things could change that might affect the size of your hiking boots. Additionally, it’s best to try the boots a day before your hiking adventure.
Should My Toes Touch the Top of My Hiking Boots?
Your toes should not touch the top of your hiking boots. You must give at least an inch of space between your toes and the top of your hiking boots.
This way, you can easily wiggle your toes inside the hiking boots. Your toes usually touch the top of your hiking boots and overlap when the boots are tight or too small.
This causes a lot of problems when you are hiking. Below are some problems you might experience if your toes touch the top of your hiking boots.
#1. Discomfort/Difficulty In Walking
When your toes touch the top of your boots, you become uncomfortable. It also becomes very difficult to walk.
You might sweat profusely when the heat inside the boots begins to affect your feet.
#2. Smelly Feet
Walking in tight hiking boots can cause your feet to produce a very offensive odor, especially when you don’t wear socks. This happens when your toes don’t have enough breathing space.
#3. Dark Toes
This happens when your toes frequently touch the top of your hiking boots. Your toes and toenails might become dark due to discomfort.
Notwithstanding, it’s best to select hiking boots that offer comfort and breathability. Plus, you must prepare properly before you embark on a hiking adventure.
The table below contains the tools you need and their functions.
| Tools | Functions |
|---|---|
| Hiking boots | To protect your feet. |
| Water | To avoid dehydration. |
| A detailed map | To provide an overview of the area for hiking. |
| Warm clothing | To provide warmth from the cold weather. |
| Enough food | To avoid hunger and health conditions. |
| First aid kit | To treat blisters and other hiking injuries. |
Do Hiking Boots Expand?
Hiking boots expand over time as they start adjusting to the size and shape of your feet. This mostly happens to boots that are made of leather.
Leather is an excellent choice for manufacturing hiking boots as they provide enough room for comfort. Plus, leather hiking boots increase your pace when hiking.
So, breaking into leather shoes is pretty easy and takes 100 hours. However, this depends on how often you walk in your hiking boots.
Expanding your hiking boots could take longer than 100 hours if you’re not very active.
Nevertheless, you can use a hair dryer to heat tight places in your hiking boots. This way, you can break into them easily.
Final Words
Admittedly, finding the right size of hiking boots is no easy feat as there are many brands, shapes, and colors available for purchase.
Nevertheless, you must purchase hiking boots that are at least a half size bigger than your feet. This will enable you to enjoy hiking without facing any dilemmas.
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