Boot Buying Basics
Get "boot smart" to get the footgear that's right for you.
Don't be intimidated if you don't have and can't afford a pair of super-ace Mountain Goat expedition boots. However, if you can afford decent hiking boots, you'll be more confident in off-trail situations where traction is vital, safer in inclement weather, and probably more secure with a heavy pack.
Cared for properly, good boots will last a long time—often five to ten years, depending on how hard you and the terrain are on them.
Knowing boot anatomy and available boot features area big part of the boot buying process.
Full grain is the outermost part of the cow's hide; it is the stiffest, most waterproof type of leather. It is sometimes turned inside-out (rough-out) so the smooth, outer layer won't get nicked or scratched.
The upper part of the boot should have as few seams as possible. A one-piece upper is more water resistant.
A gusset is a thin piece of flexible leather sewn to both the tongue and the upper. It keeps out water and stones. A"bellows" tongue has wide gussets, allowing it to open further so it is easy to put on. Some boots have two "overlapping" tongues, each connected to one side.
The back-stay is a strip of leather sewn over the back seam. If it gets torn or chafed, it is almost impossible to replace. For that reason, it should be as narrow as possible.
A welt is the stitch which connects the upper sole. A Norwegian welt is double-stitched, strong and stiff. Other welts (Good-year, McKay, etc.) are not as strong but allow more flexibility .
A rand is a wide rubber strip protecting the stitching that holds the upper to the sole.
The sole has three parts: a padded "footbed" just below your foot, an "insole" below the footbed and an "outsole" on the bottom. The insole can be soft and flexible for light hiking, or it can be stiffened with a half- or full-length "shank" (sheet) of plastic or steel for added support. The sole is made of rubber (Vibram is a type of stiff hard rubber) with a "lug" pattern designed for gripping the path. Deep lugs are best for steep rugged terrain, while shallow lug patterns are lighter and more flexible.
Remarkable new advances have been made in boot design and boot materials of late. Check out the wrap-around high-carbon rubber outer soles on the new trekking boots, which also feature inner Gore-Tex( bootie liners which let your foot breathe and stay dry at the same time. And if you can only afford one pair of boots for walking the streets and the trails, there is now a whole line of "cross-over" lightweights, which work wonders in both environments. (Window) shop till you drop.
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