Tips on what makes a good purchase when buying hiking kit
Our tips on what makes a good kit and what and where to purchase it are based on years of experience, but they remain subjective and budget-driven.
We hope the criteria for deciding what features should be considered hold for all budgets and that our tips on buying kit remain valid.
Two sayings that we have always beleived hold true are;
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.”
“Look after your kit, and it looks after you."
If you spend your hard earned money on expensive kits, you want them to last. If you take the time to care, clean and maintain your kit properly, the quality eqipment will serve you well. If you leave your wet and muddy boots in a plastic bag under the stairs, then expect them to deteriorate.
Hiking Boots & Shoes
Regardless, the golden rule you should follow is simply what works best for you and stick to buying a boot for what you need, not what you might need it for. For example, a pair of walking boots that cost £300 might protect you from all possible disasters, but if you’re only doing the occasional light hill walking, you’ve overspent. Likewise, a cheap pair might disintegrate halfway up any significant mountain, but they should be fine for gentle hikes.
Consider your usage and just how much you will use the boots!
For first-time buyers or novice walkers, a cheaper pair of boots will significantly benefit you over trainers. While you may plan on doing “loads of hiking”, the reality might dawn that hiking is much more demanding than you’d think, and it's not to your liking, and you don’t want to be lumbered with an expensive pair of boots left in a cupboard gathering dust.
If you enjoy all that hiking offers, you can always invest in a more expensive pair later.
However, walking boots are among the most essential pieces of outdoor wear you’ll ever purchase for your hikes. They are often the only constant item used throughout the year. You do not want to skimp when picking out footwear, as the wrong pair of shoes or walking boots can cause blisters, discomfort, sprains, or even more serious injuries.
Hiking in the UK and beyond often involves various terrain types, from soft, muddy lowlands in the winter to hiking along steep slopes with some light scrambling, climbing, and clambering, where you might encounter areas of scree and boulders. Descending can be even harder on the feet, knees, and ankles than going up, and it's here where good boots are invaluable.
Suitable footwear is, therefore, essential. If the soles of your shoes are not thick enough, you will eventually feel every stone and rock's edge on the trail and begin to be very painful. Many a toenail has been lost because of boots that feel comfortable on the flat or going up but are incorrectly fitted when it comes to the descent.
You don't need to pay a fortune for suitable, sturdy walking footwear, but remember these three tips:
1. Make sure they fit well and have enough room for your toes—if your toes are too near the end of the shoe, descending may cause them to repeatedly bash against the shoe, resulting in bruising and even lost toenails!
2. Make sure the sole is thick so you will not feel the stones on the path. Vibram soles are made of a quality anti-slip rubber compound.
3. Make sure the shoes or boots are very comfortable. If possible, buy them well before you attempt the climb and wear them.
What’s the difference in style of footwear.
Generally low-cut, flexible walking shoes, that look similar to runners or hiking/approach shoes, are geared towards shorter more leisurely summer trails; whilst higher-cut boots with stiffer mid soles and ankle support are geared towards longer walks on rougher terrain.
What’s the best material for boots?
Walking boots tend to come in only two different sets of material. Leather and or synthetic. There are pros and cons to each material too, so don’t just assume that because leather is more expensive it’s better.
Leather boots are nearly always the more expensive material.
Advantages of leather walking boots.
They are always very waterproof and keep your feet dry through rain, snow and anything else nature can throw at you.
They are very, very tough, and if you snag them on a stick or small space they aren’t as likely to rip as synthetic boots.
Leather is still the king for the serious hiker who travels on major expeditions or anyone who hikes on a more regular basis.
Disadvantages to leather walking boots.
The expensive price, which may not suit all budgets.
The fact leather boots will take a great deal of “breaking in” before the leather is supple enough to walk in for great distances with any degree of comfort.
They require more care after cleaning, i.e. polish, dubbin etc.
Leather also keeps out water, but will not allow heat out
Advantages of Synthetic fibre walking boots.
Synthetic fibre walking boots can be much cheaper than their leather counterparts, but with the range of fabrics so varied, this market is a case of you get what you pay for.
Fabric boots like these are available for anything between £10 and £100 plus, and the quality of the materials is reflected in the price.
Your more expensive boots, however will be made from high-quality materials such as Gore-Tex. Gore-Tex is a man-made material which keeps out water and releases heat. Leather also keeps out water, but will not allow heat out, which is where the more expensive synthetic boots hold a distinct advantage. Especially if you have issues with your feet overheating.
Synthetic boots are a clear winner for novices or those who need to buy boots quickly.
Disadvantages of Synthetic fibre walking boots.
Towards the cheaper synthetic boot range, you are not likely to get a boost of sufficient quality for serious walking in places, but they will be more than suitable for gentle day walkers or those who enjoy an occasional ramble in the summer months.
The boots also have an advantage over leather in that they don’t require anywhere near as much breaking in, as most of the synthetic fibres used to create the boots are very soft and supple.