When you step out to explore the great outdoors, your feet must be pampered. And a good pair of hiking boots is one of the best ways to ensure that your feet stay happy.
Now when you venture into a store to buy hiking footwear, you will always be encouraged to opt for a specialty mountaineering boot that has great ankle support and a hefty price tag to go along with it. Here at Newforestfootwear your able to make an informed choice without the pressure from any salesperson standing over you.
While it might be a good choice for the pro hiker, it is clearly an unnecessary purchase for a beginner hiker who is starting off.
But if you know your hiking boot, then you can easily make a wise and informed decision. Here at Newforestfootwear we give complete information on each and every boot featured in our extensive range. We also have an experienced sales team that you can call on any day with any additional questions.
Here is a little detailed information on Hiking Boot Anatomy.
The Material
There are hiking footwear made of full grain leather (tough, durable and water resistant), split grain leather (paired with nylon or nylon mesh, lighter, comfortable), nubuck leather (similar to full grain, resembles suede), synthetic material (nylon, polyester, cheaper) and waterproof lining. Make sure that you buy a boot that best suits your needs.
The Upper
Look for a hiking boot with a one piece upper or as little seams as possible.
The Gusset
This is a very important part of your hiking footwear and is a flexible piece of leather that connects the tongue to the upper. The gusset is what prevents dirt and debris from entering your shoe. Look for a boot in which the tongues come together at the ankle without causing any pressure. All the Hiking boots featured by Newforestfootwear have sown in gussets and are 100% waterproof unless stated otherwise.Back Stay
Another narrow piece of leather that is sewn over the back seam of the boot, the back stay must be as narrow as possible.>/p>
The Welt
The stitch that connects the upper sole to the boot, the welt is an important aspect of hiking boots. The majority of our boots are both stitched and glued for extra strength.
The Sole
Last but not the least; we have the sole which can further be divided into three parts, the padded footbed, an insole and an outsole. The sole is made of tough durable rubber and has deep lugs that enable a better grip. The insole can be soft and flexible or you may choose to stiffen it with a full length plastic or steel shank.
There are numerous new advances being made in Hiking Boot construction with the onus being on providing apt support for the feet without neglecting the comfort factor.