Backpacking: Choose the Right Footwear

Taking good care of your feet should be one of your highest priorities while out on the trail. Backpacking can quickly turn into a miserable experience if you don't have the proper boots and gear for your feet. If you are careful in your planning you shouldn't run in to any problems and you will be able to relax while propping up your pain-free feet after a long day of backpacking.

The first step in preparing to take care of your feet while backpacking is socks. Forget about taking your old white cotton socks with you on your backpacking trip. Wool socks are without question the only way to go. Wool has excellent insulative properties, even when wet. While cotton will simply cling to your fet when wet, wool will actually wick moisture away from your skin. The thicker wool can also provide you more padding and protection from blisters while your hiking. There are varying degrees of wool socks, from light summer hiking to thick heavily insulated socks made for winter hiking. Be sure that you know the climate you will be hiking in and purchase your socks accordingly.

The next step in preparing for your backpacking trip is to decide what type of footwear you would like. There are many different styles to choose from, from light weight trail shoes to the heavier all leather boots. As with all of the gear that your purchasing, you need to think about the conditions that you will be facing while your backpacking. If you may be facing freezing cold blizzards during your backpacking trip you certainly won't want a pair of thin light weight trail shoes. Full leather boots may be a little to heavy for a long distance hiker who doesn't need that much protection. Once you know your terrain and climate you will be able to know which type of boot that you will need. The full leather boots provide excellent ankle support, which is necessary for those with weak ankles. If you are speed backpacking on a warm summer day and aren't at a high as a risk of twisting an ankle, light weight trail shoes may be an excellent alternative. There are also many hiking boots available that fit well between the two different extremes. Waterproof boots are a personal decision that must be made by the buyer. Obviously it is recommended for snowy backpacking, but it isn't necessary for warmer backpacking conditions. Remember, your wool socks provide excellent insulative properties and will dry out quickly after getting wet. If you have leather boots and want to better ensure that they are waterproofed, treat them with a waterproofing solution, such as Nikwax or Sno-seal. The last thing to consider on your boots is their sole. Vibram is a brand name sole that is found on many backpacking boots and shoes. It is renowned for being an excellent sole that provides sure footing. You'll be thankful for having Vibram soles next time your hopping from rock to rock to get across a stream. Always exercise common sense though and don't expect them to simply stop you on a dime on any surface.

Well, you've got your socks and boots on, but you might not be done yet. Gaiters are a great accesory for backpackers. Gaiters are designed to fit snugly around your ankle area. They fit over the top of your boots and stop anywhere from just above your boots all the way up near your knees. The purpose of these is to keep debris or snow from getting down into your boots or socks while your backpacking. Gaiters come with different closure styles, just be sure it fits snugly and attaches securely to the bottom of your boots.

After you buy your socks, boots, and possibly gaiters be sure to wear them around for a while before you hit the trail. See how they rub against you and imagine being in them backpacking several hours a day. Find out the most comfortable way to lace up your boots. Go for a short hike with your gaiters and make sure they do a good job and they stay secure. The most important thing to do before leaving for your backpacking trip is to break in your boots! You never ever want to break in boots out on the trail. Wear your boots instead of your shoes for a few days. This will give your feet and the boots time to get used to each other so that you have a more comfortable fit. Also, if it turns out they cause you a lot of pain you'll be much happier to know this before your a day or two into your backpacking trip.

Finally, it's necessary to know proper care for your feet while your out on the trail. Even with the best fitting socks and boots you might experience a blister here or there. Normally you will feel a "hot spot" starting before it turns into a full fledged blister. It's better to stop it in it's tracks there before you risk getting a blister. Blisters are all too common while backpacking, but they can be painfully debilitating and even get infected. They should always be prevented if possible. A great way to prevent a blister is a genius material called moleskin. It's a soft bandaid like patch that fits over your hot spot, or blister. This breathable material will protect your boots from chafing against your skin and give you relief. While moleskin is a great remedy duct tape is cheaper and used very often. Just keep in mind that it's not breathable and your blister will have a tough time healing while it's on. Be sure to change it often and to leave it off at night. The author of this article has found duct tape to be great for stopping hot spots from turning into full blown blisters.

It can not be stressed enough how important it is to take good care of your feet. A lot of care needs to be taken while preparing for your backpacking trip to ensure that you have the proper gear that fits well for your feet. Boots that don't fit well or bad blisters can easily ruin a potentially great backpacking trip. If the necessary precautions are taken that can be avoided and you will be able to enjoy the great outdoors!