It’s important to evaluate a new pair of hiking boots while you’re still in the store. There are 3 important checks that will go a long way toward ensuring your new boots are right for you.
1. Socks Are More Than Puppets
The first check is to try on the boots while wearing hiking socks similar to what you would wear when hiking. The Smart Wool shown above are my favorite. The boots should feel comfortable while standing. If they are uncomfortable now, don’t assume “breaking them in” will fix this. If you’re uncomfortable wearing demo socks and don’t want to buy another pair just to try on boots, bring a pair from home!
