Comparative review
Boots are arguably the most important outdoor purchase we make. John Manning and Lara Dunn put these boots for the hills through their paces
COMFORT is the byword when it comes to choosing footwear for the hills, perhaps more so than in any other outdoor gear. Walking boots’ myriad technical features are worth naught
Every boot manufacturer uses its own ‘last’ –the foot-shaped form around which its footwear is built, determining width, length and volume –and they’re all different. Lasts differ not just between manufacturers but also from continent to continent. of choosing footwear is ‘try before you buy’ during avisit to a knowledgeable retailer.
Weight is important. Your leg must lift the weight of your boot with every step –so the heavier the boot, the sooner your legs will tire. That said, acomfy boot feels easier to lift, and several factors can help or hinder comfort.
Aboot’s upper fabric can be leather, suede or synthetic. It needs to envelop the foot comfortably, with no awkward your skin. Softer, supple fabrics can feel resistance to tight lacing. Stiffer fabrics can hinder natural movement.
prove restrictive, depending on laces used. Flat laces tighten more securely than round laces, are less inclined to loosen, and tend to last longer. Round easily and can slacken whilst walking.
Waterproof membranes are near-ubiquitous nowadays but they can lead to aboot being too warm. Anatural upper without amembrane will prove more breathable.
Outsoles should offer good traction via deep lugs and aheel breast to aid braking. The sole should promote a
Happily, the ‘shrink ’em and pink ’em’ approach to women’s boots has largely lasts addresses the fact that women generally have smaller feet with narrower heels, shallower big toes, higher arches and even ahigher and smaller Achilles tendon, along with biomechanical differences, in part thanks to atendency towards greater joint mobility in women. Now, footwear for challenging conditions can step up and answer the needs of its wearer.
Features
Fit
Try boots in the shop. Vital areas to check are your heels for movement, the toes for contact with the toebox and under the laces for pressure. Wearing at home for alittle while is also agood test and makes returns and exchanges possible.
Upper
The feel and durability of the boot can largely depend on what materials are used in the main body. Leather and suede have different grades that will affect weight and treated and reproofed to add longevity to your boots. Fabric uppers are light and require little or no breaking in; but when the waterproof membrane fails, they’ll be next to impossible to make waterproof again.
Waterproofing
Leather and suede have natur
