Hiking boots are the best friend to any hiker. They remain with him on every hiking journey, from summers to winters. There is no doubt that hiking boots remain the most important part of a hiking venture because they keep you running on the trail and protect your feet.
But like any other thing, hiking boots also have a lifespan. They need to be retired after a while so that your feet don’t get hurt. We understand that it is a very difficult decision to make, but it is necessary. So, how long do the hiking boots last?
There isn’t any specific figure about it. We observed that after 500-1200 miles, it is advised by pro hikers to leave the hiking boots and rush to stores to buy new ones.
Moreover, you should also consider other factors, such as observing if there is any change in the comfort or support level of hiking boots. If the comfort level is not the same as when the shoe was new, this is your sign of changing your hiking boots.
If you don’t listen to your feet or don’t give much attention to your old hiking boots, then this may cause damage to your feet by causing blisters. It may also cause foot aches that will last for a longer period. Before moving on to how long the hiking boots last, take a look at some of the main signs that you should not ignore.
How Long Do The Hiking Boots Last?
If you are facing any of the below symptoms, then you should go for replacing the hiking boots:
Signs To Look For When Replacing Hiking boots
- Too many worn outsoles: Hiking boots won’t provide better traction as before because of the worn outsoles.
- Old Laces: If the hiking boots’ laces are frayed, the chances are that they will not keep your feet fit in the shoe properly, which can cause you to trip or slip during the hike.
- Cracked Midsoles: Damaged midsoles may result in cracked or worn-out cushion that provides comfort to your feet on the grounds.
- Disfigured boots: If compared with the new boots, your old hiking boots seem to be little or much disfigured, then you must go and replace them quickly as keeping them for longer periods may damage your feet.
- Boot’s Fabric: When the fabric gets too old, it will not be efficient in water resistance as it used to do before. Therefore, it is good to replace your boots before the boots’ material gets damaged.
Factors On Which The Lifespan Of The Boots Depends
After checking out all of the signs, you’ll be able to figure out whether you need to replace the hiking boots or not. Now, this section will answer the question of how long the hiking boots last. Here we have listed some factors that add up and make for the Lifespan of the hiking boots:
Quality Of Hiking boots
The main factor that makes the Lifespan of the boots longer or shorter is the quality of the boots. High-quality boots tend to go for longer periods than the cheaper ones. Therefore, the best-quality hiking boots are said to be an investment. Cheaper boots are not any less, but the poor fabric choice and untidy stitching will cause your hiking boot to be worn out quickly.
Usage Of The Boots
Very obvious yet worth mentioning. One of the key factors is the usage of hiking boots. It depends on how much you wear the boots and what terrains you hit. If you often go for the hikes on rocky terrains, then there are chances that your hiking boots will endure the strain for a short period. Even if you’re only using them on smooth roads, they tend to wear off.
Hiking Terrains And Miles Walked
The Lifespan of the hiking boots is also affected by the type of terrain that you hike on. If you’re hiking on terrain filled with bushes, mud, and rocks very often, then the chances are that your boots may rupture early.
Also, as we have mentioned earlier, it is an estimation that the hiking boot will get damaged after covering 1200 miles. It is a general depiction, yet you cannot ignore it.
Well-Maintenance
Like our favorite sports car, hiking boots need to be maintained properly. By maintaining hiking boots, we mean that you should clean the boots after coming back from the hike, must be protected from scorching UV rays, and be saved from sinking in the mud.
Anything that is well maintained is said to last longer than usual.
Taking Care Of Hiking Boots To Extend Lifespan
We have formulated certain measures in the form of a list for you so that you can implement them and squeeze the maximum benefits out of your hiking boots. To avoid changing into or buying a new pair of hiking boots, implement these tips and tricks, and you’ll be impressed with the outcome:
- Keep the hiking boots in a cool and dry place. Take them out once or twice a week to let the air pass through them. Don’t let them hang out in the dark closet, lonely.
- Thoroughly clean the boots after coming back from the long hikes so that no stain can damage the boots’ material.
- Avoid keeping the boots in wet places, but if the moisture does get in some other way, clean it by placing a cotton cloth or a dry newspaper inside the boots so that they can suck up any moisture.
- When cleaning the hiking boots, avoid using a hard bristle brush. Use a soft toothbrush to clean any stains and let them dry independently.
- Please do not use harsh chemicals or bleaches as it will lighten up the color of boots and harm the fabric.
- If your boot’s fabric is leather, rinse it with a special leather conditioner.
- If you feel that your insoles are worn-out, replace them with new ones instead of buying the new shoes.
- You can also add up extra insoles so that the hiking boots can provide you extra support and comfort on the long hikes.
Final Thoughts
The Lifespan of hiking boots depends on their quality and how much they are worn on the trail. Hiking boots are an investment, so make sure not to buy the cheaper ones if you’re a pro hiker or deciding to dive into being one. How long do the hiking boots last?
That depends on you, the type of boots you decide to buy, and the terrains you’ll hit later. Some tips and tricks may help you increase the Lifespan of hiking boots.
It would help if you tried to keep the boots clean and spray the lotion or serum on them to remain fresh as a daisy.
But remember to replace the hiking boots when nor feel comfortable in them. When the hiking boots do not provide you the traction and support they should, immediately try to figure out the problem. If it’s a small issue like a slightly worn-out insole, you can replace it with the new one. But if you feel pain in the foot after wearing them for longer periods and feel like flat sandals, you should buy new ones.
In the end, its mixture of different factors combined makes for the Lifespan of the hiking boots. We wish you a happy hike!