When going for a hiking venture, the most important thing is your hiking boots. Apart from carrying comfortable clothes, it is very important for every hiker, whether a seasonal or a pro, to find a comfortable pair of hiking boots. The boots should be so comfortable and soft that you cannot get foot blisters after a long hike.
But what if you find yourself in an uncomfortable position where your boots are the tight or the wrong size? Maybe you’re in the middle of a hike or just bought the boots and walked two blocks. If the boots seem to be too tight and causing discomfort, then ultimately, they will cause foot pain and add up to a bad hiking experience.
There are certain tips and tricks that we have gathered from the pro hikers to help you get the perfect size of the hiking boots. When you’re on the trail, the hiking boots must provide firm traction and support while keeping the feet in extreme comfort.
A question that is not much answered or we can say that not given information about is How much toe room should you have in hiking boots?. To provide you with all of the information needed, we have designed our guide in such a way as to pave a gateway for you to find all the answers to your queries.
Let’s get started!
How Much toe Room Should You Have in Hiking Boots?
Tips To Help Find The Toe Room In Hiking Boots!!
Knowing how to find the perfect size of the hiking boots will be a life savior to you, and it is not an overstatement. Carrying the extra backpacks and other essential stuff can go in vain if you’re feeling pain in the feet.
There is no fundamental law that can depict if the shoe size is perfect or not. However, do not buy the boot that feels empty while your foot is in it or feels too tight, and you can’t seem to put it off easily.
Apart from this, some other tips and tricks can help you know how much toe room should you have in hiking boots?
Measuring The Size Of The Boots
The foremost thing is to know the perfect size of the boots. You need to measure your feet with an inch tape or a shoe scale. You can either perform this at home with your inch tapes or get professional help from the shoe stores, which may help you find out if you have any teeny tiny extra inches that you’re ignoring.
You must measure each of the feet because there is a slight difference between both feet. If you’re still unable to find out the right size or feel unsure, the basic method is to buy slightly larger boots than your foot size.
Carrying Pair Of Trail Socks
Pro hikers prioritize trail socks over normal socks. These socks provide you soft and cushiony feel while on the hike. Also, they tend to absorb the moisture more quickly so that your feet remain dry.
So, when buying hiking boots, make sure to wear the trail socks and then try them on. In this way, you’ll be able to decide if the shoe fits or feels tight on the toe. After putting the shoes on, mob the toes in an upward and downward position to know if there is a slight space between the tip of your toe and the hiking boot or not.
Also, check the toe box’s sides by inserting the finger and see if you can slide off two fingers, at least in the hiking boots. By doing this method, you’ll be able to analyze if the toe box has space or not.
Try Hiking Boots On Swollen Feet
After working and running errands all day long, your feet may get swollen. It is the best time to try on hiking boots because your feet eventually get swollen after hiking miles on the trails. When your feet will be swollen, it will be easier for you to better judge the right fit hiking boots for yourself.
Apart from it, if you wear hiking boots on the swollen feet, it may cause severe discomfort because hiking boots are tight, especially when they are new. So, when you buy new pair, make sure to walk certain kilometers to check if there is an issue.
Do Tapping Test With Toe
The toe-tapping test is another method to try and make an estimation about the toe box of hiking boots. It is best to judge the space present in front of the hiking boots, the toe box. For this method:
- Unlace the hiking boots and put them on. Do not forget to wear trail socks before trying the boots.
- Put one foot behind the other such that the tip of one shoe collides with the backside of the other shoe.
- Tap the toe from behind such that your fingers touch the tip of the boots
- Check if there is a one or two-finger gap.
- You can also see this by putting fingers behind the boot. If your two fingers fit easily in the shoe to become tight but not uncomfortable, then the shoe size may be right.
- But if the space is more than the two fingers and you still feel extra space, you need to find a smaller size.
- However, if the fingers don’t seem to get into the boots, the boots are tight, and you need to buy a larger size.
Take A Walk Down-Hill
The best way to determine if the hiking boots are the perfect fit for you and if the toe box is just right for you can go hike downhill. You can also walk down a slope and see what happens after you try to push your body weight forward. How much toe space do you feel, and if the boots seem comfortable.
You can also test walk-on ramps that the shoe stores have specifically for trying out the new boots. While on the hiking terrains, you’ll mostly face uneven trails, so you must test the hiking boots with this method before carrying them on the hiking journey.
Don’t Rely On Sizing Charts
If you plan to buy hiking shoes online, you need to stop. Because most brands have different measurement techniques, it is always advisable to go personally to the store and check out the sizes that may fit you. Trusting blindly on the online stores may put your feet’ health havoc because you cannot identify if the toe box or boots overall are a good fit or not.
If you have already shopped from a brand, you can try and buy the hiking boots online. But you must know about the brands and know their measuring techniques and boot sizes.
Check The Insoles
Another factor not to be ignored while going on the hiking venture or buying a new pair of hiking shoes is checking the insoles. Insoles are the cushions that comfort your feet and don’t let any strain affect your heels and ankles. If your footbed is stronger, it can protect you from uneven terrains.
Dangers Of Having Damaged Hiking Boots
- You can get bruised toenails because of the tight toe box or tight hiking boots. That is why always make sure to get the right size of hiking shoes.
- Your feet can get blisters or pain if the insoles and outsoles of the hiking boots are cracked.
- Long-term leg and back pains can occur if you’re not replacing the old damaged boots.
You must find the perfect size for the hiking ventures to avoid mishaps. There can be other dangers, such as if you’re wearing hiking boots whose fabric is torn, it may make your feet wet and cause blisters later on.
Conclusion
How much toe room should you have in hiking boots? It can be determined by buying the quality boots and trying them out by walking or checking the ramps that shoe stores have. For the perfect size, seek advice from our guide and try DIY measurements at home. You can also seek professional help by going to the shoe stores to get yourself a perfect size.
Good fit hiking boots provide traction to you and rescue the chances of slipping and tripping on the trails. That is why you should always look for the perfect size and invest in good-quality hiking boots.