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How to wear hiking boots properly

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In short

Wear hiking boots with cushioned hiking socks pulled up smooth, kick your heel back into the heel cup, straighten the tongue and lace firmly through the midfoot and ankle without crushing the instep. Retighten after the first half hour and loosen the top hooks on long climbs if needed. Wear trousers over the cuff, or gaiters, in wet or muddy ground.

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Good boots can still feel wrong if they are put on carelessly. A wrinkled sock, a twisted tongue or laces pulled tight at the wrong point causes most early discomfort on a walk. A few simple habits make a big difference, from the car park to the summit and back. This guide covers socks, getting the boot on, lacing for different ground, what to do with your trousers and how to walk comfortably in stiffer boots.

Start with the right socks

Wear hiking socks made from merino, synthetic fibres or a blend, with cushioning under the heel and ball of the foot. Pull them up smoothly with no wrinkles at the heel or toes. Socks should reach above the boot cuff so the top of the boot does not rub bare skin.

Avoid cotton socks for longer walks, as they hold sweat and rub more when damp. Our merino vs synthetic hiking socks comparison explains the choice, and how to use liner socks covers two-sock systems.

Putting your boots on

Loosen the laces well down the boot so your foot slides in without forcing the heel counter. Then follow these steps.

  1. 1

    Hold the tongue forward and slide your foot in.

  2. 2

    Tap your heel on the ground so it sits back in the heel cup.

  3. 3

    Straighten the tongue so it lies flat and centred over the foot.

  4. 4

    Lace from the toe upwards, removing slack at each pair of eyelets.

  5. 5

    Tie off firmly at the top and tuck long loops away so they do not snag.

Lacing tension for the ground

Good lacing is not the same tension everywhere. The forefoot can be fairly relaxed so toes can spread. The midfoot and ankle should be snug to hold the heel back. A surgeon's knot at the base of the ankle lets you set the two zones separately.

On long climbs, loosening the top hook slightly lets your ankle flex. Before descents, tighten the ankle again so your foot does not slide forward and your toes do not hit the end. Our how to lace walking boots guide shows the techniques, including heel-lock lacing.

lace lockpull out and downstops heel lifton climbs
Heel-lock lacing at the top two hooks stops heel lift on climbs.
SituationAdjustment
Long climbLoosen the top hooks a little
Steep descentTighten the ankle, use a heel lock
Pressure over the instepSkip a hook or eyelet there
Heel liftingHeel-lock lacing at the top hooks
Simple lacing adjustments

Trousers over or tucked in?

Trousers worn over the boot help shed rain away from the cuff rather than into it. Tucking trousers in lets water run down your legs into the boot. In deep mud, wet grass, heather or snow, gaiters are the better option: they cover the gap between trousers and boot and keep debris out.

In dry summer conditions it matters less. Many walkers wear shorts with boots and simply use socks that rise above the cuff.

Walking in boots

Stiffer walking boots take a little getting used to. Take slightly shorter steps on rough ground, place the whole foot rather than just the toes on steep slopes and let the sole do the work on rocks. On descents, keep your knees soft and your weight over your feet.

Stop early to fix any rubbing. Retie the laces or adjust your socks at the first hot spot rather than waiting for a blister. Our article on blisters from walking boots has more on prevention.

Note:If boots still cause pain after adjustment and a reasonable break-in, they may be the wrong shape for your feet. Persistent foot pain is worth discussing with a healthcare professional.

Wearing hiking boots day to day

Plenty of people wear walking boots for dog walks, commuting in winter or casual wear. That is fine, though hard pavements wear the lugs faster. A walking shoe is often more comfortable for everyday use. See are hiking shoes good for everyday wear for the trade-offs, and our best walking boots for UK hills for boots that suit both hill and town.

See the best walking boots for UK hills →

Frequently asked questions

Should hiking boots be laced to the top? Usually yes, to hold the ankle and heel. On long climbs, loosening the top hooks slightly can make walking easier.

Should trousers go over or inside walking boots? Over, to shed rain. Use gaiters in deep mud, wet heather or snow.

How should hiking socks be worn? Pulled up smooth with no wrinkles, reaching above the boot cuff.

Can you wear hiking boots casually? Yes. They are comfortable for many people, though soles wear faster on pavements.

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