Boots, do you really need a special pair just for walking?

Surely any old trainers will do to Walk in.

Won't they?

Well no actually proper walking boots are an essential. You do need to equip yourself with something decent to put on your feet.

The distinction between the two is somewhat blurred, but.

Essentially a pair of Boots describes an item of footwear that offer protection from a particular specific environment whether that be a pair used in the Construction Industry, the Army, Chemical industry, Jet fighter pilots, Motor bike riders, skiers, and Walkers along with many other fields.

From a walkers point of view they are designed to be less flexible than a pair of shoes whilst offering superior weather proof qualities

Being made of denser materials generally leather for the upper. The higher the quality, most often leather for the outer part of the boot of the boot, the better the leather used and the greater the water resistance protection.

They are great for motion control and people who are heavier than normal and for those who pronate. This is where the foot arch is collapsing and the walker is becoming or is, 'flat footed' and again a good pair will compensate for this by offering support in the side of the heel as well as at the arch

I would suggest that you spend your money wisely and buy the best walking shoe or boot that you can afford to really enjoy the benefits of walking, or hiking. They will give good support and comfort and last you a very long time if treated with respect.

If you are going with your family and you have young children then do treat the little ones to smart and supportive infant walking shoes because their feet and legs have to last a lifetime and it is imperative they start rite from an early age.

The modern ones are not like the military versions of 'clod hoppers' of years ago which were 'solid' and inflexible to say the least and really did need breaking in and caused a great deal of discomfort to the new wearers.

Consisting essentially of an upper of leather and a sole also of leather with no other refinement excepting a few metal studs to ensure that they lasted a bit longer.

Is is imperative that you go and get fitted out properly and not buy them on line so go to a specialist shop. Even if you are buying the same repeat pair of boots there is always the possibility that a different last has been used in the making of the two resulting in marginal differences in sizes.

Go towards the end of the day when your feet will be at their biggest due to the blood having collected at the foot from natural collection.

A specialist outlet should have a Brannock Device. This is a measuring instrument invented by Charles F. Brannock for computing a person's shoe size. The son of a shoe industry entrepreneur, Brannock spent two years developing a simple means of measuring the length, width and arc length of the human foot to ensure a prefect fit. They will also be able to evaluate your step and advise you on any correction that you made need if you are inclined to pronate.

There has been a great deal of research carried out on the walking pattern and the motion of the foot as it goes through the full step from putting the heel down and rolling through to lift off and most shoes designed for walkers will incorporate much of this technology walking

If you already do have purpose made socks (Thorlo) then have them with you to wear before trying on the boots and if you do not have a pair of walkingsocks then i strongly suggest that you buy a pair first.

Walking with the proper socks makes a world of difference to your future comfort and enjoyment. Socks themselves are worthy of special research as the construction is also a very complex thing combining many different yarns,something like 9 different ones unlike years ago, again when things were different only wool was acceptable now technology has moved the ball game on in 'leaps and bounds', pun intended.

The lacing system is also reasonably sophisticated nowadays. Using flat laces they are threaded through flat hooks that have little lockingbrakes that retain the lace stopping it from working loose the result being once you have laced up you can walk all day without them working loose.

The upper construction on better quality boots have a memory foam that creates a snug fit around the ankle, collar and tongue area. This will put a stop to chaffing a bane of so many walkers.

As for the sole and heel it might feasibly be that there a four differing areas of the construction ranging from a Kevlar® / carbon inner sole a soft - tread area followed by a shock absorbing layer completed with a high abrasion skid resistance sole with a self-cleaning profile to finish the sole construction off.

Obviously this is only a scant overview of the construction and for more details then each individual manufacturer should be happy to oblige you with their own unique construction so do ask to for help in deciding which boot is the most suitable for you and your needs.

Do remember also that if you are comparatively new to 'serious walking' that a pair of boots will weigh considerably more that your normal trainers and as such will put a greater strain on your legs causing a few aching muscles initially. Plus also the heel will be higher than other shoes and this will also cause the calves and thighs to ache so it would be very prudent to carryout a few Stretching exercises both before and after a walk to lessen those aches and pains which hopefully you will not get.

Oh I forgot to mention. When you do buy your boots/ shoes buy a boot brush as well to clean the mud and muck off when you hang them up for the day giving them a chance to recover and be ready for the next adventure.

Remember, Never, Never put your boots against or on a radiator or any other form of direct heat. You will ruin them

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Equipment, Go and find some good equipment advice.

'Thorlo' socks, so good to your feet