Health & beauty
Tramping boots
Introduction
We explain what to look for when you're buying a new pair of tramping boots.
Walking for several days (or even a couple of hours) over uneven ground will wreak havoc on your feet. If you’re wearing an awful pair of boots, it will just get worse – and no one likes blisters.
Our guide looks at footwear options, likely costs, and how to care for your boots.
Note: this is a guide only and doesn't contain test results or brand-specific recommendations.
What to look for
There are key parts of a boot that you should know about before buying a pair.
- The main “upper” material might be made of multiple pieces or just a single piece. While multiple pieces provide greater flexibility, one-piece boots are sturdier and more watertight.
- The rand is made of rubber and it runs in a strip on the lower sides of the boot. It’s sturdier than the leather/synthetic fabric above it, and is designed to act as a buffer against scrapes or collisions.
- Insoles act as a comfort layer between the boot and the bottom of your feet.
- Soles are extremely important for sturdiness and grip. An open tread pattern on the sole will allow mud and debris to be shed more easily, helping to maintain a good grip on the track.
- Ankle height varies depending on boot type. Boots that go up above the ankle give much more support; lower ankle heights can be more comfortable on easy walks.
Chris Tews from the Mountain Safety Council says you should make sure the boots “fit comfortably over one pair of thick socks” – and then check that “your toes are free to wriggle and don’t touch the front of the boots”. You should also “walk downhill or down stairs to check for any pressure points on your toes. Ensure your heels do not move up and down inside the boots as you walk.”
Materials
Dave Stewart from Mountain Designs says that boots are mainly “leather, synthetic or a combination of both”. While synthetic fabrics are becoming more advanced, he reckons “the features of leather are hard to match”. The extra stitching in synthetic trekking boots makes them more vulnerable to leaks or damage.
For more arduous tramps, full leather boots – “sturdy, stiff boots generally made from one piece of leather” – are a must.
Breaking in
New boots aren’t ready to go as soon as you buy them. Dave recommends wearing them “around the house for a few hours at a time” and then increasing that amount over a few days: “aim to spend at least two or three whole days in the boots before relying on them in the bush”.
Options compared
To get a decent pair of boots be prepared to pay. You’ll soon regret a cheap pair costing $100 to $200 when you’re in the bush.
Entry-level boots for shorter tramps in milder seasons cost $300 to $450; and boots suitable for multi-day walking or alpine tramping are more expensive at $450 plus (see below). It pays to shop around – there’s always a sale on somewhere.
Wear and tear
Good tramping boots are an investment – and it pays to take care of them. If you don’t, you’ll be drastically reducing their life expectancy.
- Wash the dirt from your boots with a stiff brush after every trip.
- Store them in a moderately warm, dry place for several days.
- Dry them slowly, otherwise the leather can become brittle and crack.
- Before and after a trip, rub a wax or silicone-based cleaning product into the leather. This helps retain the natural breathability of the leather and prevents it from drying and cracking.
- After a tramp, remove the insoles and make sure they keep their shape (insoles can become deformed or squashed after several days of walking).
If you take good care of a decent pair of boots, they should last for many years.
More information
- Mountain Safety Council: www.mountainsafety.org.nz/
More from consumer.org.nz
Report by Tristan Clark.