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”.