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One pair of boots won’t be able to do everything you want to do in the outdoors from mountain climbing to trail or urban walking, but it is possible to find a pair that deals with most types of terrain you encounter on a regular basis. These tips will help you to choose the right boots for your Duke of Edinburgh expedition:
One pair of boots won’t be able to do everything you want to do in the outdoors from mountain climbing to trail or urban walking, but it is possible to find a pair that deals with most types of terrain you encounter on a regular basis. These tips will help you to choose the right boots for your Duke of Edinburgh expedition:
- Choose leather or fabric boots - Leather is very durable and great against abrasive rocks, it is also highly water-resistant. Fabric is a lot lighter than leather, but it is not as durable (although you can find fabric footwear with key areas reinforced with other materials.)
- Choose boots with rubber/metal toe caps. This will give your toes good protection.
- Decide whether your boot needs a waterproof lining/membrane. Waterproof lining is great for wet, muddy walking - but not so great for trekking in hot conditions. Choose boots with breathable lining for hot conditions.
- Break into your boots before your D of E trip to ensure you are used to them, this will help in avoiding blisters.
- Check if the hooks that the laces run through twist - Hooks that stay in place are a good sign that the boots are well made.
- Check whether the shoe has a firm resistance to torque (twisting force) when the heel and toe are twisted in opposite directions Choose boots with stiffer midsoles so that don't bend and twist as much with your foot as you walk, if you will be walking on uneven ground. This will avoid you having sore feet at the end of each day. Flexible boots are better for walking on flat ground.
- Choose shoes with a firm heel counter. This will help prevent the eversion of the foot (foot being turned outwards) and it also helps prevent blisters.
Decide how much grip your footwear needs to have:
- Choose deeper tread on the outsole of your boot for mountain treks. This will offer you more traction.
- Choose shallow tread on the outsole of your boot for trail walking. Shallower tread is lighter and great for urban/country walking.
- Choose square heels rather than rounded heels if you plan to descend slippery ground.
Where next?
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