• Hiking boots provide comfort and protection for both recreational and adventure hiking.hiking boots image by Michael Shake from Fotolia.com
  
  Your feet face constant punishment when hiking. They battle rocky terrain, splash through creek beds, and strain up mountain trails. Proper and well-maintained hiking boots provide the protection, support and comfort your feet need. Both casual and serious hikers require specific boots for specific uses. Understanding this and knowing how to properly maintain hiking boots ensures their durability and support.
  
  

Know the Types of Hiking Boots

• Casual hikers going out for an hour or day trip wear trail shoes. These hiking shoes work best in dry climates and on well-established paths. Trail hikers provide better protection than trail shoes and work well in muddier climates. Mountaineering boots give serious hikers support for challenging terrain. Their stiffer sole protects the ankle on rocky slopes, and they keep the feet dry in wet conditions. Mountaineering boots cost the most of the three basic types of hiking boots.
  
  

Choose the Right Boots

• Decide how much you want to spend on your boots. You can easily invest anywhere from $80 to $300, depending on what terrain you'll be hiking and how often you will go. Consider high-ankle boots if your ankles have been injured in the past. Get a sturdier pair of boots if you plan on carrying a backpack. The extra weight puts more stress on your feet and ankles. Look for boots that are genuine leather. They give the most protection from the elements and are long-lasting with proper maintenance.
  
  

Properly Fit Your Boots

• Wear hiking socks to the store when purchasing your boots. Make sure you get good socks for hiking. They work together with the hiking boot to protect your feet. The best socks are wool with either nylon or Lycra. Hiking boots fit larger than regular shoes, so go at least a half-size up. Try the boots out on an incline, making sure your feet do not slide forward or back. They will be stiff when trying them on. Hiking boots generally require a break-in period.
  
  

Caring for Your Boots

• Clean and waterproof your boots regularly. When waterproofing leather boots, concentrate especially along the seams, where breakdowns usually occur. Use a silicone-based waterproofing compound on boots with a Gore-Tex lining. Open the laces up after a hike to allow the inside of the boots to air out.