Footwear
Boots! Here again you’ll find an array of befuddling choices. And here again your choices fall into one of three basic categories: lightweight boots, midweight boots, heavyweight boots.

Lightweight boots resemble, somewhat, sport shoes made for endeavors such as tennis or basketball. With uppers typically constructed of a fabric and a flexible sole, these boots are designed for short trips over easy to moderate terrain with you shouldering a light load.

Midweight boots usually have uppers similar to lightweights, but their overall construction is heavier, and their sole construction is definitely heavier. They provide enough support for longer trips over moderate terrain with you packing a heavier load.

Heavyweight boots, as the name implies, have strong, rigid uppers and heavy soles of rugged material. The sole often contains a shank, a piece of slightly flexible or non-flexible material that runs two-thirds to the full length of the boot, providing security on difficult terrain. Of course they aren’t as comfortable as lighter boots, but you gain safety and support for your feet and ankles on tricky ground while carrying a heavy load.
Some heavyweight boots are made with plastic uppers, more often with full-grain leather, which uses the entire thickness of animal hide as opposed to split-grain leather. Since high grades of leather are relatively waterproof and breathable, most people end up preferring a leather boot. Better full-grain leather boots have the uppers stitched to the sole and an upper with few seams. Generally, the fewer the seams in the upper, the better the boot.

The single most important factor in choosing a boot is the fit. Try on boots at the store in the afternoon when you’ve been on your feet for a while. Wear the socks you intend to wear with the boots. The boots should feel comfortable, with the sides of your feet barely touching the sides of the boots and plenty of room for your toes to wiggle around. Too little room, and you’ll lose circulation in your feet later. Walk the aisles of the store for a few minutes. Kick the toe of the boot against a solid object. Walking and kicking test the boot for slippage under stress. Too much slippage will create blisters later. Remember that you may need to wear rain gear or wind gear, but you’ll always be wearing your boots.

For maximum comfort and protection, wear two pairs of socks. Wool or synthetic, lightweight liner socks provide a small amount of insulation but, more importantly, they create a “lubricating” layer than transfers friction away from your feet to help prevent blisters. They also transfer moisture from your feet into outer socks to help keep your feet dry. Wool or synthetic heavyweight outer socks provide insulation and comfort.