Tenderfoot

By Guy Del Prince, DPM

Not one of my hiking patients fails to ask, “Which is the best hiking boot to buy?” Sometimes I wonder if that was their main reason for coming to see me, because we spend so much time discussing the pros and cons of various boot brands. Who can blame them? They know that choosing the right boot can make or break a good hiking trip.

When choosing a pair of hiking boots, the prime consideration is the fit. Fit is even more critical than function. The appearance or “look” of the boot should be the last consideration. I used to own a $200 pair of VasqueTM hiking boots. They were beauties. All leather; expertly stitched; red laces—the works.

Unfortunately, they provided a less-than-optimum fit. In the store they felt pretty good…. I figured that the little bit of tightness would be worked out by “breaking them in.” One hour into the first hike taught me that “breaking is” is as much a compromise for the foot as it is for the boot. Painful blisters and a lesson well-learned were my souvenirs. For this reason, I say “fit” is the key to a successful boot purchase.

Everyone has a unique foot shape, and this has to be taken into account whenever looking for a new boot. Arch height, the position of the great toe, instep, heel cup, size/shape, and forefoot conformation all play an important role in proper boot fit. What the hiker needs to focus on is comfort. Listen to your feet. They will tell you what they need. If you try on a pair of boots in the store and your feet feel a little snug in the toe area, listen to your feet, because those same boots on the hiking trail can transform that “snug” feeling into a throbbing pain.

To prevent painful pressure points, your podiatrist may recommend inserts that are made to conform to your foot. These are formed around a cast impression of the foot using a special liquid gel polymer. I like to combine these custom gel inserts with a hiking boot that follows the contour of the foot. This combination is unbeatable for comfort, fit, and function.There is a huge selection of hiking boots to choose from. HiTec™ produces a good boot for certain foot types. I have had limited success with some of the Vasque™ designs. One product that stands out is a boot made by Garmont®. The Garmont® boot is designed with some very practical features. One feature, that makes good biomechanical sense, is what they call the FMA (first meta-tarsal accommodation). Simply put, it is a mild modification of the toe box to give the big toe more room. Biomechanically, this gives the great toe proper positioning for pushing off. Other benefits include pressure reduction that can prevent ingrown toenail pain and/or blister formation. They have also incorporated unique design modifications for the ankle and tongue area of their boots. Keep in mind, however, that everyone’s foot is shaped differently. No one brand of boot will properly fit all feet, but because of its anatomic design, the Garmont® is worth considering.