What to Wear? Top Tips for Walking Boots

Walking Boots:

There are a lot of really good walking boot/shoe companies out there but who is the best and what do you need to look for?

Here's a Quick Top 5 things to remember when buying a Hill Walking Boot/Shoe:

1. Throw the Insole Out! This should apply across all shoes.  Insoles are generic flappy pieces of material that offer no support to the arch. Get some custom insoles or at least ones that will give your arches some support.
2. Get Sized Up! All ways get your feet measured when buying boots, the shop might have a different way of measuring your feet, your foot size may have changed or your memory might be over shadowed be your ego (men).
3. Heels! make sure that heel is secure in the boot, you don't want that heel shifting about as it will increase friction and the chance of a blister.
4. Leather or Gortex or Event! This will be a personal taste when choosing a waterproof boot.  Leather is a fantastic waterproof material and breathes very well.  Goretex and Event are both fabric membranes that will breath well and keep you waterproof.  Look out for other types of waterproofing, they are more likely to be just a coating on the outside of the fabric are less likely to work as well as Leather, Event or Goretex. (Event is cheaper but is just as good as Goretex if not better)
5. Buy in Shop! Buying on-line when it comes to walking boots is pointless.  Apart from all the expert advise you should be getting from who ever's advising you on your purchase, you can't try on the exact item your buying and it cost you to send it back if you get it wrong.

I could write the top 20 things to look for when buying boots but I think this is a good start if you are buying your first pair of boots and you want them to last.