1.     The finger test 

When selecting your walking boot, size really does matter. Having to send your boots to a charity shop after their first wear is a costly mistake. To ensure you get the right size when buying online, Trekitt recommend taking the insole out of your new pair and standing on it with your heel right on the back. ‘You should have a finger’s width of 1 cm between the end of your toe and the end of the insole.’, they say. ‘If you haven’t got a gap at all, you will bash your toes on the end of the boot – especially when going downhill.’. Ninety per-cent of people that come into Trekitt’s Hereford-based store complaining about uncomfy boots have bought too small a size. They’re much more difficult to return once worn, so take note of this valuable tip!  

2.      Bunions? No bother!
There are boots out there that purport to accommodate bunions but Hanwag’s Alta Bunion boots have really gone that extra mile.  The fit is specifically designed for those with bunions. From the outer, the boots look like regular walking boots but once your foot is inside you can feel the extra room on the inner forefoot. Hanwag has also avoided  putting seams or stitch-points on sensitive areas.  

RRP: £220. Men’s version and women’s version available at Trekitt.  

3.      Stop!  Don’t put your boots on the radiator to dry them 

After a muddy walk and a thorough wash with Nikwax, it can be tempting to stick your boots on a radiator, next to the fire, or use a hairdryer to dry them quickly. Trekitt warn you to stay away from heat sources. High heat can dry out those important technical fabrics and melt any glue, resulting in your boots losing effectiveness quicker. Simply stuff them with newspaper, changing every few hours, or for even speedier drying check out Drysure’s footwear drying inserts. Check out this handy tutorial for boot drying from the team at Trekitt. 

4.     Different brands cater for different shaped feet 

Different brands use different lasts. A last refers to the silhouette that is used when creating footwear. Some are thinner, for skinnier feet, and others are larger for wider feet. If you can, it’s worth heading to an outdoor retailer such as Trekitt to try on different boots from different brands to find your perfect fit.  As a general rule of thumb: 

• Meindl are great for wide feet 
• AKU is great for the average British foot 
• Scarpa makes a range of boots based on different lasts so cater for a range of foot shapes from narrow to wide

5.     Give ‘em a clean to make sure they stay waterproof 

We know, the last thing you want to do when you come in from a long walk is clean your boots but it really is worth it in the long term.  Dirt in the grooves of the sole could hinder your grip resulting in unstable footing, while the accumulation of mud and grime on the upper can affect the waterproofing and breathability of the boot. So, always make sure you give them a clean when you’ve been out on a particularly muddy walk.  It’ll be worth it. 

For more tips on fitting your boots check out Trekitt’s YouTube Channel //www.youtube.com/@trekitt/search?query=boots" data-auth="NotApplicable">here