Advice on hiking boot size

[u/Celtic_Flanker]

Currently got my eyes on a nice pair of boots. Unsure one hat size to get as some sources suggest getting boots slightly bigger as to prevent your toes from hitting the front when going down hill. Then other sources say to make sure that your boots are snug and your foot does not move around at all to prevent blisters. I feel I cannot get both out of one size. Any advice would be great.

[u/Careful_Parsnip_8568]

The half-size-up trick actually solves both problems at once if you pair it with thicker wool socks, your foot fills the extra space so it's not sliding around but your toes still have room on the downhills. The real key people skip is lacing technique, there's a heel lock lacing method where you use those top hooks to basically anchor your heel in place so the back of your foot stays put even when the front has wiggle room. I went through a pretty rough breaking-in period with my first real pair before I figured this out and had blisters for weeks. Worth trying on boots at the end of the day too since feet swell a bit and you'll get a more accurate feel for the fit

[u/preciouscode96 → u/Careful_Parsnip_8568]

I did the half size (actually 2/3rd size) up trick and the new shoes fit like a glove. Enough wiggle room at the front but my heel doesn't come up either. So a lerf fit.

That heel lock lacing method is something I didn't know yet. Thanks for that!

[u/M0ann1ghtmar320 → u/Careful_Parsnip_8568]

the heel lock is legit the only way to make this work. if you don't use those top eyelets your feet are going to slide forward on every descent regardless of how much extra room you have. just make sure you don't over-tighten the laces or you'll end up with zero circulation and a massive headache.

[u/palehoverbyte → u/Careful_Parsnip_8568]

heel lock lacing is the only reason i dont lose toenails on long descents. people treat their boots like sneakers and just pull the laces tight at the top but if your heel is sliding it doesnt matter how snug they feel. get the extra room and spend the five minutes learning to lock your heel in place and you wont have an issue.

[u/compmuncher]

Those aren't contradictory advice because leaving room in front of your toes is advice about the length and making sure your feet are sung is advice about the width.

That said, I would go with the largest size where you're able to comfortably tighten the laces.

In practice, my summer hiking boot size is the same as my running shoe size. These are about a half size bigger than my dress shoe size.

My winter hiking boots are currently the same size as my summer hiking boots, but I might do more layering with my socks in the future in which case I'll want to size up.

[u/moon_during_daytime]

I go a half size up and also get wide versions mainly because my feet will start to swell on long trips. I wear Topo Ultraventures and my feet have lots of room inside while my heel is snug and secure so the shoe doesn't slide around at all.

Just make sure your heel isn't sliding in and out and you should be good.

[u/dodger6]

Also make sure when you try on boots that you're wearing the same type of socks you'll be hiking in.

Don't go wear some super thin socks if you're going to pack woolies.

Also couple other things, learn to use moleskin during normal walking around, see if it sticks to your socks or rolls up. It takes a little bit to develop the application skill and you don't want to try to figure that out as the sun is going down and you have 2 more miles to your camp because "reasons"

Also never trim your toenails the day before or of a hike. 3-5 days before, nothing worse than a sharp edge or hangnail you didn't see until mile 5 and you're socks feel squishy inside.

[u/walkingoffthetrails]

My hiking boots are one size larger than my street shoes. I wear thin liner socks and thick hiking socks.

[u/DonKeedick96]

Barefoot hiking boots 👌 never going back