Hiking Gear Considerations

Proper Footwear:

Protect your Feet: 7 out of 10 hikers wear poorly fitted boots and don't even know it. That adds up to a lot of unnecessary blisters and sore feet--for some, even sore knees and ankles. The solution is simple. Learn proper footwear fitting and you'll kiss sore feet goodbye.

Mr Scouter has four rules when choosing boots: 1) Pick out a quality boot. 2) Get a good fit. 3) Get a good fit. 4) Get a good fit. His no doldrums bottomline: "You want to walk in comfort; you do not want to get unnecessarily tired; you want to keep your feet as dry as possible."

Boots that fit. Preventing blisters starts when you buy a pair of boots. Three major keys to a good fit: The toe box is roomy enough to wiggle your toes, you don't feel your toes banging against the leather when you stub your toes or when you walk down a ramp, and the heels have just enough room that if you push your foot toward the front of your boot, you can squeeze a finger behind your heel. But your heel shouldn't slip up and down as you walk.

Buy boots in the afternoon. Your feet swell in the afternoon, so that's when you should try on boots.

Match socks to boots. Various thicknesses of socks are available, and the thickness you choose will influence the fit of the boot. Cushy socks can make a big difference, especially on rocky, hard terrain. Just be sure to try boots wearing the kind of socks you plan to use.

Insoles. Insoles are available in a variety of shapes and sizes: half inserts for the front of the foot, inserts for just the heel, orthotics, squishy gel-filled inserts, cushioned inserts that promise you'll feel like a cloud walker. The insoles that come with most boots are cheap and thin. If you plan to use thicker ones (and they can add quite a measure of comfort), those are what you should wear when trying on the boots.

Break in your boots. This is true of even lightweight boots. It doesn't matter what the manufacturer says about whether the boots need to be broken in; they do. Your feet and the boots have to get to know each other, and this is far more happily accomplished without a pack on. You don't want to discover fit or blister problems in the wilderness. Mr Scouter always puts several miles of local walking on a pair of new boots before heading out. And he doesn’t get blisters.

Sock liners. Wear liners made of a wicking material like Thermax or polypropylene, which move the sweat away from your feet. Do not wear cotton or cotton-blend socks. Cotton absorbs several times its weight in water and holds the water close to your skin, where it causes blisters. This is a promise.

Outer socks. These should be medium-weight wool, perhaps with some synthetic content to maintain their shape and add strength (100 percent wool ragg rocks tend to wear out faster than 80-20 blends). Special hiking socks have thicker soles for cushioning your feet. It's a small difference, but after ten of thousands of steps in a day, that small difference adds up.

Put on dry socks at lunch. When you're walking along on a warm day, your feet might feel pretty comfortable. You'll be surprised to find out how sweaty and damp they really are. At longer rest breaks like lunchtime, take the time to air out your feet and your socks. Or put on a dry pair.

Air your socks. At camp, check you socks for grass seeds, grains of sand, dirt, and stuck-on pine sap, which can harden and cause blisters. After you've picked out the prickles, air out the socks. It makes a difference when you're wearing the same socks several days in a row.

Other Equipment:

Daypack. The capacity you need depends on weather conditions and what you'd need to survive a night out. This includes your food and water containers, rain gear, first aid kit, extra socks and liners, map & compass and other such necessities. When purchasing a pack count on extra space for photography equipment or other gear for hobbies like drawing or fishing.

Food and water. Sounds obvious, but many dayhikers underestimate how much fuel they'll need for a 10- to 12-hour day. Pack at least one lunch and a few snacks or energy bars. Check water availability; if you can't refill along the way, carry a few quarts, more in hot weather. We recommend Nalgene wide mouth type water bottles for durability and capacity.

Basic first-aid kit. Think about the stuff you'd need to patch injuries long enough to hike out--a few bandages, some antiseptic wipes, and butterfly bandages for wounds, a triangular bandage (also works as a sling, bandanna, and athletic wrap), and tape.

Map and compass. Don't take navigation for granted just because it's only a dayhike. Ten miles from the car is still 10 miles into the backcountry.

Water treatment. A bottle of iodine tablets or other chemical treatment adds mere ounces to your pack, but pays off on long days when you're constantly refilling your tanks.

Rain shell. A lightweight waterproof/breathable shell is ideal. A poncho also works and may take up less room in your pack. Toss in an extra midlayer if the weather is chilly.

Emergency shelter. Depend-ing on your preference for pack weight and comfort, all of the following work: bivy sack, emergency blanket, tarp, a waterproof rain suit.

Hat. It will protect you from direct sun as well as insects falling from branches.

Fire. Lighter or matches in a waterproof container.

Recommended extras: Sunscreen, insect repellent, emergency whistle, sunglasses