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Hiking Foot Pain Podiatry

At My FootDr, we want to help you stay comfortable, healthy and pain-free on your feet – and therefore have better and more enjoyable hikes. 

Our podiatrists have compared the most popular men’s, women’s and children’s hiking boots to help you find your perfect fit. Download our FREE eBook!

About our Hiking Boot Review

For you to enjoy the great outdoors, you need to wear the right hiking boots for your feet. Selecting the right hiking boots can help to ensure you’re not only comfortable, but also reduce your risk of developing or exacerbating injuries.

Here at My FootDr, we want to help prevent all those frustrating problems and injuries people experience with incorrectly fitting or unsuitable hiking boots. To help you find the right boot for your feet, we have compared the most popular podiatry approved hiking boot styles from leading brands including Keen, Merrell, Columbia and Salomon to help you decide on what’s the best fit for you.

 

How to ensure your hiking boots are correctly fitted

  1. Always try on both boots prior to purchasing them to ensure comfort. Remember that one foot is often slightly longer than the other, and that your longest toe may be your second toe, not your big toe (this is a common incorrect assumption!)
  2. Take your foot orthotics with you when trying on your boots as they may affect fit and comfort
  3. Make sure you walk around in the boots for at least five minutes to ensure no pain or discomfort. If you can’t do this in-store, that’s fine. Bring the boots home and wear them around your house – good hiking boots should be able to be returned if the fit is not suitable and you haven’t worn them outdoors
  4. Try on the boots with the socks that you typically wear for your hiking
  5. Make sure there is one thumb width from the longest toe when standing
  6. Shop for your hiking boots at the end of the day to allow the boots to accommodate for swelling – your feet are always at their biggest at the end of the day
  7. Make sure that the boots only bend at the toe area and not through the middle of the shoe
  8. Make sure there is a firm heel counter. You can test by squeezing the back of the heel – the shoe should not bend inwards/downwards when pressure is applied at the back of the heel

If you have any questions about your hiking boots or need help deciding on the right fit, get in touch with your local My FootDr podiatry clinic.

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