Hiking along the countryside is fun especially when you have the best gears. When planning a hiking trip, one important gear you need to pack is hiking boots. They help to protect your feet and toes from injury especially when traveling on rough terrains. There are a lot of hiking boots available which makes it difficult to decide on which one to buy. But when you know what to look out for in a hiking boot, it makes it a lot easier to make a pick. When looking to buy hiking shoes you need to look out for
1.    Material
The material of the hiking boot is something you want to look out for. You want to get a boot with durable materials that would save you the expenses of getting a replacement after using them for just a trip (That’s if they get to last one trip).
2.    Load control
When hiking, you most certainly will be moving with a backpack which already weighs a lot. So you need to wear boots that are a lot lighter on the feet to help you move around more comfortably.
3.    Are they for men or women?
Hiking boots are designed accordingly to suit either male or female. But that doesn’t mean that females can wear males boot for hiking, but the consideration needs to be on fit. If they are comfortable for you to move about freely then it doesn’t really matter if they are made for males or females.
4.    Comfort
This is one important feature you need to look out for in a hiking boot. You will be moving around rough terrains and for a long distance. So you need to make sure that your boots are comfortable for you to move about in. Check the inside of the boot to make sure they are padded with soft materials to keep your feet warm even when the weather is hot.
5.    Soles and heels
The soles and heels of a good hiking boot should be high enough to keep your feet elevated from the ground. They should also be able to protect your foot from injury while moving around a rough terrain.
6.    Size
You want to get a hiking boot that fits perfectly. It will be uncomfortable for you to move around in a tight or loosed hiking boot especially since you will be traveling for a long distance and along rough terrains.
7.    Durability
A good hiking boot might set you back a few hundred dollars (American) so you want to ensure that you get your money’s worth by buying one that will last long. You don’t want to be spending money on a new hiking boot every time you want to go traveling into the great outdoors.
8.    Terrains
The terrain you will be traveling along is something you need to factor in when shopping for a hiking boot. Low and mid-cut boots are okay for a well-kept trail composed mostly of dirt and grass whereas rough rocky terrains will require an ankle boot that is high enough to protect your feet legs from injury.