Six hikers' legs with hiking boots

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Planning on picking a trail anytime soon?  You can hike in comfort with Danner hiking boots.  When shopping for hiking boots, avoid those made specifically for hunting. These types of boots usually have high tops which put too much pressure on the Achilles tendon.  Hikers commonly experience a number of foot and ankle issues when using this style of boot.

Skip the department stores when shopping for your hiking boots.  You won’t find Danner boots in a big box store, but you will find a selection of lower quality products.  These may appear to be rugged and reliable, but they’re probably not.  Opt for the specialty stores instead.  

Danner Boot Features

When shopping for Danner boots, or any other brand of hiking boots, there are certain features that you should look for.  Your boots should fit well, with no slip in the heel area.  Make sure that there is plenty of room in front for your toes.  Danner boots are created with your comfort in mind and sized a little longer than normal shoes, so you don’t have to worry about getting a size or half a size bigger.  They’ve already taken care of that for you.

Make sure that you’re wearing your hiking socks when you go to the outdoor supply store to buy your Danner boots.  This is the only way to ensure a true and comfortable fit.  Novice hikers should wear two pairs of socks, one thinner and one thicker.  When hiking, avoid cotton socks and opt for wool or synthetic materials that reduce sweating and blisters.

Smart Shopping

Don’t be persuaded by mere appearances or sales clerk comments.  You know what feels best, so use your personal comfort to dictate which Danner boots you’ll buy.  Here are some tips to help make a wise choice:

Use Your Senses: Remove your socks and wear the boots with bare feet.  Close your eyes and focus on your feet.  If you can feel anything poking your skin or otherwise uncomfortable, keep shopping.  After the bare foot test, try the same thing with your socks on.

Take a Hike: Lace up the boots and take a stroll in the store.  Do the boots feel right, or do they crease or fold across the upper part of your foot?  Are they too tight?  Too loose?

Give Your Boots the Finger:  Tie up the boots and push your foot forward as far as you can.  Can you fit a finger behind your heel?  If you can, you’ll know that you have enough room in the toe area to provide a comfy downhill walk.

Use these hints and you’ll be able to pick the perfect Danner hiking boots, before you hit the trails.

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