Boot Buying Guide

A good pair of walking boots will take you anywhere. They really do make walking much, much more enjoyable. So, there are a few considerations when choosing which ones to buy.

• Go and try them on in a shop. Do not buy online. Even if you've been wearing the same style for years, the style can change and may no longer fit the way it used to.
• Pick a comfortable pair. If they squeeze or rub, forget it. They'll give you blisters, and that would be no fun at all.
• Once you have taken them home with you, do not cut off the lables, and wear them round the house for a few hours, just to get used to them. If you find they don't fit, you can still take them back and get a refund.
• Get some good socks to go with them. Good socks make long walks much more enjoyable.

I wear Hi-Tech V-Lite boots, but Berghaus sit at the top of the range for those with deep pockets. Peter Storm also make reasonable boots, but they are heavier and less comfortable. Much less comfortable.

Essential Kit

Now, as any walker will tell you, there is a list of things that really are useful if you want to enjoy your walking. All can be picked up fairly cheaply from outdoors shops or the internet, but it really is best, especially with the boots, to actually go into the shop and try them on. Remember that you will probably want to wear thick socks when walking, as this significantly reduces the chance of getting blisters from your boots, and keeps your feet warm in winter. Anyway, on with the list!

1. Walking boots. These are a real must if you want to go off the beaten track, and are far, far more comfortable than trainers. They give you much better grip, usually support your ankle, and it doesn't matter if they get muddy. See my boot buying guide (http://timswalks.blogspot.com/2008/01/boot-buying-guide.html) for what to look for.
   
2. Windproof top. Again, a must. You will probably have one of these already, and always take it with you. It will keep the wind off you, keeping you warm. You'll find it really hard to enjoy your walks if you have the wind whistling through you, especially if you walk on a ridge. It is important to get a breatheable top, as this will help stop you from sweating, and it would be wise to get one which is waterproof as well, because a dry walker is a happy walker.
   
3. Map and map case. Get the Ordanance Survey Landranger map of your area. These really are great things, and will allow you to find and plan walks, as well as stopping you from getting lost. The map case will stop it from getting wet in wet weather, or blown away in wet weather.

All good outdoors shops will be able to sell you all of these, my personal favourite is Millets (http://www.millets.co.uk/), good kit at reasonable prices, but also Blacks (http://www.blacks.co.uk/) and Field and Trek (http://www.fieldandtrek.com/).

Of course, there are many other things that will make your wallking more enjoyble, but that's for a different time.