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Boots: Selection and Care

Boots: Selection and Care. Dave Endres. Introduction. Most important purchase for course Safety Comfort Retail cost Backpacking: $150-250 Mountaineering: $200-$300+ Wholesale (up to 50% off at sales, websites, etc.) Importance of fit

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Boots: Selection and Care

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  1. Boots: Selection and Care Dave Endres

  2. Introduction • Most important purchase for course • Safety • Comfort • Retail cost • Backpacking: $150-250 • Mountaineering: $200-$300+ • Wholesale (up to 50% off at sales, websites, etc.) • Importance of fit • Purchase boots prior to conditioning hike, ideally this weekend • Breaking-in boots and feet

  3. Construction • Outsole • Vibram rubber, rubber (lugs) • Durability Vs traction on rock, wet rock, snow, etc. • Midsole • Ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) (lighter, less durable), polyurethane, rubber • Cushioning, shock absorption • Support (Shank/Plates) • Nylon, thermoplastic urethane (TPU), others • Full, ¾, ½ • Determines stiffness or flex of boot

  4. Construction (cont.) • Upper • Full-grain leather • Abrasion and water resistant, more break-in and weight • Split-grain leather • Nubuck leather (buffed to resemble suede) • Suede (avoid) • Nylon, Kevlar, other synthetics • Leather Uppers • Avoid composites of cloth or Gore-tex and leather unless legitimate, modern mountaineering boot • Fewer seams is usually better • Gusseted tongue

  5. Construction (cont.) • Lining • Leather, cloth, breathable membranes (Gore-Tex, etc.) • Welt • Norwegian (stitched), molded (modern) • Cut • High-Cut • Ankle support for irregular trails and cross-country, heavier loads, less scree in boots (scree collars) • Mid-Cut (less support and protection) • Low-Cut • Unacceptable for course

  6. Types of Boots • Mountaineering Boots • Snow or high altitude (plastic, other) • Standard (good choice for this course) • Accepts crampons • Backpacking • Off-trail (good choice for this course) • May accept crampons • On-trail (may be too light for course) • Hiking • Most hiking boots too light for course • Light Hiking (not acceptable for course)

  7. Fit • If possible, go to an expert • Try on boots in evening when feet are swollen • Use the proper socks (buy or bring from home) • Mountaineering socks (Smartwool, Thurlo) • Heavy, wool and nylon • Liner (reduces friction and blisters) • Lightweight, polypropylene, nylon, other • Socks with cotton are not allowed in course (Cotton Kills) • Width/volume of boots varies between manufacturers and lasts • High instep typically high volume

  8. Fit (cont.) • Measure with Brannock Device • Start with ½ size larger than size • Remove inner liner and place them against sole of foot • Loosen laces and push foot forward in boot until toes are in close contact with front of boot • There should be room for one to two fingers between your heel and the back of the boot • Sit down and stomp heel to ensure foot is as far back in boot as possible

  9. Fit (cont.) • Lace boots properly and securely • If the boots fit properly • Toes can be easily wiggled • Minimal foot or heel slippage while walking • Fit can often be improved with aftermarket insoles such as superfeet • Walk on incline board for 5 to 10 minutes while trying to push toes to front of boot • If this cannot be prevented with proper lacing, an aftermarket insole, or a better size, try another boot

  10. Fit (cont.) • Wear the boots around the store for at least an hour including on the include board, stairs, while squatting, while kicking toe, etc. • Check for fit (too tight or too loose), any abrasions or hot areas, pinching, or other discomfort – This may be greatly magnified during outings • Wear the boots around home and or work for a few days • They can usually be returned if not used in dirt

  11. Waterproofing • Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations • Ask the person selling the boots • Seam Sealer/Grip is often used to protect stitching from abrasion • Water based aqueous waterproofs (Nikwax) • TX.10i elastomer based on EVA • Nikwax Aqueous Wax or Nikwax for Nubuck & Suede • If dirty, clean boot with damp cloth or brush and water • Apply to damp leather • Techron DWR Silicone Spray • Do not use anything that softens leather (mink oil, etc.)

  12. Cleaning & Drying Boots • Boots should be cleaned and dried after every hike • Remove laces and clean, if necessary • Remove insole • Brush off any dirt • Clean with damp cloth or brush and water • Prop boot open and leave in warm dry area (not near fire or other heat source or in sun) until it dries completely • Boots may be repeatedly stuffed with newspaper to absorb water • Do not leave newspaper in boots as they will not dry completely and will mildew

  13. Sources for Boots • A-16 (Costa Mesa, Torrance, West LA) • REI (Arcadia, Huntington Beach, Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica) • Sport Chalet (Costa Mesa, La Canada, Beverly Connection) • Mountaingear.com • SierraTradingPost.com • Campmor.com • Boot Manufacturers • Asolo, Garmont, La Sportiva, Lowa, Merrell, Montrail, Raichle, REI, Vasque

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