There are so many type of footwear available to the general public, with prices ranging from a few dollars to over one or two hundred dollars. Being realistic, you want a shoe that is not going to cause you discomfort or pain; wearing the improper shoes can lead to walking and feet disorders; why risk it?

Deciding which boots are best for you is determined by your activities, if you going mountain climbing you need a stronger well made boot; but if your just taking a daily hike with the family or group of friends, it may be in your best interest to select a light, water proof shoe or boot.

When choosing a boot, check out the materials that are used, to construct the boot. Stay away from man-made uppers, since this type of material looks like leather but does not breath as well; over time the sweat will build up and on a cold day your cold will feel bitterly cold. Another fact is if your feet are not able to breath properly, in time the odor that builds up over time, will ruin the boots and if you want to keep your friends I would suggest getting rid of the funky smelling boots.

Many day hiking boots are made with a split grain leather, and nylon mesh, which are very comfortable and allow the air to circulate through the shoe or boot.  During any type of hike it is important that your footwear is made of breathable material, allow air to flow. If air is unable to flow, eventually your feet will sweat, your sox stay wet; and you become very cold. In addition to what was mentioned in the above paragraph. This type of hike shoe or boots tend to be less expensive, easier to break in, but are not very water resistant, therefore if it is all that your budget can afford, purchase some water repellent spray, just as a safety precaution. These are great every day, travel to work, or ride a bike shoes, for comfort and is some cases will look pretty cool with jeans.

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Full leather grain boots are for those who plan to be out in the woods, or shoveling snow quite a bit through the winter. These boots are water resistant, supportive and quite durable. This type of shoe or boots is great for those who are backpacking through different terrains, they are a more expensive but they will last longer. Unlike a boot or hiking shoe made from nylon mesh and split grain, a full leather grain boot will require a few days to break in. If your planning a big hiking trip, purchase these boots a few weeks in advance and wear them a little each day.

Many people purchase timberland which are expensive, but there are many other brands of boots out there, it all depends on why you need them and where are you going? Other name boots such as Montrail and North Face; a gaining popularity in many of the northeastern parts the Nation, along with up north where it snows about 10 months out of the year.

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There are other types of water resist material hitting the market, such as Gore-Tex, which the waterproof barrier is design into the boots to improve their ability to be water resistant. To keep these boots waterproof depends on how well you care for them, as well as what water repellent you’re using to maintain its waterproof ability.

Construction of the book or shoe is just as important, a high quality boot will be stitched to it sole, which if you had to you could replace the sole when necessary. The cheaper boots have their soles cemented to the book, which means when the cement separates the sole from the boot it use to mean that you had to purchase new boots. That is not the case anymore, since the bonding agents have changed, so all you have to do is find or locate a shoemaker, and usually he will be able to repair your boots. Technology has come a long way.

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Look at the stitching on your shoes or boots, the more seams and stitching or bonding you see, the more of a chance you have for leakage, so always keep that in the back of your mind when purchasing a boot.

Cabela’s sells an awesome pair of boots; they are high cut, almost up to the knee, with leather and man-made material, which allow for flexibility, around the calf. The upper part of the boot is full grain, thinsulate ultra material, and they are stitched to the sole, and has other seam; but the owner has had them for over two years, and has totally abused the boots. They look horrible, but if they were cleaned up, they could pass for barely worn!

There are many other companies out there; but it is up to you and your budget and the activities your planning, you can go from the Store brand for general snow removal, and rainy days or you may want to seek out a pair of Merrell’s or Scarpa’s if your looking for a better grade of footwear.

When purchasing boots, bring along a pair of sox that you would be using while wearing the boots, make sure you lace them up properly and walk around the store for a while. Check the flexibility, comfort and if you feel slippage; which means whether or not you foot is secure or sliding around in the boot. A boot should provide the wearer with good support, not only of the arch of his foot, but for his ankle as well.

Good Luck, happy shopping and enjoy your footwear during this upcoming winter, and if your lucky enough perhaps they will last two or three winters.