Hiking boots are an essential part of any outdoor adventure. But if you’re new to hiking, you may be wondering if your boots should be tight or loose when you first put them on.
The answer is, it depends.
The ideal fit for your hiking boots depends on both your foot size and shape, as well as the type of hiking boot you’re wearing. Generally speaking, the boots should feel snug around the foot, but not overly tight.
There should also be enough wiggle room to allow for some movement in the toes without having them slide back and forth in the toe box.
When trying on a pair of hiking boots for the first time, it’s important to lace them up properly. This will help ensure that they are snug but comfortable around your foot and ankle.
It’s also a good idea to wear a pair of socks that are similar in thickness to what you would wear while out on the trail. This will help ensure that the fit remains comfortable after several hours of walking.
When wearing leather hiking boots, they will usually require a bit of breaking in before they feel comfortable on long hikes. This process involves wearing them around the house or short walks around town until they start conforming to your feet shape and become more comfortable. When going through this process, it’s still important to make sure there is enough room in the toe box so that your toes don’t feel squished.
For synthetic hiking boots, they tend to provide more cushioning and are often more comfortable right out of the box than leather boots (though this varies between brands). The same rule applies as with leather boots; make sure there is enough space in the toe box so that your toes have some wiggle room without feeling squished.
In conclusion, when trying on a pair of new hiking boots for the first time, it’s important to ensure that they fit snugly but comfortably around your foot and ankle with enough wiggle room for your toes in the toe box. Leather boots may require some breaking-in before becoming comfortable for long hikes whereas synthetic ones may provide more cushioning right out of the box.
