5. Check the sole. Turn the boot over and look at the sole. Look for areas of wear. An even wear pattern with enough tread shows that the sole is ready for another year. If the tread has worn down completely or significantly in one area http://www.cheapnbajerseysspurs.com/dejounte-murray-jersey/ , it may be time for another pair. Common excessive wear areas are the ball of the foot, the toe area and the heel. It is typical for a little extra wear at the outside of each heel, but it should not be significant or it may lead to an increased chance of ankle sprains. If the wear is on the inside of the heel, you are most likely an overpronator and have worn down the boots. Replace the boots before your next hike.
6. Match your foot type to the boot type. Many boots and hiking shoes are designed for people who overpronate. Pronation means rolling in of your feet. (To understand this concept, stand with your feet parallel and toes forward. Turn your entire body to the left and look over your left shoulder http://www.cheapnbajerseysspurs.com/derrick-white-jersey/ , keeping your feet in place. Your right foot will be rolling in or pronating, while your left foot will be rolling out, or supinating.) Too much pronation can cause many types of foot problems and the majority of people will over pronate. But not everyone. Many individuals supinate or have very stable feet with no abnormal motion. If you do not overpronate, or you have custom orthotics designed to compensate for overpronation, then you do not want a pair of hiking boots or shoes which also control pronation. This will cause you to shift your weight to the outside and the likely result will be pain on the outside of your calves or blisters on the outside of your feet.
7. Make sure the boot stands up straight. Place your boot on a level surface. Stand behind the boot and bring your body down to eye level with the boot http://www.cheapnbajerseysspurs.com/kyle-anderson-jersey/ , looking at the back of the boot. The heel counter should be straight. The sides of the boot should not bulge from one side or another. Bulging to one side or another means the boot either did not support the abnormal motion in your foot and has worn down, or the boot caused an abnormal motion in your foot. In either case, it has worn down and needs replacement.
8. Check for medial to lateral support. Medial means towards the middle of the body. Lateral means towards the outside of the body. Your big toe is medial and your little toe is lateral. To check for medial to lateral support, stick your hand in your boot and extend your hand out to the toe area. Move your hand medial first and then lateral, trying to move the shoe material from side to side over the sole. If there is a lot of movement http://www.cheapnbajerseysspurs.com/george-gervin-jersey/ , the fabric has worn down and is no longer supportive. Imagine the fabric of the boot holding your foot in place as you go around a corner on a steep trail. When the shoe has very little medial-lateral support, the foot can slide right off the sole of the boot and only be supported by the fabric. This will contribute to blisters, ankle sprains and tendonitis.