Hi-Tec Women’s Montclair Mid Hiking Boot
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Pros
Cons
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Buy it Now¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ From Amazon.com Price $50 to $70 |
A Tough Hiking Boot For Pretty Women
Cons
There are not many boots on the market without at least one negative review on the internet. However, this is one of them.
Pros
The Women’s Hi-Tec Montclair Mid Shoes is a well put together boot at a price just about anyone can afford. Most people have reported this boot is durable and holds up to the elements. The boot feels light on your feet. It is well waterproofed with a breathable with seem sealed construction.
From the Manufacturer
Hit the trail with confidence and comfort in this sporty hiking boot. The waterproof suede and mesh upper is both rugged and stylish, with laces and a padded collar for a snug, easy fit. The rubber sole provides loads of tread for the trail, while the insole is outfitted with serious support. This boot will be a trusty piece of outdoor equipment for years to come. From the Manufacturer Established in 1978, Hi-Tec Sports USA pioneered the original lightweight hiking boot. Today, Hi-Tec continues to design and develop authentic outdoor footwear meticulously dedicated to comfort, light weight and quality. Hi-Tec Sports distributes in over 70 countries, forming a global footwear enterprise and selling over 10 million pairs of footwear annually.
Get the Hi-Tec Women’s Montclair Mid Hiking Boot at Amazon.com at a good price.
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Anatomy of the Best Hiking Boots
When looking for the best hiking boots for your feet, it is helpful to know the parts of hiking boots and their functions. There are parts common to all boots but certain extra features are only found in the best hiking boots.
Common Hiking Boot Parts
Soles
The soles are found on the bottom of the hiking boot. The sole is what provides traction to help keep you on the trail and prevents you from slipping on wet surfaces. It is critical for the soles to have deep aggressive tread to help grab onto the trail. The soles also provide cushioning to absorb the shock and pounding your feet take while hiking.
Shanks
Shanks are made from high strength plastic or metal plates. The shank is built into the Sole of a hiking boots. The Shank can be different lengths depending on the stiffness required. Shanks protect your foot from hard and sharp objects that might otherwise be felt through the Sole.
Upper
The top part of the boot or Upper is basically everything above the soles. This important part is what protects your feet and ankle area from sharp objects like rocks and brush. Another important function of the Upper is to help you maintain stability and support so you don’t twist or sprain your ankle.
Inner
The inner is the lining on the inside of the boot. The inner is in direct contact with your foot and ankle. It provides cushioning and in winter hiking boots insulates the foot from the cold. It also helps prevent moisture from entering the boot.
Insole
The sole is fairly rigid and would be uncomfortable to stand on. The Insole lies above the sole and acts as a comfortable bed for your feet. Different types of Insoles are made for specific arch types and support the arch of your foot.
Tongue
The Tongue of a hiking boot lies between the two flaps of the Upper. The Tongue is what allows you to adjust the fit of the Upper around your ankles and lower leg. It also helps prevent dirt and sand from entering the boot.
Laces and Lacing
Laces are made from nylon cord and are threaded through the Lacing. There are several types of Lacing to include Eyelets, D-rings, Hooks, Webbing and some boots use a combination of the different types.
Scree Collar
The Scree Collar runs along the top of the upper. It is made of a padded material and helps prevent chafing. The Scree Collar fits tightly around your lower calf or ankle on lower cut hiking boots and blocks dirt and debris from getting inside your boot.
Material and Features of the Best Hiking Boots
Now that you have learned about the common hiking boot parts lets have a look at the features and materials used in the best hiking boots.
Vibram Soles
Most of the best hiking boots are made with Vibram Soles. Vibram is the leader in high quality rubber soles and are used by all of the top hiking boot manufacturers. Vibram soles provide the best performance, a high level of comfort and are the longest lasting sole on the market.
Gortex Fabric
There isn’t a better fabric out there used in hiking boots. Gortex Fabric allows moisture from sweat to evaporate from the inside of the boot but will prevent water from rain, creeks and streams from getting inside your boot.Gortex Fabric is used to line the inside of leather hiking boots or as material for the entire upper of the hiking boots.
Custom Fit Technology
The top hiking boot manufacturers design their boots around the anatomy of the human foot. Custom fit technology conforms to the shape of your foot to provide you with lasting comfort for a long day on the trail.
Shock Absorbing System
All of the top hiking boot manufacturers use a patented shock absorbing system to prevent stress injuries. This technology is used just like the shock absorbers of a car. These shock absorbing systems adjust to various ground materials and angles encountered out on the trail to allow you to hike in comfort. Many of the manufacturers use high strength plastics or space aged gels to create this effect.
We have covered the common hiking boot parts and some of the materials and features found in many of the best hiking boots. Armed with this knowledge you should be more equipped to choose the best hiking boots for your feet.
Leather Hiking Boots
In the past full leather hiking boots were your only choice of hiking footwear. They were like tanks for your feet. They were tough and unbearably heavy. It took a long time to break them in and they were maintenance intensive. Hiking boots have come a long way since then. Leather is still used in many versions of hiking boots. However leather is now combined with lightweight man made materials to reduce weight and make them more comfortable.
A hiking boot made of primarily leather material still needs a break in period but don’t require as much time as they used to. Once leather hiking boots are broken in though they are very comfortable. Unlike their space aged cousins, most leather hiking boots still need to be waterproofed. Just make sure to follow the manufacturers instructions so they don’t lose their breathable properties or it will be like wearing a sauna on your feet.
Leather has a tendency to retain water when it gets wet. So you need to make sure you dry them properly. Out on the trail your options are limited. The best way I have found to dry them out is to take off your boots and drain the excess water out. Once the water is drained, change into dry socks, put he boots back on and walk them dry. I usually tie the wet socks on the outside of my pack and change back into them once they are dry.
If your leather hiking boots are still wet when you get home, one way to dry them properly is to remove the insoles and stuff them with wads of newspaper. Do not dry your boots in the hot sun or place them on the furnace like you may have heard. This is a sure way to ruin your leather boots. Leather that dries out quickly has a tendency shrink, pull away from the seams and soles, and can even crack. Drying them out quickly is a sure way to ruin a good pair of boots.
The stitching on leather hiking boots have a tendency to unravel from the seams. To repair a loose stitch, cut or better yet, carefully burn off the excess stitching. For added protection apply a small drop of rubbery adhesive like Shoe Goo to the stitch. A blunted toothpick is great for this.
Combined with modern technology, full leather hiking boots are great. Leather hiking boots look good, they are tough and will last many years with a little maintenance.