.A good fit is more important than anything else, with boots. Badly fitting footwear means blisters and sore feet, regardless of the quality. As far as the lightweight vs. heavyweight debate goes, since the early 1980s, lightweight boots have taken the lead and never looked back.

Getting a good fit.

There are all too many opportunities for feet and boots to have screaming arguments on the trail. As in any successful partnership, foot and boot must eventually come to compromise.

1. Even if you've worn the same size shoe for 20 years, have your feet measured by a Brannock device before trying on boots. If one foot is bigger than the other, fit the boot to the larger foot.
2. Try on boots with the socks you're going to wear on the trail and the insoles (if you prefer cushy insoles to those provided by the manufacturers) you plan to use.
3. To check length, before lacing the boot scrunch your toes toward the front. You should just barely be able to cram your index finger down the back of the boot. When you lace the boot up, you should be able to wiggle your toes without feeling the front of the boot.
   • Next, try flexing the boot by going uphill. If your heel comes up more than about 1/2 inch, you need a different size, or a different model.
   • This is important: The backs of the heels are a common blister point, and going uphill is work enough with out the irritation of an ill-fitting boot.
4. Also consider the volume of your foot - how much space your foot takes up. There really isn't an accurate measure for it except for how the boot feels. Boots are cut on different "lasts" by different manufacturers, so try on different makes and models. In general, look for an all-around supportive fit, with no tight spots.

-Advanced Backpacking: A Trailside Guide, by Karen BergerThe appropriate category of boot (lightweight, medium-weight or heavyweight) depends primarily on your activity level and the terrain over which you travel.

1. Lightweight boots are by far the most popular boot type. They are appropriate for most dayhikes and short backpacking trips.
2. Consider medium-weight boots if you engage in highcountry, rugged off-trail, or winter backpacking. Medium-weight boots are preferred to lightweight boots in situations where you may need crampons.
3. Heavyweights are only really appropriate for serious mountaineering due to their rugged construction and weight.