HIKING BOOTS

Everyone's circumstances are unique - there are no two feet the same. My own circumstances are a bit unusual, so let's break it down a bit. 

• The Challenge: 
• The Selection Process: 
• The Solution: 
• Hindsight.

The Challenge:

I have a (UK) size 11 foot, [UK 11.5 trainer; UK 12 hiking boot] with an H width measurement. 

[The different sizes in footwear styles allow for different sock types and also some foot expansion that occurs during prolonged exercise]. In a country of archetypically smaller men, than means I simply can't buy any shoes in Malta.

Clinically, thanks to what the Brits euphemistically call 'old age and poverty' I also have arthritis in both feet. In the right foot, it's the classic arthritis of the metatarsals, which basically means, just suck it up. I have some Voltaren (Voltarol) gel for when it gets bad, but I avoid using it.

In the left foot my big toe has basically welded itself to my foot, in a single, big, unbendable bone, technically called hallux rigidus. This is an operable condition, but the process in Malta has been to cut it open and chip out the excess bone with a miniature hammer and chisel. In civilised parts of the world a laparoscopic procedure basically inserts a miniature drill into the joint, turns the excess bone into something resembling toothpaste, then sucks it out of the same small incision. I'm up for this, but as this procedure has only recently arrived in Malta, I thought I'd give the specialists time to practise on other people before sticking my foot out.

The Selection Process

I took a lot of advice about footwear, but of course no-one really understands how my feet function inside my shoes.

• First up is finding something that can adjust to the length and girth of my foot.
• Secondly is that a very flexible sole places a lot of stress on joints that don't flex - so a more rigid sole is generally more comfortable for me.
• Finally, the classic questions of weight, ankle support and waterproofing all come in to play.

Of course I've followed what the bloggers are all saying. I have looked closely at the choices being made by long distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, but if you'll excuse my cynicism, I think they are locked into the alternatives offered by the commercial sponsors of the bloggers.

Out of necessity, my research has been wider and deeper. I have a pair of Zamberlan hiking boots, absolutely gorgeous leather, very comfortable, but designed more for off-trail mountainous bushwalking, and nowadays, considered a little heavy. 

My Zamberlan Hiking Boots

Following this line of inquiry I found an Italian mountaineering footwear manufacturer who has been making boots since 1928. AKU. Here's the story as I've pieced it together. About five years ago AKU was requested by the US Navy Seals to design a special boot for their short, intensive tactical operations. A British outdoor adventure supplier (The Trade Inn Group) observed this, and then asked AKU to make some design modifications to better suit prolonged, constant use. The result was known, ironically, as the Pilgrim boot.

This latter design was submitted to Herstmonceux Castle, the UK's Ministry of Defence testing facility, after which the technical spec for British army boots was rewritten accordingly. 

The Solution

The < AKU Pilgrim GTX Combat FG M Boots Brown > has now been the standard issue for the British Army for the last two years. The feedback from troops in the field has been dramatically positive. I can see why.

The combination of traditional and new hi-tech fabrics has allowed for an innovative upper boot construction design which, in combination with a clever lacing system, allows the boot to be drawn comfortably over any foot width, effectively customising each boot to the foot inside it.

Goretex lined for full waterproofing, with woven upper panels that expel humidity, medium-high ankle supports and the classic Vibram sole, they are about two thirds the weight of my Zamberlans.

My new AKU hiking Boots

To complete this review, let me add that I have also invested in a rather unusual sock combination. My inner socks are pure silk and extremely thin, but strong, as silk is strong like cobwebs are. My outer socks are pure Marino wool, miners socks: very thick and imported from Australia. They provide excellent cushioning, release lanolin microvapours as they get warm, and when there's miniscule movement within the boot, the friction occurs between the socks, and not on the skin.

Hindsight

I trained in Malta for seven weeks before hiking in France, covering about 280 km, with the exception of the very first training hike, where I tried out my Zamberlans, I trained exclusively in the AKU boots, in order to wear them in. This turned out to be entirely unnecessary. I had a sock issue on my first use of these boots, but since then they have not changed in their level of comfort. [My ankles are proportionate to my feet - which means socks are often a little tight. I had to cut the top bands of the silk socks to improve blood circulation to my feet. After that, everything worked well].

Having now completed both the training and the subsequent randonnée, I estimate I've walked about 600 kilometres in these boots. They feel like comfortable shoes and look as good as new. There has been no hint of a blister.

Post Script

I am somewhat particular about looking after my boots - in this case I used a pocket knife, a nail brush and a kitchen sponge with a nylon scourer back. That was enough to remove all the mud and stone chips, brush off all the dried mud and keep the surface of the boots clean and presentable.

This is an aspect of my particular type of hike; imagine walking into a hotel lobby or the entrance hall of a BnB, wearing a pair of muddy hiking boots - and then expecting to walk upstairs in them. I guess many people do - but that's pretty inconsiderate in my book. Hikers also often carry a pair of flip-flops (thongs) or Crocs, as they are the lightest camp shoes. Once again, if you want to be admitted to a nice restaurant (as I did), or to accept an invitation to dine at a private home, there's no need to turn up looking scruffy. The principle is light-weight shoes to change into after removing hiking boots. Thanks to modern technology, a moccasin-style shoe with a light outdoor sole is feasible, and weighs almost the same as Crocs. I used 'Hey Dudes' from Italy that Chris bought me for my birthday last year when we were holidaying in Sicily.

My Hey Dudes