Author- The New Biochemist

When I started hiking, I had some pretty comfortable and light sport shoes but with a very bad grip at the bottom. It made me hate doing the Nachu caves trek esp when climbing that place to the caves.

After doing a couple of treks, I tried a hike that was pretty much beginner level, Ngong hills but still hated some parts simply because I had fear of landing on my butt. So I invested in good hiking boots. I was told to save up to 3,000 to get good shoes.

I went for second-hand shoes in Ngara, fig tree area.

I wanted waterproof shoes that had a good grip on the sole and fitting. The shoes were heavier than I had hoped for so I chose to walk in them while working. I needed to know how they felt with expanded legs and a thick sock.

Later on, I saw tips online that make me think some of the decisions I made weren’t 100% the best so I thought to compile this guide for anyone who is about to send more than 3,000.

Hiking Boots 101

By @robertontrails

👉🏾 Size — Your boots need to be comfortable to avoid blisters and discomfort. Always buy a size bigger than your regular sneaker size. This ensures there’s enough room for foot movement — for instance, when going downhill — and for thick socks or more pairs when walking through snowy trails.
👉🏾 Sole — Go for a boot with a raised midsole. This is your cushion as you hike. Check out the outer sole to ensure that it has deep and thick treads, as this improves traction while walking. If unsure about the sole technology, a quick Google search should do the magic. Vibram and Contagrip are some good sole technologies around.
👉🏾 Waterproof & breathable — Above all, your boots must be waterproof; even better if you can also get breathable materials (that allow moisture from the inside to escape). But at the bare minimum, the boots must be waterproof. This will ensure your feet remain dry and warm during a rainy, muddy, or swampy hike.

Hiking Boots

By @mambahikers

Length- Rule of thumb, hiking boots should be a size bigger than your normal shoe size. You should be able to get a finger between the back of the boot and your heel.
Width- your feet shouldn’t be too cramped up, it should allow space for expansion.
Height- I prefer ankle-length boots over low ankle boots. With ankle-length boots you might not need gaiters

4. Material:- should be 100% waterproof.