Heel Protection

Each year I find myself breaking in a couple of new pairs of hiking or mountaineering boots. I'm just always looking for something better, and in all of my searching, I've gained a closet full of boots and a bit of knowledge about what does and doesn't work on the mountain. The year I stubbed my toe on a rock and lost my toe nails was the last year I wore a soft-toed boot.

At this point in my hiking career, I wear only heavy duty boots (usually crampon compatible) but not even those are immune to problems, most often with the heels. A stiff boot has much less flexibility and your heels will move up and down, especially on the side of a mountain. You can give yourself a blister in minutes even with the best hiking socks, liners, etc., and even after the boots have lots of miles on them. This problem won't go away and if it ever did it would be because your boots were worn out and worthless. To prevent this blistering, I always place moleskin on my heels and then place tape over the mole skin to hold it in place. The movement of your heel can roll up the mole skin without this extra tape. I never wear this type of boots without extra heel protection.

I hike in crampon compatible boots for two main reasons. First, I like the way they feel on off-trail rough terrain like tallus. Second, many of my hikes have snow fields to climb or cross and with these boots I can just step into the crampons and away I go!

On snow climbs like Mount Shasta, I have used both leather and plastic boots. It really becomes a trade off between weight and warmth, with the plastic boots being warmer and the leather ones lighter. Right now weight is the winning factor for me because on that mountain a few extra ounces of foot weight is tough to take.

Mount Conness

Mount Banner

Yosemite National Park

Fall Trees Near Yosemite