www.mdc.mo.gov Indoors or out...nothing is fun if your feet hurt. And if youre off-road hiking, birdwatching, or simply mushroom hunting...choosing the wrong boots can leave you stranded or lame. Heres what to look for when buying boots First, get real hiking socks and wear them when shopping for boots. Get a pair of liners made of one of the high-tech wicking fabrics that draw the sweat away from your skin. Over the liners, wear outer socks made from midweight or heavy wool or wool/synthetic...even in summer. Do not use cotton liners, which absorb sweat and cause blisters. Look for boot socks with a snug fit and smooth seams. Now for the boots. When theyre unlaced, you should have just enough room so that if you scrunch your toes toward the front, you can squeeze a finger between your heel and the back of the boot. When laced, there should be little or no heel slippage, but you should be able to wiggle your toes freely. Check the flexibility by going up and down steps and ramps making sure your toes dont jam against the front of the boot. Kick the toe box against something hard. Your toes shouldnt feel the impact. Finally, make sure the boots are wide enough. If they arent, special order a wide width, or if youre a woman, try mens boots. Whatever you do, never compromise on fit! Harden your feet and soften your boots before hitting the woods for a shorter version, use the following line and cut the rest of the paragraph: even if the boots you buy are the ultra light kind ...