Boots

To insure you have good feet for hiking you have to have a good pair of boots.

The upper part of your boot must be pliant enough to let your foof bulge slightly under load but give it the necessary support. It must protect the foot. It must repel water. It must let air in while allowing moisture to get out.

The sole of the boot must be joined to the upper in a waterproof and nonseparating way. It must provide safe traction on all surfaces without damaging the land. It must cushion your foot against all surfaces. It can not be too rigit because you want to walk with a natural walking stride.

Support has to be good to prevent feet from twisting severely under loads on uneven surfaces. The support can not be such that it takes the spring out of your step.

Boots have to be as light as possible. Check out boots on the following web sites before going to your local boot store. Check out what other hikers are wearing and ask them about their boots. We don't all have to wear Columbia (Titanium) or Dunham boots. Dunham technology makes wearing their boots.feel like walking on a cloud. Ladies and gentlemen check out Salomon footwear. Kantolla has a flexible, lightweight traction systems for any footwear.

Koflach and Asolo make good mountaineering boots. These boots are too expensive for hiking. Rose has a pair of Asolo boots. La Sportiva make good leather boots. The tradition hiking boots, such as the custom Limmer, the Shopping Sport Guide, The Danner Mountainlight, and the Merrell Wilderness, have features like stitched welts and leather linings that once signaled quality. Newer models combine leather uppers with cemented outsoles, some sort of shank or frame, molded midsoles, and synthetic lining of wicking fabrics such as Cambrelle. Good boots like La Sportiva Makalu, Montrail Moraine, Salomon Authentic 7, and Vasque Super Hiker are both sturdy and light. With Salomon on your feet you feel like running. Scarpa Boots are worn by Gerry Dawson, President of Outdoor Enthusiasts!

It is hard to go wrong with North Face gear.

" Hiking Trails of Nova Scotia, " 8th edition, is an indispensable guide to hikes long and short, challenging and easy, in all corners of Nova Scotia. Author Michael Haynes has revised the descriptions of 20 favourite trails profiled in the 7th edition and added more than 30 completely new ones. Each trail description includes directions for getting there, details about the trail, photos, maps, GPS coordinates, and cell-phone coverage. Michael is also author of " Trails of Halifax Regional Muncipality" and " Hiking Trails of Cape Breton. "

" A Hiking Guide to New Brunswick " blazes the path to happy hiking for novice and expert alike.