Choosing the Right Hiking Boots

After of guiding many clients across the Apuan Alps and the northern Apennines, I’ve learned that no piece of gear influences comfort and safety more than your hiking boots.

Tuscany’s terrain may look gentle in photos, but underfoot it can be unforgiving.

Fit Comes Before Brand

The best hiking boot is the one that fits your foot.

Before considering brands or materials, focus on fit: enough room in the toe box, a secure heel, and stability when walking downhill.

A common mistake I see is buying boots that feel perfect while standing still in a shop. On steep descents—typical of limestone paths in the Apuan Alps—your foot slides forward. If the fit is wrong, blisters and bruised toes are inevitable.

Always try boots in the afternoon, when your feet are slightly swollen, and with the socks you actually hike in.

Breaking Boots In: Non-Negotiable

Never debut new boots on a full-day hike.

Even modern boots need time to adapt to your foot. Start with short walks, then half-day hikes on familiar terrain. This allows the materials to soften and your feet to adjust naturally.

Guiding means long days on uneven ground, and I apply the same rule to myself: if boots aren’t broken in, they stay at home.

Ankle Support for Tuscan Terrain

Tuscan trails often combine loose gravel, rocky steps, roots, and uneven forest floors.

For this reason, I strongly recommend mid or high-cut boots for most guided hikes.

Ankle support doesn’t immobilize you—it provides stability when fatigue sets in. Late in the day, when concentration drops, that extra support can prevent a twisted ankle far from the trailhead.

Low-cut shoes have their place, but they demand strong ankles and constant attention.

Waterproofing: Protection, Not Plastic

Waterproof boots are essential, especially outside summer. Morning dew, wet leaves, and sudden weather changes are common in the Apennines.

Look for breathable membranes like Gore-Tex or equivalent.

Avoid fully plastic or rubberized boots. They keep water out, but also trap sweat, leaving your feet damp and cold.

Dry feet are warm feet—and warm feet stay responsive and safe.

In the mountains, comfort is never a luxury. It’s a safety choice.

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