BOOTS
There are certain characteristics that are essential for boots you will wear for scrambling.
There is a wide variety of mountaineering boots to choose from. Many scramblers will eventually have several pairs of boots that can be tailored to activity specifics and weather.
However in most instances, you will want to go for a middle of the road “half boot”, which is flexible enough to be comfortable, but also offers ankle support.
Here are a few of the important things to consider when buying scrambling footwear:
Durability: The boot should be able to withstand the rigors of rocky and uneven terrain, as well as exposure to the elements.
Support: The boot should provide enough support for your ankle to navigate rocky terrain and scree fields.
Grip: A good sole with deep lugs and a sturdy rubber compound that provides excellent traction on wet and dry rock is essential for scrambling.
Waterproofing: A boot that can keep your feet dry in wet conditions is essential, as you may encounter snow or stream crossing during your scramble.
Lightweight: Scrambling requires you to cover a lot of ground, so a lightweight boot will make the journey more comfortable and less tiring.
Flexibility: A boot that is flexible enough for comfortable walking and hiking, but still stiff enough for good edging and support on rocky terrain is ideal.
Fit: A boot that fits well, with a comfortable fit in the heel and forefoot, is crucial for preventing blisters and discomfort on the trail.
Full Rand Coverage
Many of the cheaper boots will wear in exactly the same place while scrambling – the mid food edge, behind the toe protection.
When you’re scrambling, you use the edges of your boots just as much as the sole (often weding boots into cracks), and so if it’s made of soft fabric, you’re going to end up shredding it.
It is recommended to make sure the boot is covered around the whole base with protective rubber.
Scarpa, La Sportiva and others refer to this as the “rand”.
Grippy + Shaped Rubber Sole
Having grippy rubber will make a huge difference in your confidence levels during scrambling (particularly on crux / difficult sections), and so it’s essential that you get this right.
In a nutshell, the grippier the rubber, the shorter it’s lifespan, because rubber gets more friction from being soft (more of it contacting the rock) and that softness makes it wear out faster.
Most scrambling boots will have a rubber type in between that of climbing shoes and walking boots on the softness scale, allowing good grip while being reasonably durable.
Vibram is a company that specializes in making rubber soles, and many of the top manufacturers use them for their boots.
Shape
There are some specific characteristics that make the correct shape of scrambling boot / shoe.
These are mainly focused on the toe area, and the heel area.
Essentially, in a good boot or shoe these will be flattened or contain much shallower grip (and in some cases softer rubber) in order to make it easier to edge on smaller foot holds.
Sole Stiffness
When you’re balancing on a toe or heel in a small hold, the stiffer your boot, the longer you can last without getting tired.
Essentially a stiff sole allows you to balance more effectively, but will be more uncomfortable to walk on during the approach.
This stiff part of the sole is usually found in the mid sole of the boot, in between the outsole (the rubber grip section) and the insole (the soft cushioning your feet touch).
A good scrambling boot or shoe will have a moderate level of stiffness, to account for the potential of a long walk in, with the likelihood of small foot holds during the climbing sections.
Crampons
If you plan on using the boots to do winter scrambles, you will require a boot that can handle a crampon (which requires a certain level of sole stiffness to be attached).
Foot Care
Socks
Selecting the right socks can be almost as important as your boot choice. Some people prefer thicker socks to reduce friction or wool socks for added warmth. Experiment at home with different types of socks to see which fit you, and your boot, best. Socks must be wool or synthetic. Cotton is not acceptable because it collapses and loses its insulating capacity when wet.
Too tight in the boot
Adding liner socks may be a preferred method of protecting your feet. Make sure that you test your sock system in advance of any activity. Choosing the right socks is quite personal. What works for another scrambler may not be best for you, for your boots, or for the trip you preparing for.
Others may prefer to use inserts for arch or foot support.
Whichever is your preference, always remember to pack enough socks before leaving on a trip. You can get away with re-wearing the same shirts, pants, and even underwear for days in a row, but keeping clean socks available is the key to preventing damage to your feet.
Blisters
Friction and moisture are two of the main causes of blisters. When you wear inappropriately heavyweight boots or socks on a trip, your feet may overheat and cause friction that results in a blister.
If you feel a hot spot or a blister beginning to form, stop to fix it immediately. Use moleskin, band-aids, or duct tape to prevent the area from becoming more agitated. If your feet and socks are damp change into a dry pair for sleeping. Wet socks can be placed inside your sleeping bag to help dry them out. Foot powder can also help keep your feet dry and friction-free during long trips.
Boot Fitting
A correct fit is crucial to the overall comfort and performance of a boot. New boots should be worn exclusively indoors until you are satisfied with the fit and certain that you will not need to return them. With your hiking socks on, perform the following tests to help confirm that your boots fit correctly. Because your feet swell during the day, these tests should be done in the evening hours.
With the boots fully unlaced, slide your foot all the way forward until your toes make contact with the front of the boot. In this position you should be able to comfortably slide your index finger down between the heel of your foot and the back lining of the boot. If there is room to fit two or more fingers behind your heel, the boot is too big. If force has to be applied to insert the finger, the boot is too small. In either case, the boots should be returned for an exchange of size.
If you have access to a ramp of some sort, stand in a downhill position with the boots fully laced. You should be able to wiggle your toes without jamming the front of the boot. Stand naturally and do not try to force your foot forward while performing this test.
Heel Lift
It is not uncommon to experience some heel lift when boots are new. This is due to the fact that a flex point (crease) has not been established in the forward area of the boot. Once a flex point has been established, the heel of the boot will rise with the foot and heel lift should be eliminated. Heel lift should not exceed ¼ inch in new boots. If you experience excessive heel lift, return the boots for an exchange.
Break In
There is no quick way to break in boots. Shortcuts such as using leather softeners, applying heat treatments and wetting boots to walk them dry, drastically reduce the life of your boots. The only recommended break in procedure is to wear the boots for short periods of time on flat terrain until they can be worn all day long. Once the boots can be worn all day you can venture into the mountains with them.
It is a good idea to carry moleskin during this break in period. If you feel any pain or hot spots while hiking, take off your boots and socks and apply a large sheet of moleskin around the affected area. This will prevent blisters from forming.