By Sue Helmont
Marketing Lead and Regular Contributor

Choosing the right footwear is one of those subjects where experience really matters. Sue has walked with me many times and has also seen plenty of different boots, feet and opinions along the way! I asked her to share some practical advice on choosing walking boots for Andalucía, based on what she's learnt from seeing different footwear put to the test on our trails.

One of the questions we're asked regularly at Andalucía on Foot is what walking boots to bring. If you're planning a walking holiday in southern Spain, it's an important one.

On a recent weekend walking with Phil, I took a closer look at what everyone was wearing. There were boots costing around £60 and others nearer £150, from several different manufacturers. What became clear was that price and brand weren't necessarily the best indication of which boots worked well. Comfort and fit mattered more.

Why Your Footwear Matters

The terrain on our walks in Andalucía can vary considerably. You might be walking on a good track one moment and a rocky or uneven path the next, with loose stones and steeper sections along the way.

For that reason, suitable walking footwear with good grip and support is important. A secure fit is particularly useful on descents, helping you feel more comfortable and confident on loose or uneven ground.

I wouldn't recommend arriving with trainers or everyday shoes simply because they're comfortable at home. Your footwear needs to be suitable for the terrain you'll actually be walking on, and above all, it needs to fit you properly.

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Boots We've Seen on the Trails

On that recent weekend, I asked everyone what boots they were wearing, why they'd chosen them and, most importantly, how they were getting on with them. There was quite a mixture:

• Keen – Chosen for the generous toe box and the extra room it gave around the toes.
• Salomon – Chosen for the wider fit, good grip and a lacing system that allowed the fit to be adjusted easily.
• Ecco – Chosen for being lightweight, waterproof and comfortable over longer distances.
• Oboz – Chosen as a solid and reliable boot, although in this particular case there may have been a little brand loyalty involved!
• Berghaus – Lightweight leather boots, worn a size larger than normal to provide the right fit.
• Merrell – Chosen by one walker who preferred slightly less ankle support because of a previous injury.

What was interesting was that there wasn't one particular brand or type of boot that worked for everyone. Each person had chosen something that suited their own feet and requirements, which brings us back to the importance of getting the fit right.

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Getting the Fit Right

Whatever make or style you choose, getting the fit right is probably the most important part of buying walking boots.

• Keep your heel secure. Your heel shouldn't be moving up and down inside the boot as you walk, as this can lead to rubbing and blisters.
• Leave enough room around your toes. This becomes particularly important on descents, when you don't want your toes repeatedly hitting the front of the boot.
• Try before you buy. If possible, visit an outdoor shop where you can try several pairs and get some advice on the fit.
• Shop later in the day. Your feet can swell as the day goes on, so trying boots in the afternoon can give you a better idea of how they'll feel after several hours of walking.
• Don't assume your normal shoe size will be right. You may find that going up a size, or sometimes just half a size, gives you the room you need.

Don't worry too much about the number printed inside the boot. What matters is how it feels on your foot, particularly when you're walking downhill.

Leather or Synthetic?

Another choice you'll probably come across is whether to buy leather or synthetic walking boots. Both have their advantages.

Leather boots tend to be robust and durable, making them a good choice if you expect to do plenty of walking over rougher terrain. They can feel a little heavier and may take longer to become comfortable.

Synthetic boots are generally lighter and often feel comfortable straight from the box. They can also be more breathable, although they may not have the same long-term durability as a well-looked-after pair of leather boots.

There isn't a right or wrong choice. If you're relatively new to walking, I'd put comfort first. Once you've spent more time on the trails, you'll have a much better idea of the type of boot that suits you.

Break Them In (Seriously!)

I can't stress this enough: don't arrive in Andalucía with a brand-new pair of boots that you've never properly walked in.

Wear them around the house, take the dog for a walk, wear them to the shops or spend some time walking locally. Better still, take them on a few longer walks so you know how they feel after several hours on your feet.

This gives you time to find any pressure points, rubbing or other problems before your holiday, rather than discovering them halfway through the first day's walk.

Comfortable, well-worn boots may not look quite as pristine when you arrive, but your feet will thank you for it.

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Don’t Forget Your Walking Socks

The right socks are almost as important as the boots themselves. Even a comfortable pair of boots can cause problems if you're wearing the wrong socks inside them.

Choose proper walking socks that wick moisture away from your feet and have some additional padding around the heel and toes. Merino wool is a popular option and works well in both warmer and cooler conditions.

I'd avoid cotton socks, as they tend to hold moisture against the skin, which can increase the chance of rubbing and blisters. I also prefer wearing a single pair of good walking socks rather than two pairs, as additional layers can create more friction.

Most importantly, wear the socks you intend to bring on holiday when you're trying out your boots. A boot that fits perfectly with one pair of socks can feel surprisingly different with another.

The Right Boots for You

There isn't one pair of walking boots that's right for everyone. Different feet need different things, which is why fit and comfort matter more than choosing a particular brand or simply spending more money.

Take your time when choosing them, try several pairs if you can, and make sure you've walked in them properly before your holiday. The right boots should feel comfortable and secure on the different terrain you'll encounter in Andalucía.

And if you already own boots that fit well, have plenty of life left in them and have carried you comfortably over many miles, you may already have exactly what you need.