Good hiking and walking shoes are very hard to find. These shoes have the ability to endure the wear and tear through various types of terrain. But eventually there would come a time when your boots would naturally succumb to wind, rain, and the pounding they endure during the hikes.

But what is the perfect time to replace these shoes? It can be genuinely difficult for most people to get your favourite shoes replaced. You might have your best memories hiking in those shoes and eventually you need to say goodbye to them.

Here are a few signs which indicate that it might be the right time to invest in a new pair of shoes:

Midsole

When you have hiked or walked for a really long time, it softens the impact on the feet. However, the midsole require testing to understand if the cushioning is still intact. It is a good way to tell if the cushioning has gone in the boots. The ‘press test’ is when you press the bottom of the outsole and stimulate pressure while walking. If there are many compression lines on the side, it is okay to still use it. But if there are fewer heavy lines, it is time to replace the walking boots.

When you are in pain

We all get tired after a point of walking and hiking. If your boots feel a bit itchy and tired, it is better to check on the problem. The problem might lie in the boots. Your feet must be moving too much inside them. It is the right time to see if your feet are hurting. Aching knees, ankle, as well as your soles are a good sign you need to change your shoes.

Wearing of soles

Your soles after a point of time are going to wear off. These soles will wear the tread down if you have walked many miles. It means that you are highly likely to slip and get hurt. You can also feel small stones and debris more than usual because your outsoles are wearing away. It is very important to not let your outsole get worn off. If there are cracks in your outsole, it is obvious that your need to change your boots/hiking shoes right away.

Wear and Tear

It also might be possible that your boots are suffering from general wear and tear which might be causing a lot of problems while walking. These kind of problems could even warrant a new pair of boots as it affects many things such as waterproofing as well as insulation. There are other issues such as frayed laces which can be easily resolved just by replacing them. If you are satisfied with the outsole and the insole, you can use them for the next one or two hiking adventures. After that, it is always best to change the footwear as the conditions might get worse.

Leaking in your boots

Last but not the least, always looks for soggy feet if you have crossed any water body during the hike. It is one of the worst things to happen and can damage your whole experience of adventure. It is therefore advised to not hike with such a dangerous condition and see if you need a change in boots immediately.

Some walking boots come with an extra level of waterproofing. But, it is best advised to use some kind of water-repellent coating before you move on with your next adventure. It helps in maintaining your boots and to repurpose them rather than throwing them away and investing in another one right away.

Found these tips interesting?

You can always go for a few tips and tricks which can provide longevity to your footwear. You can clean them after you use them every time after your adventurous session, you can also save them just for your adventures and not use them on a daily basis. This would help you repurpose them and use them in a sustainable manner. You would also be able to enjoy your hikes more!