Today's hiking boots are far from clunky

Kim Simpson, 64, a retired environmental engineer in Westborough, remembers the way hiking boots used to be: ugly brown leather wafflestompers with heavy steel shanks.

Simpson, who is on the board of directors of the American Hiking Society, estimates that he puts in a thousand miles a year on his five-year-old Vasque Sundowners, which he has already re-soled three times. But no longer does he tie on clunky trailblazers -- today's boots are lightweight yet sturdy, with many of them just as suitable for a scramble up the peaks as a stroll to the local grocery store.

"There's nothing more important then protecting your feet," says Simpson. "You can't go anywhere without making your feet comfortable."

Before shopping for hiking boots, determine what kind of hiking you're going to do -- easy day trips, moderate backpacking, or extended mountaineering. The more intense activity levels and the heavier the load, the more support you'll need, according to J.T. Marcoux, a foot and ankle surgeon in Cambridge, who is scheduled to have surgery on his own ankle after injuring it.

"I learned my own lesson," says Marcoux.

The latest trend in the $900 million hiking boot business is toward lightweight, athletic-style shoes with low-slung profiles and earthy colors and trims. But midweight boots are still the largest category of hiking boots on the market , with sturdier, higher-cut models designed for short- to moderate-length trips over more challenging terrain.

And for really serious hikers, heavyweight boots typically have extremely strong full-grain leather with a stiff sole, worn when carrying backpacks over 35 pounds or more, and made for traveling over rock, snow, and ice.

Simpson, who is a proud member of the 4,000-footer club in New Hampshire -- he has climbed all 48 mountains of that elevation or more in the state -- says the best place to shop is at a reputable outdoor store, such as REI, Eastern Mountain Sports, or L.L. Bean.

Expect to pay between $150 and $400 for a quality boot, which can include such brands as Merrell, Montrail , The North Face, Timberland, Salomon , and Columbia. Simpson's favorite boot is the Vasque Sundowner, which costs around $180, and, according to Vasque, has a reputation for comfort and old-school style.

Always test drive your boots at the store, says Simpson, and once you purchase them, if you're planning a hike of any distance, take a few short hikes before your big trip, which helps break-in the boot -- and your body.

"I've seen everything from blisters to ankle sprains, tendonitis, heel pain, even stress fractures if you're in the wrong kind of boot or your training is inadequate," says Marcoux .

A good hiking boot gives a smooth ride over rocks, boulders, and scree (gravel), thanks to the bottom of the boot, usually made of a shock-absorbing rubber material such as Vibram. Lugged treads offer grip even on slippery, steep descents, thanks to "sticky rubber" outsoles.

Although many of us know hikers who have tackled the White Mountains in gym shoes or cross trainers, this is a mistake, says Marcoux. Hiking boots also offer breathable waterproof barriers to keep the feet dry in stream crossings and puddles, cold-weather insulation, and ankle support on uneven terrain.

And how to know when it comes time to retire the boots? Watch for splitting seams, worn linings and soles, and leaking of water or debris. With daily hikes at local reservations and Mount Wachusett , and longer trails in the Green Mountains, Simpson has seen plenty of wear and tear on his boots, which he always gets repaired. "Of all the equipment for hiking, boots top the list of importance," he says.