Choosing Boots 1. The Fit.  Try on the boots with the socks you will normally wear when hiking.  I wear two pairs.  A cotton blend pair that wicks away moisture and a pair of good thick wool socks.  Ask yourself some questions. Do your toes get claustrophobic? Are your ankles weak? Do you need alot of arch support? Is your foot a difficult fit, narrow, wide or flat? 2. The Boots. The hiking boots need to have as few seams as possible.   This I can not emphasize enough.   Water soaks into the boots through the seams.    I choose mine carefully.  I will have them for many years.  The base of the boots are a solid piece of leather.  The joint between the ankle and the foot are sewn together.  So the seam is fairly high on the boot.    Waterproof boots are your best friends.   Wet socks are very uncomfortable, and if you are like me, it WILL rain.    Boots with mesh are just fine for day hiking.  The mesh provides breathablity and comfort.  But for backpacking a pair of warm dry socks is always pleasant.   Be sure to waterproof your seams before you go hiking.  You can buy the product at the same time you purchase your boots.   One last piece of advice when dealing with hiking boots, wear a different pair to drive in.  Hiking boots are made differently.  After a few days in boots, you will appreciate your sneakers more. 3.The Camp Shoes. You do not want to wear your boots in camp.   The enviroment you are sleeping in is fragile.    Wearing a different pair at your site will help to insure others after you will also be able to enjoy that site.    Another point to it is blisters.  Camp shoes help eleviate the pain.    I personnally recommend shoes similar to "boat shoes."  Easy to slip on and do not require socks.  Sandals are perfectly expectable, like Nike or Adias.   You will have a pair of shoes to sit and work in while your socks are drying out.