Why Custom Orthotics Are A Good Addition To Your Hiking Boots
Posted on: 20 June 2022
If you're going to do a substantial amount of hiking, then of course you will want hiking boots. But beyond that, you may also want to have those boots fitted for custom orthotics. Here are some key benefits of having custom orthotics added to your hiking boots.
A Better Fit
Everyone's feet are shaped a little differently. Hiking boots are typically made to be versatile. They fit a lot of people's feet pretty well, but few people's feet perfectly. You may not notice that boots aren't the perfect fit when you only walk a mile or two, but on longer hikes, a less-than-perfect fit becomes fairly obvious and bothersome. Custom orthotics can make a boot that fits okay, fit perfectly. Your feet will feel cradled and supported in all of the best ways, which will make all the difference in your comfort at mile 5, mile 10, or maybe even mile 15 if you're a go-getter.
Lower Risk of Injuries
When you think of hiking injuries, you probably imagine things like scraped knees from falling on rocks, and stings from critters like bees. But some of the most common hiking injuries are actually overuse injuries like plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and Achilles tendinitis. These can be brought on or made worse by hiking boots that don't fit you quite right. For instance, if your boots cause you to drop down too far on the inside of your foot, that could put excess strain on a few of your tendons, leading to an injury. Orthotics help prevent such injuries by making sure you step squarely on your feet each time. It's worth preventing overuse injuries since they can sideline you for months.
Fewer Blisters and Rubs
Hiking boots can blister and rub after a few miles on your feet. Preventing blisters, in part, comes down to wearing good socks and keeping your feet dry. However, orthotics can also help prevent blisters by helping your boots fit your feet better so they don't move around and rub as you walk. Blister prevention is about more than preventing pain, too. Blisters can become infected if you step in contaminated water, which does happen from time to time on a hike. So, wearing orthotics to prevent them is simply wise.
Custom orthotics are a good addition to your hiking boots. Talk to a podiatrist in your area, and arrange to have some made. Your feet will thank you.
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