Yet another item on your packing list that is eminently important for your trek is your pair of boots. Your boots really will distinguish their value to you as your primary interface with the county of Nepal. We can’t state too obviously that only the perfect boots will do. You will need boots that are comfy (wearing the thick hiking socks), that are waterproof, that are broken in, that have good ankle stability, and are lightweight. Any of those factors not in perfect astrological alignment will give you a lot of miserable days on the trail. Really the best way to be sure of all this ahead of time is to buy or otherwise acquire a pair and try them out for a few hikes. Abuse them a bit so that you’ll test all the limits and quickly soften up the boot leather (even if it’s not even real leather).

I’m very fortunate. Richard had an extra pair right around my size. They’re great boots, but still I have needed to go out a couple of times to really try them out. He insisted that if there was even the least discomfort I should go shopping for some other boots. First I took the sock test. I tried on some medium thick hiking socks with some thin Polypropylene sock liners, then tried the boots. I wore them around for most of the day, checking for any pinch points or hot spots. Actually it felt great, even if my dogs swelled up a little from the salty junk food.

For advanced analysis I wore them on my hike up Mt. Holly a couple of weeks ago. The material and support of the boots were great, but on the way down I noticed a sore spot on the left boot, like a piece of plastic or metal support on the inside was jabbing me. Grr, that was not a good sign. Half-way down the mountain I had to start limping, and by the bottom I was really in pain. I thought it was over for those boots and my hopes for being a total tight-wad, but when I took the boot off and checked for that metal girder gouging my foot, I discovered it was a mere chip of stone that had slipped in. Yeah, that explains why it started acting up so suddenly. Today I’m going out for follow-up confirmation hiking. This is crunch time for my free boots. If there’s any trouble I’ll need to go out and buy a new set, hoping that they’ll be more perfect.