Escaping that ugly, real-world grind with a nature hike through mazes of swaying trees with those cuddly little forest animals scampering about is one of the best things you can do to ease your mind. While taking it all in — the crystal-clear skies, the almost-intoxicating air, the completely surreal solitude — what’s the last thing you’d want on your mind? Your feet.

Your feet can get too cold, too wet, too cramped. And who is to blame for ruining your amazing hike? Your boots. Hands down, it’s the single most common complaint from active folks. In fact, Backpacker Magazine said 70 percent of hikers sport ill-fitting boots, not even realizing their mistake.

So, what are you going to do about it? Unless you’ve recently developed some crazy calluses, walking barefoot is simply not an option. Actually, let’s hope that you didn’t even consider that.

What you need is a top-notch pair of hiking boots. One that makes all your comfort stars align and gives you that superhuman feeling — like you could hike thousands of miles, Forrest Gump style. Here is a pocket-sized checklist of things to consider while hiking boot shopping. You can even print it out and carry it with you at all times until you find that perfect match.

• Weight – Not yours, silly — the boots! In most cases, the lighter the hiking boot is, the better. Some say even one extra pound on your feet is like five or six on your back.
• Size – Your feet probably swell up a little bit after a good walk. ABC-of-Hiking.com suggests taking a 15 minute stroll before you try on your new hiking boots. Also bring your hiking socks along for the ride.
• Rigidity – Your boots need to be sturdy. Like when, being the risk taker that you are, you brave that totally rocky side trail. With high, stiff ankle support as well as firm sole support to keep feet from curving too much, you’ll be thankful you read this guide!
• Waterproofing – Nobody likes soggy socks. Gore-Tex lining is the safest bet, especially if you plan on submerging your feet in giant puddles or streams anytime soon. Or keep your eye out for a boot that dries quickly.
• Breathability – One downside to Gore-Tex is that, because it’s too busy keeping out all that water out, it doesn’t give your feet enough room to breathe. According to Consumer Research, Gore-Tex XCR breathes better than plain old Gore-Tex, and eVent does it better than both.
• Insoles – Make sure these can be taken out. You’ll probably want to replace the insoles either immediately or after they are worn down a bit, depending how well the initial pair works out.

(Image via Wikimedia Commons)