Trying on boots

[blackbantam]

Sorry, I am sure this has been asked before but I could turn anything up searching.

How are you guys trying out different boots? I am in Ohio so I have limited selection of different brands to try on . We luckily have REI (Lowa, solomon, asolo, zamberlan, La Sportiva) a lot of the brands I see mentioned on here I can't find locally though.

Are you guys just ordering a bunch of boots and sending them back?

 

[Rock-o]

I ordered and got rid of what I didn't want.

What part of Ohio? Maybe https://premieroutdoors.us/outfitters/footwear/mens/ is close to get you a few more options though I don't know what their inventory is.

 

[manitou1]

The ones that allow you to return or exchange will void that agreement once the boot is worn outside. Unfortunately one doesn't really know for sure how a boot will perform until worn on a few good hikes. It is a crap shoot, but you will be a step ahead of the game if you can try them on and walk around a bit i doors with them. Many do order several pairs, try them inside the house and return the ones that don't suit them.
I am fortunate now (as of this year) to live in the West where there are actually stores that carry multiple top line hunting/hiking bokts I can try before purchasing.

 

[AKaDougie]

-Find a boot you want to try, research if they fit small or large, order what you normally wear and a size up or down from your research.
-Return the pair that doesn't fit right out of box.
-Wear the pair that fits out of box for a few miles on a treadmill and see how they feel. Make a decision to keep or return.
-If you do keep the pair to test further you may have to re-sale them if you end up not liking them.

This past year I did this with three different boots. Had to re-sale one and kept two.

 

[blackbantam]

I ordered and got rid of what I didn't want.

What part of Ohio? Maybe https://premieroutdoors.us/outfitters/footwear/mens/ is close to get you a few more options though I don't know what their inventory is.

Thanks for the tip! I'm in northeast Ohio so I'm only about 45 minutes from Millersburg. I'll check it out. I do have a spot to try on Kenetrek, but I haven't seen HanWag before. I'll check it out, thanks.