It’s fall again and heading into winter and I see lots of folks worried about the upcoming hunt.  Foot problems that we’ve been ignoring for months sometimes become a little more important before the hunt.   We realize we have to be able to hike up and down the side of a mountain to get that elusive elk or deer or bear or whatever they may have gotten lucky enough to get tags for this year and a painful foot or ankle is going to make that impossible. 

Best Hunting Boots for New Mexico Conditions

Hunting is a big deal here in New Mexico and there are a lot of things to consider to make sure we avoid injuries during the hunt.  As a fan of hunting myself I have done a lot of research into hunting boots.  Luckily as a general rule hunting boots almost always fit my criteria for stability and support.  With terrain being so varied while hunting it becomes essential that what we wear on our feet give us support and stability. 

What to Look for in a Hiking BootChoosing the best hunting boots for Albuquerque.

Wearing a high top 6 inch or 9 inch boot can protect us not only from the burrs and goat heads getting into our socks but also protect our ankles from the uneven ground that is constantly moving around below us.  It is very easy to sprain an ankle and the high top prevents that in most cases. The shank on the boot helps to keep that foot from slipping and give us more strength when we push ourselves forward.

The foot should act almost like a rigid lever to push our bodies forward into that next step.  If we have a rigid sole that puts less effort into our feet and more into our boots.  That rigid boot is also essential to protect our feet in case we actually harvest an animal and have to hike that heavy load out to our trucks. 

Prevent Foot Pain While Hiking in Albuquerque

Having a good boot goes a long way towards keeping us upright and mobile and prevents injuries and falls.  The discussion on boots is never complete with a recommendation for a good orthotic.  Whether it be a good over the counter device or an even better custom orthotic you can never go wrong with an orthotic in that boot.  The last thing you want to do is come home from the hunt to make an appointment with the doctor to spend the next month limping around on a raging case of plantar fasciitis from all that hiking you did. 

We are always happy to make recommendations for boots and orthotics and you can even bring them in and I’ll look at them for you and give you an approval as needed.  Boots can be an expensive part of the hunt but one which cannot be overlooked without some serious consequences.  Get some good boots, it’s worth it!

Jonathan Williamson
Experienced Albuquerque podiatrist specializing in preventing and treating foot and ankle pain.
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