Footwear
SOCKS
Starting with the socks, try to wear your hiking socks when trying on new boots or buy socks and boots together.
Wear two pairs of socks (one inner liner and one outer hiking sock) friction tends to happen between socks before happening between socks and your skin.
Be careful with some socks that have different thickness, this can cause problems with how your boots fit.
Wear socks made for hiking.
Socks are help with cushioning the impact, so use if a thicker sock if your boots have room.
Try to stay away from cotton socks, cotton retains moisture.
BOOTS
When buying boots try on your normal size and then try on a size smaller to get the feel of a boot that may be too tight. Do not always assume you wear a certain size and try as many sizes of boots until you find a good fit.
Make sure the foot bed of the boot is shaped to your foot. if you have high arches, make sure the boot has good support for this, and also wide and narrow feet need to be taken into account.
Look for good ankle padding, support and fit, which will ease descents and eliminate chaffing. be aware of heel slop, make sure your heel does not move up or down when walking.
Only try on boots where you can get a feel for how the boot fits during inclines and declines. most good outdoors stores have a ramp with a good pitch for this reason.
Be sure you can wiggle your toes but you do not want to be able to feel the front of the boot because your toes will be jammed on descents. the tongue of the boot should be smooth and padded, make sure the bellows fold comfortably when boots are laced tightly.
Get boots made for the terrain you will be hiking, more support is needed for heavier and/or steeper trails. break in new boots before hitting the trail, by wearing them a couple hours each day.
Keep you laces snug on your boots, especially during descents.
Waterproof your boots thoroughly and seam seal all the stitching before you wear your new boots.
Never dry boots near or over a fire.
FEET
Keep feet dry at all cost.
Apply foot powder as often as needed.
Toughen skin on your feet before you go on your trip, by hiking a little each day.
Take care of feet immediately upon discomfort or blisters starting (referred to as "hot spots") using moleskin or tape.
Purchase a pair of gaiters to help keep foreign objects such as rocks and snow out of your boots.
