Weather on the the Tour du Mont Blanc can range from intense sun through hail, torrential rain and snow.
The terrain can vary from graveled paths through mud, ice, boulder fields and streams.
Boots that protect your feet and ankles and keep your feet dry are essential.
The terrain can vary from graveled paths through mud, ice, boulder fields and streams.
Boots that protect your feet and ankles and keep your feet dry are essential.
We'd recommend that you hike in a pair of quality three season waterproof leather walking boots. That said, we've seen people hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc in light weight fell boots. It's not something we would recommend, especially given the number of times we've seen their owners desperately trying to dry them before the next days hike.
Walking boots
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Buying new boots
If you've not owned walking boots before, rather than buying mail order, we'd suggest that you buy them in a shop where you can try them on with your walking socks. Aim at boots half a size greater than your foot size and see how they feel. One of our featured suppliers may be of assistance.
Look for boots with a high ankle to protect you from ankle sprains, leather uppers with an integral tongue to prevent ingress of water, and lace hooks to make them easier to tighten, put on and take off.
If you've bought new boots the first thing to do is apply some polish. We'd recommend Dubbin or its equivalent. Next, start wearing them in. Wear them to walk to the shops. Wear them on a short excursion. Gradually increase the distances. Over time the leather will stretch to suit your foot shape and the comfort will increase until the point where you are happy to try them on a long hike. Pay special attention to how you tension your laces. If you have a rubbing point then loosen the laces slightly in that area so that the leather can stretch a bit more. Remember to ensure that the laces are tight enough around your ankles to prevent your feet slipping forward in your boots when walking down hill, your toes will thank you for this small attention to detail.
If you've not owned walking boots before, rather than buying mail order, we'd suggest that you buy them in a shop where you can try them on with your walking socks. Aim at boots half a size greater than your foot size and see how they feel. One of our featured suppliers may be of assistance.
Look for boots with a high ankle to protect you from ankle sprains, leather uppers with an integral tongue to prevent ingress of water, and lace hooks to make them easier to tighten, put on and take off.
If you've bought new boots the first thing to do is apply some polish. We'd recommend Dubbin or its equivalent. Next, start wearing them in. Wear them to walk to the shops. Wear them on a short excursion. Gradually increase the distances. Over time the leather will stretch to suit your foot shape and the comfort will increase until the point where you are happy to try them on a long hike. Pay special attention to how you tension your laces. If you have a rubbing point then loosen the laces slightly in that area so that the leather can stretch a bit more. Remember to ensure that the laces are tight enough around your ankles to prevent your feet slipping forward in your boots when walking down hill, your toes will thank you for this small attention to detail.
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