Boots for Scouting
The best way to keep your feet (and your shoes or trainers) clean and dry, is to have a pair of wellies! These are quite cheap and last a long time. When your collecting wood, there are often nails and screws all over the place, which could easily penetrate a pair of trainers and your foot. If you are going to use axes while on camp you will need a stout pair of shoes or boots to protect your feet. One slip with a hand axe while wearing soft footwear, could result in a very serious injury.....We know, we've been there! The blood stains never did come out of the back of our Group Leaders car. If you don't intend walking far, a pair of steel capped boots are not too expensive and readily available.
You can spend from less than £30 up to hundreds of pounds on walking boots. Just because a pair of boots didn't cost much, doesn't mean that they aren't any good, you just have to look after them a bit better. Remember, if your growing fast, they probably won't fit after a year or so. The more expensive types are pre-waterproofed and need little further attention.
What to look for - Walking Boots
The more expensive walking boots are made from thinner, high quality leather, and have very few stitched seams. Fewer seams mean that the boots have less places to let in water and are more comfortable to wear. The less expensive have more seams and require proofing frequently. They are also normally made of a heavier leather, this all goes to make them a little stiffer and heavier. This could mean that they need to be "worn in" to prevent them causing blisters on your feet. There are boots available which are made from suede and/or man made materials. The more expensive ones are as waterproof as leather, are normally lighter and require less maintenance. Once you have decided which boots are for you, take some thick socks to the shop to wear when you try them on! When you come to use your boots for walking they will be too tight if you haven't allowed the extra room for your walking socks.
Leather boots
Make sure your boots will not hurt your feet! Walk around in them as much as possible before you take them on a long walk or camp. If your a bit embarrassed about partying in them, just wear them around the house for a few days, and keep putting loads of proofer on them to soften them up. After use, you should slowly dry them and, once dry, apply a good proofer such as Dubbin or Nikwax. If they are that wet, stuff them with newspaper and change the paper every day until they are dry. Never dry them by a radiator or fire, this will cause them to harden and crack. When you apply the proofer, rub it in with your bare fingers or hand, this will warm it slightly allowing it to penetrate the leather better, but make sure that your not allergic to any of the ingredients.
Suede or Man made fabric
These type of boots require less maintenance and are normally kinder on the feet. The downside is, if you buy a cheap pair they will leak very soon after the get wet. Use the spray-on type of water-proofer readily available from most camping and outdoor shops.
Dubbin, Nikwax* - Types of shoe polish which are good at waterproofing. *Available as cream or liquid.