It’s also all about finding the right fit, which means finding the style of boot that you love, with a fit that your feet and calves will love too. Women’s boots that fall into the "just right" category are those that are the perfect marriage of looks, comfort and fit.

There is no type of footwear as versatile as ladies’ boots. Smart or casual, sexy or practical… knee-high, mid-calf or ankle… leather, nubuck, patent or suede - a great pair of boots can transform a favourite or workaday outfit into something a bit special. Depending on your mood, you can use your boots to dress up or down. If you’re feeling sassy and confident, choose that patent pair with the sexy, spiky heels and team with a floor skimming pair of smart jeans or a denim mini. Or if you’ve got that easy like Sunday morning feeling, pair a little floral dress, cardigan and opaque tights with a pair of slouchy brown mid calf suede flats. Whether it’s boots for a special occasion or everyday wear that you want, there’s a pair out there for you.

Knee high boots are a classic wardrobe staple that no woman can afford to be without. They are available in an extensive range of shapes, colours, materials and styles. Whether you want a practical pair of luxurious fleece lined flat nubuck boots, or a black leather pair with heels to lengthen and flatter your legs, there are so many to choose from. Mid-calf boots offer a great alternative if you want a slightly shorter but equally versatile style of boot. They look gorgeous with short or knee high skirts or over an everyday pair of skinny jeans. Opt for ankle boots to make a pair of boot cut trousers into a smart outfit to take you from work into evening. Your choice of heel changes the look of an outfit too - opt for high heels for a glamorous look for a night on the town or a special occasion, low or mid-height for a smart office look or lunch with friends, or flats lined with leather for a comfortable mooch round the shops. Boots look great with up to the minute high fashion or classic styles. It’s up to you.

Finding the right fit is an essential part of every self-respecting boot lover’s search. Many high street boots may look great - until you try them on. They may be the right shoe size for you, but the overall fit on your calves is just as important. High street boots are made to standard measurements - but real women are made to their own unique size!

A pair of ill-fitting boots will ruin an outfit, spoiling the line of your legs and making for an uncomfortable day’s wear. But a well-fitting ladies boot will flatter your shape, elongating your legs and creating a beautiful look, which means that you can step out with confidence. It is a good idea to find a specialist manufacturer or supplier of women’s boots that come in a wide range of calf sizes, so that you can find the style you want in a fit that’s right for you. Length is also an important consideration - a knee-high boot may be too long and uncomfortable for a petite lady, or too short for the Amazons among us. Specialist ladies boot suppliers have a range of lengths and calf fits for every woman, to ensure that the investment you are making in your new boots is one that will pay off for a long time to come.

Hiking may be one of the cheapest, easiest and most enjoyable summer activities. Yet, blisters, arch pain and ankle sprains may keep many from hitting the trails. If you paid $150 for your boots, but continue to develop blisters on every hiking trip, you are most likely in the wrong pair of boots. Many hikers simply can’t afford to buy a new pair of expensive boots every year when last years model didn’t quite work. To see if your boots are ready for another year of hiking, follow these simple tips:

1. Make sure your boot or hiking shoe is rigid. Take the shoe or boot and flip it over. Grab the toe and the heel and try to bend it. If it bends in half, it is too flexible. If you have trouble doing this, place the toe of the shoe on ground, holding the heel and press down. If the shoe collapses on itself, it is too flexible and it won’t be supportive.

2. Make sure the boot isn’t too rigid. The shoe should bend at the toes. This is the area of the foot that bends when pushing off. If the shoe doesn’t bend at all, it may be too rigid. Squeeze the heel of the shoe (called the heel counter). It should be stable and retain its shape, but not collapse. If it doesn’t bend at all it could bee too rigid and cause blisters.

3. Check boots for lumps and bumps. Look inside your old boots. Is the material wearing off at the heel or in the toe area? Is the material folding up or rolling in. These are prime areas for causing blisters. Put your hand all the way inside the boot and make sure the material in the toe area is not worn.

4. Check the insoles. Many think the cushier the insole the more comfortable the hike, but this is not necessarily true. In most cases the foot will be more comfortable in a rigid insole with a soft cover. Many of the spongy, bouncy insoles cause too much movement inside the boot, especially at the heel. This excess movement causes friction, which can lead to blisters. If the boot is still in good shape, but the insole has worn out, you might consider replacing it with a sport orthotic, Superfeet ® are a good choice, instead of buying another hiking boot.

5. Check the sole. Turn the boot over and look at the sole. Look for areas of wear. An even wear pattern with enough tread shows that the sole is ready for another year. If the tread has worn down completely or significantly in one area, it may be time for another pair. Common excessive wear areas are the ball of the foot, the toe area and the heel. It is typical for a little extra wear at the outside of each heel, but it should not be significant or it may lead to an increased chance of ankle sprains. If the wear is on the inside of the heel, you are most likely an overpronator and have worn down the boots. Replace the boots before your next hike.

6. Match your foot type to the boot type. Many boots and hiking shoes are designed for people who overpronate. Pronation means rolling in of your feet. (To understand this concept, stand with your feet parallel and toes forward. Turn your entire body to the left and look over your left shoulder, keeping your feet in place. Your right foot will be rolling in or pronating, while your left foot will be rolling out, or supinating.) Too much pronation can cause many types of foot problems and the majority of people will over pronate. But not everyone. Many individuals supinate or have very stable feet with no abnormal motion. If you do not overpronate, or you have custom orthotics designed to compensate for overpronation, then you do not want a pair of hiking boots or shoes which also control pronation. This will cause you to shift your weight to the outside and the likely result will be pain on the outside of your calves or blisters on the outside of your feet.

7. Make sure the boot stands up straight. Place your boot on a level surface. Stand behind the boot and bring your body down to eye level with the boot, looking at the back of the boot. The heel counter should be straight. The sides of the boot should not bulge from one side or another. Bulging to one side or another means the boot either did not support the abnormal motion in your foot and has worn down, or the boot caused an abnormal motion in your foot. In either case, it has worn down and needs replacement.

8. Check for medial to lateral support. Medial means towards the middle of the body. Lateral means towards the outside of the body. Your big toe is medial and your little toe is lateral. To check for medial to lateral support, stick your hand in your boot and extend your hand out to the toe area. Move your hand medial first and then lateral, trying to move the shoe material from side to side over the sole. If there is a lot of movement, the fabric has worn down and is no longer supportive. Imagine the fabric of the boot holding your foot in place as you go around a corner on a steep trail. When the shoe has very little medial-lateral support, the foot can slide right off the sole of the boot and only be supported by the fabric. This will contribute to blisters, ankle sprains and tendonitis.

9. Check the tongue of the boot. Is the tongue still holding together well? Are there any rips or tears? Is the material folding or rolling up under the tongue? These are simple things that can contribute to blisters when not checked before a trip. Don’t forget to check the laces.

10. See a podiatrist. If you have experienced foot pain, arch pain, heel pain or blistering on your past hiking trips, see a podiatrist before embarking on this year’s trip.

Hiking Shoes Shop

The metallic trend seen in make up and accessories this season extends to shoes. Though there are two main colour schemes: dark naturals and sporty whites and silvers.

The dark natural colours are black which is back but hasn’t taken over, brown is still a big colour this season. Off black colours are on trend too, such as dark purple, midnight blue and charcoal grey.

There is a trend for two tone shoes so while the boot or shoe is darkly coloured it is accented with light or bright colours. Boot tops will be eye catching, contrast stitching will feature as will stretch insets, elaborate zips and metallic buckles. Chilli red, a big colour in clothing this season, will be seen in piping for that contrast look, as will purple, ultramarine and green.

Round toes are back this season, although the retro look still features the square. To contrast with the eye catching embellishments the cut and shape of shoes this season is simple and elegant.

Sporty whites are seen in high tech stretch boots for increased wearability. An almost futuristic look this combines high leg boots with rubber soles and that round toe and prominent embellishments such as zips or buckles.

The metallic look is seen as bronze replaces gold and silver contrasts with autumn green woollens.

Boots are big this season, with a wide choice ranging from high heeled ankle boots to high leg boots. For girly days court shoes with tiny heel and delicate straps can be worn to great effect. Ballerina flats can easily add that glam metallic look to your wardrobe. Platforms for the retro feel and strappy stilettos still have their place. As with clothes and accessories this season, shoes are available in a wide range of colours and styles so be sure to suit your own personal style and have fun.

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