MaterialsFootwear materials determine the weight. The lighter the footwear, the less energy it takes per step. Unfortunately, lightweight materials tend to wear out quickly, so there’s a trade-off between more durable and heavier materials that last longer and lighter materials with a shorter life.

Shoe uppers are typically made from leather, mesh or synthetic material. When well looked after, leather is the most durable, but it's the heaviest and most expensive. Synthetic materials are also strong, and lighter, but not as breathable as mesh, which is the lightest, but least durable upper.

Rubber soles are common. Additives such as carbon are sometimes used to increase the hardness of the sole, such as in mountaineering boots. In general, the harder and sturdier the sole, the more expensive the boot is, and the longer it will last.

Modern laces are made from synthetic fibres such as nylon, textured polyester, spun polyester and polypropylene, which are inexpensive and lightweight. Synthetic laces tend to be more slippery and hence more likely to come undone than traditional materials such as hemp, jute and cotton.

Waterproof boots are only waterproof until the walker steps in a creek, river, or puddle higher than the height of the boot. In such cases the boot fills with water, becomes heavy and uncomfortable. When crossing rivers it's advantageous to have footwear that allows water to easily enter and leave. However, in cold and wet environments such as alpine regions, such footwear fails to keep feet warm. In these conditions, waterproof boots are preferable to running shoes. When

walking in wet conditions for a long time, perhaps several hours, no bushwalking footwear is waterproof.

Leather is naturally water-resistant. If kept in good condition and treated well to avoid cracks and drying out, leather can be effective for a long time. Wax maximises waterproofness. Treatments for Nubuck and suede are available, with different re-proofing products required. Fabric boots may be made more water resistant by regularly applying the correct product, although due to mud and dirt getting into the material they tend to degrade faster than leather boots.

Sandshoes, Vollies or Vibram shoes are non-waterproof, and tend to wear out more quickly than heavier leather or fabric boots. On walks with multiple river crossings in close proximity, lighter footwear is best. A light shoe or sandal may be useful if there are many river crossings and you want to keep the main footwear dry.

A thick, rigid sole provides foot support, thicker materials keep feet warm and dry in cold and wet conditions, and boots are more durable than other footwear. The downside of boots is that they are heavy, they don't breathe as well as lighter footwear, breaking in is necessary, they cost more ($250-450), and some people find boots uncomfortable.

Synthetic bootsSynthetic boots have much the same advantages and disadvantages as leather boots but are generally a little lighter and more comfortable.

Low-cut walking boots, sports shoesThese are half-way between a hiking boot and a running shoe. Low-cut walking boots are generally made with the same material as synthetic boots, the sole is thicker and more rigid than a sports shoe, and the ankle is still cut low. Sports shoes generally have very low ankle support and are made from thin materials. Because of the rubber sole, Dunlop Vollies are very good for creek walking and canyoning, but have a shorter life than was formerly the case.

Being lighter they're comfortable and at $50-200 are much more affordable than boots. However, you may need 10 pairs to last

as long as a pair of boots. Disadvantages include the short life. and the low-cut ankles allows detritus to build up inside, even with gaiters.

Leather boots need breaking in, particularly near the front of the boot, the sides and the heel. Keep this in mind when fitting leather.

Custom fittingEveryone’s feet are slightly differently shaped, and it can be challenging finding footwear to work for some types of feet. There are a few tricks that can help improve fits for some common foot types.

Narrow foot: Use a thicker insole or try a different lacing technique.

Narrow heel: Try woman’s footwear as they tend to have a slightly narrower heel

Wide foot: Try a men’s footwear as they tend to be wider. Alternatively, change the lacing technique to remove pressure on the front of the footwear.

High instep: Put in additional arch support on the insole.

Repairs and adjustmentBasic repairs and adjustments may give an old pair of boots or shoes a new lease of life. As long as the soles are not too worn and the upper material is still in good condition, it’s worth tweaking a few things to make footwear last longer.

Laces stretch and wear out over time; new laces have better grip and may hold the foot more strongly in place. Insoles wear thin and degrade over time; a new thicker insole improves support by providing a tighter fit. An extra insole should lock the foot tightly, and may stop the heel from slipping. Note that the fit should be snug, not tight. Socks wear out over time, so replace when they are worn.

EthicsIt’s easy to consider bushwalking as a low-impact pastime, especially when following Leave No Trace principles, but in an increasingly global economy, it’s common for bushwalking gear to be produced in other countries. Bushwalking gear often travels half-way around the world before it's sold. Hence, the environmental and social impacts

of where and how gear is produced must be included when calculating the true impact of a pastime such as bushwalking.

In the last 20 years, more and more major footwear and clothing companies have been accused of exploiting workers in third world countries, typically unfair pay and working conditions. Companies have also used materials damage human health and the environment.