What is sympatex?

Apart from being comfortable and well fitting what 4 other features would you look for in a good walking boot?

1 Material of Construction Leather is the traditional material for construction for boots. It is water-resistant and allows your feet to 'breathe'. Periodically, you may need to wax leather boots or treat with water-resistant spray to restore the water resistance - particularly on stitched areas which may start to leak over time. The thickness of the leather will affect the feel of the boot as well as its warmth. Some boots have a waterproof lining made from Gore-Tex®, Sympatex or something similar. Whilst the lining will enhance the water-proofness, it will also make your feet hotter. Boots available in fabric materials are often lighter-weight than leather alternatives. 2 The Upper Should be flexible enough to ensure comfort but provide protection for your toes and ankle if you plan to walk on rougher terrain. The sides of the boot should be high enough to support your ankle. The heel 'cup' must provide support so that heel doesn't move too much over rough terrain. Internal stiffening around the heel & toe will provide protection. Check both by pressing between finger and thumb. The stiffer the boot the more suitable it will be for more rugged walking. A good scree cuff (the padded section that surrounds the top of the ankle) and a padded tongue joined to the upper along its entire length will prevent small stones, debris and water from getting inside the boot. 3 Sole The sole should be 'treaded' to ensure a good grip and made from a material that offers good adhesive properties - like rubber. PVC should be avoided. You should also check out the cushioning offered by the boot - generally speaking the more cushioning there is the better particularly for walking on granite (eg in the Lake District) or on tarmac. If you intend backpacking, then try the boots out wearing a fully loaded pack. 4 Flexibility Squeeze the sides of the upper - the stiffer this is the more suitable the boot is for more challenging walking. Likewise you should consider the stiffness of the sole/midsole. You can do this by flexing the boot: firstly toe to heel (to check longitudinal flexibility) then by holding the heel still and rotating the toe (to check lateral flexibility). The more resistance there is to bending in either case, the more suitable is the boot for walking on rocky ground, or in snow or ice with crampons.