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Proper clothing is essential to the woodsman.
1. Footwear:
Your feet carry you in the woods, and it is especially important that you have proper fitting footwear. Seems like a simple thing, right? It is, but I am constantly surprised at how many woodsmen overlook this important basic.
Do not buy cheap boots, such as Hi-Tech. I have a pair of Rocky boots and a pair of Timberlands. When I broke my ankle, they wanted to cut off the Rocky boot, and I wouldn’t let them- despite the horrible pain when they pulled the boot off. The Rocky boots were just that good.
Your boots should give you room to spread your toes a little in the toebox. They should also be large enough to wear a thick wool sock and a thin liner sock. DON'T wear cotton socks for serious hiking or hunting- its a good way to get blisters and smelly, sweat-soaked feet.
I recommend SmartWool outer socks and PowerSox inner liner. The important thing about SmartWool socks is that they are mostly wool content, but they do not shrink with washing. The PowerSox liners are $3.99 a pair at Big 5 sporting goods, and SmartWool run $12. to $14. a pair, but I urge you to make this investment. A good place to buy online is REI Sporting Goods, but by searching in Dogpile or Metacrawler, using the keyword SmartWool or PowerSox, you may be able to find them cheaper.
Also, treat your leather boots with SnoSeal before hiking, especially in spring when the grass will be dew-wet every morning.
With the proper foot gear, you will hike longer and more comfortably. Make sure you start out with the right stuff from the ground up.