Picking the right outdoor sports gear is important

Proper gear fit can mean the difference between loving a sport and hating it.

From footwear to backpacks and everything in between, your gear can help you get where you are going, or impede your progress with blisters, muscle pain and overuse injuries.The most important factor when choosing your gear is fit.

Street shoe size is usually a good starting point to help a sales person begin the fitting process for boots and shoes. But it is only a starting point. You might go up a size or two in a running shoe or down a size or two in a climbing shoe. And each brand fits a little differently. Shoes are made with different molds, and you will naturally be drawn to a brand that uses a shape similar to your foot.

There's also a direct relationship between the feel of a backpack or climbing harness and the fit. People who sell sporting gear have tricks to help you fit the gear and there are even special measuring devices to help you with backpacks and ski boots. Here's a short guide to help you start your fitting process and get the right fit.

Hiking boots:

One of the best tests for hiking boot fit is to kick the ground with your toe, according to Karen Kovaly, who works at Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder, Colo.

If your toe hits the front of the boot, you will have established what the boot will do on a downhill hike. If it hits the front, chances are good you'll get black toenails or at least big blisters.

When fitting hiking boots, you can start with street shoe size, but you'll probably go a half-size bigger to accommodate a thick sock or a two-layer sock system. Kovaly looks for a snug fit, so the foot doesn't slide forward and the heel doesn't lift up. But there must also be room to wiggle toes.

Another way of fitting hiking boots is the two-finger system. Push your toe to the front of the boot in an unlaced boot and put two fingers in the back of the boot. If two fingers fit, then there should be ample room for your foot.

Kovaly recommends buying a pair of insoles for added support. Not all hiking boots have great footbeds and arch support, she said, and when you're out for long days with a heavy load, the extra support is welcome relief for the feet.

Climbing shoes:

If you're looking for an all-around climbing shoe, one that will work at local climbing areas and in the climbing gym, find something that's comfortable.