Buying walking boots and waterproofs in the Black Friday sales

Black Friday is on 27 November this year, and walking gear is always heavily discounted around it. The sensible approach is to decide what you need before the sales start, get properly fitted, and only then look for a price. Boots that do not fit are no bargain at any discount, and a jacket bought for its brand rather than its use will spend most of the winter in a cupboard.

Start with the walks you actually do

Look at the last year of walking. If it was mostly field paths, bridleways and village circuits, a flexible walking shoe or a lighter boot will do more for you than a stiff mountain boot. If you walk on rough, rocky ground or carry a heavier pack, more support and a stiffer sole make sense. Our walk at Malham Cove and Gordale Scar is a good example of ground where ankle support earns its weight; the Ridgeway near Wayland's Smithy is not.

Winter adds mud and wet grass, so most people walking in Britain between November and March want something waterproof, with a sole that grips on slick clay. Deep lugs that are spaced apart shed mud better than shallow, closely set patterns.

Getting the fit right

Fit matters more than any feature, and it is the one thing an online discount cannot help with. A few habits make a difference:

• Try boots on in the afternoon, when feet are at their largest.
• Wear the socks you walk in, not thin everyday ones.
• Check there is room to move your toes, and that your heel does not lift much when you walk.
• Walk down a slope if the shop has one. Toes hitting the front on a descent will mean black toenails after a long day.
• Remember that one foot is often bigger than the other. Fit the larger one.

If you buy online, order early enough to try them indoors and send them back if they are not right. That brings in the cancellation rights covered below.

Choosing a waterproof jacket

The things worth checking are taped seams, a hood that turns with your head and has a stiffened peak, pockets you can reach with a rucksack hip belt on, and enough length to cover the top of your trousers. For lowland walking a lighter jacket you will actually carry is better than a heavy one left at home.

Breathable membranes are now common at most prices. They work best when the outer fabric is shedding water, which is where care comes in.

Looking after them through winter

Most waterproof jackets rely on two things: a membrane inside and a durable water repellent (DWR) finish on the outside that makes rain bead and roll off. When the finish wears, the outer fabric soaks up water, the jacket feels clammy, and people assume it has stopped being waterproof.

The GORE-TEX care guidance puts it simply: care should include regular washing, drying and, when needed, reapplying the DWR finish, and you should always follow the manufacturer's instructions on the inside label. The same broad approach suits most other membranes.

For boots, rinse off mud after each walk rather than letting it dry on, stuff them with newspaper to dry away from direct heat, and treat leather with a product the manufacturer recommends. Radiators and fireplaces crack leather and weaken glues.

Your rights if something goes wrong

Sale goods carry the same legal protections as full-price ones. Trading standards guidance summarises the main points under the Consumer Rights Act 2015:

• Within 30 days you can reject faulty goods for a full refund.
• After that, the trader must offer a remedy, such as a repair or replacement, and if that fails you may be entitled to a price reduction or a final right to reject.
• Within six months, a fault is presumed to have been there when you bought the item, unless the trader can prove otherwise. After six months, the burden of proof moves back to you.
• Online or by phone, you may also have a 14-day cancellation period to return goods for any reason, with some exceptions. This is separate from rights over faults.

Your claim is against the retailer you bought from, not the manufacturer, although many brands also offer their own guarantees on top. A boot sole that comes away after a few weeks or a seam that leaks on its first outing is the kind of problem these rights exist for. Wear and tear from heavy use is not a fault, and neither is damage from drying boots on a radiator, so keep the care instructions with the receipt.

If a dispute does not resolve, Citizens Advice or your local trading standards service can explain your options. This piece is general information, not legal advice.

A word on not buying

The cheapest walking kit is the kit you already own, repaired. Boots can often be resoled, a jacket's water repellency can usually be restored with a wash and reproof, and a fleece with a hole in the cuff keeps you just as warm. Good gear lasts for years when it is looked after. If your current boots still fit and grip, they will see you through another winter, and the money can go on bus fares to somewhere new.