You bought your favorite pair of waterproof hiking boots years ago, and they've protected your feet while providing miles of excellent hiking, fantastic backpacking and camping, and some unforgettable memories. But they're getting a little worn, cracking a little, and you've replaced the inners and even re-glued the soles a few times. To find the Best Hiking Boot, click here

They've become a part of your family, have treated you well, and you're wondering if it's time to replace them, but you're not sure if they're ready for the trash heap just yet. So, how do you know when it's time to replace your favorite hiking boots? We'll do our best to answer that question here.

The first thing to think about is the boot sole. Is the sole losing its grip? Are you slipping more than you used to and finding it more difficult to stay on slippery surfaces that you used to be able to cling to almost like a fly? You understand the significance of having good traction. Without that traction, staying on those rocks and other smooth surfaces will be much more difficult. This can lead to a variety of issues, so you need soles that grab the surface and hold when you need them to. Are the soles becoming smooth and worn? If so, it's time to get new boots.

In addition, are the soles actually wearing down and losing their thickness? Do you feel small stones and pebbles more than usual when you walk on them? Do your feet bottoms feel achy and sore after a long day of walking? If so, don't be shy. Get a new pair of hiking boots because your old ones are losing their comfort and protection qualities, which is why you bought them in the first place, right?

Do you notice that when you cross shallow water or climb on sandy hills, more debris begins to seep into your boots, requiring you to stop and change socks or empty your boots more frequently? This means that the scree collar padding is wearing thin and is no longer able to keep out the "stuff" that it once did. The scree collar cannot be simply replaced. My friend, it's time to think about getting another pair of hiking boots.

Remember when you first got your boots and you never, or only rarely, got blisters or hot spots? They were extremely comfortable, and you could walk for extremely long distances without feeling an itch, blistering, or foot fatigue. If you're getting blisters or hot spots on your feet, it's a sign that the inner surfaces of your boots are thinning out and no longer provide the protection and padding that they once did. The foot bed liners can only be changed so many times. When the padding beneath the foot bed begins to wear out and break down, it's time to replace the boots.

In a similar vein, when those padded linings that have served you so well start to cause tenderness (or worse) even after short hikes, they've seen their best days and are trying to tell you it's time to let them go. These built-in linings are not replaceable. Change to a new pair.

When the seams that used to keep water and other debris out begin to split and come loose, this is one of the most obvious signs that it is time to replace. Yes, you can take them to a shoe repair shop and hope that they can extend the life of the boots, but keep in mind that this does not always work or even worsens the situation. To begin, they must completely remove all threading from the seams, insert waterproof glue, and then re-sew new seams. This frequently results in small holes in the uppers that allow water to seep in. Furthermore, when new threads are sewn in, the possibility of new hot spots increases due to changes in pressure and suture rubbing. You certainly do not want this. You can have the old hikers repaired and then use them around the house to mow the lawn or work in the garden, but they are no longer suitable for long hikes.

Everyone hates to give up the things they love, and we often form a loving relationship with truly excellent hiking boots that have served us well for so long, but when they're ready to go, don't try to wring any more life from them. Allow them to die with dignity.