While it would be great if your hiking boots were ready to hit the trails straight out of the box, this is not the case. To ensure that your hiking boots are comfortable and that you avoid painful blisters, you need to take the time to break in your boots. With the right approach and a few useful hacks, you can break your boots in quickly so they are ready for the trails as soon as possible.
When you are buying your boots, be sure to try them on and to walk around the store. Many outdoors shops will have ramps and different imitation terrains that you can walk over to get a better feel for how the boots fit when you are walking in them. Choosing a comfortable, well-fitted pair of boots from the outset will make the breaking-in process easier, quicker and pain-free.
Let’s take a look at some helpful tips you can use to break in your new hiking boots so they are ready for your next adventure.
Start Slow
When you are breaking in your new boots, it’s important that you take it slow in the beginning. While you might be eager to wear your boots as much as possible, it’s important that you break them in slowly. Start with wearing them for an hour a few times a day and work your way up to longer periods of time slowly.
Wear Your Boots Regularly
Once your boots start to loosen up a little and you can comfortably wear them for longer periods of time, you should aim to wear them more often. While you might not be going hiking any time soon, you want your boots to be ready when the next opportunity comes up to go hiking. Wear your boots around the house, going to the groceries, picking the kids up from school and any other way that you can to get some time in your new boots.
Extend Your Walks And Add Weight
When you feel comfortable in your boots, you can start trying them out on longer walks. Don’t forget to adjust the lacing and tongue position as required to maximise your comfort when you’re on your feet. Longer family walks or flat walks with mates are ideal opportunities to clock up more time in your boots. The final step will be walking with a backpack, adding a little weight to get the full experience from your new hiking boots.
Be Patient
It can take time to break in a new pair of hiking boots, so be sure to be patient. Rushing the process could result in you getting blisters or sores on your feet, which could keep you on the sidelines for longer than you intended. There are many different factors that go into breaking in a pair of boots from the terrain you walk on, how often you wear them, the loads you carry and your gait.
When you think your boots are ready for action, start with shorter hikes that are half of your usual distance, and once you’re comfortable that your boots are up to the task, you can increase your distance.
Break Your New Boots In For A Better Hiking Experience
When you get your new boots, you will, naturally, want to take them out on the trails as soon as possible. However, if you don’t take the time to break your boots in, you could end up with sore or injured feet that will prevent you from hiking at all. Follow the tips outlined above to break your new hiking boots in properly so that they are as comfortable as possible, allowing you to get the maximum enjoyment out of your hikes going forward.
