The comfort of your hiking shoes will greatly affect how much you enjoy the hike itself. How to break in hiking boots perfectly？Unfortunately, a brand-new pair of hiking boots won’t offer that comfort at first because they’ll be too stiff. Before you wear your boots on any significant hikes, break them in gradually.
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How To Break In Hiking Boots?
Shop Carefully
Start with a pair of boots that fit you. Find the last one that works best for you and make sure they fit. Different brands and styles use different lasts. Check out our list of top hiking boots for men and women, or any of our other buying guides for more help. If you prefer lighter shoes, you can also check out our guide to the best walking shoes for women and the best walking shoes for the whole ensemble.
You’ll feel more comfortable the first time you wear faux leather boots. While leather boots may be uncomfortable initially, they will fit your foot and hold the shape better than synthetic boots.
Wear It Around The House
Just walk around the house in boots and walking socks. Wear them during daily chores like cooking, watching TV, washing dishes, and cleaning. By forcing the boot to move with your foot as you walk, the heat from your body will soften the material. The upper will begin to wrinkle behind the toes and around the ankle, and the sole will curve under the ball of the foot. Since you haven’t worn your boots outside yet, you can still return them if you find that the size you ordered is incorrect.
Processing Leather
Full-grain leather, such as that found in hiking boots, takes longer to soften than other types of leather. However, waxing and handling will soften all leathers faster. Use your fingers to apply the wax to the flexion points behind your ankles and toes. After that, grab the boot and bend it with your hand. In addition, this will help the sole become softer, which is crucial as rigid soles can cause heel lift.
Take Short Walks
Your boots will get softer as you move around the house, but that doesn’t mean you walk a lot. Putting on hiking boots to run errands like the store is the next step to breaking in.
This is an excellent opportunity to experiment with various lacing techniques. Try tight lower LACES and loose upper LACES, and vice versa, as the ankle hook between the upper and lower LACES will lock up any slack between the two sets. See what provides you with the ideal balance of comfort, contact, and stability. After several hours of cumulative walking in this manner, your boots should have softened and adapted to your natural gait.
Takes Longer Walks
When short trips to shops or other places with boots become more comfortable, increase the length of your short trips bit by bit. Spend 20 to 30 minutes walking around every night. If your feet feel good on the weekend, take advantage of the weekend to take a long hike in the nearby park. For the next week, take an extra 10 to 15 minutes of walking every night. Pay attention to gradually increase the time of each walk, so that you won’t stagger in the vast wilderness.
Simulate The Rise
Since the footpath is usually not as flat as the sidewalk, you should wear boots on the cross-country road. Find some shorter mountains and let them finish climbing. When your boots lose hardness, walk on rough ground and test how they deal with uneven surfaces. If you often carry a backpack when hiking, now carry the weight you usually carry when hiking.
Until You Wear Them All Day
Gradually increase the number of times you use your boots every day until you can wear them comfortably all day. At this point, think they are breaking in! Only use them when hiking, so you won’t wear them out because you use them casually.
Customize Your Boots If Necessary
If you continue to experience the same pain in the same place and show no signs of improvement, take your boots to a store that specializes in hiking equipment. Ask their shoemaker for help. Describe the pain, ask what methods and/or modifications can be done to alleviate it, and understand the main factors that cause the pain so that you know what to pay attention to when buying shoes in the future.
How Long Do Hiking Boots Take To Break In?
Depending on the style of boots you have and the amount of exertion your hikes will require, breaking in hiking boots can take anywhere from one to four weeks. There is minimal to no break-in time needed for some of the more recent lightweight hiking shoes. Conversely, classic leather boots frequently take a little longer. (To learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of each kind of footwear, visit Hiking Boots vs. Hiking Shoes. Typically, it takes a week or two to break in your hiking shoes if you stick to short, easy day treks.
Why Do You Wear Hiking Boots Before You Buy Them?
Put your feet in the boots you want to buy and see how they feel. You may immediately find that they are too narrow for your feet, or that the cut in the cuffs causes discomfort – problems that no amount of wearing can solve, so keep your eyes open and try a different model or brand.
Why Are You Reading Hiking Boot Instructions?
Honestly, no one likes to do this, but believe it or not, reading the booklet that comes with the boot can fix problems before they arise. Instructions can include specific advice on how to put on the accompanying boots, as well as other tips on how to make the most of the new style, such as how to waterproof hiking boots or how to lace up hiking boots.
When You’re Not Wearing Hiking Boots
How you treat your boots when you’re not wearing them is just as important as when you’re wearing them. Explanation: It’s not enough to kick them out and shove them in your closet. After all, you’ve invested in boots that protect your feet. If you protect them too, they will last longer. Now, just make sure they stay clean and upright. We’ll go into more detail next week. On your third jaunt, you’ll most likely want to find some way to get on the real thing in your freshly worn boots. Why not join a local walking tour?
Conclusion
The most modern hiking boots are miles ahead of the full-leather, cardboard-stiff boots of yesteryear. Back then, breaking in your boots took a lot longer and was just as difficult at home as it was on the trail. Modern boots still need some breaking in, especially more rigid winter ones, despite advancements in technology, design, and construction.
Your feet and your hiking boots will become fast friends if you use our tried-and-true advice. Similar methods apply to all outdoor footwear, from approach shoes to trail running shoes, but with full-on boots, the repercussions of not breaking these items in are less severe.