If you’re new to hiking or just looking for an upgrade, it’s important to choose the right shoe. But even the best hiking shoes can take some time to break in. Here are a few tips to help you break in your new shoes quickly and painlessly. With a little bit of time and effort, you’ll be breaking in your new hiking shoes in no time!
It’s hard to know How to Break in Hiking Shoes Quickly? so you don’t get blisters and sore feet on your hike. A lot of people end up not breaking in their hiking shoes properly, which leads to a lot of pain and discomfort on the hike.
There’s nothing worse than buying a new pair of hiking shoes, only to find out that they’re excruciatingly uncomfortable and need to be “broken in” before you can wear them. Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks that can help speed up this process. In this blog post, we’ll outline the best ways to break in hiking shoes quickly – so you can hit the trails sooner rather than later!
How to Break in Hiking Shoes Quickly
You’ve found the ideal pair of boots. They are a good fit, feel just right, were not overly pricey, and are also fashionable (punt intended). You still have some work to do, though; it’s time to break in those boots.
Breaking in a pair of boots won’t make a poor choice into a good one. You need to choose boots that are correct for you. After that is taken care of, the next step toward ensuring that you and your new hiking boots have many years of comfort ahead of you is to break them in.
Here are some suggestions:
1. Wear Them Around the House
This is the best way to start breaking in your new boots without too much discomfort. Put them on and walk around inside your house, do some chores, run up and down the stairs; anything to get your feet used to be in the boots. After an hour or two, your feet will likely be a bit sore, so take the boots off and give your feet a rest. Repeat this process for a few days until your feet are no longer sore after wearing the boots around the house.
2. Take Them for a Spin Outside
Now that you’ve broken in the boots around the house, it’s time to take them for a test drive outside. Start with a short walk around the block, then work your way up to longer walks or hikes. Remember to go slowly at first and listen to your body; if you start to experience pain, take a break or call it quits for the day.
3. Wear Them With Thick Socks
As you’re breaking in your boots, you may find that wearing thicker socks helps to reduce friction and prevent blisters. Once the boots are broken in, you can switch back to thinner socks if you prefer.
4. Use Moleskin or Band-Aids
If you do get a blister, a moleskin or a band-aid can help to protect it while you continue to break in your boots. Just be sure to change the moleskin or band-aid regularly to prevent infection.
5. Condition the Leather
If your boots are made of leather, conditioning them regularly will help to extend their life and keep them looking good. This is especially important if you live in a dry climate or if you’ll be doing a lot of hiking in hot weather.
Breaking in new boots doesn’t have to be a painful process. With a little bit of time and effort, you can have a comfortable pair of boots that will last for years. So get out there and start exploring!
How to Break in Hiking Boots at Home?
Wearing your boots around the house is the best way to start breaking them in. Put them on and walk around, do some chores, go up and down the stairs; anything to get your feet used to in the boots. After an hour or two, your feet will likely be a bit sore, so take the boots off and give your feet a rest. Repeat this process for a few days until your feet are no longer sore after wearing the boots around the house. You can also try wearing them with thicker socks to reduce friction and prevent blisters. Once the boots are broken in, you can switch back to thinner socks if you prefer.
If you do get a blister, a moleskin or a band-aid can help to protect it while you continue to break in your boots. Just be sure to change the moleskin or band-aid regularly to prevent infection. Conditioning the leather regularly will also help to extend the life of your boots and keep them looking good. This is especially important if you live in a dry climate or if you’ll be doing a lot of hiking in hot weather.
Once you’ve got the boots at home, put them on (as well as your hiking socks, of course) and go for a walk around the house. If you feel any stiffness at first, take some time to make sure they’re laced properly and that your foot is correctly positioned with the tongue set as it should be.
How to Break in Hiking Boots Outdoors
Take them for a walk around the block, then work your way up to longer walks or hikes. Remember to go slowly at first and listen to your body; if you start to experience pain, take a break or call it quits for the day. Wearing them with thicker socks can also help to reduce friction and prevent blisters.
If everything seems to be in working order (with the exception of a little stiffness, which is natural), go out and explore some unpaved surfaces, such as fields and footpaths, if you can. Traverse difficult ground deliberately. Gradually extend your distances over time. Try different sock pairs to determine which works best for you and experiment with different lacing techniques.
After a few weeks, your boots should be well on their way to being broken in, and you can start using them for longer hikes and backpacking trips. Remember to clean and condition them regularly, and they should last for years to come.
Things to Watch Out For
Blisters are a serious bummer. There’s nothing that will ruin your day faster while on a trip. A bear or crocodile may come close, but not much more. Heat, pressure, dampness, or any combination of these factors can contribute to blisters.
1. Heat and Pressure
The primary cause of blisters is heat and pressure. The more time you spend walking in boots, the greater the chance of developing a blister. When your foot rubs against the inside of your boot, it creates friction, which produces heat. This can happen even if your boots fit properly; it’s just a natural result of rubbing. The heat softens your skin, which makes it more vulnerable to the pressure of your foot inside the boot.
To prevent blisters, make sure to wear socks that fit well and don’t slide around inside your boots. Also, be sure to break in your boots gradually so that your feet have time to get used to them. Wearing a moleskin or a band-aid on areas that are prone to blisters can also help.
2. Moisture
Another blister-causing culprit is moisture. When your feet sweat, the moisture can make your skin more vulnerable to the friction of your boots. This is why it’s important to choose socks that wick away moisture and keep your feet dry. If your feet do get sweaty, take a break and let them air out for a bit before putting your boots back on.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to break in hiking shoes?
No matter what type of boots you’re going to wear, the process of breaking them in can vary greatly. Some of the more modern lightweight hiking shoes require little to no breaking in at all. Some traditional leather boots, on the other hand, often require a considerable amount of time.
How do you break in hiking boots in a day?
Wear them around the house, work the leather, flex the sole, try leather conditioner, use a boot stretcher, don’t use a hair dryer, go for some short walks, go for a hike with a loaded pack, and do a workout with them.
How do you break in hiking boots overnight?
Take care of your boots before going outside. Have your feet warm and comfy so that they can keep up with you on the trail. Tie your boots snugly, but not too tightly. Walk around the block and around town. Make sure your feet feel good at each stage before walking farther. Keep your boots loose and comfortable until you’re ready to hit the trail. Put on a backpack and start hiking.
How many steps does it take to break in hiking boots?
After about 1-2 weeks, or about 3-5 hikes, your boots should be fully broken in and you can start using them to their full potential
Conclusion
Have you ever had a bad experience with How to Break in Hiking Shoes Quickly? Breaking in hiking shoes doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out process. In fact, you can do it relatively quickly if you know how. By following these simple tips, your feet will thank you for the comfortable hike ahead.
There is no secret to breaking into your hiking boots. Take your time and do it right the first time. On the trail, a little hot spot or pinch point can rapidly become a serious problem. Gradually work up to larger excursions as you gain confidence in your footwear. Please feel free to share any methods you have used for breaking in your hiking boots.
