How to Properly Break In New Hiking Boots

You've just bought a pair of hiking boots. You followed all the right advice - chose a pair that fit snugly over one pair of hiking socks, laced them up correctly, and walked around the store in them. Now you're ready to hit the trails, right? Not necessarily.

Standard hiker wisdom dictates that unless you want to end your hike with weeping blisters, you'll need to break your boots in. The amount of time depends on your hiking intentions and the quality of your boots. These days, specialty boots are designed to be as "out of the box" as possible. Many are flexible and much lighter weight than traditional leather mountaineering boots. For hikers who intend to put in a half-day hike on a well-graded trail, a pair of quality lightweight boots and a few weeks of preparation may be enough. However, a mountaineering or heavy backpacking shoe will probably require at least a month to soften up the leather.

Experienced hikers have tricks to break boots in quickly. Some apply mink oil daily, others swear by the Army method of fully immersing booted feet in water and walking in them until they are dry. The best method is still brief daily use. By walking in your boots a bit every day, the uppers will naturally wear to the shape of your foot, and soles will wear to your gait. First, boot up with proper socks and lacing. Then, walk around your house for a bit - no more than an hour. Note any "hot spots" on your feet. These are the areas that may develop into blisters if not taken care of properly. Some stores will soften boots for you, but it's just as easy to do it yourself. Apply a little mink oil to the leather, and then rub it repeatedly with the end of a walking stick or a hard-handled tool. Put the boots back on and let the leather accommodate your foot. Once you've worn the boots around your house for a week without any chafe, start wearing them on short walks. Again, pay attention to your feet and stop as soon as you feel any hot spots or areas of friction. You may decide to adjust your lacing a bit, or try different socks. It's best to wear one pair of socks that wick moisture away from your feet, but some hikers prefer to wear two pairs. The added pair provides a friction buffer. If you plan on backpacking, it's a good idea to start wearing your pack after a week of daily walks. A backpack will not only contribute to total weight distribution within your boots; it will change your posture and gait. Wearing a pack will give you (and your feet) a chance to get used to the changes.

Done properly, the process of breaking in a pair of boots will save your feet from blisters. But it would be foolish not to add moleskin to your first aid kit. Moleskin applied over a hot spot will help prevent blisters. But what happens if blisters form despite every precaution? Believe it or not, a small patch of duct tape over the offending area will serve as an emergency bandage until you're able to stop and properly treat the blister.

A great pair of hiking boots is worth the money. But properly broken in boots are priceless. You'll be more comfortable, and your hike will be more enjoyable. Enjoy yourself, be safe, and happy hiking!