Hiking boots are an essential piece of gear to consider for anyone heading our hiking or bushwalking. They provide the support and stability needed to tackle rugged terrain and keep your feet comfortable during long hikes. However, even the best hiking boots need to be worn in before they can be completely comfortable and perform at their best. Here’s a few tips on how to break in your hiking boots.
Start slow
When you first get your new hiking boots, it’s important to start off slow. Wear them around the house for a few hours each day to allow your feet to get used to the new shoes. Gradually increase the amount of time you wear them each day over the course of a few days to a week.
Wear them on short hikes
After you’ve worn your hiking boots around the house for a few days, it’s time to take them out on short hikes. Start with a hike that’s no more than a few miles long on a relatively easy trail. This will allow your feet to continue to adjust to the new boots while also giving you a chance to break them in.
Use the right socks
The socks you wear with your hiking boots can make a big difference in how comfortable they feel. Choose socks made from moisture-wicking materials that will keep your feet dry and prevent blisters. Avoid cotton socks, as they tend to hold moisture and can lead to blisters.
Adjust the fit
If your hiking boots are not fitting properly, you may experience discomfort or even pain. Make sure your boots are laced tightly enough to provide support but not so tight that they restrict circulation. Use the lacing technique recommended by the manufacturer to ensure a secure fit. If you have any hot spots or pressure points, consider using moleskin, trekkers wool, or other padding to protect those areas.
Wear them on steep terrain
Once you’ve worn your hiking boots on a few short hikes, it’s time to start wearing them on more challenging terrain. Choose hikes with steeper inclines and rougher terrain to really put your boots to the test. This will help break them in faster and also give you a chance to see how they perform in more difficult conditions.
Keep them clean and dry
Proper maintenance is key to keeping your hiking boots in good condition. After each hike, clean them thoroughly and allow them to air dry. Avoid exposing them to direct heat or sunlight, as this can damage the materials. Regular cleaning and maintenance will help your boots last longer and perform better.
Wearing in your hiking boots is essential to getting the most out of them. Start slow, wear them on short hikes, use the right socks, adjust the fit, wear them on steep terrain, and keep them clean and dry. With these tips, you can break in your hiking boots and enjoy comfortable, supportive footwear on all of your outdoor adventures.
Chris Wells Melissa Hehir Sylvia Hookey Keith’nYvonne Muller
What’s your go-to method for breaking in new hiking boots—do you have any tried-and-true tips to avoid blisters? I’ve been happy with some boots but not others.
Trail Hiking Australia I’ve always found with good boots you hardly need to ‘break them in’ – I just start wearing them and going on walks..Maybe I have magic feet but have never found it an issue.
Simon de Bruyn totally agree. It’s important to get the right boots that suit you. I’ve had plenty of footwear I’ve worn right out of the box without issue. I’ve also had boots that have taken many hikes to soften and break in.
What I have heard and experienced as well, hiking boots made of modern synthetic materials do not require the same extensive break-in period as traditional leather boots.
I have bought Hoka Trail runners twice and Oboz hiking boots twice; none of them needed any wearing in. Depends on your feet and your chosen footwear I guess.
Julie Fidler totally does I think. I’ve worn boots right out of the box, without issue. Others have still given me trouble after months of use. Different footwear suits different feet.
Trail Hiking Australia
Same , i have had two pairs of speed goats and neither needed to be worn in. Neither did my snake boots.
Old school leather boots would actually mould to
your foot shape, and soaking in warm water then lacing up tight with thick socks could help
get the shape.
Modern lined boots don’t tend to change shape as much, so for me it’s about the shape the manufacturer makes. Fit and foot shape can be easy or hard.
Lastly fresh feet can be soft so wearing boots in slowly incremental time periods can help build resilience rather than catastrophic skin blisters.
Darren Hocking great tips.
Can you do a post on the importance of keeping feet dry to prevent blisters? People always say it’s boots, socks, etc but dry feet prevents chafing therefore blisters. I get it – so many posts on hiking websites everywhere focus on gear because that drives revenue. I’m a realist about that not a cynic. But there’s some great practical solutions to things that can’t always be solved by just gear.
Simon de Bruyn here you go. It’s on my website. I don’t focus on gear because of revenue as I don’t get any revenue from it. I post about gear along with a heap of other topics because it’s useful. https://www.trailhiking.com.au/health-and-hygiene/wet-feet-warm-feet-essential-foot-care-for-hikers/