Camping in rain, dealing with insects, and breaking in new hiking boots are just some of the things we’d rather not have to deal with when on a hiking trip. A lengthy trek is coming, and we don’t have time or memory of breaking them in will be required.
Nevertheless, before we get into how long to break in hiking boots, it’s important to point out that the appropriate hiking boots don’t need any breaking in period. You shouldn’t have any blisters since they’re already in good condition.
Correct Hiking Boots Don’t Need Much Break-In Time
Finding the “correct” hiking boots online may be quite difficult. The Merrell Moab 2 Vent hiking shoes had a lot of positive user ratings, so you may decide to buy a pair and see whether they were as comfy as they claim to be.
It would be much better if you went to a respected hiking shop and bought your boots there rather than on Amazon.com. When shopping for hiking boots, ask a clerk for guidance, and don’t be afraid to try on many pairs to discover the one that’s ideal for you.
Take a few minutes to walk about the shop in the shoes you’ve chosen to evaluate how they feel – is the toebox broad enough, are they loose enough in the ankles, do your feet remain in the same spot, etc. Your feet will appreciate you later if you get the “correct” hiking footwear.
Despite the fact that “good enough” hiking boots may be broken in and made more comfortable over time, they’ll never compare to the “perfect” hiking boots for your specific foot shape.
How Long To Break In Hiking Boots?
In only a few days, you can easily break in a new pair of hiking boots with a little effort. However, you run the risk of blisters and potentially shortening the life of your new hiking boots if you do this. New hiking boots often need anywhere from 1-4 weeks to break in properly without developing blisters.
If you’ve never worn new hiking boots before, they’ll take longer to break in than boots that have already been used and broken in. Breaking into your shoes is an essential part of the training process. Blister-prone regions such as the outside of your pinkies will get thicker as a result of trekking regularly. A fresh pair of hiking boots will be considerably more bearable for someone whose feet have previously been broken in, and who is less likely to suffer from blisters.
It’s preferable to break them in properly if you have time, but if your long-distance trip is just around the corner, you’ll have to break them in fast if you don’t want to risk blisters, so you’ll need to do so.
The Correct Way Of Breaking In: 1 To 4 Weeks
You must take your time while breaking in your hiking boots in order to avoid damaging them. The first time you put on your hiking boots, use them around the home, to the shop, or while walking your dog. Do this for a couple of weeks to allow the insole and fabric padding all around the boot to mold to your feet’s specific form and contour. To avoid blisters, use your hiking socks rather than ordinary socks. This is unlikely to cause blisters on your feet.
The moment has come to put your new boots to the test on the trail after a few days of use. Beginners should begin with shorter hikes (between 3 and 8 kilometers/miles) and work their way up. Carry a hefty pack that you’d typically wear on multi-day walks, wear some hiking socks, and choose a difficult path with lots of hills, rocks, and roots to imitate the proper hiking conditions.
Step two requires that you pay special attention to any areas of your foot that may be causing you discomfort. As soon as you see any swelling or bruising, make a pit stop and examine the affected region. Laces may have been overly tight around the heel or toebox of your boots, causing discomfort.
You may be wearing socks that are excessively thick. Instead of allowing blisters to develop, cover the hot place with leuko tape, moleskin, or bandages if that’s the source of the irritation. After a couple of weeks or around three treks, your boots should be comfortable enough to use.
The Quick Way Of Breaking In: 1 To 3 Days
Breaking in your hiking boots in the right manner is essential if you want to get the most out of them in terms of comfort and longevity. However, it’s also possible to get your hiking boots ready for your next hike using the second, far faster method.
Getting your hiking boots wet and then hiking in them until they’re dry is a tried and true method for swiftly breaking them in. When hiking boots become wet, they’ll break in considerably faster since they’ll be able to alter form more quickly.
Make sure you soak your new hiking boots for around 15 minutes in warm water in order to get the greatest results from this method. Performing this one or two times will have the same effect as properly breaking in your hiking boots.
These methods do have a few drawbacks, though. To begin with, if your boots are entirely submerged, they may get destroyed. In spite of the fact that a decent pair of hiking boots should not be harmed when wet, water-proofing is typically reduced and in some cases may even be ruined.
You’ll also most likely acquire blisters if you use this approach. Blisters may be minimized by wearing thick merino wool socks and applying waterproof moleskin to the areas most prone to blisters.
Breaking In Hiking Boots Without Getting Blisters
- Keep a close eye on how your feet feel. Re-tying the laces and using moleskin and leuko tape to the area that is causing discomfort is a good first step.
- Wear socks that are thicker and more breathable, such as merino wool socks. Don’t overdo it when it comes to sizing your socks.
- When you come to a halt, remove your shoes, give your feet a chance to air out, and check for blisters.
- Socks that become wet should be changed to dry ones as soon as possible.
Conclusion
Hiking boots don’t break in quickly, no matter how much we’d want it to be otherwise. To avoid blisters and shorten the lifetime of your new hiking boots, you should avoid dry-walking in moist hiking boots. If you have time before your next trek, you should properly break in your new hiking boots, which should take 1-4 weeks.
