How to Break in Hiking Boots: A Complete Guide
, by Ed Stone, 5 min reading time
But when they’re fresh off the rack, your hiking shoes aren’t ready to make tracks. A brand-new hiking boot needs a bit of training before it can show up for you on the trail. And to train them properly, you need to know how to break in hiking boots. Here’s what to keep in mind the next time you snag a new pair.
Start Small
The best place to begin breaking in your new hiking boots might be the last place you imagined: your home. New hiking boots tend to be stiff, unyielding, and uncomfortable, which means that taking them on a full-scale hike right out of the box is a non-starter.
Instead, the best way to start breaking them in is by wearing them for brief intervals while you perform regular, everyday tasks like cooking or cleaning. If you have stairs at home, consider taking a few trips up and down in your new hiking footwear. This can help speed up the breaking-in process. And since they’re brand new, you won’t have to worry about making a mess or getting mud on your carpet or furniture.
When you break your lightweight hiking boots slowly in a setting where you can kick them off when they become uncomfortable, you smoothly sidestep common new-boot hazards. Brand-new boots can subject your feet to the following when they’re fresh from the box:
- Blisters
- Hotspots
- Discomfort or pain as it takes time to shape to your foot
Next, lace up your boots and go for a local stroll. The paved surfaces of your neighborhood probably don’t resemble the terrains you’ll be traversing in your hiking boots, but a short, low-impact walk around the block can help your boots loosen up.
Go For A Mini Hike
Once you’ve acclimated your new boots to your carpets, tile, and hardwood, and the streets and sidewalks where you live, it’s time to give them a small taste of the adventures awaiting them. That doesn’t mean loading up your rucksack and striking out on a days-long expedition, but it does mean you’re ready for a mini hike.1
For your new boots’ first foray into the great outdoors, be sure to pick a trail that exposes them to the varied terrains you’ll be exploring when your more extensive excursions begin. Your boots will be ready to go anywhere if you gradually introduce them to the following:
- Rough terrain
- Wet terrain
- Inclines
The magic number for how many miles to break in hiking boots fully ultimately depends on your pair. For instance, a high-cut boot could take a couple of weeks or up to 100 miles to feel like they're ready for heavy trail use. Conversely, mid or low-cut boots may take 50-80 miles of break-in time. And full-leather boots will always require more break-in effort than pairs with synthetic sections.2
Remember that you’ll make better headway and find your longer hikes more enjoyable faster if you tackle those miles in small but frequent increments.
Pile On The Pounds
Duration and terrain are two of the biggest challenges your new boots will face, but they aren’t the only ones. When you do take them on longer hikes, you won’t only be asking them to traverse distances and brave the elements. You’ll also be asking them to help you bear the weight of your hiking gear. So after a few mini hikes, it’s time to start packing on the pounds.
With your hiking backpack loaded, go on another mini hike. This is an excellent way to gain a sense of how prepared your boots are to perform under pressure without the risk of stranding yourself in the wild in an uncomfortable pair of boots. It can also help your boots learn the contours of your feet more quickly.3
During this stage, pay close attention to the following aspects:
- Lacing – How you lace up your hiking boots can play a big role in how they treat your feet and ankles. Foot slipping and shifting is an indication that your laces could stand to be a bit tighter. On the other hand, if you experience constricted movement, you may need to loosen them.
- Rubbing – How long does it take to break in the right hiking boots? The timeline can vary depending on the boots and the wearer, but in general, your boots should be worn enough by now that they don’t rub against your feet or pinch your toes. If you experience that on your loaded hike, it means your boots aren’t yet ready for the real deal. In addition, finding the appropriate sock is critical to mitigate rubbing.
If your boots pass the test of the loaded hike, you can consider them ready for more extensive adventuring.
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Sources:
- 1. Backpacker. How to Break in Your New HIking Boots. https://www.backpacker.com/skills/how-to-break-in-your-new-hiking-boots/
- 2. From Your Trails How Many Miles Does It Take To Break In Hiking Boots? | Depends On 6 Different Types. https://fromyourtrails.com/how-many-miles-does-it-take-to-break-in-hiking-boots/
- 3. BootSpy. How to Break in Hiking Boots Fast: 6 SImple Ways. https://bootspy.com/how-to-break-in-hiking-boots/