Hiking Made Easy – Do you want to know how long does it take to break in hiking boots? If so, then this article is for you.
It will take about 1 to 4 weeks to break in hiking boots without any issue. However, some people expect to break in hiking boots within a few days, and it is possible.
But if you make a lot of effort to break in quickly, you may end up having blisters. It will also reduce the overall reduce the life span of your hiking boots. So, it is better to take things easy and break in your hiking boots in 1 to 4 weeks without any blisters.
Breaking in a new pair of hiking boots relies on how well the new boots fit your feet, what materials they’re built from, and whether or not your feet have already been used to them. To be precise, you must also break in your feet.
Yes, you read it right! If you hike on a regular basis, your skin will develop thicker in the regions where you get blisters most frequently, such as the outside of your pinkies and the inside of your fingers.
Someone who has previously broken in their hiking boots will have a lot more comfortable experience with fresh new hiking boots and will be less likely to suffer blisters as a result.
In order to get the most out of your journey, we recommend breaking them in slowly. However, if your hike is arriving soon, you won’t have much choice but to break them in quickly, which may result in a few blisters.
So, it was all about how long does it take to break in hiking boots. Let’s move to the next part of this article.
No Need To Break In Right Hiking Boots
Prior to discussing how you should break in your hiking boots, it’s important to note that the proper hiking boots do not require any break-in time at all!
They should already be in the proper form, and you should not have any blisters on the first day of wearing them.
We’ve had a similar experience with the Merrell Moab 2 Ventilator hiking shoes, which we recommend. No breaking was required, and we didn’t have any blisters.
Finding the “proper” hiking boots, on the other hand, maybe quite difficult, especially if you’re buying online.
When purchasing boots online, try to read the customer reviews to see whether the vast majority of individuals who have purchased them have stated that they are comfortable with their purchase.
Buy boots in person from a respected hiking business that provides excellent customer service would be a far superior alternative than buying online.
Inquire with a store staff for assistance in selecting the appropriate hiking boots, and be sure to try on many different kinds to determine which ones are the most comfortable for you.
Walking about the store in them for a few minutes to check how they feel is a good way to determine whether they are comfortable.
Is the toebox broad enough? Are they loose enough around the ankles? Do your feet stay in the same spot rather than slipping forward, and so on.
So, it was all about how long does it take to break in hiking boots.
You’ll thank yourself later if you get the “perfect” hiking footwear. While “good enough” hiking boots can be broken in and made more comfortable over time.
They will never be as excellent as the “perfect” hiking boots for the form of your unique feet that are designed just for you.
How to break in hiking boots – 5 Effective Hacks
Breaking in a boot refers to the process of softening the fabric and sole of the boot and causing it to fold in the same manner as your foot does.
The boot will gradually mold to your foot; as a result, making it more comfortable over time. In its most basic version, you’re simply going on a series of walks, each of which is somewhat longer than the one before it and so on.
However, while many “light” boots, such as soft synthetic boots, will feel comfortable right away, they will still have hot spots, which can be alleviated by wearing them in for a while. This article contains our top methods for efficiently breaking in hiking boots.
Wear Them Everywhere In The House
Put on your hiking boots and socks and take a few laps around the house. They’re appropriate for dinner, while you’re watching television, and while you’re performing your typical household chores, like washing dishes and cleaning the house.
So, in this way, you will know how long does it take to break in hiking boots.
In order for the boot to move in sync with your foot, you will need to move about a lot. The heat will soften the materials.
You will notice that the sole begins to bend where your foot flexes (below the ball of your foot), and the upper will begin to wrinkle behind and around your toes.
If you notice that you’ve purchased the incorrect size at this stage, you may still return the boots because you haven’t taken them outdoors yet.
Get To Know Your Leather
Full-grain leather (such as that seen in hiking boots) takes longer to soften than other types of leather. However, with wax and manipulation, any leather will soften much more quickly.
Work the wax into the flexion points behind the toes and on the ankle with your fingertips as you go.
Then, using both hands, grasp hold of the boots and flex them a little. As a result, the sole will become more flexible, which is beneficial because an inflexible sole might cause your heel to lift.
Plan On Taking Short Walks
Your boots will have become softer as a result of your movement around the home, but this is a distinct movement pattern from constant walking. Wearing your hiking boots while doing activities, such as going to the store, can allow you to break them in even more quickly.
Taking short walks will help you with how long does it take to break in hiking boots.
Another advantage is the opportunity to experiment with various lacing methods. As a result, tight lower laces with loose upper laces, or vice versa, will prevent slack from collecting between the two sets of laces due to the ankle hook.
Find the mix of comfort, touch, and stability that best suits your preferences. When you’ve walked for a few cumulative hours in this manner, your boots should have softened and flexed to match your natural movement pattern.
Tape Up Hotspots
It is likely that you will have some discomfort during your brief walks, particularly in the heel, tops of your big toes, and outside of your big toes, among other areas. Reduce friction against your skin by applying surgical tape or sports tape, such as Leukotape.
Move On To Longer Walks Now
By taping your hot spots, you will be able to stroll around town for a longer period of time without getting blisters.
Begin hiking hills and through hilly terrain, where your movement pattern will be more noticeable.
While it is not necessary to tape your hotspots when going on day hikes, it is still a good idea. Finally, the boot will soften and mold to the feet, and the tape will no longer be necessary.
FAQs – How Long Does It Take to Break in Hiking Boots?
Is it normal for hiking boots to hurt at first?
It’s likely that you’ll feel a little stiff at first, but that’s normal. At this stage, the only thing that should cause you to be concerned is if you experience any pinching, rubbing, or minor discomfort.
You may need to return them and try on another pair that is more comfortable for your foot if this is the case.
How many miles break in hiking boots?
Try to increase your daily distance by two-thirds of what you expect to cover on the route before you leave. In other words, if you’re intending on hiking 10 to 15 miles each day on the trail, start by walking eight miles in your new shoes to get a sense of how they feel.
How do you stretch new hiking boots?
You may also use alcohol to extend your boots if you have them in a tight space. Soak cotton balls in it, and then use them to wet the areas of your boots where they seem too small.
Put on your boots and walk around for a few minutes so that the alcohol has time to stretch the material. Another option is to break in your boots with a hairdryer.
Why do my hiking boots hurt?
Your hiking boots are most likely hurting your feet because they are either an incorrect fit, too worn down, or have not been broken in sufficiently.
These things will produce undesired friction and heated patches, which can result in foot pain and, in some cases, blisters on the feet.
Conclusion
To conclude our discussion of “how long does it take to break in hiking boots,” you should know that it takes 1 to 4 weeks on average to break in hiking boots properly.
If you want to break in quickly, then it will be a bit painful way and will definitely cause blisters on your feet. So, it is up to you to decide. Share your experience with all of us in the comments section below.
