How to break in hiking boots: our guide for preparing your shoes for the trails

A perfectly damaged boot is incredibly comforting. These companions are snug, ready for long walks into nature, and disappear into the background.

Unfortunately, break-in processes can become lengthy. You may not buy boots today and wear them tomorrow for a hike. Wearing boots during an outdoor trip can leave feet angry and disrupt our appreciation of nature. Nothing is worse than wearing new hiking boots and then realizing that your feet have been destroyed at the foot end.

However, the pain will never come. We have compiled some great tips on breaking in hiking boots to enjoy the outdoors.

Most modern boots feature a synthetic upper material, such as Gore-Tex, designed for comfort and breathability. These lightweight boots will not require much breaking in, so you can wear them right out of the box.

Leather boots, including Nubuke and Suede ones, almost always require breaking. Not breaking them is a common mistake among newbie hikers. You can learn more about the differences between ordinary hiking shoes and other hiking boots.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for qualified purchases. But it never affects your price or what we pick.

Understand the break-in process.

Everyone’s feet are different. And it’s almost impossible to mold a perfect pair to every foot. But if you still want proper boots for your feet, that’s what we talk about here. Breaking in is essentially molding your new shoe to fit perfectly to your feet.

When you buy a new pair of hiking boots, the last thing you want to do is damage them on your first outdoor trip. The break-in process is essential in getting your hiking boots ready for long walks on the trails. Depending on how well you take care of your hiking boots, the process can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.

Certain parts of the boot will be under extra pressure during the break-in period. With this constant pressure, the leather materials break in and begin to confirm around your feet. This is unique to the person who wears them.

Check out Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid Gore-tex Hiking Boots for Men and Women on Amazon. In our opinion, this is the best hiking boot you can have for all your hiking needs. You can wear them for day hikes to multi-day backpacking trips.

Know when to start breaking in your new hiking boots

New full-grained leather is mainly used in mountaineering boots. These hiking boots may take up to 100 hours to break in. There are some things you can do to speed up the process. But still, you must plan your trips well in advance.

It may sound like full-grained leather is not good hiking boots. But you may need them to lift heavy weights and walk long distances. That’s why boots like the Lowa Renegade are trendy. Find them on Amazon: Men, Woman.

Buying a shoe the day before your hike is a bad idea. It doesn’t work like your favorite pair of jeans where you can throw them on and take them off.

I advise buying hiking boots about two weeks before your hiking trip and buying a size bigger. Two weeks is enough time to make friends with your brand-new hiking boots.

The techniques outlined below would help break hiking boots fast. But you should also have enough time to change your boot if you discover the new one isn’t the best.

Take care of your feet during the break-in process.

Since hiking boots are new, you must take care of your feet during the break-in period.

This means wearing thick socks, taking care of your feet by moisturizing and exfoliating, and investing in a good foot cream. Thicker socks will prevent blisters from forming as you break your hiking boot.

I’d advise you to have more cushion than you usually need. Wear wool socks during the breaking period. You don’t have to use the same socks forever. But the extra padding will help to protect your feet from rubbing and irritation as the hiking boots break in.

Besides thicker socks, avoiding prolonged standing and walking periods is essential to help keep your feet healthy and happy. If you need to walk for long periods, take regular breaks to rest your feet.

The Merino Wool Boot Sock Full Cushion on Amazon is a perfect candidate. Since they also provide excellent moisture wicking, you can wear them even for extended hikes.

You should also make sure your hiking boots are laced correctly. Doing it wrong can create hot spots in your feet and cause pain.

Use the proper techniques for breaking in hiking boots.

Okay, this is what you’ve been waiting for, right? How do you break in hiking boots?

Memorize these four words: small, incremental, variety, and consistency. That’s how you break your brand-new hiking boots.

Small: break your new hiking boots in by taking short walks frequently.

Incremental: gradually increase the length of these walks as you become more comfortable with your hiking boots.

Variety: try different terrains and loads during your daily walks to test how well the hiking boots perform across various surfaces.

Consistent: If you continue this process for a few days, your hiking boots fit snugly for your next outdoor adventure.

Start by wearing your hiking boots around the house to understand how your shoes feel. As you become more comfortable with their fit and function, go for little walks around your neighborhood. Keep it up for a couple of days. By now, you should feel confident enough to take your hiking boots on a longer, more challenging hike.

But hold on. You are not quite there to take them on a big hike yet. Even though your new pair feels okay, on a long walk with backpacks on your shoulders, you might not appreciate them much.

Now try different terrains. Go for a local hike with elevation changes, uneven terrain, and obstacles. Test it with varying loads as you experiment with different slopes and landscapes. Do not take a 50-pound weight immediately. Initially, try some 20 pounds or less. If it feels okay, slowly increase the load. Adding weight gradually can help you determine the balance where you’d feel comfortable.

If the hiking boots perform well for these hikes, these will be your go-to shoes. You can now take them on long walks.

What can you do to break in hiking boots fast?

In most cases, what we’ve discussed so far is sufficient. If your new shoes are made of synthetic materials, you will spend only a day or two to break them.

But if you wear a leather one, you might need more time with it before your hike. Any shortcuts are indeed harmful to brand-new pairs.

Most people advise soaking your boots with warm water and wearing them for long distances. Please don’t do it. Instead, wear them with thick socks and apply some moisturizer on your feet. Taking care of your feet can help break in new boots faster.

Other popular bad ideas include freezing your boots or using a hairdryer. Both aren’t worth trying.

Instead, apply small amounts of leather conditioner to soften the leather. That’s the only way you can try at home to speed up the break-in hiking boots.

Be patient and consistent with the break in hiking boots. Breaking your new boots can be time-consuming and frustrating, but the results are well worth it.

Whether you buy cheap hiking boots or invest in pricier ones, being patient and consistent during the break-in process is essential. This will ensure your new hiking boots fit comfortably and work well on the trail.

Conclusion: Reward yourself after successfully breaking hiking boots!

After a few days of consistent and incremental walks, you can feel confident about taking your hiking boots on the trail. Reward yourself with an exciting hike, and enjoy the feeling of your comfortable new hiking boots!

Happy hiking! Overall, breaking in hiking boots is a necessary process that requires time and attention. By following these tips and taking them slowly, you can ensure your hiking boots are well-suited to you and the great outdoors.

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