Great ways to break in your brand-new walking boots.
Usually, when we purchase a brand-new pair of shoes, we expect instant comfort (unless it is a pair of 6-inch heels of course – in fact, we think those probably never get comfortable, haha)!
Feet are all quite different and as we are usually accustomed to wearing soft and supple trainers or everyday shoes, we need to keep in mind that purchasing walking and hiking boots is different and that we should be realistic and give them a good breaking in period before we take to the hills.
Walking boots are designed specifically to protect your feet over the hilly and rocky conditions of the trail with torsional rigidity, therefore they are built with a level of durability, cushioning and strength.
For those not used to wearing a mid-cut boot, new boots may seem stiff and restrictive around the delicate ankle area, so here are a few handy tips on how best to break in your walking boots.
What to keep in mind?
When shopping for a new pair of walking boots always look at the fit of the boot.
Make sure that there is enough room for a comfy pair of midweight socks and that the lacing system secures your feet well (take your favourite socks along with you when you go to try on the boots, although most stores will have a pair available for you as well.)
Some walkers choose to increase by a shoe size in their walking boots from their tighter fitting size in trainers as your feet do swell during a long walk.
It is also a great idea to try boots on at the end of the day as you would have been on your feet most of the day and your feet would be slightly more swollen than they are in the morning straight after you wake up and have not been highly active yet.
If you are planning on buying your hiking boots online, then do look out for a good return policy or comfort guarantee which makes shopping online easy and hassle-free, like for example Hi-Tec Europe offer you a 90-day return policy.
This is assistive to ensure that you find a pair of hiking boots that fit without worry and guarantees peace of mind that you can swap out your boots if you need to change the size.
Wear your boots around the house.
A vital part of the breaking in process begins now, so get moving! Start by simply walking around the house in your new boots, whether that be making dinner, cleaning the house or entertaining friends.
Walking up and down the stairs is a great idea for ensuring you and your boots can tackle hill walking. Obviously do not wear the boots outside, as they must be kept in near new condition if you do need to return or exchange them
During the ‘house stage’, always wear high-quality socks, try the Hi-Tec midweight merino socks which will simulate the fit that you will need for when you are out on the trail.
Ensure the boot is adjusted and lined up so it can take shape whilst being broken in. This is the most important stage as the boot will start to form a new shape to support your feet.
Try lacing your boots in different ways, as this will surprisingly affect the way your boots fit your feet.
Your boots may feel stiff initially, but this is perfectly normal and all part of the fitting process.
If you do however experience discomforts such as persistent pinching or rubbing, it may be worth returning the boots and trying an alternative style at this stage.
The upper material can affect the fit hugely, and if you have extremely sensitive feet then a suede/fabric upper will be a little gentler. A soft supple full-grain leather boot can be just as delicate but hard wearing.
If you are buying directly from Hi-Tec, you can always get in touch with their Customer Service Team to get the best advice on good boots for you.
Take your boots for a walk.
After the initial house phase proves successful, it is time to get outside for a few short walks, to try them on different terrains and elevations.
Start with shorter walks and build up from walking the dog around the park to walking to the shops! Remember to always wear the socks you would wear when walking the trails.
Once you are feeling comfortable in your new boots during these shorter walks, it is time to hit the longer trails, working your way up to the more difficult hikes and terrain.
It is best to start your boots out for a couple of miles and increase this distance just to see that they do not start rubbing and causing blisters. After a couple of walks at this distance, your boots should be comfortable and completely broken in and ready for all your wonderful outdoor adventures.
Make sure to keep your walking boots lined up and laced up properly. Now you are ready to go the distance – see you on the trail!
If you are keen to get started with a brand-new pair of boots, then we have a little something to help our Walkers Club friends and fans. Hi-Tec Europe has given us an exclusive discount code which, when entered at check-out, will discount 25% off your total basket.
That is not just on boots – but any Hi-Tec Europe items!
Make sure to head to www.hi-tec.co.uk and enter THEWALKERSCLUB25 code when you get to check out.
Happy walking. See you soon! The Walkers Club Team
