You鈥檝e got plans for a big hike鈥攁 multi-day backpacking trip or a long day hike to a high point鈥攂ut your suitable听footwear is either worn out or nonexistent. Here鈥檚 what not to do: buy brand-new hiking boots right before your outing, ensuring you have no time to wear them before you start trekking up a mountain. That almost听guarantees trip-ruining foot problems like听blisters. Here鈥檚 what you should do instead: break in your boots鈥攁nd more importantly, your feet鈥攂efore the hike, by wearing the new shoes as much as you can on diverse terrain. That doesn鈥檛 have to be mountain trails if you don鈥檛 have easy access;听you can break in hiking boots in the city, too. For tips on how to break in your boots听anywhere, we called up Jennifer Pharr Davis, a former record holder on the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail, owner of the guiding outfitter听, and author of the 2018 book听.
国产吃瓜黑料: Do my hiking boots even need to be broken in?
Jennifer Pharr Davis: Yes, if you buy more traditional, old-school leather boots听or boots made from stiffer, less breathable fabric. But there鈥檚 also a lot of hiking footwear that you can break in over a couple of short walks. Hiking shoes that are made of mesh or more breathable fabric and have less restriction in the heel cup鈥攖hey resemble听a sneaker more than a boot鈥攚ill need less time and effort to break in. They also don鈥檛 last as long on the trails.
Can鈥檛 I just wear them around the house?
Wearing boots around the house is better than nothing, if that鈥檚 all you can do, but adding weight and elevation will make a big difference when you鈥檙e out on the trails. The friction caused by different terrain听will change the volume inside the footwear.听Boots with stiffer components will need more miles on the trail before you wear them for a backpacking trip. A lot of people will walk in their shoes or boots without weight, but adding it听will create a different dynamic. So does elevation. You鈥檝e got to wear them going up and down stairs, in听a stadium, over a bridge, or on a trail with elevation. Range of motion is very different when you鈥檙e walking flat versus uphill.
How much time do I need to break in my boots?
I recommend two to four weeks of lead time before a backpacking trip. Trying to hike in different conditions will help. Try听to build up to two-thirds of your daily mileage of what you鈥檙e hoping to do on the trail. So听if you鈥檙e planning to hike 10听to 15 miles a day on the trail, then try walking eight听miles in your new shoes and see how it feels. If you opt for the extreme end of lightweight shoes, you can just wear them around town for a few days prior to your hike.
I鈥檓 breaking in my boots, and my feet are killing me. What gives?
Pay attention to hot spots. You鈥檙e not just breaking in your boots,听you鈥檙e also breaking in your feet. They鈥檙e developing calluses and protection against friction and rubbing. If you have limited time, wear a thin sock so you can feel the rubbing sooner. Get used to it, and build up those calluses. You don鈥檛 want to push it too far鈥攐nce you get a blister, you鈥檙e miserable.
Laces are a big thing, too. The way people lace their boots can impact the fit of the boot. So听play around with how tight or loose you prefer them. People like them tight for ankle protection, but then they find that鈥檚 causing hot spots and blisters.
Try out different socks. Some people will wear liners听or socks with toe compartments.
You could play around with Vaseline or Body Glide to prevent chafing, rubbing, and friction. Where I live鈥攊n Asheville, North Carolina鈥攚e have a lot of rain, and your feet inevitably get wet, so I put Gold Bond powder in my socks. Playing around with those additional actions can be helpful.
Anything else I need to do to break in my boots?
It鈥檚 good to walk in your shoes while they鈥檙e wet. Go for a walk in the rain, or use your听sink at home and听then go tromp around. Some materials restrict or expand, and they rub differently.听In a shoe with more athletic fabric and material, they will typically听increase听in flexibility and volume. The stiffer, more traditional leather boot might initially听expand when wet but then tighten or constrict after drying.听This exercise听will help you better prepare for the various conditions you鈥檒l see on the trail.
I didn鈥檛 walk in my boots听before my big hike. Am I screwed?
No. People work and have families and don鈥檛 have time to break in their footwear before a trip. If you haven鈥檛 had the opportunity, be extra cautious of hot spots or discomforts before they become听an issue. Pack different types of socks. Try using Body Glide or powder on your feet. Pack Moleskin, and stop the blister before it starts.