How

to

Break

in

Hiking

Boots:

Your

Ultimate

Guide

to

avoiding

Blisters

How to break in hiking shoes the right way – step by step

Even if you’re determined to get the breaking-in process out of the way as quickly as possible, you should definitely take it slow at first to give your feet plenty of time to adapt to their new “home”. That’s why it’s best to go about it in three steps:

1. Wear your shoes at home for no more than two to three hours on end. That gives you the option to return them if they turn out to be the completely wrong size and fit for you.

2. Once your feet have adapted to the shoes, you can take them out for a relaxed walk. Normally you should be able to master uneven terrain in comfort, and you can also slowly and steadily increase the duration and intensity of your walks.

3. You’re done with your first couple of trial walks and there’s no pinching? Great! Now you’re ready to take your new hiking shoes ↗ on their first proper tour. Word of advice: Don’t choose a challenging, intense route to start with. Instead, opt for easier and shorter trails, and make sure to take a spare pair with you in your backpack ↗, just to be on the safe side.

How long does it take to break in hiking boots?

How much time you need to break in your hiking shoes depends on a number of factors, including the material, their stiffness, how often you wear them, as well as the shape of your foot and your own threshold for pain. As a general rule of thumb: The stiffer and sturdier the boots, the longer it takes to break them in.

There is no set point in time at which you know for sure your shoes are ready for regular use. To give you a rough estimate, hiking shoes made out of synthetics, which are usually more flexible, require less time than sturdy leather boots to adapt to your individual foot shape. Either way, patience is key!

When to start breaking in your hiking shoes

Ideally, you should start breaking in your new hiking shoes at least two to three weeks before your next hike. The longer the hike and the more challenging the terrain, the more time you should allocate to it. This allows the material to fully adapt to your feet, eliminating the chance of painful surprises when you're out and about.

What do I need to watch out for when breaking in shoes made out of leather or synthetics?

How long it takes to break in your shoes entirely depends on the material they’re made out of:

How to break in leather hiking boots

While leather shoes tend to be a lot stiffer when they’re brand new, they will eventually adapt to perfectly complement your individual foot shape. So it’s best to wear them only for short periods of time, until the leather is softening. Tip: Breaking in leather hiking boots generally works best when your shoes are slightly damp – so don’t be afraid to take them for a spin in the rain or walk across a dewy lawn.

How to break in synthetic hiking boots

Synthetics are more flexible and have a lot more give, making it much easier to break them in. Nonetheless, you should still exercise caution when breaking them in and not overdo it, particularly if the material is on the more robust side.

What to do if your shoes are rubbing and pinching: Our best tips & tricks

Excruciating pain with every step caused by pinching and rubbing shoes will quickly put a damper on the excitement of any outdoor adventure. To make sure you can fully count on the support of your feet at all times, even on long hikes, it’s important to give yourself plenty of time to find the type of shoe that perfectly fits your foot shape and your own individual needs.

If you’re experiencing discomfort while breaking in your shoes, there are a number of quick fixes to relieve the pain and restore wearing comfort:

• Wear hiking socks: Put on thick, moisture-wicking hiking socks ↗ with extra padding around critical areas to reduce rubbing and prevent blisters. Not only do socks increase your wearing comfort, but they also improve the fit of your boots. 

• Lace up your shoes correctly: Choose a lacing technique that helps you prevent pinching and offers optimum support for your feet. Keep an eye on ensuring the tension in the laces is even and balanced.

• Don’t skip your foot care routine: Make sure to properly care for your feet to prevent cracking of the skin and dry patches. Also make sure to keep your toenails short, which will also go a long way in reducing pain.

• Use insoles: If necessary, use insoles for added cushioning and support. Choose insoles that complement your foot shape, and make sure you have enough wiggle room for your toes.

• Retrospectively stretch your shoes: If you’ve got a new pair of leather shoes, shoe stretchers can be a useful tool to ease the pressure on sensitive spots by softening the material, and making it more stretchy.

• Use blister patches and/or tape: If all else fails, blister patches or tape are ideal for immediate pain relief.

If there’s nowhere left to go: Get your hiking shoes stretched

If none of the above tips work for you, or if you’re still feeling the pain after several hours, it’s a good idea to check the fit and adjust it if necessary. Especially in cases of malpositioned feet, finding the right fit can be a considerable challenge.

As a last resort, hiking boots that are too tight can be stretched out using heat and pressure on selected areas. Careful: To avoid damage and premature wear-and-tear, you should only let a certified professional do this.

Stepping out in comfort

Breaking in hiking shoes is key to make sure your feet are well protected during every outdoor adventure. And if you take the necessary time to break them in properly, you’ll be able to wave blisters and pain goodbye. Speaking of adventures: Make sure to check out our other articles and guides on everything from how much weight a backpack can hold ↗, ultimate hiking essentials for every tour ↗ and our beginner’s guide to mountaineering ↗.