Backpacking & Camping Tips : Breaking In Hiking Boots

February 15th, 2010 | by admin |

Before lacing up a pair of hiking boots, a finger should fit behind the heel when the toes are all the way to the front. Break in a pair of hiking boots and use different lacing techniques with tips from a backpacking guide in this free video on camping and hiking.

Expert: Richard Fields
Bio: Richard Fields has been an avid backpacker and backcountry guide for over 25 years.
Filmmaker: Patrick Eaves

Duration : 0:2:34


[youtube a2gJWT8P4OU]


  1. 18 Responses to “Backpacking & Camping Tips : Breaking In Hiking Boots”

  2. By slodeth5 on Feb 15, 2010 | Reply

    I haven’t used a …
    I haven’t used a pair of heavy weight leather boots for some time, even for winter travel up to three days. Running shoes do it for me now and there’s almost no break in required. My packs are now twenty to twenty five pounds with food and water and no one should be carrying more than this if they get away from shop-philosophy. Still, there are real needs for heavy shoes, but not for most peoples hiking needs.

  3. By buddydog1956 on Feb 15, 2010 | Reply

    ….after you get …
    ….after you get your foot in, place one finger for the final fit….and then step in dogshit…then throw the shoes away!!!

  4. By streetpunk99 on Feb 15, 2010 | Reply

    alot of times alot …
    alot of times alot of stores like rei have people working there that dont know much. I wouldnt take what they say very seriously. i have gotten bad advice from them more than once.
    As for your boot problem look for a boot that has a deep set lace eyelit. the one thats about even with your ankle ball. A deep eyelit will lock your heel into the heel cup better. Also try Duct tape directly on your heel, i do this, and never had a blister.
    search “nutnfancy” he has a great boot review.

  5. By streetpunk99 on Feb 15, 2010 | Reply

    carry a pack or any …
    carry a pack or any decent amount of weight around on your shoulders wearing tennis shoes and you’ll awnser your own question. major lack of support, no foot shank for protection against rocks or whatnot, plus low cut shoes let all kinds of crap down in your shoe and its alloying to have to stop and clean your shoes out constantly. I wouldnt reccomend any kind of tennis shoes, but im not expert.

  6. By wintercoolhi on Feb 15, 2010 | Reply

    can we not just …
    can we not just wear tennis shoe????? and if you have to pick one of those shoe, what kind you have to get?

  7. By renaicoangler on Feb 15, 2010 | Reply

    You must get a very …
    You must get a very comfortable boot (like Asolo TPS 520) and then tie the laces tight enough that your feet is not sliding to the front an then removing your heel from the back of the shoe causing blisters. Besides, you must walk how often as you can, this will begin to develop callouses in your feet that will help you in long walks avoiding blisters to develop

    From Chile

    Joaquin

  8. By adamrosio08 on Feb 15, 2010 | Reply

    get new feet. Jk. …
    get new feet. Jk. maybe you could get some kind of inner shoe glove?

  9. By stickendicken on Feb 15, 2010 | Reply

    i’ve always had …
    i’ve always had problems with my heels and them getting blisters. i’ve tried every type of boot there is, and still get heel blisters. can anyone recommend a good boot that will help. i’ve been fitting at a reputable outdoor location numrous times, and still can’t seem to shake these blisters..pleease help.

  10. By kingsnorky on Feb 15, 2010 | Reply

    Soaking leather …
    Soaking leather boots to break them in will damage them! Most new leather boots from the best manufacturers(Meindl, Scarpa, Zamberlan, etc…) dont need much breaking in as long as they fit properly. Better to go to a good outdoor shop with an expert boot fitter and spend a bit more for a pair that will last longer than a cheap pair of boots that has to be damaged in order to get them to fit.

  11. By goldenscales on Feb 15, 2010 | Reply

    I’ve always broke …
    I’ve always broke in new boots by putting on, then submerging in water, then when saturated, gone for a long walk. Each pair have moulded to my feet, and have been comfortable to wear.

  12. By ShannonVenasse on Feb 15, 2010 | Reply

    Dude I just read …
    Dude I just read that on various websites as how to break in leather boots. I haven’t acutally done it myself!

  13. By QuietBearr on Feb 15, 2010 | Reply

    Have you ever …
    Have you ever noticed that when your leather boots get wet and then dry they are really stiff? In order to use water you have to wet them then keep them in constant motion while they dry, even more so than just walking in them, you really need to break them in.

    In addition you need to use warm water.

    In my opinion, it is better to just use a softner agent and a little wear.

  14. By TiberiusStorm on Feb 15, 2010 | Reply

    That’s what the old …
    That’s what the old timers used to do with leather boots though..so ShannonVenasse was right about that.

  15. By QuietBearr on Feb 15, 2010 | Reply

    Actually, (well, I …
    Actually, (well, I guess you dont know anything about leather, but) getting the leather wet and having them dry on your feet will actually re-set all the breaking in that has been done.

    Yea, not a smart move.

  16. By ShannonVenasse on Feb 15, 2010 | Reply

    wear the leather …
    wear the leather boots in the rain and let them dry on your feet. or better yet buy some leather softener.

  17. By NBaimf on Feb 15, 2010 | Reply

    You break in boots …
    You break in boots the same way you break in anything else.

    You just use it. Ancient Chinese secret.

  18. By BigCheifSuger on Feb 15, 2010 | Reply

    So i should walk …
    So i should walk around with my house in them? sounds heavy!

  19. By BlooBeluga on Feb 15, 2010 | Reply

    fucking wear em, …
    wear em, and walk in em. the end

Post a Comment