I used to think breaking in new boots on the trail was fine, but not anymore

Honestly, everyone online says just wear them around the house first, but I figured a short hike would be fine. Tbh, I got blisters the size of quarters before I even hit the halfway point. I had to hobble back to the car in so much pain, and it totally ruined my day. Ngl, I'm never skipping the break-in period again, no matter what people say.

3 comments

3 Comments

masoncooper16d ago

My cousin tried to speed up the process once by soaking his new leather work boots in hot water. He said it would mold them to his feet faster, but they just shrank and became incredibly stiff. He ended up with cramps in his arches that lasted for days. Sometimes the old way of just wearing them for a while is the only method that really works.

loganhart13d ago

My uncle did something similar with a baseball glove back in the 90s. He baked it in the oven on low heat to break it in. It came out looking like a piece of burnt toast and the leather cracked within a week. I totally get what @gonzalez.anna means about shortcuts backfiring. Leather just needs time and wear to get soft. Trying to force it always ruins the material.

gonzalez.anna16d ago

HATE when shortcuts backfire, @masoncooper!