Backpacking & Camping Tips : Breaking In Hiking Boots

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

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• camping
• tents
• planning
• hiking
• backpacking
• outdoors
• survival
• backpacks
• wilderness
• first aid
• camping tips

[DarthCelcius]

You could shorten the video a whole lot by just stating "walk about a lot"

But yeah, thanks for telling me how to put on a pair of boots ......

[slodeth5]

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.

[buddydog1956]

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

[streetpunk99]

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.

[streetpunk99]

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.

[wintercoolhi]

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

[renaicoangler]

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

[adamrosio08]

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

[stickendicken]

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.

[kingsnorky]

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.