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HuntersHikes 
Group: Members
Posts: 291
Joined: Aug. 2009
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Posted on: Feb. 17 2013, 7:27 am |
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Hey folks, just grabbed a pair of the Zamberlan Steep on sale at REI and was wondering what I should expect for a normal break-in period...also, anyone have any good tips or tricks for smoother, faster break-in? Thanks.
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If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball, and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without considering if there are men on base.
Latitude:N 42° 7' 34.7232"
Longitude:W 71° 42' 28.6164"
www.huntershikes.com
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| Post Number: 2
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treelinebackpacker
Group: Members
Posts: 409
Joined: Aug. 2011
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Posted on: Feb. 17 2013, 8:49 am |
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I never touch any chemicals to break in boots. They're out there depending on what your boots are made out there, but it's never been my thing. Just wear them around town for a few weeks before you hit the trails. Once they feel ok there, start doing shorter day hikes. Do day hikes for a while before you do any long multiday treks.
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| Post Number: 3
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ataylor
Group: Members
Posts: 111
Joined: Dec. 2008
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Posted on: Feb. 17 2013, 9:04 am |
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I agree with Treeline. To me, the best way to break in a pair of hiking boots is to hike in them. Wear them on a few short walks. Then longer day hikes. They'll be broken in pretty quickly.
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| Post Number: 4
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TDale
Group: Members
Posts: 13138
Joined: Jun. 2005
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Posted on: Feb. 17 2013, 9:05 am |
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Wear them a lot. Even sitting around they'll conform to your feet. Replace the stock insoles day one. Stay on natural surfaces as much as possible.
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"Sure as I know anything, I know this - they will try again...They'll swing back to the belief that they can make people... better. And I do not hold to that. So no more runnin'. I aim to misbehave."
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| Post Number: 5
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HuntersHikes
Group: Members
Posts: 291
Joined: Aug. 2009
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Posted on: Feb. 17 2013, 9:09 am |
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thanks for the input guys...have been wearing them around the house non-stop under the now-confirmed guise that having them on my feet will help them conform to my feet...appreciated!!
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If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball, and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without considering if there are men on base.
Latitude:N 42° 7' 34.7232"
Longitude:W 71° 42' 28.6164"
www.huntershikes.com
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| Post Number: 6
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treelinebackpacker
Group: Members
Posts: 409
Joined: Aug. 2011
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Posted on: Feb. 17 2013, 1:18 pm |
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Just curious, what is a good replacement insole for a hiking boot?
After about 6 or 8 miles my feet start to feel it.
After about 25, I get pretty achy actually.
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| Post Number: 7
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texasbb
Group: Members
Posts: 195
Joined: Dec. 2010
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Posted on: Feb. 17 2013, 5:23 pm |
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You're breaking your feet in to the boots as much as the boots in to your feet. As others have said, it's hard to beat actually hiking in them for break-in, but I also find the *time* spent wearing them is important. It's surprising how much it helps to wear them to work for a few days, even if just sitting at a desk.
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| Post Number: 8
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justwalkin
Group: Members
Posts: 394
Joined: Nov. 2008
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Posted on: Feb. 17 2013, 11:01 pm |
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I like to wear them for a few weeks around the house, around town, or at work before I take them on the trail. That helps break them in a little, thus making the "real" break-in a little less arduous.
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If a day in the mountains is better than a week at work, why aren't I working in the mountains?
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| Post Number: 9
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SmokeyBear
I know shoe-fu
Group: Members
Posts: 3665
Joined: Mar. 2009
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Posted on: Feb. 19 2013, 1:01 am |
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(treelinebackpacker @ Feb. 17 2013, 1:18 pm)
QUOTE Just curious, what is a good replacement insole for a hiking boot?
After about 6 or 8 miles my feet start to feel it.
After about 25, I get pretty achy actually.
Anything will make your feet achy after 25 miles. With a loaded pack, 6-8 can feel like 25 without one.
That being said - more often than not the problem for prematurely sore feet is poor boot fit. Where is it sore? In general, or a specific location?
Too tight in the toes is a common one, and usually because boot makers somehow think all feet look pointed. Which isn't true. If you have square toes buying pointed boots isn't ideal, and can cause pain. And cramped toes are the least of it - it can lead also to Metatarsalgia or Morton's neuroma specifically - pain in the ball of the foot.
Loose fit allows feet to slide around, and can also cause toe pain when your foot slides forward on descents and is crushed against the front. Many cases of black toe aren't because of boots being too tight but rather boots that are too loose!
A good footbed helps reduce fatigue and pain. But it can't correct bad fit. If the fit is good, then focus on the specific needs of your feet - over-pronation and low arches leading to arch and heel pain needs proper arch support and a supportive heel cup and a footbed that isn't too soft. Supination and stiff arches is better served by more soft and cushioning insoles.
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| Post Number: 10
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brownmouse
Group: Members
Posts: 1886
Joined: Sep. 2006
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Posted on: Feb. 19 2013, 1:54 am |
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Love the choice of boots you made!! I certainly love my Zamberlans. I saw that sale - great deal! Hope you like yours as much as I like mine. Just wear them a lot to break em in. I really didn't need to break mine in much at all.
In fact, I have developed plantar facitis from my nursing shoes and have found that my zamberlans are the only shoes I can wear. So they are taking me through the halls at work.
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"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees." John Muir 1898
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| Post Number: 11
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HuntersHikes
Group: Members
Posts: 291
Joined: Aug. 2009
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Posted on: Feb. 19 2013, 6:51 pm |
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I'm torn - obviously my feet aren't perfectly symmetrical to one another, so the left boot (size 10) fits like a glove, but the right boot - due to my foot shape - fits poorly and I have a lot of heel slip. Might have to return in favor of something more forgiving, like my old trusty Salomon Quest 4D GTX...
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If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball, and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without considering if there are men on base.
Latitude:N 42° 7' 34.7232"
Longitude:W 71° 42' 28.6164"
www.huntershikes.com
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| Post Number: 12
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| Post Number: 13
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HuntersHikes
Group: Members
Posts: 291
Joined: Aug. 2009
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Posted on: Feb. 19 2013, 7:44 pm |
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Well I know the top of my right foot is taller with more arch than my left, so I can't snug the boot (or any boot for that matter) as tight on that foot as I can the left, so it's hard to prevent heel slip - even with alternative lacing methods...I really want to own a heavy duty all-leather hiking boot that'll last for years, but I think my only choices are the less-stiff material-based boots like the Salomon Quest, Lowa Renegade, etc.
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If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball, and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without considering if there are men on base.
Latitude:N 42° 7' 34.7232"
Longitude:W 71° 42' 28.6164"
www.huntershikes.com
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| Post Number: 14
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| Post Number: 15
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treelinebackpacker
Group: Members
Posts: 409
Joined: Aug. 2011
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Posted on: Feb. 19 2013, 8:51 pm |
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It's the arches of my feet that get sore after a while.
I've tried many boots, and they all typically give me the same problem. It's usually pretty minor, but on long mult-day trips it gets downright painful, almost bruised feeling. I keep going, but I would enjoy the ability to not have the issue.
I have steep arches on the inside of my feet, but very little on the outside.
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| Post Number: 16
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GoBlueHiker
Obsessive Island Hopper...
Group: Members
Posts: 14069
Joined: Jul. 2006
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Posted on: Feb. 20 2013, 10:14 am |
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Most shoe stores like REI have a selection of Superfeet you can try on with the shoes. Might be worth it, just to see whether you'd like them or not. Worth a shot anyway.
[/ thread hijack]
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Wealth needs more. Happiness needs less. Simplify.
www.RainForestTreks.com
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| Post Number: 17
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| Post Number: 18
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Slack
Group: Members
Posts: 41
Joined: Jul. 2003
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Posted on: Feb. 20 2013, 10:42 pm |
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finding boots that are comfortable is extremely important. I wouldn't get to attached to one particular boot that you think you like, find a boot that feels good on your foot and get that one. Plus I agree with what was mentioned above, you have to get a size that fits the bigger foot otherwise you will be in pain. Wearing to socks on the smaller foot is always an option.
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| Post Number: 19
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RobinHood
Group: Members
Posts: 152
Joined: May 2004
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Posted on: Feb. 23 2013, 1:50 am |
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Just hike in them. Ive seen so much over the years about breaking in boots, and i think its a lot of nonsense. Just wear them, and hike in them. Ive bought sevearl pairs of boots and imediately taken them out on backpacking tips with no blisters or problems. I think it has a lot more to do with our feet conditioning, and also to do with your socks/layers
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The vast majority of every species that has ever lived on Earth is now extinct. To think that humans can avoid the fate of every other creature is arrogant. Like all life on Earth, our time is limited.
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| Post Number: 20
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SmokeyBear
I know shoe-fu
Group: Members
Posts: 3665
Joined: Mar. 2009
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Posted on: Feb. 23 2013, 5:35 pm |
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No, it has a lot more to do with getting the right fit beyond anything. If a boot doesn't fit right away no amount of walking in them will make it fit. Some people just are lucky to have very "average" feet that fit most boots well enough. Others struggle to find even "ok" fitting boots.
Break-in for most modern boots is minimal but I often find even light duty boots and shoes benefit greatly from some break in. Full grain leather norwegian welt models need a lot of breaking, and to an extent, will shape to your foot. But initial fit is still just as critical.
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