The process of breaking in boots can be frustrating. You’ll want your footwear to be comfortable for long wear straight away, but no matter how much you spend on new military boots, you will need to allow the necessary amount of time to break them in. If you are wondering how to break in military boots, the process is actually simpler than you might think. Follow these simple tips and you’ll be performing at your very best in no time.
Try them on first
Don’t be tempted to cut corners and rush to buy a pair of boots that you haven’t tried on or aren’t completely sure about. It can be easy to think that a little too much wiggle room in your military boots won’t do too much harm, but an extra pair of socks is not an adequate substitute for footwear that actually fits you properly. Your boots will be much more comfortable from the get-go if you take the time to get the right size and you’ll find the whole breaking-in process a lot easier if you’re not starting on the back foot! Our boot-fitting guide will help you choose a pair of LOWA boots that fit you perfectly.
Start slowly
Though it does require a bit of time commitment, the most common way to break in military boots is to simply get moving. Start off slow and wear your new boots during daily tasks, whether you just lace them up to move around the house or to the shops. Limit wear to an hour at a time at first to let your feet gently adjust to the tough materials then slowly increase in small increments until they feel completely comfortable. Being able to walk around the house in your boots for a number of hours without any pain is a good indicator that your boots are broken in.
Adjust the laces
Laces have a significant role when it comes to making your military boots comfortable and keeping your boots secure on your feet. Your laces also control the amount of pressure that the boot puts on your foot. While you will want your boots tight enough that they don’t rub and create painful blisters, keeping them a little looser can help you to break them in at first. Adjusting the laces frequently can help get your feet used to the sensation of wearing new boots, without overloading with tension too early on.
Care for areas that rub
If you do experience soreness and blisters when you are breaking in your boots, don’t panic. It is easy to encounter a little bit of discomfort even if you think you know how to break in military boots and you can quite quickly get comfy again with the right care and attention. Don’t be tempted to push through the pain. Cover blisters with moleskin or a bandage and if discomfort persists, go back to the retailer for advice.
Try the wet method
If you need to break in new military boots quickly, give the wet method a go. Suitable for leather boots, this method involves getting your boots soaked before you wear them. Fill a bathtub or large container with lukewarm water and dunk your boots in. Once there are no dry spots, empty them out and then wear them for a day with a couple of pairs of socks. The leather will shrink, adjusting the boots to the shape of your feet. Do remember to completely dry your boots before you wear them again, removing the insoles to ensure that all areas are exposed to air.
Whichever method you choose, following these steps will help you know how to break in military boots and feel comfortable as you get to work. The expert team at Taskforce Distribution are always on hand to help you if you are looking for correctly fitting military boots or need some advice about how to make your boots more comfortable. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions.
