Any shortcuts to breaking in boots?

[Evans, Marv]

I actually prefer a good quality duct tape over moleskin. It serves a dual purpose of helping out with blisters (especially if you get it on when a hot spot starts to develop - just like mole shin) and you can use it to fix some things that happen to break. The slippery surface of duct tape slides better than mole skin. I have a friend who always tended to get terrible blisters & duct tape worked much better for him.

[vash]

duct-tape? ouch..yanking a piece off of tender, blistered skin cant be a good time.

my boots, i wore them all night in my home. i think they are going to work. i am gonna hike some hills tomorrow with the wife and dog tomorrow for a real test. i have weird feet. (well, right foot at least)

sid, trekking poles..check. i have been hinting to my wife about them..hoping she gets me a pair for my B-day. (she wont, she is the worst gifter)

[Evans, Marv]

Duct tape and mole skin have adhesive on the back to stick to the skin over the "potential" blister spot. You don't wait until after you have a blister to apply them. You apply them when you sense a warm spot from your boot irritating that spot and before a blister forms. You'll say ouch pulling either one off after you put them over the giant, watery, popped blister. So if you suspect your boot is rubbing in a certain spot and will produce a blister in time, it doesn't hurt to put either one over that spot. I like the duct tape because the adhesive sticks better, lasts longer and the silver (or whater color it is) surface is very slick and reduces exposure to friction better than mole skin. You could wrap the entire surface of both feet in it to prevent any blisters, but I wouldn't recommend it.

[71 3.0 911]

Wear them in the shower tonight and around the house until dry. Best way I have ever found. Military boots can be a real pain to break. If you blister easily, wear a set of shin length nylons under your socks. Never wear cotton with boots while hiking. I learned the nylon trick from a ranger friend of mine. Never had a blister problem.

[teenerted1]

you guys have no clue how to use moleskin if you already have a blister. you dont put it over the blister you cut it out so you have a border of protection around the blister. for this is prefer molefoam. has a bigger area of protection.

if it has already popped use a bandaid, to keep the area clean and easier to remove with the sticky stuff away form the soft flappy skin. you can use a sterilize needle to pop the blister at the bottom so it drains naturally. you dont want to just tear off a new blister as you will have even more issues and a place for germs/dirt to get in. not good on a hiking trip. and never was your feet in a mtn stream if you have open sores.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by ODDJOB UNO

duct tape your heels, wear 2 pairs of socks, and jump in a lake pond stream pool and walk them dry.

I tried this with my Tony Lama's and the gator skin got all yucky

[Jesset100]

Used this on my son's motocross boots, worked like a charm.

[Tobra]

Huh, thought I replied to this already.

Boiling water can damage your boots. Run the tap water hot, fill boots, pour out, walk around in them using good thick socks until dry. Do this indoors if there is a chance you may want to replace them.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I tried this with my Tony Lama's and the gator skin got all yucky

hahaha! the solution is to buy Dingos.

[Zeke]

Bringing this back since I was searching for the thread about the best work boots. Man, walking around in soggy boots sure doesn't sound good for the feet. I think I'd rather find boots that fit.

Redwings have always fit good for me, but I'm tired of their styles. I like to wear boots for just about anything and go anywhere except driving other than my truck. Kinda hard to get in a Jag with work boots on. The Boxster is impossible except nearly barefoot.

That's OK, I don't drive it anyway.

I wonder what is a nice light weight 6" boot for daily use?