Boot break-in and blisters.. how long do I give them?

[HeadnWest]

I have a new pair of boots that seemed to fit my feet great. But now that I have some miles on them I am getting blisters on both heels. The boots fit properly and I am using my normal midweight Darn Tough socks. I only have about 25 miles on the boots but am getting blisters on both heels regularly. The rest of the boot fits and feels great though. How long do I keep "breaking them in" until I know they are not going to work?

 

[duchntr]

So your not getting heel slippage?

 

[Kotaman]

If a boot gives me blisters during "break-in" they go down the road. So my answer is "I don't give them any time".

 

[HeadnWest]

No, my heel and foot feels secure when hiking and heading uphill and downhill. That's why I am surprised I am getting blisters at all.

 

[Blockcaver]

I’m with Kotaman, blisters mean they do not fit the heel correctly. I have bony protruding narrow heels and need more of a heel pocket than some boots offer, but a normal forefoot. Danners and Meindl Islanders give me heel blisters, and Kennetrecks would if I had any. Cabelas Meindl Perfkt Hikers and Hunters are great for my heels...but are no longer available. I think Crispi has a boot or two in their line that would work for you based on a conversation I had with them at the BC Sheep Show. I’d call them. Good luck!

 

[Akicita]

I grew up and practice to this day the mindset of conditioning the foot to the boot not the boot to the foot. Many will argue this with me but in my experience if the boot is well fitted and laced properly and I get blister it's because my feet are not conditioned to the boot. Blisters turn to calluses - calluses do not blister. The trick is to condition your feet by only going as far as the blister starts forming but does rupture. Add moleskin to get you home or even better - walk home barefoot. Regardless of what anyone says - don't lance or pop a blister!

I condition my feet in the "off-season" by walking on my neighborhood concrete sidewalks barefoot and massage rubbing alcohol on them daily before going to bed which drys out the skin and makes it harder over time.

 

[Jskaanland]

Try changing your lacing to lock in your heel and a strip of leukotape goes a long way in preventing blisters.

 

[JCohHTX]

Andrew Skurka has a lot of good info on foot care and conditioning at his website. https://andrewskurka.com/gear-list-backpacking-hiking-foot-care-kit-blisters-maceration/

 

[RosinBag]

Kotoman and others have given you the best advice. Move on from them!!!!

 

[Kotaman]

There are simply too many good boots out there to fight blisters. You'll find something that will work without going through blisters.

 

[Topo_trekker]

Sounds like they may be slightly to big. More than a 1/2” and can cause heel blisters even though it feels secure.


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[5MilesBack]

Every pair of boots I've ever owned would have given me blisters if I pushed them hard enough and I didn't wear liner socks. I'd try some lightweight poly liner socks, and some Leukotape if you're still getting blisters.

 

[HeadnWest]

I've never had to wear liner socks in the past. Always had good luck with Darn Tough socks. I know they are fit right, I had a very reputable Salewa dealer fit me for this pair. I am going back out for a hike on Saturday, I will try to Lueko tape. The last time out I used duct tape and still had hot spots.

 

[HeadnWest]

Also just ordered a pair of Crispi Colorados to try out, planning on just trying them to see how they fit, I will return them to Scheels after a few days of wearing them up and down my stairs inside the house.

 

[muddydogs]

I've never had to wear liner socks in the past. Always had good luck with Darn Tough socks. I know they are fit right, I had a very reputable Salewa dealer fit me for this pair. I am going back out for a hike on Saturday, I will try to Lueko tape. The last time out I used duct tape and still had hot spots.

You keep saying that the boots fit right but yet your getting blisters so the boots don't fit you. I would say your reputable dealer isn't all that reputable or you didn't give him the information he needed to fit you right.

 

[wapitibob]

A strip of gorilla tape or Leuko tape down the back of the heel will prevent a blister but isn’t a long term solution.

 

[5MilesBack]

I've never had to wear liner socks in the past.

I would get blisters wearing tennis shoes while elk hunting if I didn't wear a liner sock.

I tried Darn Tough socks by themselves one day and my feet got so hot and bright red I couldn't stand it.

 

[HeadnWest]

What liner socks do you recommend?

 

[5MilesBack]

What liner socks do you recommend?

I just wear Cabela's regular poly white liner socks......these: https://www.cabelas.com/catalog/pro...WT.z_btnclk=YMAL-732845&WT.z_pg_ref=prd732844

 

[Lawnboi]

I’d get rid of them