New Boot Testing Procedure

[airlocksniffer]

Got a new pair of Lowa Tibet Wides from my wife today. I didn't have a chance to try them on prior. They felt good when walking around the house this morning but obviously that's not going to let me know how my feet feel in the field. In order to allow for a return if needed, what do you do with your new boots to decide if they are going to work? My thought was in addition to wearing them around the house, heading to the gym and walking on an inclined treadmill or stair stepper with a pack on. How much time to do you spend testing them before you take them outside and essentially kill the possibility of exchange or return? These were purchased locally so returns shouldn't be an issue (as long as I don't take them outside).

 

[Jpeaston]

treadmill with pack on, you will learn a lot in a half mile. Just sent some Cevedale tech lites back. I am about take my replacements outside, and I have almost 12 miles on them.

 

[Jpeaston]

and crank the treadmill as steep as it will go.

 

[airlocksniffer]

Thanks guys. I'll head to the gym tomorrow with a 50ish lb pack and give it a go. Hoping these work out because they appear to be excellent boots.

 

[JimCraig]

All I can say is I didn't spend enough time indoors with mine. I bought 3 different pairs and wore them all around the house for a week and thought I had determined which ones to keep. I kept the Lowa Tibets, they felt the best. So I wore them around the house a few more days but then got to the point where there was no other way to know without taking them out. Unfortunately they just don't work with my feet and I was too anxious to get them out on the trail. I don't have a treadmill. Basically a fail on my part. Now I need to get rid of them so I can fund something else to try.

 

[LostArra]

Steep downhills for me.

 

[airlocksniffer]

I took these to the gym this morning and did 1 mile at 3 mph/15%. Within a quarter mile I started to get a hot spot on my left heel (right felt fine). I was wearing some Smartwool Mountaineering socks and my custom half length graphite orthotics in place of the stock insole. I really wanted these to work out but I'm leaning toward taking them back and continuing the hunt for the perfect boot.

I've always had blister problems on my heels. I always expected to deal with blisters and had moleskin, blister pads etc in my pack. I have a wide forefoot but pretty narrow (or so it feels) heel. My heel usually feels sloppy in most boots, lifting a bit every time I bend my arch. Funny as I've run a lot of races all the way up to a few 50K's and never had a blister. Seems to be mostly limited to hiking boots. Any suggestions for boots to try that might fit my issues? As much as I want to support local business, I'm considering giving Lathrop and Son's a try. I may also try a pair of Kennetrek mountain boots (I think they make wide now).

 

[Brock A]

I took these to the gym this morning and did 1 mile at 3 mph/15%. Within a quarter mile I started to get a hot spot on my left heel (right felt fine). I was wearing some Smartwool Mountaineering socks and my custom half length graphite orthotics in place of the stock insole. I really wanted these to work out but I'm leaning toward taking them back and continuing the hunt for the perfect boot.

If you had hot spots that quickly I would agree with you on taking them back. Once you hit the mountains it will only intensify. A treadmill is a very controlled test environment and will weed out the major problems but in order to truly test them I would hit the mountains. Once you are done and if you need to take them back just clean them with a wet rag really well. Good luck!

 

[airlocksniffer]

Okay, this is really dumb but when I took these back today, I had them measure my foot (first time in I'm not sure how long). I measure 10.5, not 11, which may be part of the reason I've been getting hotspots. I ordered the new pair-hopefully this will solve the issue.

 

[miller1]

Make sure if you go smaller you don't bump your toes on step downhill.

 

[Travis1984]

I have a similar foot style and I really like the cevedales

 

[MattB]

I have used Lowa boots for the better part of a decade, and I have learned that the tightness of the lacing can have an impact on heel slippage. On a hunt last year I started getting a hot spot on my heel where I never did before. A little more tension on the laces over the area where the ankle bends did the trick.

 

[airlocksniffer]

I took back the original 11 wides and ordered 10.5 wides. A week later, I get the call that my boots are in and they are 10.5 regular. I immediately sent those back and finally got the 10.5 wides a couple of days ago. My heel feels much more secure in this pair. I've yet to take them to the gym for some incline testing but I'm cautiously optimistic. I also ordered a couple pairs of DT Full cushion hiking socks and some leukotape (just in case). If the gym testing goes good then I'll start breaking them in outside. Thanks for all of the suggestions.