Punching out hot spots

[Buster]

Just throwing this one out there. Got new Lowa Hunters in june, started break in process but then hurt my foot, couldn't wear them. Back in them now and found 2 "hot spots". Not much time left before the season, so I took them into a skate shop and had them punch them out. The shop had never done hunting boots before, so they took their time. After 2 rounds of punching, it was a world of difference. Took a lot of time off my break in process. Not 100% sure if this is a proper way of doing it, but no damage to the boot and They feel great.


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[rodney482]

Whats punching a boot consist of?

 

[Buster]

They heat it up a bit and use a ball and cup form to press out the boot in places where you have pressure points.


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[Buster]

Hockey skates and figure skates are extremely hard, they get them "punched out" to speed up their break in process.


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[Hunt'nFish]

Intresting. I wonder what it does to the Gore-Tex bootie inside.
Hunt'nFish

 

[Buster]

Doesn't seem to have damaged anything, the heat up the boot, but I don't think it is so hot that it deteriorates the material. I'm hoping somebody with boot manufacturing background will join in on the thread.

 

[Daniel_M]

To what temperature are they heated?

 

[Buster]

Just talked to the store, they said about 160 degrees fahrenheit, 70 celsius.

 

[Hardstalk]

Ive never had it done. But whenever I do break in on boots ill stick a blow dryer in the boot and heat it up alot before applying softner/conditioner/sealer. I will do it several times before throwing them on and hitting the road with them as hot and juicy as possible. I have been able to completely reshape heel cups with enough heat.

I typically wear a 9 but I am really,really cheap so if I come across an 8.5 or 9.5 slightly used pair in any of the sizes between me and the local shoe repair place that does all of my stretching I have been able to modify alot of sizes to fit me just right.

 

[Buster]

Thats interesting that you've been able to change the heal cup. Always thought that they were pretty much a lost cause to try and adjust. My right heal seems to be slipping a bit in my new Lowas.

 

[Hardstalk]

I want to say the heel cup in my lowas is solid leather. Offering minimal reshaping. Some sturdier trekking boots/work boots/cowboy boots have an almost plastic liner behind the padding and material that touches the foot. Offering more rigidity.

 

[Buster]

Hardstalk, any specific method you have for working and reshaping? Or just heat, boot wax and time?

 

[Hardstalk]

Ill put my foot in while the Boot is as hot as I can stand and put pressure (with hand and or rubber mallet) against where I want more pressure on my heel. I've had boots so hot the heel cup just turned into playdoh. ( I freaked out and thought I ruined the boots) but with nothing to lose I was able to recreate what I originally wanted. Oven works well also if the ole lady is anti hair dryer on boot method.

I guess I have " punched" boots before. If they have a hot spot I would heat and then slam exact location against wall or floor with my foot in the boot.

 

[muleman]

For feet issues and boot punching in Utah. See Josh at Diamond Peak Mountain Sports. He is an avid hunter and a Certified Pedorthist. [FONT=trebuchet ms, Arial, Helvetica][/FONT]Oh and ask him to show you his son's 2012 Muley.

 

[Biggs300]

If my boots are reasonably comfortable and meet the demands of the area(s) I hunt, I personally don't worry about a blister or two during the break-in period. The break-in period is just as much about breaking in my feet as it is breaking in my boots. Just my opinion but a good fitting insole and sock lines can make a marginal boot during beak-in a great fitting boot after break-in.

 

[Buster]

If my boots are reasonably comfortable and meet the demands of the area(s) I hunt, I personally don't worry about a blister or two during the break-in period. The break-in period is just as much about breaking in my feet as it is breaking in my boots. Just my opinion but a good fitting insole and sock lines can make a marginal boot during beak-in a great fitting boot after break-in.

I agree with your thoughts, my feet always have to be broken into the boot, at least to some degree. I decided to try punching them out in those spots because I knew they wouldn't be ready for hunting season otherwise. (I had a foot injury in late june that really shortened the amount of time I could wear the new boots before season). The last thing I need during primetime is blister issues.

 

[trkyslr]

I beleive latjrop and sons do the same exact thing on boots if they have a hot spot. Had that done on my mnt lts