Breaking in Your Meindl Boots
As with all outdoor footwear it is essential that we break in our new boots before taking them out; after all, our feet will be in them for the best part of the day and the last thing we need, or want, is blisters, pain or discomfort. Part of the breaking in process is ensuring that the boots fit well and there are a number of things to consider regarding the fitting of a boot and these are sometimes overlooked. This week we will explain how to ensure you have a well fitted boot and how to break them in easily.
The fitting of a boot is very important and an integral part of the breaking in process, especially when considering your safety. A perfectly fitted boot contributes greatly to the enjoyment of a day out just as an poorly fitted boot can lead to extreme discomfort and can play havoc with footing when going up or down inclines or through soft ground.
Getting the right size of boot plays one of the biggest parts of the fit. You should never assume that you’re one particular size, especially as you get older, as your muscles slacken and the arch of your foot diminishes making your foot broader and longer. If you’re ever in doubt about the size you should purchase it's a good idea to try the next half size up. When stepping into your boots you should have at least a centimeter of free space between your toes and the end of the boot. This ensures there is plenty of room for movement, but not too much room to cause your feet to slide, and grants you the ability to wear thicker socks which most of us will require a majority of the time anyway.
Next, you should focus on the lacing of your boots. The lacing technique which you use should offer you maximum comfort and stability but also flexibility. You would be surprised how many techniques are out there but there is no perfect method of lacing, as we all undoubtedly find different variations more comfortable. Doing a little research about the most used lace up techniques I stumbled across this site. I'm sure you'll agree there are plenty of techniques available to try.
Once you're in your boots and laced up it's time to take them a test drive - in the house. Regardless of whether you order your footwear through a mail order company (BushWear) or through a high street retailer ( Also BushWear if you are in Scotland) the instant you wander out side with your new boots they're yours to keep. So on the off chance you might need to ask for an exchange play it safe and try the following;
- Fire on a pair of the socks you will wear when you have your boots on. Put on your boots, lace them up so they are not too tight, and make sure they feel comfortable.
- Next do nothing for 10 minutes. This allows the boots to get to normal temperature whilst worn and will make the boot slightly more supple.
- Walk around in the house for a good 5 or 10 ten minutes to get a feel for the boots. Are your feet sliding back and forth? Is your heel moving up and down from the inside sole of the boot? Most importantly do you feel supported and comfortable? You may have to tighten or loosen your boots until you get things just right.
At this stage we should now know whether or not these are the boots for us. If you need a different size, just give us a call or an email and we will explain how to have them exchanged.
Now the real test can begin. It's time to put the boots through their paces and here is what we suggest;
- Take the dog for a walk. Nothing too serious - just a little stroll for about 10 or 20 min. This should be long enough to determine if there are any issues.
- The next outing should be a little more strenuous. Go for a decent walk and ensure there are some hills as these are excellent for testing whether or not our feet move when going up or down inclines.
- Testing done. Now go hunt.
In todays age breaking in new boots is exceptionally easy, this is in part due to the quality of materials used with a dash of expert craftmanship. My last pair of Meindl boots were simply exceptional straight out of the box but I like to play safe. I would rather do some general walking to begin with than go for a full days stalking - only to have the day ruined with foot/ankle pains.
Is there is anything specific you do to break in your boots? Let us know by leaving a comment below. And don't forget to follow us on Facebook for the latest BushWear news and special offers.