I hike every weekend — here’s how to break in your boots and avoid getting blisters

Keen Targhee IV hiking boots photographed in front of a blue background.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

I have been an avid hiker from a very young age. Growing up in South Wales in the U.K., I have never been too far away from a mountain, coastal trail, or forest path, and this has made for some very exciting (and very muddy) weekends.

This love of the great outdoors means I've been through more hiking boots and trail shoes than I care to admit. And yes, that means I have endured my fair share of twisted ankles, sore skin and blisters. But over the years, I have curated a list of methods that work every time to break in the boots and keep me blister-free.

While these tips are great for hiking boots, I also use them when I break in a new pair of those notoriously painful Dr. Martens, so you can be assured that these tips tackle even the toughest of break-ins.

Lace them up tight

This is going to seem like I’m stating the obvious, but buying the right size shoe from the start is the way you’re going to experience the least discomfort. Most hiking boot brands sell half sizes, so it’s best to try them on before buying if you can.

Once you get the right size, the next step is finding the right lace tension for you to make sure your foot stays snug and isn’t sliding about inside the boot. I always go with a thick pair of socks, like the ones I would wear on a long hike, and lace them up, maintaining the most tension around the ankle to keep the heel secure.

A couple of months ago, I got to test the Keen Targhee IV hiking boots, and they quickly became my go-to for long weekend walks. The Keen boots have a strap that wraps around to the back of the heel from the laces. When the laces are tightened, they pull the strap tighter to achieve that super snug fit.

Having this tension at the back of the boot reduces the risk of your foot slipping out of that secure spot, and reduces the risk of any friction in the boot. This is why when I tested the Keen hiking boots, I knew I was going to be comfy on even the longest and most gruelling hikes.

Hydrocolloid bandages are your best friend

Hydrocolloid bandages are typically what you reach for after a dreaded blister has already ruined your day. But I am proposing using them to prevent the blister from appearing in the first place.

The second you start to experience any friction on the side of your toe, back of your heel, or at the top or bottom of your foot, remove your socks and assess the situation. I can tell where the boots are going to rub by walking up and down a flight of stairs and doing some calf raises to imitate the action of hiking.

The Keen Hightrail Mid boots in Green on foot, on a stone surface — (Image credit: Future)

Pop a hydrocolloid bandage on the affected area, and this will act as a second skin, effectively creating a barrier between you and the shoe. It also adds another layer of padding.

If you can’t get your hands on hydrocolloid bandages, grab some regular Band-Aids and double-layer them on the hot spot. This created the same padded effect on the area and still softens up the shoe without your foot taking the brunt of the blow.

Treat hiking boots like Dr. Martens

Okay, hear me out. I’m not suggesting you break out the hammer and start whacking your hiking boots like you would with the hard leather of Dr. Martens to soften them up. But I use many of the same methods when I want to avoid blisters during the breaking-in phase.

Green Keen Zionic Mid Waterproof hiking boots for women — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

The best advice I have been given when breaking in Dr. Marten shoes is to wear double-layered socks. This could be wearing two pairs of socks, but I prefer using double-lined socks. This means that the two layers of the socks will be rubbing together, so your skin doesn’t experience any of the friction.

And if you tend to experience a lot of rubbing on your heels, heel grips are the best thing you can get. These stick to the shoe and ensure an extra snug fit. Before I used them, I would always struggle with blisters on my heels, so they are a real game-changer.

Break them in before they break you

Don’t go jumping straight into climbing a mountain; you need to work your way up to a long hike, no matter how much preparing you do. Wear the boots on short walks first before moving on to longer, more strenuous hikes to allow them to mold to your feet. This will also help you identify where blisters could form on longer walks and use the steps above to combat them.

The On Cloudrock Mid WP boots being laced up — (Image credit: Future)

When working on these shorter walks, I would also recommend slowly adding more weight, like a heavier backpack, each time. Walking with added weight can change the way your foot lands, and this will create new pressure points.

By doing all these steps and finding the best routine for you, breaking in shoes is going to be a breeze.

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Ashley is a staff writer on the the Reviews team at Tom’s Guide. She has a master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and a BA in Journalism, Media and Sociology. She has written for titles including Women’s Health UK, writing health and wellness stories, and Virgin Radio UK, specializing in entertainment news and celebrity interviews. She has reported on a variety of topics including music, literature, motorsport, entertainment and health, and has her own bookish newsletter, Ashley’s Reading Nook.She has previously reviewed live music events, books, and wellness products but finding the best way to listen to new music releases is essential for Ashley, so discovering the top audio equipment on the market is what she does best.When she is not testing out the latest tech, you can find her either curled up with a cup of tea and a good fantasy novel or out hiking.

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