Fit:

1. The toe box is roomy enough to wiggle your toes.
2. The heel has enough room that if you push your foot toward the front of your boot, you can squeeze a finger down the back of the boot.
3. Your heel does not slip up and down as you walk.

Breaking in Your New Boots

http://eve.bk.tsukuba.ac.jp/twmc/hiking_advice/5_boots.html Once you purchase a pair of boots, break them in slowly and don't tackle Mt. Everest on your first day out. Leather boots in particular take a while to break in, so take a couple of two- or three-hour hikes before your big trip or wear them around the house or even while mowing your lawn. If you find any sharp pressure points, use boot conditioner or wax to soften the leather.

www.scoutingmagazine.org/ "Soak them wet and walk them dry." This is a time-honored way to break in boots to the shape of your feet. First apply moleskin to blister-prone areas of your feet. Then put on dry socks. Soak boots in lukewarm water; then start walking. After the boots dry, treat them with a leather conditioner.

www.nicksboots.com/Break-In.htm

1. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of rubbing alcohol & water.
2. Spray the mixture on the boots every time you feel them getting tight or stiff.
3. While wet, friction-rub them with your hand as if your were polishing them.Ê This allows the alcohol to penetrate.
4. Lacing-It is important to lace the boot tightly over the instep and around the ankle , which allows the leather to seat properly. (Snug is good; snugger is better)

Get through the 80-100 hours with the alcohol and water break-in, then grease your boots

Care and Maintenance

Cleaning and waterproofing your boots from time to time is critical. Use waterproofing on leather, and be sure to concentrate on the seams, which can become porous over time. For boots with a Gore-Tex? lining, use a silicon-based waterproofing treatment, not a wax-based treatment. Wax-based treatments keep the leather from "breathing."

On the trail, if a blister or hot spot develops, place padding such as moleskin or an adhesive bandage over the area. You can cut a donut in the moleskin to create a buffer around the blister.

Repair - Custom Fitting

www.fitsystembyphiloren.com

Lacing Tips

Prevents pressure on high volume of high indspe feet. Skip lacing to reduce pressure. Dougle wrap maintains hold above and below.

Improves hold of low volume or narrow feet. Double wrap on lower laces holds foot snug. Prevents overtightening of laces that causes pressure

Tightens heel lock. Pass lace across and under opposite lace that spans two hooks. Pull up against the lacing to tighten the heel into the boot.