Breaking in Combat Boots for Running / Rucking
When you buy or get issued a pair of boots you have to break them in before you run / ruck for miles in them. Over the years I have tried many methods. Military.com veteran community — share some of your methods as there is more than one way to get your boots ready for action.
Here is one method that worked for me for at least ten pairs of combat boots.
Get them soaked and walk in them for a day. Soak your feet and boots in some form of water (ocean, lake, river, bathtub, even shower with them). Just get them soaked. Then take them off after about 30 minutes of walking in them and replace your wet socks with dry socks so your feet do not get too soft and start to fall apart.
Take a pair of thin socks under your thick pair of socks. I personally like a polyester / rayon blend that cling to your feet / lower legs like a pair of stockings. If you ever played baseball and used baseball socks you will know the kind I am talking about. A better picture maybe your Grandfather wearing a pair of shorts with his dress socks and shoes — that is the sock I am talking about! Then put on the outer sock. This is whatever you are issued — Army Green or Navy Dive socks for instance.
Continue walking and picking up the pace to a slow trot occassionally to start to breaking them in the way you walk, run, and ruck. If you can keep a pair strictly for rucking and one for running you will see a difference in the way they feel as you ruck differently than you run. This is not necessary but it could save you from some overuse injuries over time.
Make sure you do a freshwater rinse and polish them with leather softener / shoe polish for extra protection and comfort.
Take care of your boots and they will take care of you!
Send in your ideas — comment below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvPMTI5gO0c
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Stew Smith is a former Navy SEAL and fitness author certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. If you are interested in starting a workout program to create a healthy lifestyle - check out the Stew Smith article archive at Military.com. To contact Stew with your comments and questions, e-mail him at stew@stewsmith.com.
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Check out this video for the type of thin socks I am talking about:
I used these at BUDS and never got one blister in the 6 months I was wet and sandy and wearing boots.
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Always hae a couple pairs ready , rotate your boots and when you get new ones rotate them into your daily grind in garrison until broken in . Don’t wait until you need bots to replace them or you will pay for it.
Best advice yet!
ALL YOU GOTA DO IS PUT YOUR BOOTS IN FRONT OF YOUR TRUCK TIRE AND RUN IT OVER QUIT A FEW TIMES ; )
That might work to soften the leather. I am sure it has been tried. The biggest thing is to have 2 pairs at all times so you NEVER have to work / ruck / run in a pair of new boots.
Yep, soak ‘em and wear ‘em. Worked well with jungle boots. A pair of ladies knee highs underneath the 2nd, (dry) pair of boot socks brought on the jokes, but sure worked.
That is how it was done in basic at Fort Benning in 1957
Some old school methods still are used today — at least by me.
Suede is a whole different type of leather. Be sure to use a spray waterproofing and dirt resistant protectant on them right out of the box. Get a suede leather brush to keep them from wearing out to fast on the outside.
Rotate your boots daily. I ended up getting three sets for my tour in Desert Storm to break in the new set and keep the others supple and clean.
Mud deteriorates suede faster than regular leather.
Keeping them clean prolongs the life of them. Use SHOE TREES to keep the toes from curling. I invested in cedar to help absorb moisture. Guys were constantly amazed at how many years some of my boots lasted because of this regimen I learned out of infantry school @ Ft Polk class of 1970.
Yes — I would not recommend this method with suede. Take care of your gear and it will take care of you. Nice advice
After a long day on your feet you need to let your feet air out. Even when freezing outside, I slept with a new pair of socks on to make sure your feet dry out. Spiders can get in your boots while they are off but I have been bit in the arm / leg / back by spiders so sleeping with boots on is not worth it just for spider bites but critical to let wet feet dry, blisters harden etc…