Breaking in shoes

Anyone disappointed by thread title?

I was looking for a quiet pair of shoes for robberies! :)

Anyway, Compeed blister plasters. Work a treat.
 
I wear Bridgedale WoolFusion trekker socks exclusively. They're expensive but worth it, after three years the socks are perfectly fine, just the elastic around the top is starting to feel a bit weaker.

When it comes to breaking in new shoes, a good pair of socks (see above) and if you need them, grab a Compeed blister plaster to put over the area which is rubbing. Leave the plaster on until it falls off, this can be up to a week even after showering and by then your shoes should be nicely broken in.

To start with, wear the shoes around the house a bit to find out where they're starting to rub and that's how you know where you need the blister plaster.

Good socks are essential though.
 
dowie said:
don't use padding

don't buy ordinary plasters either

buy some zinc oxide tape
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Any particular reason? I have some in my F/A kit but rarely use it. The only positive is it's less sticky, but I've found using stuff like that with a really stiff heel means it just rubs through, unlike fabric tape.

dowie said:
yup they're gash

don't bother with dual layer stuff - buy socks made by bridgedale if you're going to do serious walking and/or just want your feet well protected
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Bridgedale are nasty. One sock guaranteed to give me blisters... I get the impression they are a "starter" sock for those not willing to splurge on proper woollen ones like smartwool or wigwam which are both leagues ahead of Bridgedale.

EDIT: That said it looks like their newer socks are a lot better than their older stuff. I haven't touched them in around 5 years because of the aforementioned blistering issue.

And all that said I assumed we were talking about work shoes (I.e. formals shoes) not walking boots, so a pair of hiking socks is a bit overkill for walking round the office?!
 
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Amp34 said:
Bridgedale are nasty. One sock guaranteed to give me blisters... I get the impression they are a "starter" sock for those not willing to splurge on proper woollen ones like smartwool or wigwam which are both leagues ahead of Bridgedale.
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It's all down to personal preference, I've tried a few socks and the Bridgedale WoolFusion Trekker have been the best by far.
 
Oh, totally. Socks are majorly important when hiking. I'm just expressing my distaste for Bridgedale, which never worked for me. :p

They just seemed the Millets of the sock world. Some people are fine with it, some people move up to Ellis Brigham/independents because the gear is better if you're using it a lot.:p
 
Old School thought was rub soap into the leather to make it supple. Either that or heel protectors. As the dress code at work requires reasonably smart wear I've suffered from this on numerous occasions breaking in a new pair of shoes and generally I can only wear Clarks as the heel and ankle area is reasonably supple from the start. Otherwise it takes ages to get them comfortable and then waiting for the hole in your heel to fill takes even longer.
 
Dump shoes/boots in bucket of warm water - when fully soaked put them on and go for a walk till they have dried out -- worked for my Timberland boots. :)
 
Amp34 said:
Bridgedale are nasty. One sock guaranteed to give me blisters... I get the impression they are a "starter" sock for those not willing to splurge on proper woollen ones like smartwool or wigwam which are both leagues ahead of Bridgedale.
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I've found this as well. I used to use Bridgedale socks and suffered with blisters. I switched to Smartwool and the problem stopped. The Smartwool Mountaineering socks are the best things ever too!
 
Feek said:
Good socks are essential though.
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Yes Sir, Lt. Feek :p

M8Jfays.jpg
 
Merlin5 said:
Got any tips on breaking in new shoes so they don't keep crippling my heels? I've got two new pairs that are both painful to wear. One pair I bought months ago and haven't worn more than once or twice as they cut into my heels and really make them sore.:mad:
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Just wear a slightly smaller heel daaarling , they will still look faaaaaaaabulous darrrrrrlllling.*mwah* *mwah* :p:D
 
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