J
John Wylie B811502
Guest
My son just joined the reserves and he was told to soak the new combat boots in hot water and walk in them to break them in?????????????????? Is there a better way???
D
D-n-A
Guest
Is there a better way? Not that I know of.
Soaking them in hot water helps to soften up the leather. The only way to break in boots, is to wear them an walk around in them.
Soaking them in hot water helps to soften up the leather. The only way to break in boots, is to wear them an walk around in them.
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Better way? Of course not, it's the best way! Back in June, I traded in my old combat boots for a new pair. Unfortunately, 2 days later, I was scheduled to fly off for a call out and then a course... which meant painful feet if I didn't break in my boots quick.
I soaked the first pair in hot water for 10 minutes or so, dumped them out, waited a few seconds, dumped the extra drops out, and then wore then for the rest of the day. Just around the house, and out and about, nothing special. Because they were soaked, they were nice and soft... because they were nice and soft, they bent easily, and because of *that* they quickly molded to the shape of my feet.
Repeated the process again the next day with the next pair of boots. Two days later, I was hard at work, with boots that practically as beaten in as my old boots.
Allow for at *least* 8 hours of continous wear while wet, then allow to air dry over the next couple of days, with occasional wearing for period of 10 minutes or so, just to ensure they dry in the shape of your foot.
Also, for socks, most people are foolish enough to try wearing (only) white cotton sport socks in their boots when they first get them... this quickly causes painful blisters. Wear the issued grey wool socks, or better yet, a pair of white cotton sports socks as an inner layer, and a pair of the issued grey wool socks as an outer layer (This won't cause blisters).
I soaked the first pair in hot water for 10 minutes or so, dumped them out, waited a few seconds, dumped the extra drops out, and then wore then for the rest of the day. Just around the house, and out and about, nothing special. Because they were soaked, they were nice and soft... because they were nice and soft, they bent easily, and because of *that* they quickly molded to the shape of my feet.
Repeated the process again the next day with the next pair of boots. Two days later, I was hard at work, with boots that practically as beaten in as my old boots.
Allow for at *least* 8 hours of continous wear while wet, then allow to air dry over the next couple of days, with occasional wearing for period of 10 minutes or so, just to ensure they dry in the shape of your foot.
Also, for socks, most people are foolish enough to try wearing (only) white cotton sport socks in their boots when they first get them... this quickly causes painful blisters. Wear the issued grey wool socks, or better yet, a pair of white cotton sports socks as an inner layer, and a pair of the issued grey wool socks as an outer layer (This won't cause blisters).
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Note that simply wearing them and walking in them also works perfectly well, it just takes a lot longer, and can be a much more painful process. Nothing beats the water method... I didn't know about the water method with my last pair of boots, and they didn't properly break in until a rather long nav march through bogs and streams one cold October night... man were they great after though.
Walking into the mod tent at the end, soaked up to the waist after falling into a bog hole in the dark was also great fun, as I just happened to walk in behind somone else who was complaining about beng soaked up to their knees...
Walking into the mod tent at the end, soaked up to the waist after falling into a bog hole in the dark was also great fun, as I just happened to walk in behind somone else who was complaining about beng soaked up to their knees...
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I'm not certain what's best for our new Goretex boots - all the old methods were for old technology leather ...
Most of the guys around here rely on good old-fashioned walking ...
(which can also be good conditioning, if you throw on a rucksack ...)
For future reference - General tips for leather:
The "hot water" trick goes back to hockey players breaking in their "Tacks"
(short for Tackaberry leather ... but, I digress ...)
It works, but dries out the leather.
The guy who fixes my goalie pads taught me a new trick for breaking in leather: shaving cream
(he learned it during baseball spring training in Florida).
I can't remember the active ingredient, but it works!
Linseed oil was an old favourite for baseball gloves, but leaves them sticky/tacky.
Mink oil works the best on my hockey pads - better than Dubbin.
Most of the guys around here rely on good old-fashioned walking ...
(which can also be good conditioning, if you throw on a rucksack ...)
For future reference - General tips for leather:
The "hot water" trick goes back to hockey players breaking in their "Tacks"
(short for Tackaberry leather ... but, I digress ...)
It works, but dries out the leather.
The guy who fixes my goalie pads taught me a new trick for breaking in leather: shaving cream
(he learned it during baseball spring training in Florida).
I can't remember the active ingredient, but it works!
Linseed oil was an old favourite for baseball gloves, but leaves them sticky/tacky.
Mink oil works the best on my hockey pads - better than Dubbin.
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Here's 8 pages of everything you needed to know about Combat Boots:
http://army.ca/forums/threads/19977.0.html
But in a short answer, I like to fill new boots with hot water and let them soak for a bit, then dump the water out and wear them around the house or even in garrison until they dry. Its alot of effort that some guys see as unnecessary, but it does make your boots more comfortable faster then if you had just worked them in by wearing them.
Just make sure you don't wear wet boots if you have to march and distance!!
http://army.ca/forums/threads/19977.0.html
But in a short answer, I like to fill new boots with hot water and let them soak for a bit, then dump the water out and wear them around the house or even in garrison until they dry. Its alot of effort that some guys see as unnecessary, but it does make your boots more comfortable faster then if you had just worked them in by wearing them.
Just make sure you don't wear wet boots if you have to march and distance!!
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The goretex boots seem to be pretty much ready to wear, off the shelf, no break in period required.
Last time I managed to fill mine (Accidentally... apparently I looked quite funny after falling into the stream... and yes, I have a habit of falling into just about anything wet), they took a week to dry.
Last time I managed to fill mine (Accidentally... apparently I looked quite funny after falling into the stream... and yes, I have a habit of falling into just about anything wet), they took a week to dry.
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Just a Sig Op said:
They told me that about my brand new JB Goodhue Fire Boots (leather, real gucci) and oh, how I did suffer. No blisters, but painful sore spots, raw soles, pinch points, etc. Once I did get then in some water (Not hard for a firefighter) they worked great. To maintain them I throw loads of mink oil on them and wax on the laces and zippers (Fire boots are normally zippered so that they can be donned/doffed very quickly, the zippers are just an add on that laces to the boot itself) Having said all of this I am in line for a new pair of boots. Firebreaker leather BUNKER BOOTS (Pay attention Aaron White! ;D) They are the exact same as rubbers but made from leather, supposed to be the best thing for a fireman with sore tootsies.
End firefighting rant.
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I have always just doubled up my socks and wore the boots normally, never bothered with hot water. I walk enough to get the combat boot broke in fairly fast, usually I just wear them everywhere for the first 2 weeks. The new gortex boots where ready for use straight out of the box. I was really impressed with them, other then the surprise of nearly falling on anything remotely wet. LOL 
If the new gortex boots cause pain or blisters, apparently they are the wrong size and should be replaced. Hope this helps.
If the new gortex boots cause pain or blisters, apparently they are the wrong size and should be replaced. Hope this helps.
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m_a_c said:I was really impressed with them, other then the surprise of nearly falling on anything remotely wet. LOL
Yup - I and several of my friends have slipped a few times - never had that much trouble in any of my old boots - there must be something wierd about the tread, sole material, or combination thereof ... which is strange, since they're supposed to be for ... cold, wet weather ... hmmm ...
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I find the best way to break in boots is to use Mink Oil. I hate soaking them and wearing them around for a said period of time.
Takes too long and the end doesn't seem to justify the means.
Cover them with mink oil, do a couple good ruck marches and you're good to go.
As for breaking in the Gore-Tex boots or CWWB or whatever.
1. Take them out of the box.
2. Put them in the trash. ;D
I absolutely despise those things. :threat:
Takes too long and the end doesn't seem to justify the means.
Cover them with mink oil, do a couple good ruck marches and you're good to go.
As for breaking in the Gore-Tex boots or CWWB or whatever.
1. Take them out of the box.
2. Put them in the trash. ;D
I absolutely despise those things. :threat:
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If the wet weather boots are casusing pain that chances are:
a)They are the wrong size
b)You are wearing the wrong socks.
For example, on the ex I attended after getting my pair I was the radio man on a long dismounted recce. Half-way through the march I changed my socks, from the new 2 layer sock system to a pair of those older wool socks (I wasnt thinking when I packed). I found that the WWB are actually sized taking into account that you are wearing the new sock system or something similar. When I continued on that march I got bunch of pain spots on the back of my feet from the rubbing of the boot.
a)They are the wrong size
b)You are wearing the wrong socks.
For example, on the ex I attended after getting my pair I was the radio man on a long dismounted recce. Half-way through the march I changed my socks, from the new 2 layer sock system to a pair of those older wool socks (I wasnt thinking when I packed). I found that the WWB are actually sized taking into account that you are wearing the new sock system or something similar. When I continued on that march I got bunch of pain spots on the back of my feet from the rubbing of the boot.
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I love the new WWB all it needs is a softer sole compound, which I hear the new ones are getting. Best of all they fit my orthotics. I remember the staff in Wainwright trying to make me wear MK3s ah the Army will loath the day they taught my how to write a memo. Of course I live on the Wet coast where they should issue Cadpat gaiters for field use. But that is just my opinion.
I broke my MK3s in by soaking them in hot water then wearing them with gore-tex socks untill they dried. Helps reduce salt stains right off the bat as the leather is crome tanned so is full of salts.
I broke my MK3s in by soaking them in hot water then wearing them with gore-tex socks untill they dried. Helps reduce salt stains right off the bat as the leather is crome tanned so is full of salts.
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Yes, a hot water soak is the best way. But remember that when he wears them ensure he has a good quality insole (stay away from gel insoles). I recommend a running show insole. Once the boots break in avoid changing the insole as the boot will be broken in for the original insole. This all comes from someone who has feet like a nun.
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kingsumc said:
DO NOT put your boots in the microwave. You stand a chance of ruining both.
kingsumc,
Why would we trust you? You have two posts. One about how you just passed the CFAT, and the other here, on how to break in combat boots. Please forgive us if we're a little sceptical of any advice you may give, regarding the military. At least wait until your sworn in and issued your uniform, before you try to try to pass on pointers about it's wear and care.
If I've missed something in your past, that points to anything military, perhaps filling in your profile might have helped avoid the confusion.
