Answer

By GrahamThompson

Four-season boots are not as hard to break in as they used to be as they now tend  to have lots of foam padding. However, the stiffness of four-season boots can still make them a challenge. 

As someone who wears boots most days I find that I can wear them straight from the box without discomfort, which suggests it is more a case of breaking your feet in rather than breaking the boots in. These days people are used to wearing soft, comfortable shoes all day - stiff winter boots feel very strange in comparison, which is why you feel they need breaking in I suspect. 

The first thing to do is wear stiffer boots regularly for short periods of time. If you walk to work then wear your boots. If you don’t walk to work then wear your winter boots for easier walks along a river bank. Basically look for opportunities to wear your boots for short sessions rather than long ones.

Wearing thick socks will help of course and you will also find that the way you lace the boot will affect comfort as the boot moulds to your foot. Look to check the laces regularly and tighten them up as otherwise the foot may start moving inside the boot and create blisters.  

Walking on hard surfaces is always uncomfortable with stiffer boots, so try and get in as much walking as you can on softer surfaces. Moorland walks are great, as the dampness will soften the uppers a little, while the wet soggy ground tends to give a little, so reducing the pounding on the feet that can occur on harder surfaces.

If you are heading to the Alps in summer or the UK hills in winter, it pays to start getting used to your boots early. To prepare for winter, start wearing your boots in autumn before the snow comes. If you are preparing for the Alps then get in lots of use during winter and spring.

All the above gives you good reason to wear your winter boots around towns like Ambleside and Keswick. Just don’t make the mistake of also wearing your full winter kit on a sunny day as you may get some strange looks...not that it has ever stopped me!