The Importance of Breaking in Those New Hiking Boots

The foot is one of the most common areas of injury in avid walkers, climbers, hikers, backpackers and skiers. This is predictable when one considers the many various factors affecting the feet during such recreational activities. These include proper or improper shoe gear, structural variations in the feet, environmental factors, rough terrain, cumulative mileage and impact factors to suggest just a few.

To eliminate one of those factors you can reduce risk of injury by paying attention to your foot gear – probably the easiest preventable measure you can take and one of the most important. When you purchase a brand new pair of hiking boots it is best to take the time necessary to slowly break them in.

There is no quick way when it comes to doing this. To do a good job, you have to put in the time and be patient or you will pay the price in sore feet, blisters and frustration. Never – ever- ever wear a new pair of boots out on the trail for a lengthy hike without going through the process. You may think you can handle it but if you listen to those who’ve gone before you and head the warning, you will have a much better hiking experience!

Protect Your Feet From Blisters, Pain and Regret! There is nothing like a new pair of hiking boots to get you excited about hitting those backcountry trails. Just the look of them says outdoors and adventure. Everyone knows what they represent. A good pair of sturdy boots is the most important piece of gear a hiker can have because without them you cannot get very far. Finding quality boots is very important. They can mean the difference between a hike from hell and a hell of a hike! I will probably always echo the Boy Scout motto whenever I can and that is “Be Prepared”. By being prepared with new hiking boots that simply means – break them in properly before going hiking!

You want your feet to be protected from the rigorous terrain often found on the hiking trails. Hikers encounter everything from rocks, mud, uneven surfaces, water, unexpected holes, thick brush and various obstacles along the path. Wilderness trekkers can expect to run into even rougher terrain. Along with great quality you want a perfect fit for your foot. They should feel snug but not tight as boots tend to loosen up as they get broken in. If they are too loose or too tight then you will have friction which is a definite cause of blisters. You need to be able to wiggle your toes freely yet feel a snug ankle support that does not rub or pinch. A boot that does not fit well can cause all sorts of problems. Also remember that men’s and women’s feet are different in many ways and women should not opt for a scaled down version of a man’s boot but rather purchase one specifically designed for the female foot to insure a better fit.

Once you’ve found the perfect boot that is the right price, look and fit then it’s time to break those babies in. Warning: if you do not break them in prior to hiking you may end up with serious injuries and pain. Having foot pain can alter the way you walk and cause leg and even hip or back pain. So taking this topic seriously will result in a better outcome for you.

The best way to break in new boots is to do it gradually. Start out by wearing your boots for short periods of time with the same socks you will be wearing to hike in. Just putz around your house wearing them for a day or two and see how they feel. If there are no tight spots or rubbing proceed with wearing them outside a few times when you do some light errands or yard work or just walking your dog. The key is to gradually put some mileage on them and allow the boots to loosen up and relieve some of the new stiffness.

Depending on the type of boots, it may take longer to break in and soften some heavy duty leather types or it may be quicker if you have a lightweight model that is not so rigid and stiff or even made of non-leather. There are many types and styles of boots today. Hiking boots are for more rugged trips like backpacking or longer hikes while hiking shoes are often more comfortable, lightweight and intended for use during day hikes. Many of the day hiker shoes are made of mesh and nylon and can be worn immediately like a tennis shoe.

If you search the net you will find references to a variety of ways that people like to break in new boots. Some use saddle soap and mink oil, Nikwax or NaturSeal leather conditioner, Neatsfoot oil, or alcohol and water. Some swear by getting them soaking wet and wearing them until they dry and conform to the shape of your foot. Some methods may work, some may not but gently breaking boots by wearing them over time will definitely work and costs nothing.

If your current boots are so comfy and broken in and feel perfect but have seen better days, then it’s time to start slowly breaking in a new pair while you still have your old kickers to rely upon. Before you know it they’ll be in perfect hiking shape too! It’s always hard to give up those old boots that you’ve spent miles of time with – it’s like losing an old faithful friend.

Before your trip you should purchase some moleskin at the local pharmacy to add to your first aid supplies that you should have in your pack anyway (remember -be prepared!). If during your hike you develop a hot spot the best thing to do is stop immediately and treat the area. A friction blister is the build-up of fluid or blood between the epidermis and dermal layer of skin caused by forceful rubbing or friction applied to the skin. A hot spot is the pre-curser warning that a blister will form if you fail to treat the area quickly.

Remove boots and socks and allow feet to rest and cool. A soak in a cool stream would be ideal. Shake out and dirt and sand or pebbles from boots and socks. Apply a soft piece of moleskin to the red area. It may prevent the development of a blister. Change into fresh socks if at all possible and/or apply some cooling foot powder.

Prevention of Blisters:

* Reduce perspiration by applying topical antiperspirant

* Identify areas of friction and pad them with moleskin

* Check shoe fit

* Wear socks that wick away moisture (polypropylene)

* Apply Vaseline to areas of friction

If you already have a blister do the following. If it has already broken, trim away any loose skin and apply antiseptic to prevent infection and then apply a bandage. Apply some moleskin or even duct tape over the bandage to lessen the pain when you start to walk again. If the blister did not break, use a sterile pin or knife cleaned with alcohol to poke it gently from the side to drain out the fluid. Leave the roof of the blister intact. Apply antiseptic and leave the skin intact as it serves as protection to the new skin underneath. Do the same as above with moleskin and tape. See a doctor if an infection does develop.

The socks you choose also play a very important role in your level of comfort during the hike. Cotton socks are a no-no. The absorb moisture and when wet will definitely be a source of chafing and blisters. Choose wool blend socks or wicking socks which are made with synthetic fibers that pull the moisture away from your skin. Also use a thin liner sock under your thicker socks to minimize friction and rubbing against your skin. Throw an extra pair or two in your backpack – they don’t weigh much and can really save your feet when a fresh change is in order.

Simple but important tips: trim your toenails before the hike and make sure your socks have no holes – two simple preventive measures that can save you some rubbing that leads to blisters and pain. Also if laces are tied too loosely or tightly friction again can cause blisters so tie them just snug enough to be secure and comfortable.

This advice is also for anyone who buys new boots, especially leather ones -construction workers, military personnel, ice skaters, mountain climbers, cowboys, etc. Any new boots should be broken in so as to help it mold and conform to the shape of your own foot and avoid causing you any pain from blisters. There are lots of techniques for softening leather and methods of breaking in but for hikers the best way is to wear them and walk in them since that is what you will be doing in them anyway!

Happy trails and happy feet!

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The Best Winter Boots to Wear in the Snow, Rain and Cold

The winter season means a lot of different things depending on where you live: for Californians it can mean a few degrees difference, for Kentucky residents it can mean ice storms, for New Yorkers it can mean rain and snow and for those even more north it can mean seriously deep piles of snow. It seems obvious, therefore, that the perfect winter footwear would need to include both necessary elements based on your location as well as any fashionable elements. In the paragraphs that follow, I’ll let you know the best winter boots for you sorted by those made for mild winter environments to severe ones.

First let’s take a look at temperature. If temps fall below freezing on a regular basis during the winter months, you’d probably be well advised to look for a boot with some kind of insulation. Boots can be filled with down like puffer jackets & coats often are, they can be lined with high-tech waterproof materials designed to keep feet dry and retain body heat, or boots can be lined with fuzzy materials like fur, fleece, shearling and faux versions of each. If the temperature in your area stays above freezing, lucky you! You have your pick of almost any boot out there! But try to stay away from most boots that are lined or filled as they might become too hot and uncomfortable. Many designer fashion boots are made with unlined leather or man-made materials or even a very thin leather lining. There are also a few sheepskin boots, like Uggs, that are lined but claim to keep feet at a comfortable temperature whether outdoors is hot or cold.

Second, almost everyone has to deal with rain in the winter to some degree. If your rain is not all that cold, you may just need a pair of rubber rain boots to get you through the winter. If you don’t think they’ll be warm enough, you can now find rubber rain boots that are lined with some of the materials I listed in the paragraph above. If your rain freezes constantly or you live in an area with ice storms, you’re going to need to look for a waterproof boot with traction. Look for rubber soles that have various raised areas so they are not completely flat on the bottom. If you fall in love with a boot with a completely impractical smooth leather sole, remember that cobblers can often add a rubber pad or re-sole a boot to make them less slippery in winter conditions. Heels should be wedges or non-existent (flat). Wedge heels have a solid surface area touching the ground from toe to heel, which means more of the shoe on the ground to grip than with other types of heels.

The third element to consider is snow conditions. If you live in the snow and will have to walk through it, you’ll need a boot that is tall enough to keep your feet warm and dry even after you sink into the snow piles a few inches (or more). You will probably also want to make sure the boot is flat or has a very low heel to prevent twisted ankles or other injuries. Remember that when snow falls and melts, it becomes wet just like rain, so keep the snow boots waterproof too.

And forth, let’s talk about boot styles. Now I have just mentioned boots above but there are more specific categories to think about: ankle boots, mid-calf boots, knee boots and thigh-high boots. If you have to deal with deep snow, you should probably go for as tall a boot as you feel comfortable with and one that is as tight as possible around your legs; If any snow falls in, your feet will be wet and miserable all day. If you only get a few inches of snow or none at all, you can choose the boot height of your preference and style. Watch out for ankle boots though if you commonly see deep puddles, sometimes even those are not tall enough to keep your feet dry. If you prefer to wear your pants over your boots instead of tucked in, you may also want to make sure the boots are not too tall and poofy or you may spend the rest of the day pulling your pants back down around them. Likewise if you tuck your pants into your boots often, be sure the boots are wide enough to fit everything in.

Now check magazines, websites, trend sheets and your favorite stores for the colors and styles that are popular this winter season and incorporate those into your winter picks too! Color is the easiest way to stay on trend in the winter when you have to consider being outside in the real world, but often things like lace up detail, straps, studs, or even specific brands can become all the rage and add a bit of runway fashion to your everyday boots. Just because you need rugged non-slip soles does not mean you can’t look trendy and fabulous. Happy shopping!

Winter Boots and other discount shoes can be found here!

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Cheap Boots And Handbags for Women

Once you buy UGG boots online there are times that they have given you a discount coupons. The ancient phrase “identity of a man is shown from his boots”, tells us the significance of boots in our daily dressing sense. They need to be selected with extra care. Because of the growing interests of the professionals, celebrities and even common people in the variety of footwear, their design, quality as well as colors, today’s footwear market is booming with the latest trends to satisfy the endless demands of the customers. Nowadays boots are the fashion as well as status symbol. But it really doesn’t mean that when one can only buy costly and largest branded footwear, there are other alternatives too, so that you can have a balance between price and quality.

Cheap boots are the solution to get the right boots at reasonable rates. You cannot be left behind in the race of status and fashion, if you can’t afford precious ones. Many manufactures provides footwear which are affordable at very low prices. You need to have a proper search of the boot market. Once you have a proper knowledge of the price tags of different shops than only you can proceed further and go on for the comparison as per the prices. Market research makes you confident about your journey towards the choice of cheap boots.

There are usually different varieties of cheap boots for men and women. Their lowest price limit is only $9 and maximum price limit is $90. The price varies as per the demand, design and boot material.

Cheap Boots for Women
Common for women are the western style cowboy boots, jet black leather biker boots, warm winter snow boots, fluffy mule knitted slippers, lace up fashion ankle boots, chunky heeled welly boots, shearling winter knee boots, hiking boots and many more. The common colors that the world class designer chooses for women’s bots are baby pink, white, coral and black.

Choice of cheap boots should be made is such a way that they are equally comfortable, fits your size and gives you real luxury when you wore them. Good boots automatically increases your confident level. The online shopping stores give you a vast pool of brand, size, designs, color and trends. You just have to choose the correct channel to get the boots of your choice at your doorstep.

Cheap handbags
The handbag is also an important accessory that is not only the need to hold the items of daily use such as cosmetics, books, money or mobiles, but nowadays it reflects your persona and taste of brands. Women are always very conscious about the privacy of the things they carry along with them, when they go the office, parties or even college. So, handbags are their friend to keep their secrets, and make them untouched by the others. Women are also having a property to save lot money to manage the economic balance in the home. So they usually search to spend little without compromising the quality and utility of the item. In the increasing completion era cheap handbags are also the point of attraction for such women.

The cheap handbags come from the locations where the processing and manufacturing cost of these bags are low. Cheap handbags are only available at the bulk manufacturing companies. More sources of cheap handbags are the places where the material is cheap and available in abundant.

Everybody knows that ‘every shiny thing is not gold’ similarly ‘every costly thing is not good’. The cheap bags can also be made from good quality material by good planning. The wholesale shop satisfies this main requirement of the customers. These manufacturers do not make extra money; the product is free of additional charges and the price does not include other chain profits that usually add up to the main price if one can buy the same from the third party, other than wholesaler. These shops are also famous for their custom made handbags, where they provide good bags of customer’s choice as per the customer’s need. Customer usually comes up with their own design which they usually do not get from the readymade handbag market and the wholesale producers solve their problem.

As per the today’s economic problems in everybody’s life, women are always in search of discounts and offers in the handbags. These eye-catching gifts are only available through online shopping, where you get range, brands, types and colors. Trustworthy and best online stores can be chosen to proceed with click oriented shopping style. Cash-on-delivery is the best option where you can first get the product at your home, then you can check it and at last you then release the money from the pocket.

Today’s trend is to get the handbags and boots that suits with the dress. So, whenever women choose dresses for special occasions or workplace, then they always try to buy matching handbags and boots. For this reason price is always a big issue, along with that the items should be reliable and must last for years, so that it can support the dress whenever needed. So, buy it from the guaranteed brand and manufacturer.

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