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Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Tom's Guide
I hike every weekend — here's how to break in your boots and avoid getting blisters
I have been an avid hiker from a very young age. Growing up in South Wales in the U.K., I have never been too far away from a mountain, coastal trail, or forest path, and this has made for some very exciting (and very muddy) weekends. This love of the great outdoors means I've been through more hiking boots and trail shoes than I care to admit. And yes, that means I have endured my fair share of twisted ankles, sore skin and blisters. But over the years, I have curated a list of methods that work every time to break in the boots and keep me blister-free. While these tips are great for hiking boots, I also use them when I break in a new pair of those notoriously painful Dr. Martens, so you can be assured that these tips tackle even the toughest of break-ins. This is going to seem like I'm stating the obvious, but buying the right size shoe from the start is the way you're going to experience the least discomfort. Most hiking boot brands sell half sizes, so it's best to try them on before buying if you can. Once you get the right size, the next step is finding the right lace tension for you to make sure your foot stays snug and isn't sliding about inside the boot. I always go with a thick pair of socks, like the ones I would wear on a long hike, and lace them up, maintaining the most tension around the ankle to keep the heel secure. A couple of months ago, I got to test the Keen Targhee IV hiking boots, and they quickly became my go-to for long weekend walks. The Keen boots have a strap that wraps around to the back of the heel from the laces. When the laces are tightened, they pull the strap tighter to achieve that super snug fit. Having this tension at the back of the boot reduces the risk of your foot slipping out of that secure spot, and reduces the risk of any friction in the boot. This is why when I tested the Keen hiking boots, I knew I was going to be comfy on even the longest and most gruelling hikes. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. For me, the Keen Targhee IV are the ideal gorp-core hiking boots. I demand arch support, but love a pretty design, so the fact these boots provide both is a real win. The cushioned sole is bouncy and offers amazing support on long walks, while some extra room at the front of the boot means your toes never get crushed. They are available in half sizes and wide fit options so you can get the perfect fit from the get-go. Hydrocolloid bandages are typically what you reach for after a dreaded blister has already ruined your day. But I am proposing using them to prevent the blister from appearing in the first place. The second you start to experience any friction on the side of your toe, back of your heel, or at the top or bottom of your foot, remove your socks and assess the situation. I can tell where the boots are going to rub by walking up and down a flight of stairs and doing some calf raises to imitate the action of hiking. Pop a hydrocolloid bandage on the affected area, and this will act as a second skin, effectively creating a barrier between you and the shoe. It also adds another layer of padding. If you can't get your hands on hydrocolloid bandages, grab some regular Band-Aids and double-layer them on the hot spot. This created the same padded effect on the area and still softens up the shoe without your foot taking the brunt of the blow. Okay, hear me out. I'm not suggesting you break out the hammer and start whacking your hiking boots like you would with the hard leather of Dr. Martens to soften them up. But I use many of the same methods when I want to avoid blisters during the breaking-in phase. The best advice I have been given when breaking in Dr. Marten shoes is to wear double-layered socks. This could be wearing two pairs of socks, but I prefer using double-lined socks. This means that the two layers of the socks will be rubbing together, so your skin doesn't experience any of the friction. And if you tend to experience a lot of rubbing on your heels, heel grips are the best thing you can get. These stick to the shoe and ensure an extra snug fit. Before I used them, I would always struggle with blisters on my heels, so they are a real game-changer. Don't go jumping straight into climbing a mountain; you need to work your way up to a long hike, no matter how much preparing you do. Wear the boots on short walks first before moving on to longer, more strenuous hikes to allow them to mold to your feet. This will also help you identify where blisters could form on longer walks and use the steps above to combat them. When working on these shorter walks, I would also recommend slowly adding more weight, like a heavier backpack, each time. Walking with added weight can change the way your foot lands, and this will create new pressure points. By doing all these steps and finding the best routine for you, breaking in shoes is going to be a breeze. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Tom's Guide
09-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
I hike every single weekend and these Keen walking boots are my new go-to for mountain trails
The Keen Targhee IV hiking boots made my hikes extremely comfortable, and they have the looks to match, too. After having my toes crushed by uncomfortable boots on previous expeditions, and suffering blisters upon blisters, I've loved every minute with the Targhee IVs. The boots take a step away from the hard leather design Keen boots are known for, which may not impress serious mountaineers. However, they made my trek an absolute pleasure. With cushioned insoles giving bouncy arch support that will have you feeling like you're walking barefoot through the field. And with plenty of space at the front of the shoe, there are no crushed toes or blisters to be heard of. And the support from the back to front bracing is the icing on the cake. You can find out more about my experience in my full Keen Targhee IV review. Price $169 / £155 Weight (per shoe) 16.58oz / 470g Size availability Women's: U.S. 5-12 U.K. 2.5-9.5 Men's: U.S.7-15 U.K. 6-14 Colors Women's: Brindle/Nostalgia Rose Alloy/Granite Green Rose Brown/Plaza Taupe Safari/Reef Waters Bison/Beaujolais Men's: Bison/Black Sea Turtle/Roasted Pecan Brindle/Canteen Triple Black Materials Recycled plastic, leather, mesh lining Waterproofing PFAs-free waterproofing outside membrane inside The Keen Targhee IV women's hiking boots are available from Amazon U.S. for $169. They are also available for purchase directly from Keen's U.S. site for $170. In the U.K. you can't get them on Amazon but they are priced at £155 from Keen's online store. I tested the boots in the color Brindle/Nostalgia Rose in a U.K. size 5/U.S. 7.5 but they are also available in four other colorways: Alloy/Granite Green, Rose Brown/Plaza Taupe, Safari/Reef Waters, and Bison/Beaujolais. In the U.S., the women's sizes range from 5-12, including half sizes, which is useful since you want a snug fit to ensure ultimate comfort. In the U.K. the boots are available from sizes 2.5-9.5. The boots are also available in a wide option in all sizes. The Men's version of the boots are available for $169 from Amazon US and $170 from Keen's U.S. site. In the U.K. the men's boots are priced at £155 from the Keen website. There is a wide choice of colors with the men's design of the boots too. They are available in Bison/Black, Sea Turtle/Roasted Pecan, Brindle/Canteen, and Triple Black. The men's sizes range from 7-15 including half sizes in the U.S., and 6-14 in the U.K.. I think the Keen Targhee IV boots are the epitome of gorp-core. They have the functionality down while having colorways to suit everyone. I personally loved the color I tested, which was Bridle/Nostalgia Rose, as they are pretty neutral but I still have the pop of color from the pink accents at the top of the boot. The first thing about the boots that shocked me is the lack of glue used. Keen says rather than glue (which is pretty bad for the environment) the boots shoe and sole are fused together using heat and pressure. The brand says the fusion bond also lasts longer since glue can deteriorate over time. I thought the boots felt very secure, but only time will tell if the fusion bond holds up compared to traditional glue. The upper of the boots is made from nubuck leather, which is softer than the harder leather used for the previous Targhee III model. The Targhee IV boots are more flexible thanks to the softer material, but this will stand up less well to wear and tear over time and provides less protection against rocks, scuffs and knocks. The inside of the boots and the padded tongue are lined with a breathable mesh which is slightly tough at the the top of the shoe for the first few wears, but it did become more malleable over time. A design feature noted by Keen is the extra space in the toe area of the shoe. I found this to be super comfortable as hiking boots I have owned in the past have crushed my toes and caused blisters on the side, which I didn't experience here. There is a strap attached to the laces which wraps around the back heel of the boot. When the laces are tightened the straps hug tighter making for a super snug fit. There is a removable Luftcell insole which resists compression and gives extra support to the foot. The boots also have built in arch support which I loved as my years of ballet training means my feet demand support on long walks. The sole of the shoe has deep indentations for traction and they are incredibly grippy. They would be ideal for winter hikes in icy conditions. They also have Eco Anti-odour which is pesticide-free. I tested out the Keen Targhee IV hiking boots around my local country park which has muddy terrain with lots of hills to climb. This was an ideal test for the boots as I could see how well the waterproofing held up and how comfortable they were across different terrains. I should start by prefacing that I am notoriously clumsy and accident prone. I have previously taken a tumble at the sumit of Mount Snowdon in North Wales, and ate dirt and ripped holes in my trousers on my way down the more forgiving Pen Y Fan mountain in South Wales. It is for this reason I am very grateful the Targhee IVs were able to keep my ankles in an upright position. This is down to the strap that wraps around the heel of the shoe and is tightened with the laces. I found that when I paid attention to how this was set, my steps were more supported. I tested the boots on a pretty dry day but I made sure to find some remnant muddy puddles. Luckily, there was no leakage of water through to my feet and my sock remained completely dry. When the shoes were splashed with water they were super quick to dry and the leather didn't become stained. Any mud that found its way on to the boot brushed right off. They were also incredibly comfortable to walk in. The arch support meant that my feet didn't ache as much as usual after the 3 hour hike. I also had no issues with my toes rubbing the sides of the shoes and causing blisters, which is something I had come to accept as the norm with previous boots. With hiking boots, I like to feel like I have a firm feel of the ground, and even though the insoles of the boots are cushioned I still felt in control of my steps. It also helped that the boots are very flexible despite having hard rubber soles, as this lends a greater feeling of control. A key part of making sure hiking boots stay in tip top condition after every adventure is having the right aftercare. In the past I've got back from my hike and been too tired to dry brush them, leaving them overnight to find stains have dried in and ruined the look of the boot. The Targhee IVs are very easy to clean. Keen advises cleaning the boots with mild soap and cold water to remove excess dirt. Once this dries you can clean them further by using a stiff brush which will break away any muddy flakes. When the boots inevitably get wet, they need to be air dried but away from heat, this will make sure the shape of the leather isn't affected. The Keen Targhee IV boots are the definition of an ideal hiking boot. Keen is clearly conscious about the environmental effect of boot production and the small changes made accordingly to the boot construction hasn't compromised their quality. The cushioned sole is incredibly comfortable on long walks, the levels of grip are impressive and the support from the arched design is essential for longer hikes. The waterproofing on the shoe is impressive and they dried quickly after I subjected them to muddy puddles and they were easy to maintain with a dry brush to remove dirt despite the soft leather. Sure, the Targhee IV's soft construction might not stand up to the most demanding hikes quite as well as the previous hard-shell Targhee IIIs, but I'll take the added comfort any day. After so long spent nursing injuries and blisters from my hikes, I've finally found the perfect walking boot.
