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Breaking in new boots...

colekingx

In the parking lot (formerly "At the base lodge")
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Is it worth doing anything to break in new boots besides riding them? Have heard some people say to wear them around the house for 15-60 minutes at a time. Have heard other people say that it's not worth it and that the only way to break in boots is to ski in them. What say you?
 

Jim Kenney

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I don't see harm in both approaches. I got new boots (regular downhill ski boots) this feb after about 9 years in my old ones. Definitely took about 3 ski days to break my old feet into the new boots;)
Welcome to Ski Talk!
 
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HardDaysNight

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I’ve been skiing a very long time and, until some years ago, had never succumbed to odd advice. Then I read somewhere that it was helpful to put on one’s boots and clump around indoors a few months before the season started to break in the boots and accustom one’s feet to the pressure.

So, it’s midsummer, 90° and I have my ski boots on, ski socks up to my knees, clad only in t-shirt and underpants, marching around in our sitting room when the door bell rings. It’s a FedEx delivery and the guy needs a signature. I open the door. To his great credit, the delivery man doesn’t bat a eyelid but merely holds out his device, gets my autograph and leaves, shaking his head as he retreats down the driveway.
 

Scruffy

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Have heard some people say to wear them around the house for 15-60 minutes at a time.

From a historical perspective, those that did were most likely breaking in the liner, not the shell. Most ski boots today fitted at a competent shop have at least the liners heat molded during the fitting process, so this is probably not necessary, but hey, knock yourself out if that's what you want to do.
 

crgildart

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Proper procedure is to put them on and watch ski porn while wearing them.. walk around, get snacks, etc.. Best done within a month of your first planned ski outing in them..
 

Uncle-A

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Yes, put them on walk around the house at least 30 minutes each time. If you want to get serious step into a pair of bindings/skis to give you more leverage when flexing them. I would start in August an do it once a week until your first ski day.
 

JPL

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Lots of voodoo on the subject of breaking in boots, here's my version of it. I like to wear them around the house a few times, fiddle with the buckles, just kind of get used to things, then first day on snow ski them for a while and go in , take them off for about 15 mins to let my feet get a break[if needed] then put them back on and finish the day. If I'm skiing back to back days I don't put the new boots on the dryer, I feel the the warm air expands the liner, last thing I want at that time. Next day ski them again to pound the liner into submission.
 

jt10000

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Is it worth doing anything to break in new boots besides riding them? Have heard some people say to wear them around the house for 15-60 minutes at a time. Have heard other people say that it's not worth it and that the only way to break in boots is to ski in them. What say you?
Skiing breaks them in much faster. I suspect 30-60 minutes in the house is like a single run on skis in terms of general packing of the liner. And also the flexing we do skiing may pack more specific places than just wearing boots.

I do it when I'm just sitting around at home doing other stuff. It helps a little but is not super-important.
 

ThomasD

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The only reason I put on my boots off the mountain is to dial in/fine tune the micro adjusters.

Otherwise the last thing I want to do is anything that might tend to cause wear or alter their fit and/or behavior.

My attitude is that if they are not comfortable, or not performing properly it is not a matter of lack of 'break in.' It's because something is wrong, and I need to go back to the shop and get it corrected.
 

slow-line-fast

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Walking around the house won't break them in any, but might flag any big problems with the fit. It can't cause any harm except maybe to your floor. And it might be a fun diversion when there is a heat wave.
 

4ster

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I always put my boots on for awhile a few times before the season begins whether they are new or not. Not so much breaking my boots in but breaking my feet into my boots.
If I don’t have time I hire someone else ;)
C77B3CA6-B068-4735-B776-4D4E7BED6C2F.jpeg
 

fatbob

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Had a few consecutive evenings of swearing when breaking/ heating in my zipfits ahead of the season. Worth it though.
 

Gary Stolt

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Wearing your boots indoors and walking around in them could help to reveal a "hot spot" or two. You can then get them worked on before the season starts. The hot spots don't always show up right away. As 4ster also said, doing this each year can acclimate your feet to your boots. your feet can change a little also.
 

Tricia

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Wearing your boots indoors and walking around in them could help to reveal a "hot spot" or two. You can then get them worked on before the season starts. The hot spots don't always show up right away. As 4ster also said, doing this each year can acclimate your feet to your boots. your feet can change a little also.
Pretty much this.
Getting your feet used to boots and revealing potential hot spots is really the main reason I put my boots on before ski season.
The best way to break in boots is to actually ski in them.
 

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