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My first drill weekend I received a new uniform and new boots, 1/2 size bigger than I normally wore in the past, and within that night I received a huge a** blister on the back of my heel. Anyone have any good tips/advice/tricks to break in the boots OR to not get blisters? I had a blister on my other foot, but not as bad.
Uniforms
Boots
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 19
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Dunk you're boots in water, get them completely saturated. Put them on, cinch them up, and wear them until they dry. You may have to do this more than once. But as they dry, they will better conform to your feet...
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SFC (Join to see)
Fully agreed. I used to hit them with saddle soap first to get all of the factory gunk off them, and then wear them all day on a warm sunny day. Since we've changed over to the tan boots I stopped using saddle soap.
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LTC Stephen C.
SFC Michael Hasbun, used to have to do this with the old black leather Corcoran jump boots. In fact, when I would get a new pair, I'd put them on and stick my feet in a warm shower for awhile. I'd then walk around in them until they dried. Usually, had to do that more than once or you'd end up with "Corcoran bites". Essentially, your feet would simply get rubbed raw across the instep and it would hurt like hell.
SPC(P) Delcina Myers
SPC(P) Delcina Myers
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well the first thing I would advise you is get boots that fit... 1/2 size to big you will get blisters no matter what. Once you do that, follow the guidance that others have stated. The only way to break in boots is to wear them... ALOT.
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SPC(P) Delcina Myers
CSM Poll, for right now, I have to wear these boots. My supply SSG didnt have my right size, and it will take 6 weeks until Supply HQ reopens (doing inventory or something) and then however long for me to get the right sized boots. And I dont have the money to buy new ones, either. But as soon as I get either the money, or Supply HQ opens up, I will be on the right track... whichever comes first. Thank you, Sergeant Major.
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I used to shower with the new boots on, and then walk up and down hills and stairs with them on for awhile. Â Obviously not long enough to bust up my feet. Â But that always worked for me. Â I have also heard about people wetting their boots and then rubbing shaving cream into the leather to make it more malleable. Â I used to do that with my old baseball gloves, but never tried it with boots.
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2 Words...Manchu Mile. Â Your feet will be broke in too. Â Â
But for real what SSG Williams stated is correct. Â Blisters are caused by friction. Â You need to reduce the friction wherever you can. Â Starting with wearing the proper fit boot. Â Then identify your "hot spots" and mole skin them up.
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honestly, ive had issue boots pretty much since I cam in the army and only bought a pair of "the new hotness" when I was a DS since I knew I would be on my feet all day. But all I have ever done is made sure I had them tied tightly from the toes to the calf and let them wear in. Now I wouldnt wear them like that for a 15k or something dumb, but for daily use they would break in just fine and once they were comfortable enough I would then just tie them normally. No special socks or nothing, just tie them tight.
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SSG (Join to see)
i did the manchu mile in korea in 2012, 25-30 mile road march depending on how froggy the cadre are, and i have never done anything like that... I used my ole high speed boots i used when i was a ds. but i went and invested in some high dollar dr scholls inserts... they were a life saver, i had absolutely no blisters or serious issues when i was done besides the normal aches and pains that you get from doing the event.. so, tie them tight and maybe try some inserts just to fill some of the space and bring your foot higher up in the boot making it tighter? i dont know, but maybe that will help
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SPC(P) Delcina Myers
SFC Tello, and everyone else,
My boots are now broken in, thank you all for the advice. Now... What about roller skates? Lmao, I'm just kidding. I went skating last weekend with my niece, and ended up with blisters on the bottom of my feet... Damned if I do, damned if I don't. Oh well. Take care, gentlemen, ladies, sergeants, marines, et cetera!
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well for one it sounds like your boots are to big for you.Â
so 1: get smaller boots
2: wear them when not at drill off and on for the next few months to help break them in.
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I have always just walked through the blisters; build up those callouses and you don't get them any more. However the downside is your feet look all F'ed up.
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Tighten them up. Get them soaking wet. Let them dry while wearing them. Repeat.
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It sounds like you may have gotten the blisters because the boots were too big.
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SPC(P) Delcina Myers
They were the only ones available at that time, and they were half a size too big. I had misplaced my old ones between my break in service, or I wouldn't have gotten blisters. Thank you for responding, Sergeant.
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