- in Adventures , Trekking Poles
How to Break in a New Pair of Hiking Boots – Without the Blisters
Even the best pair of hiking boots will come out of the box a little stiff, which can easily lead to pain, pinching, and even blisters if you don’t take the time and effort to break them in properly.
While the time it takes to break in a pair of boots can vary depending on the materials, the handy tips below can help you quickly and easily get a perfect, comfortable fit – without the blisters.
Pay Attention to Pinches and Hot Spots
Before you start breaking in your boots, make sure that they are a decent fit out of the box.
While you can expect any brand-new boot to be a little stiff, sharp pinches or hot spots are warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored.
In most cases, such pains are not likely to go away even after the boots are broken in, since they stem from a problem with the size or design of the boot itself.
Always take the time to try on boots before you buy them, and if you are shopping online, look for sellers with generous return policies.
Start Slow
Trying to break in boots too quickly, even on a day hike, can lead to calluses, blisters, and swelling.
Instead of wearing your new boots for a long hike or a full shift at work, take things slowly.
Start by wearing the new boots for 10 to 20 minutes a day, and work your way up as they become more comfortable.
Soften the Leather
Leather is animal skin, and just like skin, moisturizers can make it softer and more flexible.
Many manufacturers offer leather conditioners in the form of creams, oils, and sprays, all of which can help you break in your boots much faster.
A good moisturizing product will keep the leather supple, helping the boots mold to the shape of your feet, and it will also protect the boots from drying out or cracking.
Boots broken in — plan a trekking adventure in India >>>
Invest in Thicker Socks
A thicker pair of socks can make a huge difference when it comes to being comfortable in new boots.
Avoid loose socks, ankle socks, or dress socks, as well as socks that don’t let your feet breathe. Hiking socks are an excellent choice–many of them offer extra cushioning, reinforced heel and toe areas, and arch support, making them perfect for long days spent on your feet.
Use Boot Stretchers
Sometimes a new pair of boots can have a problem area even after being properly broken in.
In these cases, your best option is to invest in a set of boot stretchers. These handy tools allow you stretch out the leather in places that might rub or squeeze your feet.
Using boot stretchers together with moisturizing oil is an excellent way to get rid of stiff leather and make your boots as comfortable as possible.
Avoid Hiking Boot Quick Fixes
There are a number of supposed “quick fix” methods for breaking in boots, ranging from wearing them in the shower to submerging them in salt water or even baking them in the oven, but the simple truth is that breaking in boots the right way requires patience.
These shortcuts are often very damaging to boots in the long term, and saving a bit of time isn’t worth the risk of cracked leather or loose soles.
A great pair of boots can last you a lifetime, but it’s crucial that you take the time to properly break them in early on so that they can mold to the shape of your feet.
While it will always be a bit uncomfortable at first, using the tips above will make the process as quick and painless as possible.
Are you planning to break in boots out on the trail? Ensure yourself, just in case, don’t forget trekking poles>>>
Read the Hiking Pole Buyers Guide Here >>>
Hiking boots for women and men can conditioned the same way. Even waterproof boots can go through this process.
If the hiking shoe fits wear it, when it’s a hiking boot, break it in to avoid blisters!
Time to hit the trail…
Go Further with Heroic Adventure, More Tips for the Journey
- The Best Attractions in Lima’s Miraflores District -Peru
- Heading To Phuket? Here’s What You Need To Pack
- How NOT to find Ayahuasca Retreats in Ecuador
- in Adventures , Trekking Poles
The Story of the ‘World’s Most Dangerous Walkway’
El Caminito del Rey, which means “The King’s Little Pathway” in English, is a small pathway located in Spain.
Built over a hundred years ago to join two power plants in Malaga, the path stretches across beautiful scenery, inviting many people to walk across it.
This seemingly innocent road, however, has actually led many people to their deaths, and is treacherous to the extent that many now call it “the world’s most dangerous pathway.”
Workers began to build El Caminito in 1901 to connect two hydroelectric plants in Malaga.
When the pathway was completed in 1905, it was constructed of concrete and steel beams but had few safety features like handrails.
Over the years, the pathway became even more dangerous as it deteriorated.
In some places, the concrete had completely collapsed, leaving only metal beams hanging over 330 feet in the air.
Over time, blogs across the world picked up on the poor condition of the walkway.
When several people died in the late 1990s and early 2000s, they gave it the honor of being ‘most dangerous in the world‘ and dared adrenaline junkies to travel to Spain and walk across it.
Hundreds of people took on this dare, and many of them did not survive their trip.
The Spanish government, horrified by the deaths, closed the path in 2011 and began renovating it.
Using modern construction tools and techniques, they refurbished the walkway and installed handrails.
In 2015, the walkway was reopened to the public, now much safer for tourists to traverse.
Bloggers, however, did not realize that the pathway was now nowhere near as dangerous as it had been before.
Many webpages continued to call El Caminito ‘the most dangerous pathway,’ and daredevils continued to travel to Spain to see it.
Luckily, though, now tourists can test their bravery without risking their lives.
Are you heading on trek? Can you benefit from a professional trekking pole? Find out here>>>
Know the best Trekking Pole for you, Read the Hiking Poles Buying Guide >>>
Destinations Unknown: What’s Your Secret?
- in Adventures , Trekking Poles
Three Trekking Spots in Coorg, India
If you’re planning a trip to India, don’t leave out Coorg.
Located in the southwestern part of India in the state of Karnataka, Coorg, which is also known as Kodagu, is known for its natural beauty.
Amongst other activities, trekking in Coorg is extremely popular with visitors.
Here’s a closer look at three places to go hiking and trekking, with your trekking pole, in Coorg, India.
1. Irupu Falls
At the top of your list for trekking in Coorg should be Irupu falls.
The waterfalls are not only a tourist destination, they are also a sacred site for many Hindus.
During the festival of Shivrati, many pilgrims flock to the area to honor Lord Shiva due to the legend associated with the falls.
During monsoon season, Irupu Falls are at their peak.
Once you reach the falls, you may wish to take the forest trail from the falls to Brahmagiri Peak in the southern part of Coorg.
2. Abbi Falls
Abbi Falls is another famous waterfall in Coorg that makes for an excellent and exciting trek.
Abbi Falls is located in the Western Ghats mountain range, a range which has the honor of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its biodiversity.
In fact, the Western Ghats mountain range ranks near the top of biodiversity hotspots in the world.
The path to Abbi Falls is a lovely one that winds through coffee and cardamom plantations.
Like Irupu Falls, the best time to visit Abbi Falls is during the monsoon season, when all the extra water makes the falls a very impressive sight.
3. Nagarhole National Park
When you’re ready to catch a glimpse of wild elephants, bisons and maybe even a tiger, go trekking in Nagarhole National Park.
Although the park isn’t a UNESCO World Heritage Site yet, it is currently under consideration thanks to its location in the foothills of the Western Ghats mountains.
Visiting Nagarhole is easy thanks to the organized safaris that happen twice each day.
Although the park is closed during animal mating season and during heavy monsoons, the rest of the year remains open to visitors.
These are just three of the best spots for trekking in Coorg, but they are certainly not the only places for a good hike.
To know if you need a trekking pole for your hiking journey in Coorg don’t miss this hiking pole how-to.
Take More Heroic Journeys
- in Adventures
The 3-Step Used Shipping Container Quality Assessment Checklist
Being avid travelers, we think it’s only appropriate to want to use a shipping container as building material.
It’s essence gives off the adventure, distant lands, trade, and foreign places vibes–vibes we like to carry with us through life. So, what better way than to repurpose a shipping container for, well–the options are numerous.
From living quarters, to restaurants, to sheds, to emergency shelter, with the sturdy construction of a shipping container built to specs to survive the rigors of the high seas–you can take advantage of this and build a dream something or other.
Whether you’re in the market for a second-hand shipping container for storage purposes, construction material, or anything in between, you want to make sure you’re not getting ripped off.
To ensure you’re purchasing a high-quality used container, take this easy 3-step checklist with you when you talk to the seller.
1. Where has it been?
When you talk to your chosen seller about their shipping container, you’ll want to ask them where it’s been.
Depending on the temperature it’s exposed to, metal will expand and contract. If your container has been back and forth from Australia to a cold region like northern Europe, the constant swelling and shrinking of the metal may have caused warping and weakness in the steel.
Find out what journeys the container has taken to ensure you don’t get this kind of damage. The less extreme temperatures it’s been exposed to, the better.
2. How many times has it been used?
The location of your shipping container’s journeys isn’t the only important thing to consider.
You’ll also want to know how many journeys it’s been on.
Aside from damage caused by repeated exposure to extreme temperatures, the constant loading and unloading that a well-used container has to withstand can also cause problems.
You can take a look at the state of the walls inside the container to verify what the seller tells you.
For example, if he or she informs you that the container has been used once, but you can see scratches and dents of various ages, your seller may be lying about the product. Don’t be afraid to ask for extra clarification on any damage you see.
3. What has it carried?
If your shipping container has taken few journeys to places with moderate temperatures then you may be in luck, but don’t forget that the contents of the previous cargo matter.
For example, if the container was used to ship hazardous chemicals or other dangerous items, it’s possible that some of these could have leaked into the container and permeated the walls.
It’s especially important to avoid this if the container will be used to construct a structure like a house or pool, where the users’ health could be threatened by such substances escaping into the atmosphere.
Remember:
Buying used only works out to be a good deal if the item is in good condition and fit for purpose.
If not, you could find yourself spending so much on repairs and replacements that a new container would have been a cheaper purchase.
When your chosen seller cannot answer these questions, find someone who can or purchase at your own risk.
- in Adventures
Travel + Work: Synching Across Multiple Time Zones (When on the Road)
Managing a project team is tricky, particularly if your people work across multiple time zones.
With deadlines to meet, projects quickly run into trouble if you don’t account for different working hours.
Make your life easier and meet project targets by implementing these simple global resource management tips.
Use technology to save time
(The Clock is and awesome world clock that makes keeping time zones up to date a breeze for those on iOS)
It’s confusing trying to work out what time it is in other places.
Avoid mistakes by downloading a time zone app to your computer or smartphone. This handy widget instantly displays the current time in major cities around the world.
With a quick glance, you can check what time it is in Hong Kong or Sydney without having to try to work it out in your head.
When your team works across multiple time zones, this is a great way to save time when booking meetings and planning project activities.
Clearly communicate team member locations and time zones
You can’t assume that all your people know that there is a time zone difference in the team.
Compile a project organization chart, which shows your team members’ locations and which time zone they work in.
Make sure that everyone has a copy of this document, and update it regularly to cope with summer and wintertime changes.
Work package delays often occur because people don’t even know that their colleagues are working several hours ahead or behind.
Make the most of the ideal times of day
Work out if there are certain times of day when everybody in the team is in working hours.
Use these times to concentrate on activities where people need to work together, or where you need a one-to-one conversation with somebody.
It’s much easier to get things done if you can discuss a problem together, rather than try to find the solution via email.
Keep the best time slots free, and spend the rest of the time working on activities that you can complete individually.
Look for opportunities for flexible hours
Never assume that your project team members all want to work between nine and five.
Some people are happy to work different hours to suit the needs of the project, and this can help speed up delivery.
Ask people to come in earlier or work later in some countries, to create longer periods of time for collaboration.
Make sure you talk to your colleagues in HR about any legal implications first, because local laws may mean that you have to pay a premium for working outside core office hours.
Can your project budget cope with this?
Communicate more often
If the project delivery is moving very quickly, it’s difficult to make sure that everybody knows what’s happening.
Send regular updates via email even if it’s just to report that everything is on track.
Lead by example and show your project team how important it is to tell one another what is happening.
A daily call is not always necessary if everyone is in one place, but frequent contact is vital if people are working at different times of day.
Never assume that people know the latest developments. Give them the information they need to complete their tasks effectively.
It’s difficult to manage project teams across different time zones.
Global projects bring unique challenges, but if you plan your time carefully, you can easily meet project goals.