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Break the boots in by wearing them as much as possible, i.e. around the house, walking the dog, etc. Start by wearing a thin pair of inner socks, ideally made from Coolmax, to wick away moisture. You can buy good inner socks in most outdoor shops. A good pair of walking socks over the inner socks will provide not only a degree of cushioning for your feet, but as the inner sock should 'slide' against the outer sock, your chance of getting blisters should decrease.

Don't lace the boots up too tightly when wearing them either.

Applying a small amount of Neats Foot oil or Saddle Soap can help soften the leather, but don't go overboard with either or you'll saturate the leather.

I recommend 'Sorbothane' brand full length insoles. Expensive, but well worth the money. However, because they are a thick insole, you often need to get a slightly bigger boot size to give your foot room on top of the insole.

I would not get an anti-pronation insole without being assessed by a physiotherapist, or similarly qualified person. Your stance and gait can be assessed and the appropriate insole recommended. You may end up purchasing an insole that actually works against your foot and causes you pain/injury.

Excuse my Ignorance but what are "CAB Boots"

Take heed of rockapes advice on insoles. We all pronate but which way is the key thing. You'll be able to tell by the shape of the heel of a well worn pair of old shoes or trainers. You should choose running/training shoes by the way you pronate (mizuno are good for over pronaters & some gel filled for under pronaters). The only problem is, if you choose the wrong insole with an opposite type of sole, you could do serious damage to ankles, arches, shins & knees.

Sorbathane insoles are good shock absorbers but again, as advised, beware of the boots size, as your boot may not accomodate such a thick insole.

Best advice, wear 2 pairs of socks, and DO NOT be afraid to tape your feet up with zinc oxide tape, protect then vulnerable areas - heels & balls of feet & possibly toes depending on width of the boot.

Good luck at Cranwell - the place sucks (but the end of course bash is second to none - 50 odd thousand pounds on the final bash is about usual.)

hey!

i reckon just following the advice we were given isn't a bad bet! how did your fv go? the guys on mine seemd pretty cool so it should all be good! 5 and 1/2 weeks though, where did the time go? you haven't managed to et hold of trouser hangers have you? if anyone knows where to get them, can you let me know asap!!
thanku xx

are you seriously telling me you cant find any trouser hangers!!! I've got a stack of them in my wardrobe if you want to come get them

I wouldn't worry about getting a shine on your boots, you won't need to as long as they are polished. You can get trouser hangers from the spar shop.

Rawli - I think they were refering to a high shine, put neats foot oil on and they will be dull a feck forever !!!!

Hey...I have just found this forum and am on your 216 IOT - just thought I'd say hi..

Two weeks eh? Better get started then!! Have done most prep, except the exercise. Cricket isnt really suited to getting me into shape, so I might start that next week!

Yours?

You don't get given innersoles?? Tight gits!

At Halton we were given them straight away.

Just started on the 29th May eh? Then you'll be excited at the prospect of all us lot (A Sqn) just buggering off. So happy to be out of No. 1 IOT Mess....sorry i mean OACTU Mess (Yeah right... )