When I was messing around in the mountains guiding elk hunters and hunting things that liked high places, I would wear out a pair of boots a year. I use to break them in on the treadmill at the club. Always had a dandy lookin woman in spandex in front of me. made it a lot easier.

Seriously, when a lot of walking is involved, getting theboots broken in before starting up the mountain ranked high in my importance list.

Now, and I am serious about this, I walk about three miles a day at a moderate 14-minute pace. I walk barefoot! I wear a pair of heavy wool socks. That is all and I have eliminated 90% of my back and knee pain. I'm serious. Try it for a week.