Ouch! -OR- How do I break in my hiking boots?

The suggestion to get large enough boots so you can wear thick socks is pretty good. However, unless I missed it in my reading of the thread, liner socks should always be worn under the thicker socks next to the skin.

The liner sock is usually made of a polypropylene-type material and wicks the moisure away from your feet and into the outer sock. A dry foot stays much more comfortable in cold and hot weather. Although you can still get blisters, the liner also takes some of the brunt of hot spots away. [here's a link to some: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/se...0&allWords=sock liner&searchDescriptions=true ]

I'm going to have to try the "fill with water" technique on some boots I got on sale and haven't worn!