Any tips on breaking in leather boots?

[leopardchucks]

I bought a pair of Frye boots for a STEAL! They are made so well and are gorgeous, but I have only been able to wear them twice 'cause they are killing me! With other boots I've had in the past (mostly Doc Martens, Gripfast), it only took a couple days and things were fine. This is not case with these.

I was just wondering what you ladies might have done to 'break in' boots.

I have heard of mink oil, but I am concerned about discoloring the leather.

Thanks for reading!

[IzzyInWonderland]

Re: Any tips on breaking in leather boots?

Wear them around the house with wet socks on. It might help loosen up the inside so that your feet can conform better.

[aimster]

Re: Any tips on breaking in leather boots?

I agree with the wear them inside, but wet socks? Wouldn't that ruin the inside of the boots? I say use some thick socks or if you don't have any thick ones, put on 2-3 pairs of socks. That's how I've always broken in boots I've owned in the past.

And I would like to see pics of said boots!

[BlueSkyDriveBy]

Re: Any tips on breaking in leather boots?

I owned a pair of knee-high Frye boots, back in the seventies. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but... I never got them broken in.

I don't know what it is about Frye, but it's like the leather is as tough as steel. I wore them days at a time, and had them for years. I used to wear cowboy boots when I was very young and was experienced with the tightness of new boots, but at least those loosened up after a few weeks. My Frye boots never did. (But I loved the look soooo much, I just wore them and suffered in silence, anyway.)

You might want to try a boot stretcher. I never did, but truthfully, I didn't know such things existed back then. I tried a standard shoe stretcher, but couldn't get it down into the bottom of the boot and expand it. Boot stretchers have long handles to circumvent this problem.

Amazon sells several of them, one from FootFitter seems to have the highest rating. Good luck!

[leopardchucks]

Re: Any tips on breaking in leather boots?

Thanks for the tips, gals.

Buying a boot stretcher is out, since I have to keep my funds for DLR next month. I have been wearing 2 pairs of socks the both times I wore the boots. I really can't fit another pair in there! Wet socks, huh? Sounds stinky, but it might work. I'll try it and let you know.

And when I get my new digi camera, I will post a pic!

Thank you all so much!

[Mickey's Gal]

Re: Any tips on breaking in leather boots?

Take it from a gal who sells soes for a living, warm them up carefully with your blow dryer and then put them on right away. This should relax the leather some and let your foot stretch them in a more natural fashion. If that does bot work take them to a local shoe repair and have them stretched , they usually only charge around $5 or so, no need to invest in a pair of expensive streetchers you may never use again. I have heard of the water trick before , but water tends to ruin leather and putting wet sock against he unfinished(inside) side of the shoe may do more damage then good! Good luck!

[Snacks]

Re: Any tips on breaking in leather boots?

Wear them around the house with wet socks on. It might help loosen up the inside so that your feet can conform better.

As weird as this sounds..... I agree...

I have heard of people wetting the boots and then wearing them while they dry.....

Snacks

[SCUBAbe]

Re: Any tips on breaking in leather boots?

Shoes should be comfortable when you buy them. I have never broken in any shoes that were uncomfortable to wear from the start.

I have seen shoe stretchers used...not sure how well they work. I sold shoes for a year at an upscale store.

[aimster]

Re: Any tips on breaking in leather boots?

I want boot pictures!

[leopardchucks]

Re: Any tips on breaking in leather boots?

Dang! I still haven't purchased a digi (what year is this?!). I swear I will have one in time for my trip ....how else could I do a trip report? I will post pics of the boots and I'll try to wear them at DLR for ya.

The most you have to wait is 2 weeks....and I have decided to take 'em to a shoe/boot repair place to get 'em stretched out.

[TheGrimGrinner]

Re: Any tips on breaking in leather boots?

Why didn't I find this thread earlier... I have a knack for breaking in my shoes at all the wrong times. I broke in a pair of Rainbow Sandals at WDW, and they were the only things I brought to the trip (other than dress shoes for Victoria & Alberts). So I was forced to walk around with blisters and rainbows for 7 days. The lady at the Grand Floridian Spa was not happy with me when I got my pedicure!!

Anyhow, back to the point. I just recently purchased my first pair of boots and walked up and down Santa Monica Blvd. for 5 hours. (Ummm, wow. That sounds bad.) It was Halloween!

I still can't feel my pinky toe.

[dland_lover]

Re: Any tips on breaking in leather boots?

I read the title as "breaking in leather boobs" the first time around. >_<

Yeesh. I think I need some sleep.

[aimster]

Re: Any tips on breaking in leather boots?

Still no boot pics?

[GummiBears_Rock]

Re: Any tips on breaking in leather boots?

tips? buy suede! )

i got suede boots at urban outfitters for only $48 and they are so gorgeous! not good for walking a whooole lot, but around the mall or on a date absolutely!

[aimster]

Re: Any tips on breaking in leather boots?

STILL no boot pics?

I got a couple new pairs of knee-high boots this month. Sadly I can't find pics of them online anymore. One is a pair from Skechers that have faux buttons that go all the way up on both sides. Very Victorian-inspired (and maybe a little old-school military). The others are from Nine West. The shoe part is black leather, with a buckle over it, then the shaft is black denim, and another buckle around the top (I'm quite tempted to go get a 2nd pair because I LOVE them).

[aimster]

Re: Any tips on breaking in leather boots?

I found a pic of the boots I got at Nine West:

Nine West: Boots > The Entire Boot Collection > Functional - FUNCTIONAL3Y BLACK/BLACK LEATHER 080 M

[AhLowHee]

Re: Any tips on breaking in leather boots?

Leopardchucks probably got her answer, but my friend was paid by her older sister to break in some shoes she just bought. $5 an hour sounds nice. And what a nice occupation. Blistery feet for cash.

[leopardchucks]

Re: Any tips on breaking in leather boots?

tips? buy suede! )

i got suede boots at urban outfitters for only $48 and they are so gorgeous! not good for walking a whooole lot, but around the mall or on a date absolutely!

I work at Urban Outfitters. That's how I got the sweet deal on these Fryes.


Aimster --- I will post the pics as soon as I can. I took 'em. Just gotta find my connector-dohicky for the camera.

[AlohaStitch]

Re: Any tips on breaking in leather boots?

You want to stay away from water... including wet socks. Water tends to make leather harder and crack when it dries. Professionals use rubbing alcohol when they are stretching out shoes. I would take it to a professional shoe repair place and they can stretch them out a bit without damaging the boot. May cost you about $10.00, but worth it.

[jsdmn2]

Re: Any tips on breaking in leather boots?

I found a pic of the boots I got at Nine West:

Nine West: Boots > The Entire Boot Collection > Functional - FUNCTIONAL3Y BLACK/BLACK LEATHER 080 M

Those are so damn cute, aimster! I was just at Nine West and didn't even see these. But sometimes when you think you know what your looking for, kind of like a mental picture of what you want, you miss a lot of other (really cute) things.