Solution sought for uncomfortable as hell Red Wing boots

[schitzo]

Morning chaps,

I've got a pair of the Red Wing Chelsea boots. The oiled leather on them is great but the trouble is they feel like walking on blocks of wood! After a few hours they're torturous. Any ideas on how to solve it? I wouldn't like to give them up. I went to Clarks but the inner soles they have look so pesky I think there must be better options.

These are they:

http://www.redwing-berlin.de/tl_fil...helsea-Rancher-Roccia-Briar-Oil-Slick-out.png

 

[cordwangler]

Morning chaps,

I've got a pair of the Red Wing Chelsea boots. The oiled leather on them is great but the trouble is they feel like walking on blocks of wood! After a few hours they're torturous. Any ideas on how to solve it? I wouldn't like to give them up. I went to Clarks but the inner soles they have look so pesky I think there must be better options.

These are they:

http://www.redwing-berlin.de/tl_fil...helsea-Rancher-Roccia-Briar-Oil-Slick-out.png

I've also found hard non-leather soles uncomfortable on a couple of pairs of boots I've had in the past - they can be a little unforgiving and I think this is because they hold their shape and don't shape to the foot as much as leather soles can. There's not much to be done with this type, apart from get used to it and wait for whatever easing occurs over time. I've tried thicker socks and/or felt insoles (winter use) and this helps a bit.

The sole construction on yours looks like leather with rubber soles, so I'd expect a bit of 'give' in the leather over time as they wear in.

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

Is the sole very different from the Beckmanns? These are ok after a while. Maybe it just needs more break in time. Wear them only for a few hours a day or in the evening. Maybe you can bend them some to get more flexible.

 

[schitzo]

To be clear, it's the soles of my feet that don't dig these boots. I feel like there's nothing that can be done to the soles of the boots, but that something would have to be added. Clarks inner soles are not good enough IMO but maybe some other manufacturer has a more sophisticated better quality version of the same thing, that somebody might be able to recommend?

 

[cordwangler]

To e clear, it's the soles of my feet that don't dig these boots. I feel like there's nothing that can be done to the soles of the boots, but that something would have to be added. Clarks inner soles are not good enough IMO but maybe some other manufacturer has a more sophisticated better quality version of the same thing, that somebody might be able to recommend?

The only insoles that work to benefit your feet - the scientific way - are orthotic insoles, which are made for you by a specialist after a consultation. They cost a lot and work well if you need arch support, have gait problems or other foot-physiology issues.

Expensive way of getting boots to be comfy, though...

 

[schitzo]

The only insoles that work to benefit your feet - the scientific way - are orthotic insoles, which are made for you by a specialist after a consultation. They cost a lot and work well if you need arch support, have gait problems or other foot-physiology issues.

Expensive way of getting boots to be comfy, though...

No no sod that. I'm thinking more along the lines of something like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Dr-Sc...ing_ShoeCare_Shoe_Care_LE&hash=item1c289b47ef

Or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Scholl-Or...Health_HealthCare_RL&var=&hash=item2a36815452

£20 I could drop on this, but I wouldn't like to spend too much more than that

 

[Rudie]

Your feet are probably not used to real shoes and need some time to adapt (remembering your Crocs and sneakers). You should get a pair of clogs and wear them for a while. Afterwards the Red Wings will feel like walking on clouds.

 

[dh66]

Red Wing makes their own line of insoles. They're a far cry better than those gel inserts.

 

[thor]

Filson cork insoles are another option. VERY comfy and over time they conform to the shape of your foot. Worth a try. Good luck.

 

[GriffDeLaGriff]

My Clark boots are among the most comfortable shoes I own, so it sounds like you might need to adapt aswell yes.

However, my ReWings engineers are also very comfy. I dont know how yours look inside, but mine were leather. I poured warm water into them and let it be for a little while, then poured it out and walked in the wet shoes for an hour. This made them form to me.

This is on your own risk because a badly made shoe might not hold up good and could potentially be destroyed.

 

[Peter Mackin]

Morning chaps,

I've got a pair of the Red Wing Chelsea boots. The oiled leather on them is great but the trouble is they feel like walking on blocks of wood! After a few hours they're torturous. Any ideas on how to solve it? I wouldn't like to give them up. I went to Clarks but the inner soles they have look so pesky I think there must be better options.

These are they:

http://www.redwing-berlin.de/tl_fil...helsea-Rancher-Roccia-Briar-Oil-Slick-out.png

I'm wearing the same boots now...No insoles..just how they came out the box.they are my most comfortable boots...took about a week to get used to them...don't give up....but if you do &they are a size 9.....I will take them

 

[Plumbline]

Have to say I have a couple of pairs of Beckmans and would echo Peter's comments on Comfi-ness ..... I have to say I only wear thicker socvks with mine ( Smartwool Hiker light) and I'd suggest going down that route before yo go the insole route ..... thin socks and boots for me just don't work and I end up with "tired feet" after a few hours

 

[Fanch]

After spending virtually my entire life wearing shoes that killed my feet and didn't fit, I have become sensitized to this issue and feel your pain. In my case, with a long, narrow foot (13AA), I was invariably crammed into an 11D and told that was the only shoe in the store that would fit. Only since the advent of the internet and the discovery of special order shoes have I been correctly fit. So, your problem might not be simply the soles but shoes that are actually incorrectly sized, or maybe not. Keep in mind that sizing is mostly determined by the measurement at the metatarsus/ball of the foot at the widest part. If any question, have a specialist assess the situation. Anyhow good luck breaking in the beast.

 

[nick123]

The only solution is to revert back to Crocs. They're comfortable, breathe well, and compliment a leather jacket like no other item of footwear.

 

[schitzo]

The only solution is to revert back to Crocs. They're comfortable, breathe well, and compliment a leather jacket like no other item of footwear.

For summer, spring and autumn yes that's absolutely right. But I'm thinking about getting through the winter here.


To address a few other things, sorry Peter they're 10s. They fit me well, but it just feels like I'm walking on blocks of wood, irrespective of what socks I wear. I wore them all last winter so they should be broken in by now

 

[zhz]

I use Dr Martin comfort insole with my Redwing. They are very comfortable and durable.

 

[mowgli222]

Not sure if the boots above have leather insoles.. But if they do, you could just wet the bottom of your socks before you put them on to soak the leather below your feet a little and then wear the boots until the socks dry.. Repeat if necessary.. This helps forming the insole to your feet a little quicker..

 

[EmergencyIan]

I live in NYC and wear boots all of the time (from dress, work and cowboy). I insert insoles in all of my boots (and dress shoes). I couldn't walk as much as I do without having insoles in my footwear. I've always used Dr. Scholl's brand and they work really well for me, but maybe any good ones will do the trick.

- Ian

 

[tropicalbob]

The Dr. Scholl's are great. At first they feel like you're walking on bubbles but then they settle in and are really comfortable. Cheap, too.

 

[bretron]

Sell em and go get yourself a pair of whites or wescos, home slice.