Wearing in boots

[i_am_the_scruff]

Hi, if there is another thread this belongs in then please merge or move I did use search but it didn't quite give me the results I hoped for.

It's a non-vintage question.

I have a pair of Doc Marten boots and I need some advice on wearing them in easily or softening them up.

Surely just wearing them alot would do the trick? Nope. I get blisters everytime I try and then they're so sore that I couldn't wear them again untill the blisters have completely healed.

So, does anyone know a way to soften the leather? I did stuff them with wet newspaper but I only left it in for 2 days and it didn't do the trick. Maybe I should have left it in for longer?

Please help, I love these boots and I want to wear them without them killing me!

 

[Feraud]

Where are you getting blisters? On the bottom of your foot? Ankle?

I had a pair of Docs that killed the back of my foot and used a band-aid and tape on my foot until the boot wore in.

 

[i_am_the_scruff]

Yep, at the back of my foot above the heel. Where the leather creases it digs in and is quite sharp.

 

[Feraud]

That is exactly where my issue was.
I padded the back of my foot until the boot wore in. Not sure of any other option.

 

[i_am_the_scruff]

What should I pad it with? Cotton wool? A plaster (bandaid) would be too think I think.

 

[Charlie Noodles]

Yeah, I bandaid my feet when I wear my blundstone structural firefighter's boots. Not pleasant at all if I don't... I like those tough fabric ones, but I don't know how much of a difference it'd make as opposed to others.

 

[Feraud]

What should I pad it with? Cotton wool? A plaster (bandaid) would be too think I think.

I used one of those square 2x2" band-aids and tape. Thick is not an issue. Let the boot rub against the pad rather than you foot.
My wife looked at me funny when I taped up my foot but it did the job.
Those Docs last for years.

 

[i_am_the_scruff]

Ok then, thanks for you help Feraud and Charlie Noodles

 

[J. M. Stovall]

When I get a new pair of boots (in fact I just did this last week) I fill them up with warm water, let it sit for about 15 minutes to soak in. Then pour the water out and wear them until they are dry, usually all day. Then the next day I condition them with Pecard Shoe Oil. Works like a dream.

 

[Creeping Past]

What should I pad it with? Cotton wool? A plaster (bandaid) would be too think I think.

Moleskin fabric is recommended by many hikers.

 

[shortbow]

I could fix those for you in a New York minute if I had them here, but since not, try this.

Find an old leather coat and cut a piece of leather from it to fit the back of the boot and place it in there smooth side out.

If you're handy, you can make this permanent with the use of a good glue such as Barge cement.

A shoemaker could do this for you as well.

When you're finished, write Dr. Marten and tell him to get his act together.

 

[mwelch8404]

Moleskin for your foot.

Just get an old fashioned "shoe tree," wet the offending protion, smooth it (a spoon can help) and the use the shoe tree to put outward pressure on it 'til it's dry.

I had to do this with a couple of pairs of issue boots.

 

[Edward]

When I get a new pair of boots (in fact I just did this last week) I fill them up with warm water, let it sit for about 15 minutes to soak in. Then pour the water out and wear them until they are dry, usually all day. Then the next day I condition them with Pecard Shoe Oil. Works like a dream.

I've heard of British military doing this too, the only difference being it involved a bucket of water and an overnight soak. I should have thought your way is probably long enough without risking the leather getting too damp.

 

[KittyT]

Just take them to a cobbler to have them break them in for you.

 

[i_am_the_scruff]

Just take them to a cobbler to have them break them in for you.

Is it expensive?

 

[Nash Buckingham]

When I get a new pair of boots (in fact I just did this last week) I fill them up with warm water, let it sit for about 15 minutes to soak in. Then pour the water out and wear them until they are dry, usually all day. Then the next day I condition them with Pecard Shoe Oil. Works like a dream.

this is a wonderful method. I buy a lot of handmade boots and the boys that make White's Packers told me to do this too - it works.

For avoiding blisters, use duct tape - tape it on your foot where you are getting blisters. I think something in the glue has a healing effect!

 

[galopede]

For avoiding blisters, use duct tape - tape it on your foot where you are getting blisters. I think something in the glue has a healing effect!

Apparently Gaffer Tape is good for removing warts too!

Gaffer Tape is the Force. It has a light side, a dark side and it holds the universe together...

Gareth