How long does it take to break into leather boots?
High quality leather boots are made with very thick leather, so they will take time to break in. Normal break in time on these types of boots is an estimated 80-120 hours of active wear. That is about 2-3 weeks of full time active wear before these are fully broken in.
One popular method is to apply a leather conditioner or oil to the boots, and then wear them for a few hours or overnight. This helps to moisturize the leather and make it more pliable.
A great course of action is to start wearing your boots around the house in small doses. The boots will hurt for a couple of days no matter what, but if you space out that wear-time over a longer period and in the comfort of your own home, it won't be so bad.
If you don't have the time or patience to slowly stretch out your new boots, there is a hack that could loosen the leather overnight. Fill two ziplock freezer bags with water making sure to remove all of the air from the bag, then double bag them for extra protection and secure tightly.
Leather is pliable and flexible, softening and stretching with regular wear to fit your foot like a glove. Leather stretching is the process of softening and stretching the leather using various methods to make certain parts of the boot more comfortable to wear for hours.
If you must break them in right now, soak them in water overnight then in the morning lace them up and go hump in them. If you have time, carry them with you then wear them for a an hour or so. Add another hour a day for a week. After a week or two they will be fine.
Vaseline can be used for softening leather. Before applying Vaseline to leather, start by dabbing a small cotton pad with rubbing alcohol over the leather surface. You'll want to dab each section of the surface until it starts to shine. Try to make the shine even across the entire surface.
Wearing thick socks will force the leather to stretch, speeding up the break-in period. Wear your boots at home for a few hours, even while watching TV, and let the conditioner dry into the leather. The softer leather will be easier to stretch and, as it dries, will contour more quickly to the shape of your foot.
How do you break in leather boots in a hair dryer?
Use gentle heat
We like to use a hair dryer on a low setting and hold a good 30cm away from the shoe or boot. Wear thick socks as you do this and as the shoe starts to get warm, walk around in them to get the leather stretching. This is a good hack for those looking to stretch the straps of sandals quickly.
The two most commonly used chemicals that will cause severe damage to your leather are rubbing alcohol and acetone. Avoid any alcohol-based cleaning products for leather goods.
How do you break in boots without wearing them overnight?
Wearing thick socks with your new boots will slowly stretch the leather. Meaning when you go back to regular socks the boots should be comfier. Your feet also might get hot from the thick fabric, which can soften up the leather and make your boots mould around your feet faster.
Adding work shoe insoles, getting the proper boot fit from quality boots and wearing the right socks will make a huge difference. Adding Ramble, Pace or Dash insoles to your work boots can make them much more comfortable. If you prefer a firm insole with some flex or are new to wearing insoles, go with Ramble.
HOW ARE BOOTS SUPPOSED TO FIT? Boots should not be too loose or too tight on your foot. The best fit should be snug (but not tight) around the whole of your foot, with enough room to move your toes and a maximum of a quarter to a half-inch of slippage at the heel.
New work boots should fit snugly, but not too tight, especially around the ball of your foot. Leather boots do stretch out a bit when you break them in, but the fibers will only lengthen so much.
WD-40 Multi-Use Product can be a game-changer in restoring their suppleness and luster. To begin, clean the leather or vinyl surface with a mild mixture of soap and water. Once dry, apply a small amount of the Original WD-40 Formula on a clean cloth and gently massage it into the material.
Lanolin deeply softens leather. If you have really tough leather, lanolin is best. It's best for car seats and furniture. Mink oil restores the natural oils in leather.
Although leather does indeed become a bit more supple after applying olive oil, this instant gratification comes with a price. Olive oil, and alternatives you might have on hand—coconut oil, for example—and every oily substance for that matter, will not “nourish” your leather, but actually accelerate its deterioration.
Dubbin is designed to soften stiff leather, prevent cracking, and provide a waterproof barrier to protect against the elements. It is particularly effective for leather that is exposed to harsh weather conditions, such as rain and snow.
You can use this to rejuvenate an old pair of leather walking boots or buff up a pair you've newly purchased to give them an additional layer of preventive protection.
Every day of wear, every mile you walk will make your feet a little tougher and the boots more pliable. A little more yours. Once you've put in a dozen or so miles on the boots during your daily break-in activity, it's time to start pushing yourself and the boots. Start walking on uneven terrain, if possible.
Are my boots too small or do I need to break them in?
Your entire foot should feel snug in the boot EXCEPT for your heel. Your heel should always slip in a properly fitted new boot. As you begin wearing your boot, you will find the heel leather will soften, and your boot will mold to your foot. The slippage will disappear.
It should not pinch across the ball of the foot or the toes, but should be comfortably snug in the instep area of your foot. Just like a good handshake. A new boot may slip some when new, but if it is snug in the instep, that slip will come out, after it is flexed from wearing.
Pro-Tip: To add extra water resistance to leather work boots, apply a coating of WD-40 Specialist® Silicone and keep your boots dry in rain, snow, and moderately wet conditions.
