How do you all break in your boots?

TeeCat

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Hi, all...

I have a pair of Frye engineer boots that I wear when I ride the TX. Though they're about three years old, I'm sure I don't walk in them enough to really get them to soften and mold to my feet. They're not uncomfortable... I suppose I should just wear them for walking more.

Any tricks to breaking in quality boots with very smooth, stiff leather?

TC
 
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I really like to use a mink oil or leather conditioner.
I learned this in the Marines. I heat up the outside of the leather with a hair dryer, then put liberal amounts of the conditioner or mink oil (which water-proofs) all over the outer leather and rub, rub, rub it in. Then I will blow dry again, using the heat to soften and let the oil penetrate the leather. Bend the boot with your hands, exercising the creases and twisting/stretching them.
Be Aware! Mink oil and some conditioners will darken light leather, so be cognizant of this.
 
+1 on the mink oil. I usually apply it every couple of weeks to keep the boots waterproof. But it also works really well to soften the leather and get it to conform to your feet.
 
get rid of all your other shoes so the boots are your only alternative, and wear them with the laces un-done. I got a cheap pair of wolvernes, and between those and my chuck taylors, Ide rather wear the boots.
 
Guys, I'll have to pick up some mink oil.

angus, now that the cooler weather is here, I'll just have to start wearing them more as well... to work and such. These are pull-ons, though... no laces.

TC
 
I've been known to fill my boots with water and walk around in them till somewhat dry. 'Course I'll put the filter end of a lit cigarette in my ear if I feel an earache coming on too so........
 
I've been known to fill my boots with water and walk around in them till somewhat dry. 'Course I'll put the filter end of a lit cigarette in my ear if I feel an earache coming on too so........

That's funny.... had a mexican guy tell me once that their old family cure was to put a long cone made of newspaper in the ear, and light the far end.


As far as boot break in..... I buy redwings, and they are a little tough to break in, but with the work I do, I generally have them broken in in about 2 days.

For a normal person it might take a week.

Anyway, try wearing 2 pairs of socks for a while. It will force the boots to stretch a little more than normal, and break in faster. Once you go back to 1 pair they will be fine. Since they are already 3 years old the mink oil will probably help.

All of that being said.... I wear 3 pairs of shoes/boots... Redwing work boots, Redwing motorcycle boots, and Adidas shell toes. My boots are just as comfortable as the Adidas, but look funny with shorts.:doh:
 
I like those Redwing motorcycle boots! I was looking for those initially, but could not find them locally to save my life! :(

The two pair of socks is a good idea too... especially now that the colder weather is coming.

I have these boots on as I write this from work. Gotta wear them more.

TC
 
That's funny.... had a mexican guy tell me once that their old family cure was to put a long cone made of newspaper in the ear, and light the far end.


They still make homeopathic remedies such as "Ear Candles". Basically the same thing. Put it in your ear and light an end. However, my mother-in-law who is a super nurse likes to remind me of how many people come in to her hospital with severe ear infections and, also, wax burns from the candles. It is supposed to cause a suction and draw out the infection, which is physically impossible.:laugh:
 
I use the mink oil and leather conditioner like littlebill mentioned. I wear "duty boots" that the first responders use, they are pretty soft, but I still like to fold them and bend them at the ankle so they don't cut off the circulation in my legs. My riding position tends to bend the boot shaft backward a bit, the pre-break in procedure helps.

There's nothing like an old pair of riding boots, each stain and scar tells a story.
 
I use the mink oil and leather conditioner like littlebill mentioned. I wear "duty boots" that the first responders use, they are pretty soft, but I still like to fold them and bend them at the ankle so they don't cut off the circulation in my legs. My riding position tends to bend the boot shaft backward a bit, the pre-break in procedure helps.

There's nothing like an old pair of riding boots, each stain and scar tells a story.

Like those tactical boots? I'll bet they can be a challenge to break in!

Stains and scars... I had two MGB GTs when I was younger, and my left boot always had a brake fluid stain on it from perpetually weepy master cylinders. :p

TC
 
I've used this shoe grease for 20+ yrs.
http://www.huberds.com/
You don't have to heat anything. The leather will soak it up easily at room temperature.
Does a fair job of keeping the leather pliable and water proof.
But my boots probably "work' harder than yours. Unless you are slugging through cow shit. Drying fertilizer takes the mositure right out of leather.

Like nj1639 the quickest way to "break in" boots is to get them soaking wet and wear till almost dry
 
Put your boots on,and walk through some wet grass. This gets the boot wet,then wear them,and walk in them untill they're dry. This will make them form to your foot. I have done this since I was a kid,and it works everytime.
A friend of mine toured with Freddie King,and Freddie told him to do the samething to break in his new boots.
 
Drying fertilizer takes the mositure right out of leather.


When I worked for the Govt. we had this solvent for the weapons systems. It was a virgin "safe" solvent that was also used when we would magniflux the metal weapons parts as well. It would cut right thru cosmilene, but was "safe", HA!!
We all wore Redwings and would lather them up with everything out there to protect the leather. Nothing worked. 2 months and the leather would just tear and crack.
I sucked the life out of anything that had oils in it.
 
I like those Redwing motorcycle boots! I was looking for those initially, but could not find them locally to save my life! :(

The two pair of socks is a good idea too... especially now that the colder weather is coming.

I have these boots on as I write this from work. Gotta wear them more.

TC

If you want to buy them because they are Made in USA, don't bother. They are made in China. Found out the hard way when I found a "Made in china" sticker stuck to my sock 1 day.
 
If you know that the inner sole isn't going to be damaged filling them with water works really well. Also if they are giving you blisters use vasolene on the area thats rubbing...put it on your foot and the outside of your sock. You'll be able to wear them longer.

If you know that the leather and inner sole won't be destroyed by water you can also try what old time hockey players did. They used to wear their skate in a hot tub. It heats them up and helps it mold to your feet. I've done this with a few pair of skates and it works well. Takes a few days to dry though.
 
I have been using Kiwi brand "Camp Dry Beeswax Waterproofer" recently and it is super stuff to put on your leather boots/shoes. It also has lanolin in it and makes my boots very plyable. Great stuff.
 
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