Breaking In New Boots: A Boot Cobbler's Expert DIY

So you've searched the internet and found over 50 ways on how to break in new boots. You read that some guy's friend, had a cousin, who once broke in her boots by, (gasp) filling them full of water and freezing them. Now you're considering doing the same to your new $900 Alligator cowboy boots. Wait! Please! Let's put our heads together and think about this, OK? Take a deep breath and lets examine how to break in new boots in a better way.

Breaking in new boots is doing one thing, making them feel good on your feet. That's it. So the next step is to determine where they hurt your feet and fix that problem. It may be a simple solution or several more complex answers. Let's look at some boot problem areas and discuss some possible solutions.

Oh, and while we are at it, let me mention why I hate the frozen boot stretch answer. No Control! You can't make the boot stretch where you want it to stretch. It will give in the area of least resistance. Which isn't the spot your foots hurts, Martha. Put the bag of water down and walk away. Take a deep breath, and let's begin with some real answers. I've written most of these so you can DIY break-in your boots.

Problem: Boots are New

-Answer: First thing I do, with any boot I sell, is a flex-break-in. I recommend the following steps for every new pair of boots.Grab the boot and flex the sole repeatedly simulating the bending motion of your foot. I go one step further and flex the sole in a reverse action, too.

-Next, take your thumb and push in at the top of the heel counter in the back of the boot. This help soften and flexing the boot in this area also helps prevent heel slipping.

-Next, flex the shaft of the boot at the ankles. Do this a number of times just like you did with the sole.

-Push on the side seams from the inside of the boot and get them to flex outward. The boot has been laying in the box, and the seams have been growing teeth that will bite your ankles. Take the bite out your new boots by flexing the ankles out and away from your ankles.

Problem: Boots are tight

-Answer: Stretch the area that are tight. Boots can be stretched in any area that is tight, that includes width, length, boot tops, raise toes, bump out for a bunion, really anywhere on the boot. See my blog post on Stretching boots for more information on stretching. >>CLICK HERE TO READ STRETCHING POST<<

-Stretching fluid is also an option, it can be found here >> CLICK HERE

Problem: Boots are Stiff 

-Answer: Condition and work the leather. Use a good leather conditioner to make the leather more pliable and soft. We recommend Chamberlain's Leather Milk. It is safe for the majority of shoes. It soaks deeply into the leather which loosens and softens the leather fibers.

-The next step is to work the leather. By that I mean to flex and bend it repeatedly. Do the Flex breakin- shown above.

-If you don't mind darkening the leather a shade, then another great product is Bee Natural Rain and Snow. 

Problem: Side Seams rub your Ankles

-Answer: Breaking in your boots with a Ball Bat (see video below) 

-So this is a technique I made up so that you can DIY fix it yourself. In my store, we have a machine that was made to do this. But, people keep asking how they can do it themselves. So, I thought about it, and this is what you can do.

-Whoa, Hang on, Breaking in your boots with a Ball Bat does not mean beating up your boots with a Ball Bat. I'm sure if your boots hurt you, you may want to hurt them back. But your boots just need some lovin'. Here is a little video on how to soften those side seams. The video also shows how to soften a heel. 

Problem: Tight to get on

-Answer: Your boots are hard to get on because the instep or throat of a boot is too narrow. You have a couple of choices to help this problem. Stretching is the best answer. We have professional equipment that can open your boots up and make them easy to get on. Sometimes we add zippers to boots to make them easier to get on. But I have a DIY solution you can try. Stretching your boots with a ball bat. Watch the video to see how you can DIY stretch the  instep of your boots. 

Problem: Boot Tops are too tight

-Answer: Ok, this is one I haven't got a DIY fix for, or not yet. I'm working on it. So for now use a pro, we can stretch boot tops for you or even add some elastic in some extreme cases  - >>see this post <<

Of course sometimes its better to leave it to the professionals here at Boyer's bootnshoe. So remember, when looking for your next pair of new boots- if you buy from bootnshoe.com you can get your boots professionally broken in for free by our expert cobblers. 

>> Shop Boyers BootNShoe NOW! <<

Slim The Boot Guy