Don’t – Use Water to Break In Boots Leather can only handle a limited amount of moisture before it warps and changes shape. You could cause some serious damage to your brand new work boots if you try to use water to break them in.
In this post
Does water help break in boots?
Soaking Boots in Water
Some military and hiking boots are made from synthetic materials (in addition to leather), so this method is safer for them. Soak the boots in a bucket of warm water for 30 minutes to an hour. Dry them lightly with a towel, then wear them around the house, again with thick socks.
Should you put new boots in water?
Putting boots In Water To Break Them In
The logic of dumping your shoes in water is to then wear them afterwards and hope the wet leather will then mould to your feet. To put it short – don’t do this! Not only will it take days – weeks! – for your boots to dry fully, you could ruin the leather and make it mouldy.
Can you soak boots in water?
Yes. Leather shoes and boots can get wet (even soaking wet in some conditions) without permanent damage, assuming you care for them correctly. If your leather shoes are soaking wet on a regular basis, consider investing in a pair of waterproof shoes to save yourself from having to treat them on a regular basis.
How do you soften stiff boots?
Step 1: Turn on your blow dryer and direct it towards your leather boots. Allow a distance of around a foot or so to avoid extreme heat. Step 2: Blow-dry each boot continuously for about 30 to 60 seconds. Step 3: Leave the new boots there for about 2 to 3 hours.
How long do boots take to break in?
around 80 to 100 hours
Keep a Spare Pair
New boots can take around 80 to 100 hours to break in. That being said, don’t subject yourself to wearing your boots for 4 days straight and expect your feet to be happy with you. Instead, space this time out to about 2 to 3 hours a day and keep a second pair of boots to change into.
How can I soften my leather boots?
How To Break in Work Boots: 9 Proven Ways
- Start with the Right Size.
- Walk Around the House.
- Walk Around Outside.
- Wear Your Boots With Thick Socks.
- Bend the Boot, Step on the Heel.
- Condition and Moisturize Your Boot.
- Use a Shoe Stretcher.
- Stick it and Stuff it.
How do you break in leather boots quickly?
Spraying your boots with alcohol and water to stretch, widen, or soften up the leather in areas where the boot or shoe is tight, is something cobblers do. Fiebing even sells shoe stretching spray that is just water and alcohol, but for breaking in boots, just wearing them and bending them is much better.
How do I make my boots more comfortable?
6 Ways to Make Your Boots More Comfortable
- Break your boots in properly.
- Try new insoles.
- Change the lace pattern on your boots.
- Store your boots properly.
- Have them professionally resoled.
- If all else fails, replace your boots with ones designed to be more comfortable.
What happens if you get leather boots wet?
Because leather is a porous material, it will quickly soak in that water. This rapid influx of water, followed by a release when the water dries, can lead to premature damage and cracking of the leather. Letting your shoes get soaked in the rain is no way to take care of your investment.
How do you stretch leather boots in water?
Fill sandwich bags with water and tuck them inside your boots. Make sure the bags are sealed so the water doesn’t damage the leather and then put the boots in the freezer. As the water freezes, it expands, slowly stretching out the leather.
How do you stretch out a boot that is too small?
Put your boots on with a pair or two of thick socks. Point a blow dryer about 6 inches away from your boots at the tightest parts of your shoe (usually the toe and heel area). Hold for about 30 seconds on each spot. Curl, bend and wiggle your toes during this process for better stretching.
Is it bad to soak leather in water?
A little water spill won’t hurt leather but when left to dry, it may leave an unwanted stain. This usually happens with vegetable-tanned leather which we usually use on our products here at Steel Horse Leather. Simply, water ruins leather if you allow it to soak into the material without doing anything about it.
Is water bad for leather?
A little water won’t hurt leather at all, and most leather products have a protective layer that gives you enough time to clean up water spills before leather soaks it up. When spills and small amounts of water do damage leather, it usually just makes the leather stiff.
Is it okay to soak shoes overnight?
Give your shoes a soak.
Place your sneaks in a bucket of warm, soapy water. Use gentle laundry soap, dish soap, or OxiClean (sometimes I use a combo). After letting them soak overnight, rinse them off in cold water and let them air dry.
Does Vaseline soften leather?
Does Vaseline Soften Leather? As a leather conditioner, petroleum jelly softens and protects the leather from cracking and drying out. This will work well on leather and patent leather bags, shoes, jackets, and other things, such as leather belts, purses, coats, and leather watch straps.
Do new boots always hurt?
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. You should try to enjoy this period, even though you may be uncomfortable. Your boots will never be this clean and pristine again!
Should new boots hurt your feet?
Some discomfort at first is expected (especially if you try to wear them all day), but definitely not pain. 1. First, ensure the right size. Sometimes you’ll see folks advocating buying boots a half-size or even full size too small so that when they break in, they’ll be perfect.
How tight should new boots be?
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.
How do you know when boots are broken in?
The best way to know when your work boots are broken in is to wear them, and pay attention. Note how long you’re wearing them for, and also note when your feet start to feel sore or tired. If you notice that the tired/sore feeling is setting in later and later, that means leather boot break-in is taking place.
Why are boots so uncomfortable?
So, the reason that many steel toe boots are uncomfortable is usually that the person wearing them has bought a pair of boots made on too narrow or too low a toe box to have both a steel toe insert AND the room for their toes to be comfortable.