Uncomfortable new boots - advice appreciated

[marimus]

I have been putting it off for ages, but my old leather boots are just plain worn out. I bought a new pair, exact same brand/model and size, but I can hardly stand to wear them.

The new boots seem to be a much stiffer and harder leather then I ever remember the old ones being. Part of why I liked em so much was how comfortable they were when I first tried the old ones on.

But these new ones...they are killing me! Any good advice for softening them up a little, so I can actually use them long enough to break them in?

Thanks in advance.

 

[MossRoad]

Bear grease?

 

[Egon]

Take a walk in the rain and then wear them till they are dry.

Also wear heavy socks in the boots.

 

[jinman]

Neatsfoot oil has often been used successfully to soften leather. It's what my old friend who owned a shoe repair shop recommended.

Wikipedia Neatsfoot Oil Description

 

[CurlyDave]

Egon is right about shaping new boots to your feet. Get them really soaked while wearing them & wear until they dry out. You don't have to wait for rain, a bucket of water works too. Walk during this process.

After shaping, I like mink oil better than neatsfoot oil for softening & waterproofing leather.

 

[Champy]

I would always walk through dewey grass or mud puddles in the morning and then keep the boots on all day. The leather essentially shrinks and conforms to your foot. Then liberal applications of Bear Grease......

The other key is to "actively" wear them during work.....up/down stairs; ladders; bending; kneeling; digging, etc... otherwise they will never get broken in and stay too stiff longer. I've even gone out playing baseball in mine when they were new.....tough on the toes for a day or two but better off in the long run.

 

[Soundguy]

You can cheat by using a shoe sizer/expander and a bit of wax paper.. or stuff a baseball downt he shaft and into the bridge.

'wearing' them in like others mentions is the surefire way.

if the dielot is colorsafe from alcohol, alcohol is used in some places in conjunction with a show stretcher to size a boot.. etc.

soundguy

 

[thatguy]

I have never heard of 'bear grease', but I do like 'snow seal' as a waterproofer and conditioner... I use an old hair dryer to heat the leather and then use it to help melt the snow seal into the leather...

Brian

 

[marimus]

Is bear grease a brand? or grease made from bears?? Forgive my ignorance, but i've never heard of it.

Thanks,

marimus

 

[Egon]

http://workingperson.com/brands/1/Bear+Grease.html