Women can wear many different types of boots, including classic leather boots. However, when purchasing a new pair, some work may be required to ensure that it fits well and comfortably. In case you've always asked yourself how to stretch leather boots or even how to break in leather boots, the answer is here. It is important to note that these procedures take some time, but eventually, these help ease the pain caused by your boots and also get them to fit perfectly to your feet. We will also look in this post, what are the different ways that are used to stretch or break in a pair of leather boots without causing any harm to the boot material.
Why Is It Important to Stretch and Break in Leather?
Unlike many synthetic materials, leather is an organic and pliable raw material that becomes supple and more forgiving when used. Breaking in leather boots occurs over time. However, there are a few key techniques that one can use to stretch a shoe within a relatively short time. There’s no need to panic if your new pair of leather boots feel a bit claustrophobic on your feet, you can always have them stretched for a better fit. There are also steps you can take to break in leather boots, allowing them to soften and reshape according to the contours of your feet.
How Do You Stretch Leather Boots
If your boots are a little too tight, firmly stretching the leather will help you put them on more comfortably. If you're wondering how to permanently scratch leather boots, here are some tried-and-trusted methods:
1. Wear Thick Socks
One of the quick and simple ways to stretch leather boots is to wear thick socks or two pairs of socks. Now wear the socks with the boots and walk around the house for a couple of hours. As a result, the leather will gradually stretch. Doing this a couple of times, you will most likely feel that your boots are no longer bothering your feet. This is a common technique for a pair of boots that pinch in select areas.
2. Use a Leather Conditioner
Leather conditioners help in moisturizing the leather but they also increase the stretchability of the material. Apply a thick coat of conditioner on the boots. The leather gets softer and more pliable as the conditioner seeps through. And if you also have a query regarding the fact on how to soften leather boots, then leather conditioner is the answer. This method also helps prevent cracking in the leather due to the light stretching.
3. Insert Shoe Trees
If you're still considering a way how to stretch leather boots, shoe trees are your way to go. Shoe trees can expand both the length and the width of your footwear. Place them inside your boots and let them sit for 24 to 48 hours. Afterwards, assess the fitting and if required repeat the process to achieve a better fit. Shoe trees are useful for reshaping boots because they stretch them while preserving any damage to the sole.
4. Use Heat
Using heat to stretch your leather boots is an alternative method that many people prefer. You can either use the steam released from a kettle or a clothes steamer to heat the leather and thus make it more flexible. However, excessively heating the leather can easily burn it. After heating the boots, put on thick socks to help the leather stretch as you move.
5. Try a Shoe Stretcher
The last way on our list on how to stretch leather boots is to use a shoe stretcher. A shoe stretcher is a more professional option when it comes to stretching leather boots. You can find a good shoe stretcher in several shoe shops, and with their help, you can regulate the degree of elongation and widening of the boots thanks to the tools. Used along with a leather stretching spray, this technique is very useful in getting the ideal fit.
How to Break in Leather Boots
As of now, you know how to stretch leather boots, it's time to discuss how to break in leather boots. It is necessary to wear leather boots to loosen them, and this takes some time. In any case, it is important to know how to speed up and enhance the process of loosening leather boots:
1. Wear Them Gradually
On top of our list of how to break in leather boost, the most effective way is by wearing them for short periods. This means starting with a duration of about 1-2 hours daily, increasing the duration as the leather begins to stretch and conform to the shape of your feet. This is a gradual process which eliminates the occurrence of blisters and guarantees a very good mould of the boots to the contour of one’s foot.
2. Use Leather Oil or Conditioner
Using a leather conditioner or oil should assist in relaxing the material of the boots, which will allow their easier break-in on your feet. Since the leather's fibres will have been loosened, your feet will be able to relax a little bit more and stretching the boots will be simple. Just take care not to excessively condition the leather since this leads to excessive stretching.
3. Wear Thick Wool Socks
Still, wondering how to break leather boots? Well, thick wool socks are the way to go. Thick wool socks especially from the Merino breed are quite beneficial when one is breaking into leather boots. The padding not only protects your feet from chafing but also allows the boot’s leather to adjust with ease. In addition, these socks tend to be breathable and moisture-wicking, which is just perfect for this method.
4. Soak Your Boots
An unusual yet practical approach to achieving the proper fit of boots is water immersion. Fill the boots with water completely, lace them around your feet, and keep them on until the water dries up. This enables the leather footbed to conform to your feet by stretching the claves within a shorter period, answering the age-old query on how to stretch calves on leather boots.
5. Use Rubbing Alcohol
The last method on how to break in boots is by rubbing a mixture of alcohol and water is also effective in breaking in leather boots. Apply the mixture on the tight parts of the boots, and wear the boots to loosen the leather. This technique is most useful when other methods, such as wearing thick socks, or a shoe stretcher, are employed.
Wrapping it Up!
It is important for any boot enthusiast to not only know how to stretch cowboy or leather boots but also know how to break in leather boots. Whichever way you apply them whether loosening them for spare room or wearing them to get a specific shape on your feet, the above techniques can guarantee that your leather boots are as comfortable as they are classy. Routine maintenance, such as stuffing the boots and walking in them little by little over time, is what gives you timeless well-fitted boots.
And now that you have all the tips and tricks on how to stretch leather boots and how to break in them, isn’t it time to update your styling? Take a look at Barismil where durable and fashionable oriented footwear is available. Whether you want stylish or durable shoes, Barismil has the right shoes for you!
FAQ-All your Questions on How to Stretch and Break in Leather Boots
Can snakes bite through leather boots?
While wearing leather boots can save one from snake bites to a certain extent, they are not aversive to snakes. It is a known fact that it is more difficult for the Fangs of a snake to penetrate a deep thick fleshy boot rather than a shallow light normal boot.
Do leather boots stretch with wear?
Yes, leather boots do indeed stretch with usage. The use of breathable leather allows for more ease in the fit, as the leather will work with the user’s foot over time.
Do leather boots stretch?
Yes, Leather ankle boots do indeed tend to stretch but usually not to more than a quarter of the boot size. For stretching which is more than that, professional instruments such as shoe stretchers can also be used.
How to shrink leather boots?
In the case of over-stretched boots or shoes, they can be shrunk by soaking the leather in water and then allowing it to dry in the sun. Caution though, this technique can also lead to dehydration of the leather. Hence it is advisable to apply a leather condition afterwards to replenish the moisture content.