What is the best way to break in new leather workboots?
Got a new pair of Red Wings and they're killing my feet and ankles. What is the quickest and best way to break these bad boys in?
A process that has been used previously but fallen out of favor recently is soaking the boots in warm water and wearing them for several hours consecutively. Because the leather is wet it begins to conform to the structure of your sole/foot, eventually forming an excellent glove like fit. This method is really only effective if you have the opportunity to walk around (preferably outdoors) for several hours in wet boots. Also, it is extremely important that applications of Mink-Oil or another leather conditioner are used frequently, this will extend the life of your boots exponentially.
10 Answers
You just have to wear them. You'll find this adage around many of the hiking boot reviews and websites; "A properly fitted boot will never require a break in period."
Mink oil will soften the leather, but it won't address the issue. The pain you're experiencing is due to your foot not liking the boot, and more than likely it's the insole that's causing the issue.
In the end you just have to wear the boot until your foot is accustom to the new digs.
I have these boots for work http://www.redwingshoes.com/productdetails.aspx?prodid=1145 and if yours are anything like mine you may be over tightening them.
Like ehren mentioned, they were properly fitted boots and didn't require a break in period providing I didn't over tighten them. Additionally mink oil is excellent to condition the leather, keep it water proof, and make it more adaptable for your foot.
I own a pair of Red Wings myself (Gentleman Travelers), and the break in period was extremely painful and lasted about 7 or 8 wearings. Mink oil, as others have stated, works wonders.
I will question any assertion that properly fitted boots don't require a break-in period. As I understand it, Red Wing changed the type of leather on many of their boots from the softer Chromoexcel, to a much less supple "featherstone" leather. According to anecdotal evidence on the web, the featherstone is much tougher to break in, but is more durable. I've been wearing my Red Wings with featherstone leather for over 3 months, in all kinds of pouring rain and puddles and they still look brand new.
In any case, just keep wearing them in short bursts. My Red Wings broke in nicely and are now among my most comfortable shoes.
I wouldn't put anything on them that blocks the pores from breathing. I've had all kinds of boots in my life and the best ones needed very little, if any waterproofing. My suggestion might be a bit extreme, but you might want to wet a pair of socks, put them on and wear the boots dry. In the old days I once poured hot water into one boot, then transferred that water to the other boot, emptied that boot and wore them dry. I slept in them for a day or two, and they never hurt my feet. These days that would be problematic given all the plastics and membranes in boots. Also get a pair of "superfeet" insoles...nothing better except custom insoles and only about 30 bucks.
Everyone so far has outlined in sufficient detail step 2 of the breaking in process - mink oil. Step 1, though, is equally as important to start the breaking-in process - Showering in your boots. You wear the boots in the shower, get them good and soaked, and them wear them around for a couple hours. If you dry them off with a towel after the shower, they shouldn't track water all over your house. If you want to play it safe, just plan on wearing them around outside for a while. Mink oil will help with the leather boot body and upper, but it will do nothing for the insole. Step 1 will break in your entire boot, not just the leather. When done, allow them dry in front of a fan or space heater. Be careful though, you don't want to leave them in front of a fan overnight as they can dry out too much and become brittle. The drying process is most important for the insole so that you don't get mildew in there. As the boots are drying, intermittently apply mink oil generously. After this Step 1, only use the mink oil. Don't shower in them again, unless that's your thing. I won't judge.
Before wearing them out hit them with a coat of Mink-oil or cream leather conditioner, that will soften up the leather a bit. Once you do that, just get some thick socks and keep wearing them. Every week or so recondition them.
The first wears will be a little painful the full grain leather Red Wing uses is just tough but its worth it, the strong leather will last forever especially with a good conditioning regime.