How to care for leather work boots

 Quickly step into your work shoes?

How to care for leather work boots. We're all in that chaos of buying shoes that don't fit you well, even if it's the right size. And buying a size bigger would only mean that you will end up with a pair of shoes that are too wide within two weeks. 

But things are particularly annoying when it comes to working boots, which need to be comfortable and durable enough to wear for even 50-60 hours a week. That's why you need to know how to break into your work shoes.

Since we are talking about this type of boots, you should know that it is not uncommon to feel some discomfort at the beginning, especially in the heel or toe area. This is especially common with steel-toe work boots, which have a fairly narrow toecap.

Still, you want your boots to be relatively comfortable so that you never have to deal with foot injuries. But how do you do that?

Well, you need to get them used to it slowly instead of using them for 12 hours right after you prepare them thoroughly. 

This way you prevent blisters, injuries and say goodbye to stiff boots. Sounds like a dream? Not if you read the article below.

The Preparations

There are several ways to break in your shoes, and the most common is to wear them around the house or around the house for extended periods of time. However, it can also cause quite a few blisters or sores, which can get worse over time.

So the solution is to make sure your boots are ready to wear before putting them on, which can be done in several ways.

Sticks and Stones Break In Your Boots

Just kidding, we're only going to use sticks for this, not rocks, and we're not going to suggest roughing up your boots. So follow these steps:

1. Try the boots and see where they feel too tight or too stiff.
2. Grab a stick about 2 inches in diameter, perhaps from a mop or broom.
3. Place one end of the stick in your boot, on the area that feels uncomfortable.
4. Bend the boot over the stick in smooth motions to allow the upper to stretch.
5. If you have a leather upper, you will see them take on a lighter shade in the stretched area, which is normal.
6. Repeat until you feel better wearing the boots.

Hot Water doesn’t Let You Drown

This is one of our favorite solutions because it's so effective it's even used in the military. And you know those guys and gals need the perfect boots to withstand the toughest conditions. So if you want to arm your work boots, here's how to break them in

•  Make sure your work boots are waterproof or make them waterproof yourself first.
• Take a bucket and fill it halfway with warm water.
• Grab your boots and put them in the bucket for half an hour.
• If the upper is a finished leather, let the boots relax in the bucket for an hour.
• When you're done, remove the water in your boots.
• Grab a comfortable pair of socks and take off your boots for an hour of hiking.
• Let the boots dry before taking them on a test walk again.

Cold Water too because We’re Hot and You’re Cold

Hot water treatment can work for those in the military, but you may not have all that time to use it. It takes a long time to waterproof boots and it also takes a long time to dry after being submerged in water. So if you're looking for a faster solution, here's what you can try:

1. Try the boots to find out where they feel stiff or tight.
2. Grab a few Ziploc bags and fill them with water.
3. Make sure to get all the air out and seal them tightly.
4. Tuck the pockets into your boots, targeting the area where you feel the discomfort.
5. Make sure your freezer is empty enough and put the boots in it.
6. Let them sit for at least 8 hours or overnight to allow the water to expand and stretch the boots from the inside.
7. In the morning, take the boots out of the freezer.
8. Do not remove the water packs until all the ice has melted.

Oil for Floating above Water

This is a great way to make sure the leather upper stretches enough to accommodate your feet rather than hurting them, but it does require good oils. Leather conditioners are best for work boots, as is mink oil because they soften the leather better. So this is what you should do:

• Try on your boots to see where they feel uncomfortable.
• Apply a thick layer of oil to the outside of the boots that feel uncomfortable.
• Let the boots sit for at least 8 hours or overnight.
• When enough time has passed, take a clean cloth and wipe off the extra coat.
• Try the boots again and see how they feel.

The Tips

Now that you're here, you've learned four different methods for making sure your boots fit properly. These work much better than traditional wearing the boots for extended periods of time, which can last up to a month, with all the extras on top like calluses and blisters.

But if you want to make sure you're doing everything perfectly, here are some additional tricks you can use:

• Keep in mind that your boots need a reasonable rest period, about two weeks. When buying work shoes, therefore, also take this break-in period into account.
• Size matters, so buy boots that fit well to start with.
• If your job takes a lot of time on your feet, make sure you get a really comfortable pair of boots by checking that the midsoles, insoles and footbed provide the right amount of cushioning.
• Try not to break the boots in one go, wear them straight out of the box in 2-3 hours. Rather, walk around your house and start with 10 minutes a day.
• Take your boots to work after the first week of use so you can test how they feel on your turf. Don't start with a full spin, though.
• Do not start the break-in period if you already have foot problems such as blisters, calluses or ingrown toenails.
• When you first put your boots on, keep an eye out for any cuts, pain, or hot spots you might feel.
• If you feel any pain in your boots, consider using your warranty and replacing them with a half size larger.
• Apply leather conditioner every day during the break-in period, before taking them on that sweet test walk.
•  Never apply direct heat to your boots as the upper will dry out. So disregard the myth that you baked your boots in an oven because you could crack the leather upper.

The Black Sheep Tips

Or the steel sheep. Yes, steel boots are the worst when it comes to comfort as they offer incredible foot protection so they have some rougher parts. That's why you need some special tips to break them:

• If you're taming a pair of steel-toe work boots, don the most comfortable and cushioned socks. These provide extra protection for your toes during the break-in phase, but also keep your feet warm.
• Try to make the soles as flexible as possible, so bend the boots a few times in each direction before putting them on.
• Add an insole to the boots after the first few days if you still don't feel like the break-in process is starting to work. For steel boots, we recommend orthopedic insoles because of their ergonomic shape.
• Put moleskin on your feet where you get some discomfort or a tight feeling after putting on your boots, such as your heels and toes maybe.

Wrapping It Up

Fitting shoes is a lengthy process and it's understandable why you might want to speed things up. But don't. Seriously no. Delayed gratification is not only a nice way to avoid seeing rapid progress, it can actually save your feet from all kinds of aches and pains. 

Remember to take good care of your boots and spend some time in them every day, as you would a trusted friend. After all, they will soon become just that: your best friends.

That said, we're curious to hear more about you. What is your field of activity? Which boots do you have? Have you ever tried to break your boots? What worked? Not? What did we miss in this article? Leave your comment below!