used to pay my neighbors son , who wore the same shoe size as me, $20. to wear my boots for three days. Man, upon return those boots were waaaay broken in and ready to wear.....lol

@BootSpy

3 жыл бұрын

that...is...genius!

@thisislorn

3 жыл бұрын

i used to do that for my sister (but for free) because i was just a TEEENY bit bigger than her so i would stretch out her shoes lol

@sungcha3563

3 жыл бұрын

That's too funny. :)

@JonBrown-po7he

3 жыл бұрын

Hope that kid never gets an outrageous case of athlete's foot, yuck!!!!

@k8marlowe

2 жыл бұрын

Great idea! My 9 year old son’s feet are the same size as mine. I have a new chore for him tomorrow. 😈

Here’s a breakdown of my break-in process. I wear them until they start to hurt, and then I keep wearing them until they no longer hurt.

@BootSpy

3 жыл бұрын

the power method

@pherble

3 жыл бұрын

🤣

@jimmydgrant

3 жыл бұрын

@Antivaxxer Ccp hater I’ve never experienced blisters with new boots but I tend to buy boots that are quite snug when new.

@josephseraile6698

3 жыл бұрын

In the army we'd wear them in the rain and walked them dry.

@nathanlarue7674

2 жыл бұрын

EXACTLY

Personally, I've found that it's VERY IMPORTANT to ensure that any loose leather such as the tongue is set into its proper place. Nothing can ruin a good pair of boots, or make break-in horribly painful like a bad crease putting material where it doesn't belong.

You covered it at the end, but unless the boot was released shortly before I ordered it or it was an MTO, I usually condition the boot before wearing it. You never really know how long it may have been sitting on a shelf.

I’m breaking in some Iron Rangers, it’s been pretty rough. They’re comfortable and supportive until one part of the exterior of my foot starts to hurt like mad. I know getting them wet and wearing until dry molds them quickly, but lots of people say it could ruin and stain them…

I think there are two aspects of breaking in boots: upper and insole. Getting the leather uppers to form around your foot (ankle bone, toe crease, wrap around pinky toe, soften at the opening, tongue fold) is one part. My RW Blacksmiths were worlds better on day 3 compared to day 0. Better after a week. Amazing after 2 weeks. I lace them up snug, wear for a few hours until they get a little loose, snug them up again and repeat. The leather insole is a different ballgame. Both just come down to wearing the boots. I've never gotten blisters out of my RWs (3 pairs so far), but a Soldier's foot has calluses in all the right spots.

@christopherdavisson617

Жыл бұрын

Love both pairs of my Blacksmiths. For me, they were the easiest Heritage Red Wings I've ever broken in. I literally wore them for like four hours right out of the box. And then to work daily after that. Great boots.

@christopherdavisson617

Жыл бұрын

and for some reason? The leather insoles have never irritated or bothered my feet. I actually prefer them to foam or synthetic inserts honestly. The Mini Lug sole is a bit hard on my feet in rough terrain though. Like with large sized gravel and such on jobsites.

i got some timberlands, and after wearing em for a while on the first day it starts to hurt the outsides of my feet (the side where my pinky is lmao). it left some marks on the left side (nothing too bad imo). But 2nd day felt better, more tolerable... still hurt like hell after a while tho

Keep making these videos my man, I imagine you'll have alot of subscribers one day. Im buying my first pair of Iron ranger next week partly because of you, keep it up homie 😎👍.

@BootSpy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you brother! I really appreciate the kind words and you HAVE to let me know how the IR's turn out. They're my favorite

@txgunmaster5223

3 жыл бұрын

@@BootSpy I will, Happy Halloween!🧟‍♂️

@alexignacioandrade4586

2 жыл бұрын

I bought my first pair of Thursday captain, because of him

I'm new to leather boots I'm used to cloth combat style boots so I know I got the correct size but I still got blisters on my heel is that normal for the first day and about how long does it take to break in and all leather Georgia boots

I should have searched for this video BEFORE my right heel got completely destroyed by a new pair of boots. Thanks for all the advice, will practice it after I heal my heel. Cheers mate!

The knuckle, out on the very side of my left foot pinky-toe always hurts in new boots. I wear the boots for a couple hours, too, go for a walk in them, etc... but every time after I take them off I get a bic lighter and -=from the inside of the boot=- press one of the corners of the bottom of the lighter against the tight spot around my pinky toe and move it back and forth (pressing all the time) ... stretching the leather in that area. Do this for a couple minutes, then I put shoe trees in and give 'em a day of rest. Works great to speed things up and takes away most of the break-in pain. Works great on iron rangers!

@BootSpy

2 жыл бұрын

great tip! I'll have to try it out!

@alanmunoz8961

8 ай бұрын

Let me try this. I just got my IR yesterday and I wore them straight out of the store. They’re really great looking boots and I’ve convinced myself that I have to go through a bit of an initiation period to get to the sweet spot. Much like the process of wooing a girl before getting her sweet yes. From what I’ve gathered so far is that there are not shortcuts but to just wear the hell out of ‘em. Much like life itself.

Just got some wolverines and the back part thats plastic or leather jacked up the back of my foot. What do I do for the hard back part?

Great video! Keep up the good work.

@BootSpy

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I really appreciate the love!

I have a pair of Thursday Loggers in cacao and they are a beast to break in. I’ve had mine since Christmas and I have been wearing them every day 7 days a week to try and break in and I feel like the boots still have not fully broken in compared to my Thursday Captains. I have 2 pairs of captains which did not require much of a break in but these Loggers are super snug around the waist and it’s narrow asf on the toe. I normally wear 9.5 in boots and dress shoes and that’s what I ordered in all my Thursdays including the Logger. However, the Logger was super tight in the beginning and super snug around the waist and toe box area. I had to wrap some socks on the forefoot of my boot trees, shove the boot tree in the boots and then spray some alcohol and water mixture on the ball of my foot where the boot bends to stretch out a bit and I left it with the boot tree inside of the boot and they stretched out just enough for my toes not to feel like a lot of pain or discomfort. I have to say that I love my Loggers but the captains are by far the most comfy boots that I own. I wished that the Loggers had the same toe box as the Arizona Adobe captains. Then the boot would be perfect.

I had a pair of new boots given to me that were too small for the person that bought them I didn't have any extra money so I took them they were too small for me hurt me for about 6 weeks but after that they conform to my feet 8 years later they're worn out but were the best pair of boots I've ever had

Good video, but I just had one thing: (3:55)You gave the boots a day rest after the 3 mile walk? I'm not an expert on leather or boots, but I don't think giving the boots "rest" after a walk is a thing. idfk i could be wrong

Soak your stress points with isopropyl alcohol, put them on , repeat until desired relief occurs. 💯 The old school roughnecks passed this down, you don't always have time to break new boots in, sometimes they need to break you in.

Those boots are gorgeous, great color!

i just wear really thick socks and wear them for a couple of days. I would squat in them too. Also prepare a lot bandaids

Hi bro, I am from India and became a huge fan of boots. Your content is really helpful🥰🥰

I just bought a pair of Chippewa loggers I’ve been breaking them in slowly around the house 🏡 before I go to work in them

So. Idk how this would affect the boot in the long run, but the quickest way for me is to spray the outside of my socks a bit with water during the first indoor wear. Not a lot. Just a little bit damp. Especially in the areas where the boot is most tight. And wear them for a few hours inside the house. The moisture and warmth of the foot relaxes the leather. It will feel a bit better the next time you wear them. It works for any leather shoe.

Get some hiking liner socks they are very thin and eliminate friction that causes blisters

Those are beautiful boots. They look great on you. Thanks for the video.

@BootSpy

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for watching! I appreciate it!

Wearing my new Frye boots around the house after watching this. I will wear them on their maiden voyage tomorrow then taking a day break as per your advice. If I can break in Doc Martens I can break these in because I am determined! Thank you for your tips. Those boots are really nice and the red colour looks amazing!

@BootSpy

3 жыл бұрын

Let me know if you need a shoulder to cry on!

You should try mole tape it can prevent blisters, sturdier then band-aid

Thanks for the advice. How is sizing compare to Red wing?

@BootSpy

3 жыл бұрын

Sizing is pretty similar to Red Wing. I picked up a half-size smaller than my true size in both Red Wing Iron Ranger and Wolverine 1000 Mile. Both fit excellent

@jrasm711

3 жыл бұрын

I also picked up a half size smaller. I think it’s because they break and there’s still room in the tow box just narrow until broken in.

@marcyoung9019

3 жыл бұрын

I just got my first pair of red wings literally went whole size and a half down guy at the red wings store says he’s seen 2 full sizes plenty of times but I’m still breaking in

So… basically you wear them. Got it. What incredible advice 😂

@1337BR3AK

8 күн бұрын

exactly, 7 min of absolutely nothing

Hi. Very Helpful. What Color are they? Thanks.

@BootSpy

3 жыл бұрын

These are the Cordovan No. 8 in Horween---they're beautiful

Lace them tight until your entire foot is numb then directly to the jobsite as usual repeat daily until broken in, blood blisters go away after few weeks.

I put tape on my heels, thick socks and walk on my treadmill as long as i can. 30 min usually a good time. 2 or 3 times and they dont hurt anymoe.

I got a new pair of boots where I feel some pain and soreness on the bottom left arch after wearing for an hour or so. Any idea what that may be? or is this just normal break in...

@ryangregohara

3 жыл бұрын

Pretty standard break in pain...as the boot; your foot will get used to the boot but also the boot will ease up etc.

Try breaking in some Alpinestar Oscar Supervictory boots...

What color/model number are those...sweet! Thanks for this info.

@BootSpy

3 жыл бұрын

These are the Cordovan #8, standard 1000 Mile boots. I'm loving them!

@smiley-qb3nt

4 ай бұрын

How have those wolverine 1000 miles held up how's the heel counter and everything do you wear them a bit . You should do a video review of how they held up .love your content

Got some carhartt steel toes 2 days ago, tried them out for a 4 hour orientation and within the first 10 minutes of walking TO the orientation I had already fucked up my heels to where I was slightly limping Bought some heel inserts and used another insole to splint my heel and put some duct tape to secure it in place, also used all of my lacing techniques to my advantage Today was a 9 hour shift and boy of boy did I regret buying them as 9.5s instead of 10s or literally buying just about anything else at this point My right foot filled up my boot to the end and I was dragging it along by the end of the shift, definitely gonna just go back to using 6'ers or a softer 8'er

I’ve never had good luck with Wolverine boots. They look great but I’ve had bad experiences wearing them three times.

Ive actually found that wearing the boots is a good way to break them in. Lol jokes aside, locate the hotspot on the boots and massage it with or without water.

@bkh5746

2 жыл бұрын

Take a shower with them on.

@PolarIre

2 жыл бұрын

Moleskin tape high friction areas, maybe moisturizer ever hour, reapply tape. Thick socks. Get am electric shaver and take down hair on shin where boot contacts but leave some hair there you don't want an ingrown hair at all.. *but don't shave it. If you shave* if you shave with a razor and get high friction you could get an ingrown hair which is very painful. You probably don't have to even use an electric shaver but when you take tape off don't yank just take it off slow or you could rip and tear your hairs, 0/10 don't recommend. Leave an inch of space past toe, different boots for winter and summer. Thick socks, wool. 15 hour shift in pair of poorly fitting boots will mess you up, if ankles are to tight after a few days of working in those you'll be incapacitated

@minceraftfornite4334

2 жыл бұрын

@@bkh5746 have u actually done that

@ajaykumar-hj2uc

2 жыл бұрын

⁰⁰000

@offinthebarn6194

2 жыл бұрын

@@minceraftfornite4334 we could only hope not lol

I usually strip with alcohol then work in cobblers choice leather cream then apply emu oil, and other goodies once i know the leather is drinking oil. Then after a week of that I am ready to try creases. If you don't condition first you end up with big crack creases along the top. I like the little creases you get from oiling you boot first.

diggin the music montage with the cute dog

@BootSpy

3 жыл бұрын

haha glad you liked that!

No way! How much for the cordovan color??

@BootSpy

3 жыл бұрын

The Cordovan was the same price as the regular--something like $360. But if you're interested, definitely search Amazon--they had a Prime day deal where the 1000 Mile was going for something like $200. It was nuts.

I just switched my 9.5 boots I wore for a day w wool socks that got huge and switched for a 9 and my right pinky is crying rn Wish me luck !!!

I like my boots super snug. I hate sloppy boots\loose feeling boots and to be honest, if I get them perfectly fit right out of the box? In a month or two they will get too loose and free feeling for my taste. So like with my Red Wing Moc Toes I will get them a full size down from my sneaker size. The thing is, Red Wing Moc Toes in particular (for me anyways) are a super hard break in. Their Moc Toes have a leather liner and the seam from that liner is always the problem point on my left foot (by the knuckle of the left side of the foot/pinky toe). Which is weird because it's the smaller of my two feet. But yeh, it's not a fun process for me. Taking all that into account? Well I've had to learn a few tricks to help with break in. So I do the usual and wear them for a couple hours a day for a week or two before wearing them for a whole day. Then I wear them for a whole day around like every two or three days for a couple of weeks before wearing them daily. All while keeping shoe trees in the boots whenever I am not wearing them. I also ALWAYS condition my boots right out of the box. IMO Red Wings almost always come a bit stiff and dry from the factory (even when they were just made like a month prior to purchase). I actually like my boots a bit darker/softer than how they come from the factory. So the color change doesn't bother me at all. Plus if you do this? It seems to help the boots recover from scuffs more easily. Don't go overboard (I've done that too smh). But yeh don't feel too worried about over conditioning your boots. Just don't slather a bunch of product on at one time. Small coats over multiple days seems to do the trick. The other thing that has helped (A LOT! Btw) is putting Saphir's Greasy Cream on that leather liner in the vamp. Especially on the seams. The Greasy Cream dries easily so it won't leave a odor or residue on the inside of the boot. This really softens the seams and the vamp. Making it break in much easier. I realized that Greasy Cream can be used on Roughout and Nuebuck leathers. So it made sense to me that this could work. I was a bit worried at first but tried it and it works great. That last tip was the main thing that I wish I'd of known. I suspect that if I'd of conditioned the inside seams and vamp right out of the box with the Greasy Cream? The break ins from the past would've have been much less harsh. Hope this helps.

Another great review.

when the music starts to play and this man walked in I expected like a big dog ...hahahaahahahahahah. Mate, bless your heart

@BootSpy

Жыл бұрын

he's big in spirit

I just got my fort pair of Thursday captains wore them two days in a row to work and my feet is so messed up right now .. wish I would have found this video sooner

The only thing I’ve heard here is that you have to wear them for 3 miles. Well that a good tip. How could I not think of that? Great advice.

Is it normal for brand new boots to have some heel slippage?

@BootSpy

2 жыл бұрын

absolutely!

@demiansworld487

2 жыл бұрын

Yes and it's annoying i

so your telling me i can break my boots in by walking to get a couple beers... Im in.

@BootSpy

3 жыл бұрын

it's the best way. And if they hurt super bad, you just numb the pain the old fashioned way

.5-1” of toe room? That seems far too big

I also use beard oil to help break them in

My redwing are so hard

I try to just wear them around the house for as long as possible then the next day wear them all day and try to get the bottoms scuffed and get the slippery coating worn off before I need them for anything important Then I like to take them home and put new shoelaces on them. (I always change my shoelace color to pink) Then wear them for another day and pay close attention to any areas they feel stiff or hurt or feel slippery Then I take them back home and bend them with my hands as much as I can (usually in the heel area and 2 bends for the toe area) and I just keep making adjustments each day as much as I need to… After a week if they’re still really slippery I’ll take a nice coarse grit sandpaper and scuff the bottom up a little bit I just try to pay attention to all the places that my feet/heels/ankles bend and make sure my boots are able to bend in the same ways

This is the country Australian way,, wear your boots with thick woollen socks. Put the garden hose on them. SOAK THEM. Then go walking or day working on the farm. The leather will swell and give you a perfect custom fit. That’ll break them in. Once the boots are dry. Apply “dubbin” shoe treatment. That’ll keep ‘em supple and waterproof

@yopacific

8 ай бұрын

I think of all the comments this is the absolute best suggestion. Gonna apply this for my new Thursday Captains.

Boot warmer helps to relax the leather

You don't "soak" your boots in water, you just fill them up and pour it out, and a quick outside spray. Warm water. Wear the boots until they are completely dry. If getting them this "wet" ruins them, they weren't very good to begin with. They are boots. They will get wet unless you are just wearing them to Starbucks. I have used this method in the past (for Jump Boots). It works if you don't have the week or two to get them broken in. I don't use it now because I'm not in a hurry. I have a pair of Nick's Travelers that are a couple YEARS old and they still aren't fully broken in. They are brutal. Tried alcohol and stretchers with not a lot of luck. I have really large calves and some Western boots are too narrow in the shaft. Just get a pair that fits...

I used to wear my boss’s expensive shoes to break them in for her. Bonus for both of us as I got to wear high end shoes I couldn’t afford and she didn’t get blisters.

my wife will tell you i am the biggest shoe wimp. if they hurt i take 'em back. bought a pair of Iron Rangers 2 months ago and there was literally no break in period at all. why am i the lucky one? i do wear a EE and maybe that's it, but i really experienced no problems at all. in fact, they are the most comfortable shoe i've ever bought, full stop.

@charlieisamonster

Жыл бұрын

I agree. I have pretty wide feet and got some iron rangers a few months back. Zero break in issues and I’ve walked all day in them with no soreness whatsoever. Most boots give me hell.

4:20 Dang, look at those boots he's got on!

What we were taught was to wear socks, wool, around for an hour near heaters until boots and feet are warm. Then I apply mink oil on the leather to soften up in the future with a hair dryer on hot to speed up the absorption. Finally I walk around a mile and then I crouch, like we were on the rifle range, this has the effect of creasing and stretching the outsole and leather upper a lot quicker. Usually this process takes no more than two to three days, maybe four.

William sure walks through a lot of creeks and rivers. He's a 'road less travelled' kind of guy, I guess.

@BootSpy

2 жыл бұрын

Hahaha there's a creek near my apt and I seem to always walk through it when shooting these videos cause I think it looks cool in SLO mo. But I like your explanation too haha

just bought a pair of 8111’s wore them half the day yesterday 😣

gifts like chocolate and flowers help to soften most leather. don't forget to soft smile at your boots and add the odd compliment

Holy hell $385 oof. Don't get me wrong they're nice looking but I ain't that fancy. I had no idea wolverine had that kinda style of boot. Definitely on my wedding day

Wolverine 1k milers are easy to break in... mine felt great right away. C'mon, I was hoping you'd break in some 8" Nicks or something like that. aka wooden clamps for the feet.

@BootSpy

2 жыл бұрын

Funny you should say that... I plan on re-doing this video with a pair of nicks. I ordered them about 4 weeks ago

@georgegonzalez-rivas3787

2 жыл бұрын

@@BootSpy Cool. At their current shipping I look forward to seeing your video in time for next years' Thanksgiving.

I should've watched this video before I wear my new boots! I'm suffering a bad blister right now.

@BootSpy

3 жыл бұрын

We shall rebuild!!

Here's a trick that has worked for me... buy lightly used boots. Let someone else start the break in process and get it for around 50% off.

Break in indoors, to avoid scratching etc. Proceeds to scratch sole, on brick step. 🤷

@BootSpy

2 жыл бұрын

i never look back...

I just got some cheap converse type shoes at Walmart that almost crippled my ass after a little one mile walk!

In my army days. Wet boots. Bring moleskin. Go on a 30k forced ruck sack march on a hot summer day. After march. Clean, saddle soap and highly polish boots. Jog in boots everyday for morning PT for two weeks. Clean, saddle soap boots, highly polish daily.

@AutoReflexAR

27 күн бұрын

Knee problems

@hankkuya4354

26 күн бұрын

@@AutoReflexAR no. Active lifestyle. Wreaked a bike once 😬

My uncle would just run over his boots a couple times.

Hey, how come your puppy's not wearing boots?

Best way to break in any boots is to just wear them for at least 2 weeks straight!

So to break in a pair of boots - you wear them. Is that the AI summary?

Thick socks help!

Nicks handmade boots take. Awhile to break In

1000 mile boots sound epic until you hear of Courteneys lol.

So, to summarize, the best way to break in a pair of boots is to... wear them. Who knew?

These look like a rip of my wesco foot patrols

Nothing hurts like a new pair of Redwings. When they are broken in nothing is more comfortable than Redwings. Gotta suffer the pain to reap the benefits 👍. Pro tip….don’t buy a bigger size because they don’t hurt your feet as much in the store. Guys make that mistake all the time. Sure they will hurt less at first but later when broken in they will be loose and to big. A proper size will hurt your feet for awhile but conform to your foot perfectly later. Good things require patients and pain 👍

I had the iron rangers I ended up just giving them away

These are not "tough" boots, Wesco or Whites lineman boots are insane heavy leather. Your boots should break in fairly fast compared to my lineman boots, your leather looks more supple.

@BootSpy

3 жыл бұрын

Compare to those beasts, the Wolverine 1000 mile is like a pair of sandals.

I just tell myself the boots are hurting even more.

So you take them out and get them wet on their maiden voyage by walking though a stream ? Not a great idea at all. Perhaps dubbing overnight before you take them out would be a better one.

@BootSpy

3 жыл бұрын

You have to prove you're the boss of the boots. It's a psychological thing.

@zippypenny

2 жыл бұрын

⁷⁷!

Treadmill 2 miles, that's how I start.

A whole inch at the toe? Um no i dont think so

I wear medium-weight wool blend socks that I've sprayed with water, then put a pea-sized shot of body lotion on my hands and rub it onto each sock. Then put the boots on, watch a show, and get up during the commercials to walk around. Give it a few hours, then take them off. Repeat as needed.

Not sure about what your definition of fast and easy is. Sounds like your advice is to simply put them on and wear them for days. Hell son, I was already doing that.

@BootSpy

2 жыл бұрын

in the months since I've posted this video, many folks have said the same thing. And in watching it again, I realize you're right. I think the big issue was that I was wearing Wolverine 1000 miles, which don't have any break in period, so really just wearing them around is the best option. But I have a pair of Nicks boots on the way and I've heard they're a pain to break in. So I'll be re-doing this video with those boots in a few months to show some of the helpful tips people have left in the comments here, plus more of what I've found over the year. Thank you for watching!

funny thing...all these videos but noone is naturaly breaking them ..like going places for long times involving walking lol

@BootSpy

3 жыл бұрын

That's how it's done!

I thought you were gonna talk about something I didn't know 🤦🏿‍♂️

Buy new boots and work construction 12 hours straight, they will break in quickly

Not what I needed, I’m looking to break in western step-in, without the sissy laces.

Lose the arm gyrations. .

1. Be a man. 2. Act like you're in the army where you have no choice. 3. Related to steps 1 an 2, get out and bust your sss so to the point that you're not thinking about your wussie feet. One day you'll put them on and you won't think about foot pain and you'll love your boots.

Oh these are hipster and man bun boots not actual work boots 😂

Lame…

Boots are for real men. Not jetta driving soyboys. How to break in boots? 1. Suck it up Nancy 2. Stop whining about it 😅 Obviously kidding....sorta....I'm here for my ariats that won't give at the instep after a week. I wear these hunting in swampy areas so hopefully the swamp water will loosen it.

What a waste of time, so just wear them then.

Those are the ugliest boots I’ve ever seen

@BootSpy

2 жыл бұрын

Nuh uh

Soak the boots in water till leather is soft and supple. Work the boot hard while Wearing it, till dry. Process time is around 3-4 hrs. Pick a warm day for the process.

You just fucking wear them.