How to Break in Doc Martens PAINLESSLY for FREE (& overnight method) 

EXTRA TIP: Gel heel cups work super well for protecting your ankles from your new Docs (I wish I had discovered these before breaking in mine, maybe I'd have avoided the scars I'm left with 🙃), they are pretty cheap and get the job done if you don't want to mess around. Check them out here: amzn.to/3J5466A (not sponsored! Affiliate link)

When I saw the plastic bag trick I was like “no way am I doing that”. And then I got desperate and did it. Worked perfectly 😂 This will make breaking them in much nicer.

I remember getting my first pair as a teen in 1994 trying to break them in…I was in so much pain walking home I took them off as was bleeding,walked home in my socks lol… lasted me till 2000 when my daughter was born worth every penny!!!

I got a pair of 1460 Pascal Mono. Really hard leather. I have oiled and waxed them and leather is a little bit softer. As for the massaging part I am really considering just running them over with my car every morning for two weeks. 😄🤷🏼‍♂️

i tried one of your tricks. i did not have any feminine pads because i am a guy but i did find two tampons a female friend left in my bathroom, so being the Macgyver that i am i used them with duct tape. Worked great! Thanks for the tip!

I grew up on a farm and was in the US military for twenty years. Did the thick socks, second skin and bandaids. My feet are use to braking in new boots. Thanks for the tips!!

wonderful tricks! Thank you, and I am on my way! I got my new doc's this morning, and so far i have started with thin soxes for an hour, then changed to thicker soxes for another hour, then you guessed it, changed to thicker soxes for another hour. I then found your video, and have included the plastic bags, which made quite a difference immediately, and i will continue for the rest of the day in them with my very thick soxes. (Might even add another pair if i can). Im doing as much moving around, sitting on my haunches (squatting) to stretch across the boot too. Im normally a 40EU, and after receiving my 41EU online and concluding they were toooo big, I went to a DM store and exchanged for the 39EU. They are tight, but will be good soon! Yay! so happy!

I tried these today with my boots and they worked amazingly, these are brilliant

I'm doing this!! the pad is a brilliant idea!! thank you so much

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! i just got my first pair of docs yesterday, and i need them broken in for tomorrow. i didnt even know i needed to break them in before today so tysm

These Tips are genius and creative thank you.

Your’s are the best and most creative suggestions anywhere..5 stars!

I'm obsessed with this video omg, thank you so much. this is so practical and I appreciate not having to go spend a bunch of money

The heels on my docs really bother me and I am looking to buy more heel pads from the store. Your feminine pad hack is frickin genius! Thank you!

This is just awesome. Thank you for making this video! I think I'll skip the pad method though, because if I end up hit by a car in the emergency department & they take my boots off, I don't want the bloody pad to fall out, lol! 😎

First time owner, thank you for sharing ❤️

OMG!!! I put pads in my Doc boots in high school when I was 15 because they were too big! You are the only one I've heard do this too!!! Pads are PERFECT. Especially the bulky overnight ones 🤣 BUT I am going to try the plastic bag trick because my right foot is larger than my left and I have a pair of the leather chelsea Docs. I bought a stretcher that isn't working and due to this they have sat in my closet for 1.5 years...

oh my god the period pad trick is literally genius that’s so smart

I take size 8.5 in DMs but they don't make them do they ? Yes they do. Remove the insole and they magically go up half a size. Other things which work for me: Strip of gaffer / Gorilla tape on the backs of your heels before you put on your socks (ballet dancers do this). Wear tights (or those things which are effectively the foot end of tights) under your socks. Polish them regularly; it softens and conditions the leather and helps keep them waterproof. Best of all, the ones not made of leather are much easier to break in and far less painful. Cross lace them but don't lace them right up. Just use the first 5 holes.

I remember my first pair of Docs and I was super excited but then I hated myself for spending so much on a medieval torture device. So I went back to the Doc Martens shop and they were able to help me break them in. They gave me a few stick on heel pads. And since they had a sale I bought a few pairs of Doc Socks. I gotta say, the socks really work wonders. They have these cushion areas to help stretch out the boots when walking. My current pair I recycled some insoles from some old trainers I have and now they're the most comfortable shoes I own. I never thought of using a bag or even a sanitary pad for this. I gotta try them out with the new pair I am purchasing soon.

Thank you for these tips 🙏 ❤

I have no problem with it rubbing the heal but i need help with getting it worn in cos i can only do 5 eyes not the full 8 feels very tight then on my leg have the ones that’s got the platform sole the bottom is fine i wear them 5 lace’s but it hurts if i do them up all the way got mine for Christmas last year gonna buy the platform Chelsea’s one

But:) question. Mine are fixed. Like not a number bigger. In am 40 so i won’t have a bigger foot. I barely put my feet inside. What should i do?

I'm going to try both the plastic bag and pad liner at the same time for my new all leather motor bike boots. 👍😊

I’m 36, have worn a pair of 1460’s since the moment I could walk (thanks to my S.H.A.R.P Skinhead Dad!), and my go to tips are putting 2 thick socks over a hammer and smash the back of the heel of the shoe is until the leather is soft, and also thick socks on and hairdryer on hot for a minute (followed by a blast of cold air for a minute). However I have Doc Martens Chelsea Boots and the bridge is a sod for stretching thanks to my wide feet!

For heels, I use duct tape for breaking in boots. Idk works for me. It works like moleskine and I've been blister free.

Hi any tips on stretching the band with the stich for the tongue please ?

Thanks for the vid. Ive actually done the pad method, it works.

Rather than using a plastic bag full of water in your boots & then into the freezer. Use a rubber balloon the long sausage type & it won't leak if you tie a knot in the end.

i just got my 1460 pascal monos in chalk pink that i wanted basically since i found out doc martens exist... my problem is that i don't even get to the point of feeling pain at the toes or heel, the top of the boot (the seam where the shoe meets the tongue) digs into my foot THAT MUCH that it hurts immensely and cuts off the blood circulation of my foot... it made me almost scream in pain before even standing up ?! 😭 there's no way of putting even two pairs of socks on in them. i don't even fit them with bare feet... i do have quite wide feet and i heard the pascals are for slimmer feet. i have never experienced this with any shoes before... is there anything i can do about that? 😭

I wish I knew all this when I finally got a real pair of dr martens last year because I bled out badly into them and I have scars all over the backs of my feet and all over my feet from the dr martins

Hoya! Never had DM's and in my house, ppl dont want to let me put the dock in the freezer. What should i do? Afraid of burning the boots 😵‍💫

i just ordered mine and the only problem i have w them is how tight they are around the the top of my feet. i can’t tell whether i have to get a bigger size or have to wait till i break them in. they fit perfectly from my toes and ankles so i’m very confused

I’m gonna try this sanitary pad one! Thank you! 😂 I hope it works ..

You said there was a list for some specific tricks per model. I can’t find it tho. I was looking for some specific tricks for the chelsea boots (platform) 😄

Hi…I just read your blog regarding Dr. Martens and waterproofing. You recommend otter wax. Is the otter wax product you recommended safe for use on Dr. Martens Pisa leather? I just bought the Sinclair boot in Pisa leather and would like to make them waterproof before I wear them. Thanks

Hi there, my first Dr Martens are no Leather Boots. Don’t know how to describe - english is not my first language. Maybe Kind of a shiny synthetic/plastic Material with ribbed Fabrik on the Inside. Wore them First for a dogwalk and had no idea how Bad a Dr Marten can hurt. Had a terrible already ribbed blister on the back of my foot 😢 Since than i havend touched the Docs. Any advice? All I read About Breaking in is about leather boots. Does this also Work for mine? The Model is called 26887 (1460 Gloss Vegan).

Thanks for the advice. My new docs and Solov#re are a tough break in. Especially with my left foot because it's bigger round than my right. The blisters and torn skin are very painful. The blisters are slow healing. Any advice on that?

Very good this Video.

the bag method really works!!

Thank you for the video; however none of the advice takes care of the leather of the boots, which is one of the most important things in order to soften them and make them last without cracking.

Just got some and think il try the plastic bag trick

would like to know if the docmarten balsam discolours the boot

Hey I’ve got some new docs but mine don’t hurt on the ankles it’s the tongue of my left boot which rubs on my leg and making it sore, my right one is fine! Anyone got any tips for helping with this please 🙏🏼

I'm thinking of having my first pair, well hubby is gonna buy them 4 my b'day, just a little concerned though tht they will kill me & end up being a waste of money?? Need advice please, does all these tips work?? My sis inlaw wears them & she said took her bout 6 months break hers in & said was worth it in the end..

My tips are. Buying a half size bigger. Sweat band round your ankles. Walking across the grass if you live near a park. Wearing them in the summer, leathers warm the soles warm and should mold to your personal step. I hope this is helpful. Peace.

My Jadons are tight over the top by the seam any advice?

I got mine and i messed up my ankles so were gonna do bandaids, socks and padding

Very well

Ya I just got a pair of used ones, blisters on my back of my heels from that form

My mum bought me a pair of docs last Christmas but they are super tight over the bridge of my feet. They hurt that bad I wanna cry.. will these tips help break the bridge because they’re bloody sore

I just bought my first pair last week for my birthday. They don’t rub anywhere but my ankles feel like they’re snapping 😅

IMObThe current doc martens made in Vietnam are pretty thin and require hardly any break in compared to what was required years ago. No "hacks" are required, just wear the boots. Within a week or two they will be good. This is not a knock or bash just stating an opinion. They still look great, they just no longer feel and last as long as the great boots from years past.

What about if they fit fine except at the base of the tounge stitching, they fit fine but are so tight right there 😭

Lovely 💕

So you think all dr.M’s are mid or high cut?

Have you found that any of these work particularly well for 1461's?

My friend told me , if you want to break the leather ,you just have to keep using it, and getting used to it… wdyt?

Majority of people put on new shoes and go straight out when you buy new shoes or boots you should wear them like slippers around the house for weeks before going out with them

lovely voice.

I have an unworn pair of Chelsea boots I've been putting off for the last six months because I'm afraid of the break in process...it's hard to forget that pain.

Blow dryer worked too good 10 mins each shoe heat them then work them over till its soft

Breakin Docs In is extremely easy Need 2 things liquid Mink Oil and a small heat to warm the leather thats it. Just warm the leather of the boot for about 5 mins till it nice and warm then apply the mink oil all over the boot both inside and out besure not get on the insole one done heat the boot once more push the oil into the leather when start wearing them they break insanely Fast no blisters. Been using Mink Oil on my Doc's since the 80s

nice boots

What socks are you wearing ?

It’s the tongue on mine I’ve sold on 3 pairs and I’ve braved another pair. These are worse😢

Ure brilliant pet 💕😎

Why not to buy just quality boots with soft leather and avoid blisters in first place?

Why can't it be made comfortable to use without these steps to make it comfortable

Rubb vasaline on em done

I got my first pair of martens in 2001. and since they were very hard to get without internet and very expensive for me, breaking in had to work really well. In the oven at the lowest level (about 50°C) with the flap slightly open, I preheated it so that the pores of the leather opened well and became a bit soft, then apply a thick layer of leather grease and put it back in the oven. this made the leather fat very thin and soaked into the shoes. I thought I repeated this process 1-2 more times to get maximum softness and protection. At that time it was still Marten's, which were officially considered work shoes and had to meet special guidelines, with steelcaps. They were the best boots I've ever had and they really did last forever. Perhaps a combination of the methods you've demonstrated is a good middle ground to break them in. ((Boots warmed with the hair dryer, then walk a bit with panty liners and the plastic bag around the feet.) However, I would always treat them with leather conditioner, just to save time and pain.

2 socks

Just wear two shocks and walk. Walk a lot.

I think shoes should be comfortable in the first place, so to do all this seems a bit too much

I just bought a pair of nylon ones. but all this effort? just buy another type of shoe lmao

So badly made since being made in China since 2003...give me back the old Brit ones...see Rose Anvil who cuts them in half not made well at all.Shame.

"We all know what this is" Well, i can tell you you're wrong there. Not everyone knows what a pad is(right name for it?? idk 2nd language)

I'm very new to docs. But I have a stupid question, why not buy next size up ?