What is Boot Break-In? 

this video is what we all needed today; boot break-in is so misunderstood. brilliant way of explaining the upper's stretching, i never thought of its shifting in terms of creating slack in certain areas but it's true. i learn something new every time i watch one of your videos!!!! thanks Dave, you are a gentleman and a scholar!!!!!!

This is the best explanation about break in. Most think of the break in as stretching the leather. Most people buy their boots too small.

These are the kind of videos I needed when I first got into boots around 1 1/2 years ago. Keep doing what you’re doing. It’s awesome.

Very sound advice sir. I had no clue what it meant to “break in” a boot meant back in March. I’ve found that the more you wear them you’ll start to notice the “change” as you put it. I love watching the creases form, especially near my ankles. I call them the ribs of my boots. I only have two so far and I’m learning more about the fit and the look before I purchase anymore. Later.

A top tip for breaking in new boots;- Wear two pairs of socks. This helps in two ways. Firstly, it prevents blisters. Blisters are caused by friction between your foot & your sock. This usually happens because your sock is being held in place by the lining of the boot, while your foot is moving within the sock. By wearing two pairs of socks, the inner sock moves with your foot, while the outer sock stays with the boot. Any friction is between the socks, not on your foot. No friction on your foot, no blisters. Secondly, wearing two pairs of socks speeds up the whole process of breaking in boots, by adding an extra layer of insulation to your feet. This makes your feet warmer than they would otherwise be, which helps the leather to loosen & relax into the shape of your foot. Personally, I use a bamboo/viscose inner sock, wool outer sock, combination in boots, year-round. Have done for nearly 25 years now. In all that time, the only blisters I've had on my feet were caused by either loafers or walking sandals, worn sockless...

Excellent analysis! Plus, that's a great shirt too!!!

Yes!!! You really nailed it! Well done, informative, concise, and interesting. I loved it. Also thought as Dale did, that the part about leather stretching was brilliant. Opened my eyes on that. What I was hoping you would get too, and you didn’t disappoint, was the part at the end about keeping it simple. I cringe hearing the suggestions to soak the boots in water; lather them with tons of goop, warm them in the oven, etc. I wholeheartedly agree with your advice.

You found your groove! There were a few shaky openings and endings in older videos but you seem a lot more confident and comfortable. Great vid!

Best breaking video I have seen. One of the things I do with brand new boots is flex the sole and vamp repeatedly, using my knees to help, and that seems to stop heel slip.

Fantastic video. Really puts the whole process in an easy to understand format.

Great to actually see and understand the dynamics.

Great explanation. Thanks again!

My grandma had huge bunions on her feet she never got taken care of, and she always had to buy longer shoes for her feet to get enough room for the leather to form to her foot. Back then there wasn't really "wide" shoes for women, so she'd go longer then have a cobbler "stretch" that area so she could wear them comfortably. It's kinda cool to see that whole thing explained here!

A boot comfort tip given to me a few years ago, really helped with break in. That was to use a boot liner sock. That along with the wool socks you mentioned is the ticket. Works so well I do it 95% of the time. Also always wear the same sock on the same foot. Trust me, keeps the socks from stretching out of shape, causing wrinkles and pressure points. Used to mark them, but now after just a couple wearings it’s obvious which is left and right.

Super cool and informative video, I didn’t know it could take up to 3 years to break in your boots so shocked. Anyway I’m looking forward to your next video.👌🏾

No wonder my “work” boots (Higgins Mills) are still long term breaking in...am about 150 hours in and they are very comfortable but still getting more comfortable!

Good video Bro loving the boot vida 🤙

Great and very informative video! Thank you.

Very informative.

Nice job.

Wow, Thank you for this video it all make sense.

The right pair of boots for you will never hurt you! But like a woman, my favourite has made me bleed :D

very good video. i am new to the boot game. i have a had a few pairs of rm williams boots in the past 10 years which do feel like slippers, but a year ago i purchased some grant stone diesel boots which felt great but tight around then instep which gave me a lot of blisters on my heels the first 10 wears or so being CXL they did loosen up and feel great. i did last week purchase a pair of alden indy boots in CXL in the same size which i have worn for around 10 hours all up with no pain or no blisters. they dont have many creases so far but am looking forward to how they feel in a years time

You're the best man! Need more views and subs! It'll happen one day. Keep it up and thank you!!

Bought a pair of parkhurst boots in waxy commander. First pair of boots and I love them. Next boots on my hit list are the grey kudus. Thanks for the tips

I enjoy your videos

I always condition the inside and outside of my boots/shoes when I first get them

Excellent video! I am curious about the White Kloud Insole, what did you use it for? In which situations would you recommend getting an insole with such a high quality? Cheers!

Great video! Where did you find those white cloud inserts? I can't seem to find them online when I search them. The look like exactly what I have been looking for.

Excellent timing as I pull my first pair of quality boots out the box to start my break-in journey. What about applying oils to the boot to soften the leather? Do I apply the oil inside and outside or just to the outside?

how much wear did they see? The soles look intact, maybe the compound is tougher than christy or red wing wedge? They did crease quite a lot sidewise.

What’s your boots size ? What’s crazy is I recently lost 80 pounds and I went from a size 9 to size 8 boot . I had to sell some boots for new ones

I got my natural chromexl Thursday boots after braking in my Iron Rangers. They felt at first so soft that i got idea it is good idea to take them for work first day of having them. On the evening after the full shift i was broken full of bruises. With iron rangers i was full of respect and wore them few min to half h to short walk and so on and it went well. This time propaganda got me

You look like the love child of Robert de Niro and Adam Driver...seriously..Great video btw .-)

It could be beneficial to condition your boots before wearing them the first time. You don't know how long they've been sitting on a shelf.