There's nothing like a pair of leather shoes or boots, but sometimes they need a little help to become the most comfortable footwear you've ever owned. Breaking in leather shoes can sometimes be tricky, but we have gathered some advise on how to make your full-grain leather shoes fit perfectly. Follow our step-by-step guide to break in your leather shoes and avoid blisters and pains. Get through the pain and straight to showing off your leather shoes.
Timeless Durability, Flexibility, and Comfort
Leather shoes are made from an organic material that naturally responds to wear and tear. With proper care, leather shoes are a fantastic sustainable option, offering long-lasting durability, so you won’t need to replace them every few years. Natural leather is the best material choice for shoes due to its durability, flexibility, and comfort, especially once it’s broken in. All of our shoes, boots, and sandals (except from our vegan range) are made from full-grain leather, the highest quality leather available, ensuring they stand the test of time.
The Britta boots in black, full grain leather
While our goal is for your new memery shoes to fit perfectly right out of the box—something we often hear from our customers—leather shoes can sometimes take a little time to break in and reach their maximum comfort level. This is completely normal. The more you wear them, the softer and more comfortable they will become, but there are a few tricks to help speed up the process.
Wear Them Around the House
Start by wearing your new leather shoes or boots around the house as much as possible during the break-in period. This allows you to take them off if they cause any discomfort or pressure on your feet, rather than committing to wearing them for an entire day out, where it’s harder to switch shoes if they should feel a bit uncomfortable.
Wear Them with Slightly Thicker Socks
Another trick is to wear slightly thicker socks while wearing your shoes around the house. This can help prevent blisters and also aids in gently stretching the leather. However, be careful not to wear socks that are too thick, as this could over-stretch the leather and cause the shoes to become too loose.
Leather Care
Regular leather care has many benefits. It helps keep the leather soft, making it easier for the material to break in. Additionally, it enhances the shoes' resistance to water and dirt and keeps them looking shiny and fresh. We produce our own line of leather care product, which you can read more about here: How to take care of your leather shoes and boots
Massage the Difficult Spots
If you find certain areas of the shoes still uncomfortable, even after following the above steps, try warming the area with your hands and gently massaging it. This can help soften the leather in spots that are causing discomfort, such as around the toe area, especially if they’re hard to reach with your feet.
Blowdryer method
If massaging the problem area doesn't solve the issue, you can try the blow dryer method. This technique softens the leather by warming it, making it more pliable and easier to stretch. Start by wearing the shoes with slightly thicker socks, then use a blow dryer to gently heat the areas causing discomfort. Be cautious not to apply excessive heat, as this could damage the shoes or over-stretch them, potentially making them too loose.
The 1920s-1930s Tom menswear boots in brown, full grain leather
Buy the Right Size
It’s also essential to buy the right size. Leather shoes are meant to fit snugly, and if you’re used to wearing looser, more flexible shoes like sneakers or slip-on sandals, leather shoes might initially feel tight. However, they shouldn’t cause pain. Keep in mind that leather shoes will naturally expand a bit and mold to the shape of your feet as you wear them. So, don’t worry if they feel tight the first time you try them on—this is part of the break-in process.
Lastly, don’t lose hope during the break-in period. Once your leather shoes have molded to your feet, they will become the most comfortable, perfectly fitted shoes you’ve ever owned. Trust the process—it’s worth it in the end!
If you're on a hunt for some new leather shoes and boots to test out our tips, then have a look through our collection of 1930's shoes or perhaps you'd like some dancing shoes for your upcoming soiree.
