Meermin Mallorca Shoes

[mux8]

For break in, I repeat, leathermaster vital is much better than spray.

What's your process like?


Does anyone have any tips on how to break-in/ strech the vamp instep? I'm wearing RUI last (boots) in 7uk. The 7.5UK were too big I felt like. Unfortunately the 7UK are very tight in the instep and have caused a lot of swelling near the top of my foot.

 

[iva80]

Actually I stretched vamp on other shoes.
Add solution to vamp area. Not much, just like with a conditioner. Also add to areas that could give in a bit and can “share” some leather to the vamp, like shoe sides.
Leather will soften.
Now wear the shoes for half hour with a thicker sock ideally.
Afterwards I used shoe tree wrapped in a thicker sock with a few shims stacked under the tree to keep thevamp stretched.
Leave till morning. (Important)
Apply a layer of leather conditioner.
Try on.
Repeat next evening if more stretch required.

Go small steps

 

[iva80]

All of you guys are right:
- paramount to choose a last which fits
- heels hurt. Possible that heel cup will never fit and may need to get creative. I created a padding in the cup cutting a piecd from an older insole
- leather is thick and stiff. Leather conditioner and wear will soften it

My RUIs are 90 % wearable, but I know the right foot will never be perfect because of the width. Probably a 7.5 on left snd 8 on right would be good. Left is grest with modified heel cup

 

[mux8]

Actually I stretched vamp on other shoes.
Add solution to vamp area. Not much, just like with a conditioner. Also add to areas that could give in a bit and can “share” some leather to the vamp, like shoe sides.
Leather will soften.
Now wear the shoes for half hour with a thicker sock ideally.
Afterwards I used shoe tree wrapped in a thicker sock with a few shims stacked under the tree to keep thevamp stretched.
Leave till morning. (Important)
Apply a layer of leather conditioner.
Try on.
Repeat next evening if more stretch required.

Go small steps

Very interesting. Is the product you use essential? I have saphir renovateur, I don't suppose using that instead will work.

Yeah I have been wearing my RUI boots for 40 plus hours. They are much better than when I started, but still have a long way to go. I really love the boot, just quite painful to break in. My left heel cup was an issue initially, but now it seems ok.

 

[iva80]

Vital is similar to the stretch solutions. The conditioners are different. I found the chemical composition at some point.

 

[iva80]

Here is the composition:

https://www.weaverleathersupply.com/docs/default-source/sds/Master-Leather-Care-Leather-Vital-50-4169.pdf?sfvrsn=2

 

[mux8]

Thanks. After 30 hours my boots are almost there in terms of break in. Maybe like 80%.

 

[mux8]

random question but does anyone recommend a specific shoe tree that works well with the RUI last?

 

[Betelgeuse]

Talking about Rui last

And won these on eBay, gave them some shoe care and they look great

 

[mux8]

Nice! I got the same brown boots. Do you mind explaining what you did to polish them?

Question: On Derby boots like those, should you be able to close the flaps when lacing the boots shut?

 

[Thin White Duke]

No!
The whole purpose of derbies IMO is to give you some extra flexibility if you have high insteps (as I do!).
It might be an issue if you’re plodging through wet marshland on a yomp to Port Stanley but for city dwelling it looks absolutely fine!

 

[Mihai B.]

Nice! I got the same brown boots. Do you mind explaining what you did to polish them?

Question: On Derby boots like those, should you be able to close the flaps when lacing the boots shut?

I intend to buy the same brown boots. Is the leather stiff? Are they comfortable after break in?
I bought a pair of antique oxfords and I could not flex them on walk. Hard as wood.

Still wondering if I should order these boots on smooth leather or the country calf. I want to wear them this winter not the next one because of the break in period.

 

[mux8]

I intend to buy the same brown boots. Is the leather stiff? Are they comfortable after break in?
I bought a pair of antique oxfords and I could not flex them on walk. Hard as wood.

Still wondering if I should order these boots on smooth leather or the country calf. I want to wear them this winter not the next one because of the break in period.

Which model are you considering? I think the soft calf leather used on the Chelsea boots are not stiff and don't require much break in if any.

I don't mind a long break in. My boots are still breaking. They are substantially more comfortable than when I first got them, but they are still tight around the instep where the tongue joins the uppers. I may need to take them to a cobbler open this portion up.

 

[Betelgeuse]

Nice! I got the same brown boots. Do you mind explaining what you did to polish them?

Question: On Derby boots like those, should you be able to close the flaps when lacing the boots shut?

I used Renomat to strip of old polish and soem waxes, then renovateur, then dark brown cream and then wax. I did used wax on these since I intend to take them to Vancouver and they told me it rains a lot. About the flaps, nope, the suede ones are 9.5 UK and I can close them mostly since they are very voluminous, the brown ones are 9 UK and I don't close them.

I intend to buy the same brown boots. Is the leather stiff? Are they comfortable after break in?

From what I can tell, the leather is very very soft.

 

[mux8]

I used Renomat to strip of old polish and soem waxes, then renovateur, then dark brown cream and then wax. I did used wax on these since I intend to take them to Vancouver and they told me it rains a lot.

Did you use Saphir Dark Brown shoe cream? What about the wax (brown or black?) Thanks again!