New Boots: Break-in Discomfort or Remedy in Order?

[Sadly Not Yohji Yamamoto]

Hi everyone,

I have a new pair of boots I've worn once so far. I am also new to boots.

After the initial wear, my left foot feels just fine, however, the "1st knuckle" of my big toe (or perhaps it's called the MTP joint: toeanatomy.jpg) on my right foot hurts a fair amount. I do understand there is a break-in process for boots so perhaps this is part of that process, but because it only occurred on one foot, I took a look at the vamp of the shoes.

The main crease that forms on the vamp where your toes and metatarsals meet (break_c5501470-287d-473e-833f-3c17fcecdd59_600x.jpg) is a little higher up on the vamp of the right shoe.

1. Is it reasonable to assume this is the source of the discomfort rather than this being a general break-in discomfort?
2. Is it possible to force the right shoe to crease in the vamp at a different area, say the same area as the left shoe, to potentially remedy the discomfort?

Thanks for any help!

 

[maxalex]

Hi everyone,

I have a new pair of boots I've worn once so far. I am also new to boots.

After the initial wear, my left foot feels just fine, however, the "1st knuckle" of my big toe (or perhaps it's called the MTP joint: toeanatomy.jpg) on my right foot hurts a fair amount. I do understand there is a break-in process for boots so perhaps this is part of that process, but because it only occurred on one foot, I took a look at the vamp of the shoes.

The main crease that forms on the vamp where your toes and metatarsals meet (break_c5501470-287d-473e-833f-3c17fcecdd59_600x.jpg) is a little higher up on the vamp of the right shoe.

1. Is it reasonable to assume this is the source of the discomfort rather than this being a general break-in discomfort?
2. Is it possible to force the right shoe to crease in the vamp at a different area, say the same area as the left shoe, to potentially remedy the discomfort?

Thanks for any help!

They say that back in the day, the landed gentry would give their new shoes to a serf and let him break them in. If you don't have any serfs handy, I would give the boots more time to break in while gradually increasing the time you wear them. Most people's feet are not perfectly alike so it is not unusual to experience discomfort in one shoe. If that doesn't help you can buy shoe/boot stretchers. (The boot versions have a longer handle and work fine on shoes as well.) Or any cobbler can do it for you. It's only possible to stretch width, not length.

 

[Maljunulo]

HM The Queen has such an employee, it is alleged.

 

[Sadly Not Yohji Yamamoto]

I would give the boots more time to break in while gradually increasing the time you wear them.

Thanks. That's reassurring,

 

[tecevo]

Personally I like the tip of wearing an oversized pair of socks and then heating up the discomfort point with a hairdryer as you move your toes around in order to customize the stretch/fit of the shoe before applying some conditioner to the leather.

Other people yelp in discomfort at the very idea but it works well in my experience as the combination of heat, oversized socks and movement creates that essential wiggle room without having to endure breaking them in.

 

[Sadly Not Yohji Yamamoto]

Other people yelp in discomfort at the very idea but it works well in my experience as the combination of heat, oversized socks and movement creates that essential wiggle room without having to endure breaking them in.

I imagine they yelp at the idea of applying the heat directly. Thanks for the idea!

 

[tecevo]

I imagine they yelp at the idea of applying the heat directly. Thanks for the idea!

The aim is not to cook them but apply a moderate amount of heat from a sensible distance to allow the material to flex. Personally I tend to spend quite a bit of time when doing this and it works really well as it achieves the same fit just without the pain.

 

[Sadly Not Yohji Yamamoto]

The aim is not to cook them but apply a moderate amount of heat from a sensible distance to allow the material to flex. Personally I tend to spend quite a bit of time when doing this and it works really well as it achieves the same fit just without the pain.

Makes sense. Something I'll consider.