Breaking In Boat Shoes: Tips For A Comfortable Fit

Breaking in a new pair of boat shoes can be a painful process, but there are several methods to make it easier. One popular method is to submerge the shoes in water (some suggest adding salt) and then wear them until they dry, which will cause the material to mould to the shape of your feet. This process can be repeated as many times as desired. If you don't want to get your feet wet, you can also wear the shoes with socks around the house, which will have a similar effect. To reduce blistering, you can also apply moisturiser to blister-prone areas, use blister plasters or tape, or wear band-aids on your heels.

Soak in saltwater

Soaking your boat shoes in saltwater is a great way to break them in and give them a weathered look. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Saltwater Solution

• Fill a bathtub, large bucket, or container with enough warm water to cover your feet when you stand in it.
• Add sea salt to the water to achieve an ocean-like salinity. Aim for about 1 tablespoon of salt for every 1/4 gallon of water. This will give your shoes an authentic, veteran seaman look.

Step 2: Prepare Your Shoes

Put on your boat shoes and lace them up tightly. Make sure you are not wearing socks, as they will get soggy.

Step 3: Soak Your Shoes

• Stand in the saltwater solution until your shoes are fully saturated. This may take a few minutes, especially if your shoes are made of leather, which has natural water-resistant properties.
• While standing in the water, rock forward onto your toes and backward onto your heels to stretch the material.

Step 4: Towel-Dry Your Shoes

• Carefully step out of the container, allowing the water inside your shoes to drain.
• Use a clean, dry towel to pat the surface of your shoes and remove excess moisture. You don't need to dry them completely, just enough to stop the dripping.

Step 5: Wear Your Shoes to Air-Dry

• For the best results, wear your shoes as they air-dry. Go for a short walk or do some simple exercises to help the damp material conform to your feet. Boat shoes are designed to dry quickly, so you won't have to wait long.
• Alternatively, you can insert wooden shoe trees into your shoes and let them air-dry without wearing them.

Tips:

• Leather shoes will loosen up and conform to your feet more over time, so don't be discouraged if they feel a bit snug at first.
• If you want to speed up the breaking-in process, you can manually work on stiff spots by kneading, flexing, twisting, and stretching the material with your hands.
• To protect your leather shoes from drying out, cracking, and scuffing, treat them with a leather conditioner.

Wear socks

Boat shoes are traditionally worn without socks. However, wearing socks can have several benefits, such as preventing blisters and discomfort, especially during the ""breaking in" phase. Additionally, socks can help keep your feet healthy and odour-free, and they can also extend the life of your shoes.

If you decide to wear socks with your boat shoes, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, opt for no-show socks or dress socks. No-show socks are ideal if you want to achieve the "sockless" look while still enjoying the benefits of wearing socks. They are designed to be invisible when worn with boat shoes, loafers, sneakers, or other casual footwear. No-show socks will help prevent blisters and irritation, keep your feet dry and comfortable, and protect your feet from bacteria and foot fungus issues such as athlete's foot.

On the other hand, if you prefer a more formal look, opt for dress socks. Wearing dress socks with boat shoes will elevate your outfit while still maintaining a relaxed and casual feel.

It is important to avoid wearing athletic socks with boat shoes, as this is considered a style faux pas. Additionally, if you plan to wear your boat shoes with shorts, it is best to avoid visible socks altogether and stick to no-show socks.

When it comes to breaking in your boat shoes, wearing socks can impact how they mould to your feet. Socks will make the shoes feel tighter initially, and if you break in your boat shoes with socks and then wear them barefoot, they might feel loose. Therefore, it is recommended to wear your new boat shoes frequently when the leather is most pliable to get that comfortable, broken-in fit.

Wear them in

Wearing your boat shoes is the best way to break them in. Leather shoes are easier to break in than textiles or synthetic leather, and most leather boat shoes are unlined, so they will quickly mould to the shape of your feet. To get that comfortable, broken-in fit, wear your new leather boat shoes a lot when the leather is most pliable. Wearing your new boat shoes less often may impact how well and how fast they mould to your feet.

If you don't have access to a boat, you can wear your new shoes in the shower with the taps running cold, or stand in a bathtub of warm water. You can also get them wet by walking in the rain, or with a hose or faucet. Wearing them while they air-dry will help them conform to your feet. For best results, go for a short walk or do some simple exercises to introduce more movement to the damp material.

If you want to give your shoes a more weathered look, add some sea salt to the water. Aim for about 1 tablespoon of salt for every 1⁄4 gallon (0.95 L) of water. This will give you a salinity similar to seawater.

If you don't want to get your shoes wet, you can still wear them at home before going outside. This will force them to mould to your foot shape and create a more comfortable fit. If your job involves sitting down for long periods, wear them under your desk to maximise the exposure they have to your feet.

Use leather conditioner

Leather conditioner is a great way to break in your boat shoes and make them more comfortable to wear. It softens the leather and helps mould it to the shape of your foot.

To use a leather conditioner, start by cleaning your shoes with a damp cloth. Then, apply a generous amount of conditioner to the leather. Use a soft cloth to massage the conditioner into the leather in smooth, circular motions, paying special attention to any areas that are stiff or uncomfortable. Allow the conditioner to sit on the leather for a few minutes, before wiping off any excess with a lint-free cloth. Finally, allow the shoes to dry completely before wearing them.

This process should be repeated several times to break in the shoes and make them more comfortable. Once the shoes have been conditioned, they should be easier to wear and will feel softer on your feet.

In addition to softening the leather, leather conditioner also helps to protect your boat shoes. It adds moisture to the leather and safeguards it from the damaging effects of prolonged exposure to moisture and dry air, helping to keep your shoes in top-notch shape.

It is recommended to use leather conditioner on your boat shoes when they are new, as this is when the leather will be at its most supple. If you wait too long to condition your boat shoes, or if you don't wear them often, the leather may dry out and become stiffer, making it more difficult to break them in.

Blisters prevention

Blisters are often a result of new boat shoes that are still in the process of being broken in. Here are some tips to prevent blisters:

• Wear socks – wearing socks with your boat shoes will add an extra layer to your feet, making the shoes feel tighter. This can help prevent blisters by reducing the friction between your bare skin and the shoe.
• Use band-aids – placing band-aids on the backs of your feet, around the spots where blisters usually form, can help prevent further irritation while you wait for your shoes to break in.
• Heel liners – if the problem area is the stitching on the back of the shoe, you can try using heel liners. This will prevent that area of the shoe from softening up, which may be the solution.
• No-show socks – these can help prevent blisters by providing a layer of protection between your skin and the shoe, while still maintaining the sockless look.
• Moleskin – covering either your foot or the part of the shoe that is causing irritation with moleskin can help prevent blisters.
• Get them wet – soaking your boat shoes in water and wearing them until they dry can help mould them to the shape of your feet. You can also try getting them wet by wearing them on a boat, or by standing in the shower with them on.
• Shoe trees – inserting wooden shoe trees into your boat shoes when you're not wearing them will prevent them from returning to their original manufactured shape, which can help with the breaking-in process.
• Leather conditioner – using a leather conditioner or natural oil on your shoes can help soften and protect the leather, making it less likely to cause blisters.
• Correct sizing – make sure you are wearing the correct shoe size. Shoes that are too tight or too loose cannot be properly broken in and will likely cause blisters.

Frequently asked questions