Breaking In Boat Shoes: Easy Steps To Comfort

Breaking in a new pair of boat shoes can be a painful process, but there are several methods to help speed up the process and reduce discomfort. One popular method is to soak the shoes in water (some suggest adding salt to the water for a more weathered look) and then wear them until they air-dry, which will help mould the shoes to the shape of your feet. This can also be achieved by simply wearing the shoes for a few weeks, either with or without socks depending on your preference, until they soften up. To reduce blistering, you can also try using moisturiser, blister plasters, or tape on blister-prone areas of your feet.

Soak in saltwater

Soaking your boat shoes in saltwater is an effective way to break them in and give them a more weathered look. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Preparation:

First, fill a spacious container with about 6 inches (15 cm) of warm water. This can be done by running water into your bathtub, or using a large bucket or plastic/rubber storage container. If you don't have access to any of these, you can also soak your shoes in a natural body of water or use a garden hose or faucet to wet them thoroughly.

Adding Salt:

To achieve the desired weathered look, add 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 of about 3.5%, similar to the salinity of seawater. You can easily find purified sea salt at your local supermarket.

Soaking the Shoes:

Before soaking, put on your boat shoes and lace them up tightly. This will ensure that the shoes expand and then conform to your feet as they dry. Once your shoes are securely laced, stand in the saltwater with your shoes on until they are completely saturated. Rock forward onto your toes and backward onto your heels to stretch the material.

Drying the Shoes:

After soaking, carefully step out of the container, allowing the water inside the shoes to drain. Use a clean, dark-colored towel to pat the surface of the shoes and remove excess moisture. Place your shoes in a well-ventilated area and let them air-dry.

Wearing the Shoes:

For best results, wear your shoes as they dry. Take a short walk or do some simple exercises to introduce movement to the damp material. Boat shoes are designed to dry quickly, so you won't have to wait long. In no time, your new shoes will feel like they've been moulded to your feet, giving you a comfortable, personalised fit.

Additional Tips:

• If you don't want to wear wet shoes, you can place wooden shoe trees in your shoes while they air-dry.
• To further soften and protect your leather boat shoes, use a leather conditioner or gentle natural oils like mink and neatsfoot oil.
• If your shoes have stiff, unyielding spots, work on these areas manually by kneading, flexing, twisting, and stretching the material.
• Remember to wear the right size! Your boat shoes should be roomy enough for your toes to wiggle, and snug enough so that they don't fall off.

Wear them in the shower

One of the quickest ways to break in a pair of boat shoes is to wear them in the shower. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Fill a Container with Warm Water

If you have a bathtub, fill it with around 6 inches (15 cm) of warm water. If not, you can use a large bucket or plastic/rubber storage container. The container should be big enough for you to stand in with both feet.

Step 2: Put on Your Boat Shoes

Put on your boat shoes and lace them up tightly. Make sure they are nice and snug on your feet.

Step 3: Soak Your Shoes

Stand in the container so that your shoes are soaked through. If you are using a bucket or storage container, you may need to use your hands to pour water over your shoes. 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 and pat the upper part of your shoes with a clean, dry towel. You don't need to dry them completely, just remove the excess water. Place a towel or bath mat on the floor to avoid making a mess.

Step 5: Wear Your Shoes Until They Dry

Walk around in your damp shoes to let them air dry and conform to your feet. You can go for a short walk or do some simple exercises to speed up the drying process. The leather will soften and mould to your feet as it dries, creating a custom fit.

Tips:

• If you don't want to soak your feet, you can fill the container with water and place your boat shoes inside to soak for 12-24 hours. Then, put them on while they are still wet and wear them until they dry.
• Adding a tablespoon of sea salt to the water for every 1/4 gallon (0.95 L) will give your shoes a more weathered look.
• If you don't want to get your feet wet, you can break in your boat shoes by wearing them for short periods each day and gradually increasing the time.

Choosing the Right Boat Shoes:

When selecting boat shoes, opt for classic leather over textiles or synthetic leather. Leather is easier to break in and will mould to your feet more quickly. Make sure to choose the right size and consider whether you will be wearing socks, as this will affect the fit.

Wear them with socks

Breaking in a pair of boat shoes can be a painful process, but wearing socks can help alleviate some of the discomfort. Here are some tips on how to break in boat shoes while wearing socks:

Firstly, it is important to choose the right type of socks. No-show socks or loafer socks are ideal for boat shoes as they are designed to be invisible while still providing the benefits of wearing socks. These socks will help prevent blisters and irritation, keeping your feet dry and comfortable. Alternatively, you can opt for dress socks, which will give a slightly more formal look while still maintaining a relaxed and casual feel. It is recommended to avoid athletic socks with boat shoes as they are considered a style faux-pas.

Wearing socks with boat shoes provides several benefits. Firstly, it helps to keep your feet healthy by providing a layer of protection against bacteria and fungi that can cause issues such as athlete's foot. Secondly, socks can make the breaking-in process more comfortable by reducing friction and blistering. Lastly, wearing socks can help extend the life of your boat shoes by preventing the build-up of moisture and odour, which can damage the insoles.

When breaking in boat shoes with socks, it is important to choose the right size. Your feet should be comfortable, with room to wiggle your toes, but snug enough that the shoes won't fall off. Wearing socks that are too thick may stretch the leather, so it is recommended to stick to thinner dress socks or no-show socks. Additionally, wearing socks during the breaking-in process may cause the shoes to feel tighter, so if you plan to wear them barefoot later, you may need to size up slightly.

If you are experiencing discomfort or blisters while breaking in your boat shoes, there are a few additional tips to consider. You can apply products like Gold Bond powder or Vaseline to your feet to reduce friction and moisture. Additionally, you can use band-aids or moleskin padding on areas of your feet that are prone to blistering, providing extra protection while the shoes soften up.

Use a hairdryer on a low setting

Using a hairdryer on a low setting is a good method to break in your boat shoes. This is a more drastic approach than simply wearing the shoes at home, but it will make the shoes more supple and is a faster approach.

Firstly, use the hairdryer on a low heat setting to blast your shoes. This will make the leather suppler and more willing to flex into the correct mould. Then, try walking in the shoes straight after heating them. Apply two to three blasts of 30 seconds consecutively after walking to stretch the leather.

This method will help you break in your boat shoes and ensure you can go out in style and comfort.

Wear them at home

One of the best ways to break in your boat shoes is to wear them at home. Wearing them at home will help the shoes mould to your foot shape, creating a more comfortable fit and reducing pressure in tighter areas. If you have a job where you sit for long periods, wearing them under your desk will maximise the exposure they have to your feet.

If you want to speed up the process, there is a method that involves getting your shoes wet. Fill a spacious container with about 6 inches (15 cm) of warm water and add some sea salt if you want to give your shoes a more weathered look. Put on your shoes without socks and lace them up tight. Stand in the water until they’re wet all the way through. Then, towel-dry your shoes to remove excess water and wear them around as they air-dry. The leather will expand when it gets wet and shrink as it dries, resulting in a unique fit that feels tailor-made for your feet.

If you don't want to get your shoes wet, you can try using a hairdryer on a low heat setting to blast your shoes, making them more supple and willing to flex into the correct mould. Try walking in the shoes straight after heating and apply two to three blasts of 30 seconds consecutively.

If you want to avoid blisters, you can use a moisturiser on blister-prone areas such as the heel, toes and ball of your foot to create a divide between your skin and the leather to ease friction. Alternatively, you can use blister plasters or tape to act as a cushion.

Frequently asked questions