Breaking In Leather Boat Shoes: A Guide To Comfort

Breaking in a new pair of leather boat shoes can be a painful process, but there are several methods to help ease the transition. Before wearing your new shoes, it's important to check that they are the correct size and suitable for your foot shape. It's also worth noting that boat shoes are designed to be worn without socks, so if you can, avoid wearing socks with them. When breaking in your shoes, start by wearing them at home for short periods, and gradually increase the duration. You can also try wearing thick socks or using padding on any sensitive areas to prevent blisters. To speed up the process, you can wet your shoes with salt water and wear them until they dry, or fill a bucket with warm water and salt, place your shoes in it for 12-24 hours, then wear them until they're dry. Alternatively, you can use a blow dryer on a low setting to heat up tight areas, or place bags of water inside your shoes and put them in the freezer overnight, allowing the water to expand and stretch your shoes.

Wear them at home first

Breaking in your boat shoes is a gradual process, and the first step is to wear them at home for a few hours each day. This will help you get used to the shoes and give the leather time to soften and stretch to mould to your feet.

When you first get your boat shoes, start by wearing them around the house for a few hours daily. This will help your feet adjust to the new shoes and give you a chance to identify any areas that may be particularly tight or uncomfortable. It is important to listen to your body and not push yourself too hard or too fast, as this can lead to blisters and other issues.

During this initial period, you may experience some discomfort or tightness in certain areas. If this happens, there are a few things you can do to help speed up the breaking-in process and increase your comfort. Firstly, make sure you are wearing the right type of socks. Choose a pair that is comfortable and fits your feet well, as this will reduce the likelihood of blisters. You can also try using a shoehorn or an old credit card to help stretch out the leather in tight spots.

Additionally, you can lightly dampen the leather with water to help it soften and stretch more quickly. Simply use a damp cloth to wipe down the shoes, or follow the method outlined below for a more intensive treatment.

If you find that your boat shoes are still uncomfortable after wearing them around the house, you may need to take more drastic measures. One popular method is to fill a bathtub with a few inches of lukewarm water and step into the tub while wearing your shoes. Allow water to fill up inside the shoes and slosh around the outsides. This will help the leather to saturate, stretch, and conform to your feet. You can also use a towel to soak up most of the water and then wear the shoes until they are dry.

Remember, the key to breaking in your boat shoes is to take it slow and give your feet and the shoes time to adjust to each other. With a bit of patience and care, you'll be able to enjoy your new boat shoes for years to come.

Use a blow dryer on a low heat setting

Breaking in a new pair of shoes can be a painful process, but there are ways to make it more bearable. One of the fastest ways to break in your new leather boat shoes is to use a blow dryer on a low heat setting. This method is perfect if you're looking for a quick fix.

Put on a pair of thick socks and your shoes. Using a blow dryer, heat up the areas of the shoes that are particularly tight. Be careful not to hold the blow dryer too close to the shoes or for too long, as this may burn the leather. Once the material is warm, walk around in the shoes for at least 15 minutes. Repeat this process if necessary, and wear thicker socks if the shoes need more stretching.

This method works because the heat from the blow dryer softens the leather, making it easier to break in. It's important to note that you should only use a blow dryer on a low heat setting, as too much heat can damage the leather. Additionally, be sure to wear thick socks to protect your feet from the heat and provide extra padding to help stretch the shoes.

If you don't have a blow dryer, there are other ways to break in your leather boat shoes. One method is to wear them at home for short periods of time until they start to mould to your foot shape. You can also try using ice bags or freezing water-filled bags to slowly stretch the shoes.

Remember, it's important to take the time to break in your new leather boat shoes gradually to avoid damaging them and ensure a comfortable fit.

Put them in the freezer

Putting your leather boat shoes in the freezer can be an effective way to break them in. This method works because the cold temperature helps make the leather more pliable, allowing it to be stretched and moulded to better fit your feet. This can help reduce blisters and discomfort when wearing new shoes.

To do this, start by filling two plastic bags with water—one for each shoe. These should be strong plastic bags made specifically for the freezer, so they don't break when the water freezes. The amount of water you use will depend on which area of the shoe you want to stretch:

• For the toe, fill the bag a quarter of the way with water.
• For the toe and instep, fill it halfway.
• For the toe, instep, and ankle area, fill it halfway to two-thirds of the way.

Make sure the bags are sealed tightly and remove any excess air. This will help keep the bags from popping in the freezer and make it easier to insert them into your shoes. Place the bags in your shoes, being careful not to rip them, and put the shoes in the freezer for at least four to eight hours.

After this time, remove the shoes from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Then, take out the bags of ice. If the bags are difficult to remove, wait a little longer for the ice to thaw, or try breaking the ice before removing the bags.

It's important to note that this method may not be suitable for all types of leather. Full-grain leather, which is made from the top layer of animal hide, will maintain its colour and texture better than corrected grain leather, a lower-grade material that is usually cheaper. Corrected grain leather may start to harden or become brittle over time due to a lack of natural oils. Additionally, suede is particularly vulnerable to changes in temperature, so it's crucial to be cautious when placing suede shoes in the freezer.

Another potential downside of this method is that it can cause the leather to dry out, making the surface rough and brittle over time. To prevent this, limit how often you put your shoes in the freezer and always use a conditioning product afterward to keep the leather soft and supple.

Wear thick socks

Wearing thick socks is a great way to break in your new leather boat shoes. The extra padding will protect your feet from blisters and help to stretch the shoes. This method is particularly useful for tougher shoes, such as boots, where you can try wearing chunky knit socks. For heels or flats, try a pair of no-show socks, like the well-padded ones from Skinnys Socks.

The best time to try the sock method is at night. Our feet are at their biggest in the late afternoon or evening, so putting on thick socks will help expand your shoes even more. If you don't have thick socks, just double or even triple up on thinner pairs.

If you want to speed up the process, you can also try wearing thick socks with a blow dryer. Put on your socks, then your shoes, and heat up the tight areas with a blow dryer. Make sure you don't hold it too close, as you could burn yourself or damage the shoes. Once the material is warm, walk around in the shoes for at least 15 minutes.

If you're worried about blisters, you can stick moleskin on areas that are prone to blistering, or use an anti-friction product like Foot Petals' Blisstick.

Wear them in the bath

One of the best ways to break in your new leather boat shoes is to wear them in the bath. This method is tried and tested by many boat shoe wearers. It is important to note that this process should be done with lukewarm water and no detergent. Fill your bathtub with a few inches of lukewarm water, put on your new boat shoes, and step into the tub. Allow the water to fill up inside the shoes and slosh around the outside.

Depending on the type of leather, you may notice some colour bleeding into the water. The leather will begin to saturate and then start to stretch and conform to your foot as you move around the tub. You can speed up this process by walking around outside the tub as well. This process can reduce the break-in period by several days, and you may even be completely done in just an hour.

After soaking your shoes, use a towel to soak up most of the water, keeping in mind that some colours may stain the towel. Then, proceed to dry the shoes. The best way to do this is to wear them at home until they are dry or almost dry. Alternatively, you can use a wooden shoe tree to help them retain their shape as they dry. There is no need to use hot air unless your house is very cold.

It is important to note that this process may not be suitable for all types of leather, and it is always a good idea to consult the care instructions provided by the manufacturer. Additionally, if you are unsure about the fit of your boat shoes, it is recommended to get your foot measured using a Brannock Device to ensure you have the correct size and width.

Frequently asked questions