You’ve got a new pair of boots and you are itching to get them on your feet, but stop! Before you pull them on and start kicking leaves and jumping in puddles, there are a few basic rules you need to follow in order to get the most out of your new footwear.
Short term, if you race out the door before breaking your boots in, you could run the risk of rubbing or painful blisters. Long term, you should always make sure your boots fit you properly in order to avoid problems such as bunions, corns, calluses or hammertoes.
First things first, true comfort can only be achieved in any footwear if you have your sizing right, so make sure your new boots fit you correctly before you start. Remember that sizing can vary from brand to brand, so just because you are one size in a particular make of shoe or boot, it doesn’t mean you will be the same size in another.
If you are buying in store, you can try on different sizes to make sure you get the right fit, but be aware that if you have been on your feet for a while or are wearing thick socks, your feet may become warm and swell, making them appear bigger than they actually are.
If you’re buying online, first check out if the site has a sizing guide, such as Vionic here. Vionic has also undertaken a review of the fit of its women’s shoes and have made a number of changes to ensure that we are providing you with the very best-fitting shoes possible.
How important is wearing the correct size boots?
If your boots are too small, they can cramp your feet on the front and on the sides, which can lead to all kinds of issues further down the line. Make sure your toes have another space in the box of your new boots and that you can wiggle them.
You should also take the width of your feet into consideration. Cramming your feet into narrow boots will not only feel uncomfortable, it can lead to all kinds of foot problems. If this is you, then look for wider fitting footwear, in which you will be much more comfortable.
You could have wide calves, which you feel prevent you from wearing some long boot styles. If so, you might find this article helpful.
Here are a few frequently asked questions about breaking in your boots to help you get the best your of your new investment:
1. Can I wear my new boots outdoors right away?
Yes, but take baby steps. All footwear needs breaking in and may be a little stiff to start with. Also, for the greatest comfort, we recommend wearing your new Vionic footwear for just a few hours for the first few days to allow your feet to adjust to the new level of orthotic comfort and support. Within one to two weeks you should find the product completely comfortable and supportive. We recommend that you might be better off wearing them indoors to start with.
2. Should I submerge my new boots in water to stretch them?
While you’ll find people online who say this is their recommended method of stretching their shoes, we don’t advise doing so, even if your boots are water repellent, like Vionic’s Hazel ankle boot (above) or water resistant, like Evergreen (below). Leather is porous and therefore will soak in water. This process can lead to premature damaging and cracking of leather and it’s no way to take care of your investment.
There are much better ways of stretching your shoes, but you will just need a bit of patience (not easy, we know, when you have great new footwear to show off).
3. Can I use my hairdryer to break in my new boots?
Just like submerging your new boots in water, we don’t recommend using your hairdryer or any other form of heat to stretch your boots. While in theory it might seem appealing, just like using water, it can damage your new footwear and we avoid steering clear of this potentially quick fix.
4. Should I wear my new boots indoors to break them in?
This is a great way to get used to your new footwear. We recommend that you put on a pair of thick socks and then your boots, wearing them for short periods to stretch the leather and loosen up any stiffness.
5. Can I use scrunched up newspaper to stretch my boots?
Some people swear by this method of stretching footwear but we think there are better ways, as you don’t want to risk damaging the material your boots are made from. This method should not be used for leather boots and involves dampening scrunched newspaper ever so slightly. It mustn’t be wet as this could damage the inside of the boot. You then pack the inside of each non-leather shoe or boot to stretch. The paper will expand and harden once dry and it can then be gently removed.
6. Do shoe stretchers work?
Shoe stretchers are perfect for leather and for closed footwear, such as boots. All you have to do is put them into your footwear and let them do the work for you. Depending on how tight or rubbing your boots are, you can leave them overnight or every time you take them off your feet.
7. Do you recommend leather conditioner or oil to help stretch new boots?
Using leather conditioner on footwear is a good practice to get into, helping to lengthen the lifespan of your boots, whilst also helping to keep them supple and in good condition. Leather cleaner and conditioner is specially formulated to maintain suede and leather uppers. Vionic’s leather cleaner and conditioner not only removes dirt and stains, but conditions with natural oils, making leather more soft and supple.
Follow our advice and you and your new boots should have years of comfort ahead of you.
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