Leather shoes are a wardrobe essential for everyone, and when well maintained, they should last for years due to their robust nature. Whilst everyone should own a pair of leather shoes, breaking them can be a difficult and painful experience.
While some people prefer to take their time breaking in leather shoes, others prefer to bite the bullet and wear them straight away, which can lead to painful blisters. But which one is right?
Here at Rieker, we want to teach you how to break in your leather shoes to avoid any unpleasantries for your feet.
Do leather shoes need breaking in?
In short, yes. Leather is a natural material that will slightly expand when pressure is continually applied, which is no different for shoes.
When you first try on your leather shoes, you may find that your heel rubs slightly against the back of the shoes, and your toes feel slightly squeezed. This sensation should improve once your shoes begin to stretch.
Are leather shoes uncomfortable at first?
Every shoe requires some amount of breaking in, and while they may feel firm when you first try them on - they should not be uncomfortable.
An ideal fit should be comfortable and firm. As stated above, you may find a slight rub on the back of your heel, which could cause blisters, but this shouldn't last, and if it does, you may have the wrong size shoe.
If you have invested in high-quality leather shoes in the right size, your shoes should naturally mould into a pair that fits you perfectly.
Is it better to buy leather shoes, bigger or smaller?
When investing in leather shoes, there will always be a period where you need to break them in, but this is only useful if you buy the right size in the first place. If you buy the incorrect size, you're setting yourself up for an unpleasant experience, leading to blisters, numbness and even worse complications.
Whether you're buying leather or non-leather shoes, experts advise you choose a half size above your regular size. This gives you a little more comfort and should make breaking them in more bearable.
The fastest way to break in leather shoes
We know as soon as you get your brand-new pair of shoes, you’ll want to show them off. While that may be your first reaction, it's best to hold off. Taking your time will allow you to have a pleasant experience and keep blisters to a minimum.
Here are some easy steps, to help speed up the breaking-in process.
Keep your shoes away from the cold
When warmed up, leather becomes more flexible, which is why keeping your leather shoes in a lukewarm place is best. If this isn't an option, use a hairdryer to warm them up.
Invest in some shoe lotion
Not only is this a great way to maintain your shoes, but shoe lotion softens the leather, making it more flexible.
How do I stop getting blisters when I start wearing new shoes?
Sick of blisters? An easy solution is to double up your socks. Creating a soft layer between your foot and the inner layer of your insole will lower the friction, decreasing the chance of blisters.
Cut down on walking
The easiest way to break into your shoes is to wear them for 10 minutes during your day. Although it may be inconvenient in the short term, it avoids discomfort and will leave you with a pair of shoes that fit perfectly.
How long does it take to break into leather shoes?
Following our recommendations, it should take 2-3 weeks to break in a brand-new pair of leather shoes. We recommend you take your time wearing them to avoid any tears or creases.
Once you start to fit into your leather shoes, you’ll want to maintain their shape and texture by following our expert guide on how to polish leather shoes.
While breaking in your leather shoes can take time, your patience will pay off once you have a perfectly comfortable pair.
Still, need to find the right pair? Here at Rieker, we have an exceptional range of premium quality shoes for affordable prices, and you can explore them now.
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