We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but even after doing hours of research on how to stop shoes rubbing, you may still experience discomfort from fresh leather boots.
But don’t worry – certain materials just need a little extra TLC to make them as comfy as possible. So, here’s how to soften leather boots to boost stretch, as well as tips for breaking them in and preventing pain.
Why Do Leather Boots Feel Stiff?
Leather boots feel stiff when new because leather is a naturally tough and structured material. Unlike synthetic alternatives, real leather needs time to mould and flex with movement. The stiffness is a sign of quality—but it also means your boots need a bit of breaking in to become truly comfortable.
Why Should Leather Boots Be Softened Before the First Wear?
A good quality pair of leather boots is durable and hard-wearing. But that means they’re also super tough – almost to their detriment.
Of course, you can go ahead and wear your new winter booties immediately after purchasing. But we’re almost certain you’ll regret not learning how to soften leather boots beforehand. You may well be left with sores and blisters (and a pair of shoes you simply hate wearing).
It’s also good practice for those with particularly wide or troublesome feet to customise the fit and maximise comfort from the first wear.
How Long Does It Take to Break in Leather Boots?
If you’re searching for how to soften leather boots quickly, it’s bad news – achieving the feeling of walking on clouds in your new boots takes time. Whether using a stretching spray or screwed-up newspaper (we’ll fill you in on how later), a leather conditioner or a boot stretcher, this is a long game.
Realistically, it could take a couple of weeks to soften the leather enough to be super comfy – no matter which method you use. But it’s totally worth it for a pair you love, isn’t it?
How Much Can You Soften Leather Boots?
Be careful, there is actually such a thing as softening or stretching leather boots too much. So, in your attempt to get the best fit, you may accidentally end up with a terrible, loose fit.
And here's the real kicker, overstretching is only somewhat reversible. Unfortunately, you likely won’t be able to shrink the leather back to the original shape or size (two very important factors for snug leather booties).
How to Soften Leather Boots Quickly
1. Pick the Right Size
First things first, let’s get the very basics spot on – the size. Most often than not, your usual size will do the job, but leather boots can fluctuate, and a half-size up or down could make a massive difference to your comfort level.
As a general rule of thumb, leather expands to the sides more easily than it does lengthways. So, if your leather boots seem a little narrow, this should be okay. But, if your boots are too short, you should definitely consider sizing up.
And if you’re really not sure, contacting the manufacturer is a good idea. They can provide accurate information about the sizing, as well as how the leather has been made or treated (and therefore how much it’ll naturally soften over time).
2. Condition Your Boots Regularly
If you’re not prepared to care for your leather boots the right way, owning a pair might not be for you. After getting the size inch-perfect, the first step in our “softening leather boots routine” is to apply a leather conditioner or oil. You should do this on a weekly basis until they’re broken in, then once a month after that.
Not only will this nourish the material, it’ll reduce the risk of cracking throughout the stretching process.
3. Wear Them Around the House
You might’ve kickstarted the softening and stretching process, but your new boots aren’t quite ready for the outside world just yet. Regularly wearing them around the house for 1-2 weeks (with a thick pair of socks) is a solid plan for how to soften leather boots at home.
It seems silly, doesn’t it? But there’s a method in the madness:
- Wearing new boots in the house means you can easily give your feet a rest if they become uncomfortable.
- It reduces the risk of blisters and rubbing when out and about.
- Wearing thick socks outside isn’t always ideal (given the overall look and added heat factor).
- Thick socks apply gentle pressure to the leather, which is much more natural than other methods.
- The friction and warmth from the socks helps to mould the leather into the perfect shape for your feet.
Stretching Techniques for a More Comfortable Fit
1. Apply Some Extra Heat
Warm leather has so much more flexibility than cool leather. So, when wearing your booties around the house or using a boot stretcher, adding heat helps to get a spot-on fit. Don’t stop the stretching until your boots are cool to touch, as this will help shape the boots to the contours of your feet.
2. Use a Stretching Spray
It does what it says on the tin – stretches your boots. Because there’s nothing worse than wearing new shoes and being met by a sharp, pinching sensation, is there?
Adding a stretching spray is the best way to soften leather if all else fails (consider it the very, very last resort). And it also happens to be a savvy way of speeding up the entire stretching process when used before any other method.
Alcohol-based and quick-drying, these handy sprays shouldn’t leave watermarks either.
3. Use a Boot Stretcher
For the best result, we always recommend wearing your boots first (step 3) – it’s better to shape your boots to your feet rather than a mechanical device, isn’t it? But if you didn’t get the result you wanted, you can go down a more invasive route: the boot stretcher. Made with a mechanism that expands whilst in the shoe, this handy-dandy device gradually stretches leather over time.
Simply insert the stretcher into the boot and twist the knob to widen the toe area. Do this until you feel some slight resistance or hear the leather creaking. Then, leave it to work its magic and tighten periodically until they’re right.
4. Dig Out a Wooden Spoon
Don’t panic if you haven’t got a boot stretcher. You’ve probably got something (almost) as good sitting in your kitchen drawer – a large wooden spoon. This is definitely our favourite method for softening the back of new leather shoes. All you need to do is take the spoon and apply pressure to the heel zone.
5. Use Screwed Up Newspaper
Another alternative to a shoe stretcher is newspaper (dampened slightly with water – although not too much as it could leave water marks on the leather). Screw up the pages and pack them tightly into each boot. You’ll likely have to wait a day or two for them to dry before removing, but it should have done the trick.
How to Break in Leather Boots Without Pain
- Take it slow: Wear your boots in short bursts at home before heading out for a full day.
- Use thick socks: They cushion pressure points and help stretch the leather more gently.
- Alternate days: Give the leather (and your feet) time to relax between wears to avoid painful rubbing or blisters.
Preventing Leather Boots From Going Stiff
If you thought we were done with how to soften leather boots, you were wrong (there’s much more to it than you think). As well as all the steps you can take before you wear your new favourite footwear, there are things you can do to maintain the softness after they’re fully broken in.
- Always store your leather boots in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Regularly clean boots of dust and dirt with a gentle cleaner.
- Avoid getting your leather boots wet (this will draw out the natural oils, making them dry). But don’t worry, there are ways to fix wet leather boots because let’s be honest, Mother Nature loves surprising us with torrential downpours.
- Use a leather conditioner (at least) once a year.
- Only ever use a soft cloth on the leather.
FAQs About How to Make Leather Boots More Comfortable
What is the best way to soften leather boots?
Wearing them with thick socks around the house while applying regular leather conditioner is a simple and effective way to soften boots over time.
Can you use olive oil to soften leather boots?
It’s not recommended. While olive oil might seem like a quick fix, it can oversaturate and stain the leather, potentially causing long-term damage.
How long does it take to break in leather boots?
It usually takes one to two weeks of regular wear to properly break in leather boots—longer if the leather is especially thick or stiff.
Should I use heat to soften leather boots?
Yes, but with caution. Gentle heat (like a hair dryer on a low setting) can help soften leather, but always follow with conditioning to prevent drying or cracking.
What household items can I use to soften leather?
Thick socks, a wooden spoon for pressure points, and lightly dampened newspaper for stuffing are all great at-home hacks to ease the breaking-in process.
Leather Boots at Rydale
If you’re looking for your next new pair of winter-ready footwear (and are eager to practise how to soften leather boots), we’ve got some brilliant country styles for ladies and gents at Rydale.