How to break in handmade leather boots with a leather sole

Breaking In Your Boots Is Good For The Sole

Genuine leather boots are the real deal. They’re sexy, chic, and durable enough to get you through many years fashionably. Brown or black leather boots are the poster child of fall, perfect with sweaters and jeans, or long skirts and blazers. The right pair of leather boots, however, can be worn any time of year.  Take good care of them and they’ll take good care of you.

The Start Of A Beautiful Boot Relationship

The key to beginning your symbiotic relationship with your new leather boots is to break them in. The key to maintaining that relationship is to keep them in good condition. Your leather boots are making contact with dirt, grime, and gross substances every day, so cleaning is essential. 

It begins with the break in period. One does not buy a pair of women’s leather boots, take them out of the box, and begin wearing them without a care. Genuine leather boots can be rigid and stiff at first. Put them on for a full workday before breaking them in, and you’ll come home with a bounty of painful blisters. 

Women’s leather boots must be broken in before they become comfortable enough to wear for hours. The insole might seem flat at the beginning, but they will quickly mold to the shape of your foot. 

2 Tips To Help You Break In Your Genuine Leather Boots 

1) Use a leather conditioner. Whether you use a cream or an oil, conditioning your new leather boots will help soften them faster. This helps protect the leather from cracking as it stretches to conform to your foot. For the economical boot-wearer, we recommend using unscented lotion for this loosening process.

2) Wear them inside the house. This is has been one of the best ways to break in everything from brown leather boots to athletic shoes for decades. Wear the thickest socks you own and let your feet do the work. Wearing your new leather boots for short periods while in your home lets you get used to each other in a low-pressure setting. 

Keep Your Leather Boots Clean

Leather boots should be cleaned whenever they get dirty, or at least once a month. If you live in an environment that exposes your boots to rain, salt, or snow daily, cleaning and conditioning might be a weekly necessity.  

  • Clean the laces regularly by removing them and washing them in soapy water. 
  • Buff the leather with a horsehair brush to remove any grime. 
  • Wipe away stains and scuffs with a soft cloth dipped in a mixture of natural soap and water. 
  • After cleaning, condition your genuine leather boots by applying a light coat of leather oil or organic virgin coconut oil. Allow to set, and wipe off any excess after 20 minutes. 

Take care of your genuine leather boots from the start and you’ll be wearing them well into the next few decades with beauty and style. 

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