What can a cobbler do to make leather boots more comfortable?

October 16, 2022 12:15 PM

I was gifted a beautiful pair of new leather Chelsea boots. They fit (not too tight or too loose, my usual size), but are so uncomfortable and hard on my feet, mostly due to the stiffness of the leather at the heel and toe.

Can a cobbler do anything to make the leather softer and more flexible/pliable? I don't think they need to be "stretched" but I also don't know anything about this.

I can't walk in them more than a few mins a day to "break them in" due to my achilles tendonitis, so that's not an option. But am open to anything else!

Here is the description of materials:
Upper: 100% Cow Leather
Outsole: 100% Rubber

posted by CancerSucks to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (14 answers total)

A cobbler is unlikely to do much. Have you considered having a cast of your feet made in solid iron and placing these in the shoes?
posted by parmanparman at 12:37 PM on October 16, 2022

This is a last resort suggestion for when you’ve essentially given up and are about to hand them on .

First stuff the leg and heel part of each of them with a small bath towel, then put each of them in its own securely knotted cloth bag, such as an old pillow case, and run them through the clothes dryer on no heat with a bunch of clean, dry hand towels and face towels.

Try it for 5 minutes at first and hang around near the dryer to make sure nothing really bad is happening, check their condition and if they’re OK, repeat for 10 and 20 minutes.
posted by jamjam at 12:59 PM on October 16, 2022

Leather conditioner might help.
posted by pinochiette at 1:00 PM on October 16, 2022 [3 favorites]

i usually deal with this by wearing 2 pairs of socks when i walk around in them. i know you can't walk around MUCH but this will work, eventually (or at least it does for me)
posted by capnsue at 1:08 PM on October 16, 2022 [1 favorite]

Oh yeah, socks: I’d also put a heavy cotton sock around the outside of the foot part of each boot as a shock absorber to protect the dryer and to minimize abrasion from the cloth bag.
posted by jamjam at 1:13 PM on October 16, 2022

Shoe Stretch will instantly soften the leather. Treat the boots, put them on immediately, and they'll conform more to your feet. Make sure the boots don't end up looking too lumpy.

I think I've read that Shoe Stretch is mainly alcohol, so you might look into just using alcohol -- but it's possible Shoe Stretch has other ingredients that help protect the leather.
posted by amtho at 1:22 PM on October 16, 2022 [4 favorites]

Is it possible to remove or replace the insoles? That tends to be my go to for uncomfortable shoes.
posted by Aleyn at 3:32 PM on October 16, 2022

For a couple of weeks, don't wear them out or to walk in or whatever. Just wear them at home, while sitting or lying. Give them a chance to absorb some moisture from your feet and shape themselves.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 5:09 PM on October 16, 2022 [2 favorites]

A vibrator pressed up against the toe and the heel from inside the boot by strategically placed socks might also help break in and soften the leather in those areas.
posted by jamjam at 5:22 PM on October 16, 2022

Response by poster: jamjam - can you explain the vibrator and sock thing more? They both go inside the boot?
posted by CancerSucks at 6:20 PM on October 16, 2022

That's what I meant, they both go inside with the surface of the vibrator against the boot, and the sock behind the vibrator. The various creams and things people have suggested might enhance the effect, but they might affect the plastic of the vibrator too.

Edit: you could use crumpled paper instead of socks, I’d imagine.
posted by jamjam at 6:34 PM on October 16, 2022

Cobblers have metal inserts that can stretch shoes from the interior, and that will help. Then apply Shoe Stretch at home, and put them on your feet right after application, and wear them around the house. Do this a couple of times. Once they're comfortable enough to test on the road, bring band-aids, just in case.
posted by Violet Blue at 11:40 AM on October 17, 2022

Shoe stretch is truly mostly 70% alcohol, but it also has a little bit of glycerin. I'd hose the stiff parts with either the product or a homemade mix and try the vibrator+sock while it's wet!
posted by Grim Fridge at 8:03 PM on October 18, 2022

You can potentially use a hairdryer to help break them in.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 10:01 PM on October 18, 2022