These boots WEREN'T made for walking

June 26, 2007 10:53 PM

I just got some second hand Doc Marten boots, but the previous owner seems to have had some weird way of wearing them which was put them out of shape, how do I get the leather to behave?

I thought I was getting them at a bargin since they cost about $250 a pair new (locally anyway), the tread is alright and the rest of the boot is fine, but when I tried to wear them the tongues on both boots pull themselves to the left and right (respective of each boot) and sit down around the outside of my ankle. This makes them uncomfortable to wear, I guess the previous owner must have worn them like this for a long time to make them do this.

How do I re-train the leather to sit how I want it? Do I just need to make them damp and then shape them how I want and dry them in that position?

These are the pre-2003 English manufactured ones if this has any bearing on the answer...

posted by chrisbucks to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (2 answers total)

Response by poster: oh ... what!? ... I'd swear I searched this, but after posting I scrolled down the page and someone had posted this same question today!

Creepy. We should start a support group. Consider question answered I guess.
posted by chrisbucks at 10:58 PM on June 26, 2007

Response by poster: ah, to extend my initial question (and re-open), the leather is actually stretched quite a bit, so I cant just relace them, the whole tongue has been stretched into that position, if i put it back where it should be, there this heap of bunched up leather which makes it painful to wear and pulls the whole boot out of alignment. I'm taking them to a proper leather repairs place, but any advice?
posted by chrisbucks at 4:49 AM on June 27, 2007