Leather shoes that need to break in: how do I know if its a bad match and will never fit my foot?
I don't normally get proper fancy pantsy leather shoes. I picked up a brand new pair of Doc Marten oxfords (1461 BEX) and have tried to wear them maybe 5 or 6 times. I don't usually get more than a half hour before I decide to call the project off for the night.
It pinches where the leather is sewn together along the top of the toe box. I can't size up or down because I'm mens 6.5EE and its a size 7, going up a size to 8 for width will have add waaaaay to much length and obviously going down a size is no good.
I'm willing to get the conditioning balm or whatever but only if its not a fools errand.
Anyway, how do you know if its just a matter of time or if its truly the wrong size?
Anyway, how do you know if its just a matter of time or if its truly the wrong size?
12 Replies
where is the widest part of your foot in that second photo? should be the widest part of that shoe.
it might be a little behind the widest(slightly closer to my ankle) part of the shoe? I'm not feeling very confident in my assessment though
the left foot doesn't feel like its having any issues. Mostly the right foot. but I know both shoes and feet can have variation where that might not mean anything
About here?
almost impossible to say if this issue will resolve itself once you break them in or not.
Id probably just get some thick socks and thug it out but that's your choice to make.
There isn't much space for any more sock, but I'm willing to give it a go if it doesn't sound like "definitely wrong"
I can pick up conditioning balm to speed it along too
I mean my window for what i tolerate on shoes is probably fucked. Ill wear a pair and fill my socks with blood until they fit lmfao. It's really what you're comfy with, totally possible these just aren't the right shape for you.
Yeah. I got some softer leather boots on the same pickup and they cause some blisters and I can work around them but feel good generally. Totally different kind of leather though.
Leather will break in and stretch a bit. As long as you can wiggle your toes then width is good and if your toes aren’t touching the end/your ball is at the widest part then you’re okayish width and length wise. Instep pain at the top is common with leather shoes before being broken in. Conditioner can help speed it along but the major thing to help break it in is just time in the shoe
Also if it’s a ‘heavier’/not as soft leather than break in will take more time and be more of a pain in the ass obvs
docs are notoriously difficult to break in especially if you aren't used to them; moleskin padding helps
Part of it is they don’t do half sizes so you’re in to small of a shoe breaking it in
i'd give it a couple weeks, but if the tightness is still present even with wear I'd look into a different shoe (soloviere is the usual alternative recommended)
Ty ty
They're fun and I want to wear them out more. Gotta just commit a bit more I guessm