Q&A for How to Break in Your Doc Martens

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Question

How do you break in Doc Martens with a hair dryer?

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Marc Sigal is a Shoe Care Specialist based in Los Angeles. Marc has over 19 years of experience working in the world of e-commerce, with extensive experience with the care of luxury goods. He is currently the VP of Strategic Partnerships at Blutag, an e-commerce platform helping consumers find products. Prior to Blutag, he founded ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox reinvented amenity services by placing custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. The company got acquired by Rinse.com in 2021. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Marc Sigal

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

Turn your hair dryer on low heat and hold it 5-6 inches (12.5-15 cm) from the boot or shoe. Move the blow dryer back and forth along the surface of the shoe for 3-5 minutes to soften the leather up. You can repeat this process as needed until your Docs feel comfortable on your feet.

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Question

Can you use coconut oil to soften Doc Martens?

Marc Sigal
Shoe Care Specialist
Marc Sigal is a Shoe Care Specialist based in Los Angeles. Marc has over 19 years of experience working in the world of e-commerce, with extensive experience with the care of luxury goods. He is currently the VP of Strategic Partnerships at Blutag, an e-commerce platform helping consumers find products. Prior to Blutag, he founded ButlerBox, a dry cleaning and shoe care service based in Los Angeles, California. ButlerBox reinvented amenity services by placing custom-designed, wrinkle-resistant lockers in luxury apartment buildings, class A office buildings, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. The company got acquired by Rinse.com in 2021. Marc has a BA in Global and International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Marc Sigal

Shoe Care Specialist

Expert Answer

It's best to use Doc Martens Wonder Balsam to soften your shoes. You could also look for a generic version. The Wonder Balsam is a blend of oils.

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Question

How do I avoid rips in my tights while wear Doc Martens?

Community Answer

Wear thick socks on top of your tights and tuck them into the boots so they don't show.

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Question

Will I still be able to get a good shine after using the Wonder balsam?

Community Answer

Yes, the Wonder balsam contains beeswax, which can be buffed to a shine with a brush.

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Question

Can I still use the balsam if my boots don't have a shiny finish?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as it is not suede.

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Question

How do I break in the vegan boots?

Community Answer

The vegan boots are far more comfortable at first than the leather ones. If they need breaking in just follow steps 4-10 as described.

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Question

Is there a cheaper substitute to make my own leather conditioner?

Community Answer

No, you can't really make something better than what is out there. To be cheaper, most Wal-Marts carry Kiwi brand saddle soap and lotion, which works very well.

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Question

How can I stop my Doc Martins from rubbing my ankles even though they are already broken in?

Community Answer

You might have bought the wrong size, or you might have not broken them in enough. You might also be wearing the wrong type of sock. Try wearing something that goes over your ankle. If you are wearing below-the-ankle socks, the boots might be causing friction in that area.

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Question

What do I do if the stitching at the end of the tongue is the only tight part?

Community Answer

You might have a wrong size. If not, you should do the "cleaning the house" method to make sure you break it in as much as possible.

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Question

How big is the heel on the shoes?

Community Answer

Depends on the type you buy, but commonly around 3/4 inch from the treads on the bottom to the leather around your foot.

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Question

Is there a way to remove the wedge inside the boot?

Community Answer

You could take your boots to a cobbler. I don't recommend trying to do it yourself.

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Question

Will dubbin work as a substitute for wonder balsam?

Community Answer

Not exactly. The leather won’t absorb the dubbin since it’s considered a top coat and cannot keep the leather hydrated. You need to apply the wonder balsam, let the leather absorb it, and then apply the dubbin.

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Question

How do I break in Doc Martens if I've had them for a while?

Community Answer

Follow the same steps. They should be easier to break in compared to the first time, but treat them as new.

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Question

Will the Wonder balm work on the Jadon rainbow patent boot?

Community Answer

No. Patent leather is different entirely. You can apply it to the inside of the boot, but it will not absorb well (or at all) on the exterior.

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Question

Is there a way to soften the part of the shoe where the tips of my toes are?

Community Answer

Using a leather conditioner regularly will soften all parts of the shoe over time (including the toe area), but if your toes are still hurting after you have softened and broken in the shoes then it is possible that you have the wrong size.

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Question

Can I use Vaseline on my Doc Martens shoes?

Community Answer

You could, but it didn't do anything for me; I just ended up with greasy Docs.

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Question

What is breaking in and why do we have to do it?

Community Answer

Breaking in means wearing new shoes or new equipment for short periods of time to make them slightly more comfortable for long term use. It's always recommended to 'break in' your new Doc Martens, as otherwise new shoes are likely to give you blisters when first wearing them.

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Question

I have had my Doc Martens for about 4 weeks now but the the front of my foot where the laces start is very painful, what do I do?

Community Answer

Shove a small can of beans or other round object that is the right size into the shoe to stretch out that part of the leather. Leave overnight. Repeat as often as needed to stretch the Doc Martens.

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Question

How can I stop my Doc Martens from squeaking?

Community Answer

Try the methods in Stop Your Shoes from Squeaking .

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Question

I bought my Dr. Martens boots one size bigger than I need. Can this hurt my feet?

Community Answer

I've done this too, I found no matter how long I wore them (owned them for years) they would always rub and blister. You can take it to a cobbler who might be able to shrink them a bit, add an insole, or wear very thick socks if you don't want to return them. Otherwise, be prepared to have your feet hurt.

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Question

How do I size my Doc Martens?

Community Answer

Depending on the length of your feet, either size up or size down. It’s best to buy them in store to try both the size up and size down to see which ones fit best.

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