How to Break in Your Brand New Dr Martens Boots

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

When you think about breaking in tough, leather Dr. Martens, you may experience an instinctive shudder as you get ready to stock up on band-aids and live with a few blisters. But stretching your new shoes doesn't have to be painful! There are several relatively easy and pain-free processes to made sure your shoes fit just the way they should. Here are several break-in methods to choose from that you too can do from the comfort of home!

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Wearing Them In

PDF download Download Article
  1. Put on socks that will both push the leather outwards and protect your feet from any rubbing or pinching. This will prevent the formation of irritating blisters.
  2. Keep the shoes on long enough that they begin to mold to your feet, but not so long that they cause pain or injury. Walk around and stretch your feet while your wear them.
    • Do this whenever you have free time to change shoes and walk around. Try to do this at least two to three times per day.
    • To find the time to switch between your comfy shoes and the Dr. Martens you’re breaking in, wear your new boots before, after, or during the lunch break of your work day.
    Advertisement
  3. Slowly expand the amount of time you keep your shoes on your feet, paying close attention to how your feet feel. Don’t push through the pain; take them off if you start to feel any discomfort.
    • Because this is a slower and more time-consuming method, plan ahead. If you want to show off your new Dr. Martens at a particular event, begin this process about a month before that date.
    • Try to wear your Dr. Martens around the house as much as you can (without causing yourself pain). [1]
  4. Bending the leather in the direction it goes in when you're wearing your boots can help break them in. [2] Bend the back of the shoe inwards to make the heel area more spacious, then push the toe to and away from the laces. You can also bend the leather in and out on the instep (or the middle, by the laces) of the shoe. [3]
    • This may cause creasing in the leather. To avoid noticeable or permanent creases, be sure your leather is properly conditioned before you use your hands to stretch it. Dr. Martens' has its own product, Wonder Balsam, for this purpose, however, other brands should work just fine as well.
    • Periodically conditioning your boots will also aid in the overall break-in process. Soft and supple leather is much easier to stretch than stiff leather.
  5. Stuff your shoes with some newspaper or a shoe tree to make sure they don’t shrink back down when you’re not wearing them. If you use newspaper, be sure to fully stuff the shoe.
  6. Once you can comfortably wear your Dr. Martens for an hour, they should be fully broken in. Test the fit on a walk or excursion that allows you to come home and change shoes if necessary.
    • If you’re worried, bring an extra pair of reliable shoes along with you.
    7. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Using Ice

PDF download Download Article
  1. Fill the bag no more than halfway to avoid spills or tears.
    • Be aware of the areas of your boot that need the most stretching, as this may alter how much water you place in the bag. If it’s a smaller or larger portion, fill the bag with the amount of water that makes it fit comfortably within that space.
    • Use a high-quality plastic bag. You don’t want any water to touch the leather directly, as this will damage your boots. Choosing a bag specifically for freezer use will help ensure that no leaking occurs.
  2. Leaving only a small corner of the bag unsealed, remove the excess air from the unfilled half of the bag, and then fully seal the bag. Double check for leaks, tears, or an incomplete seal.
    • Just in case you’ve spilled a bit of water while filling or sealing the bag, wipe it off with a dishcloth or paper towel.
  3. Check to make sure that the bag presses against the area(s) of the shoe that need to be stretched.
    • Use crumpled newspaper to keep the bag in position.
    • You can use several bags of varying sizes to fill the various portions of your shoe. The toe, in particular, may call for a smaller bag that fully touches the entire front of the shoe.
  4. Put your boot, complete with the filled bag of water, into your freezer. Leave the boots in the freezer for a minimum of eight hours, or overnight. The water should be completely frozen before you remove the shoes, as the expanding ice is what stretches the leather.
  5. Once you remove your boots from the freezer, wait twenty minutes up to an hour before you remove the bags. The ice needs time to melt and soften a bit so that you’re not forcing the bag out of the shoe. Taking the bag out too early may tear the bag, spilling the water that will damage your boot.
  6. Be very careful not to tear the bag as you pull it out of your boot.
  7. If your boots are still too tight, repeat the process, focusing your attention on the problem areas.
    8. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Applying Heat

PDF download Download Article
  1. You want the boots to feel tight, so use woolen or winter socks. [4]
  2. on top of the socks. You may need to force your feet to fit into the boots, and this won't be the most comfortable experience. Without a tight fit, however, the leather won’t have any reason to stretch or expand.
    • If the boots still feel loose, try putting on two or three pairs of socks at once.
  3. Keeping the hair dryer about six inches away from the shoe, blow hot air on the tight areas of the boots for about 30 seconds, flexing your feet and wiggling your toes as you go. [5]
    • Each problem spot should receive its own 30-second heat treatment.
  4. Keep wearing your new shoes until they’ve cooled down, walking around and flexing your foot as you wait. The boots should be about room temperature to the touch before you remove them, otherwise you’ll negate the heating process.
  5. You may need to repeat this method several times, paying close attention to which spots need the most attention. Focus the heat treatment on those areas.
    • Try wearing a thicker pair of socks if you find it necessary to repeat the steps. It’s possible your fit wasn’t tight enough to force the leather to stretch.
  6. Heat removes moisture from the leather, which may cause cracks or breaks in the shoes. Avoid this side effect by applying products designed to restore moisture and keep the leather supple, such as Dr. Martens Wonder Balsam.
    7. Advertisement



Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Reader Videos

      Submit a Video Tip!

      Share a quick video tip and help bring articles to life with your friendly advice. Your insights could make a real difference and help millions of people!

      Submit a Video

      Tips

      • If you’re still struggling to break in your Dr. Martens, there are a number of slightly more expensive commercial options you can try. Although not everyone finds stretching spray and boot stretchers to be effective, they may work for your shoes. Alternatively, professional cobblers may be able to stretch your shoes. [6]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • No matter which method you choose, it’s a great idea to condition your leather. This ensures that your boots are protected from cracking, and it will speed up the break-in process.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Avoid thin socks while breaking in your boots. They won’t protect your feet from blisters as effectively as thicker options, nor will they do the job of stretching the leather.
        Thanks
        Helpful 12 Not Helpful 2
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Resealable freezer bag
      • Water
      • Freezer
      • Hair dryer
      • Thick socks
      • Leather conditioner

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Clean Dr. Martens Shoes
      How to
      Break in Your Doc Martens
      How to
      Break in High Heel Shoes
      How to
      Spot Fake Ugg Boots vs. Authentic Products
      How to
      Style Timberland Boots
      How to
      Lace Timberlands
      How to
      Clean Ugg Slippers
      How to
      Tuck Jeans into Boots
      11 Stylish Outfit Combos to Rock Doc Martens at Any Age
      How to
      Keep Boots from Slouching at the Ankle
      How to
      Wear Men's Boots with Jeans
      How to
      Lace Boots
      How to
      Clean Ugg Boots
      How to
      Wear Ankle Boots With Dresses
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ Marc Sigal. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.
      2. ↑ Marc Sigal. Shoe Care Specialist. Expert Interview. 15 January 2020.
      3. ↑ https://bellatory.com/clothing/How-to-Break-in-a-Pair-of-Doc-Martens-Shoes
      4. ↑ http://www.improvisedlife.com/2013/10/29/hearsay-improv-stretch-tight-shoes/
      5. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/aug/23/how-to-stretch-tight-shoes
      6. ↑ http://www.improvisedlife.com/2013/10/29/hearsay-improv-stretch-tight-shoes/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To break in your brand new Dr. Martens boots, plan to wear them in slowly to avoid blisters or foot pain. When first wearing your boots, wear thick socks, which will push the leather out and protect your feet from any rubbing or pinching. Walk around in your boots for 10 minutes at a time, 2 to 3 times a day, so they mold to your feet without causing pain. Slowly increase the amount of time you spend in your boots by adding about 10 minutes at a time. In addition to wearing your boots, bend the back of the shoe inwards to make the heel area more spacious, then push the toe to and away from the laces. To learn how to stretch your Dr. Martens even when you’re not wearing them, keep reading!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 172,983 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement