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Breaking in boots

8K views 13 replies 11 participants last post by  BackInTheSaddleAgain 
#1 ·
Hello everyone! I just got some new boots. I have always had either zip up feild boots, or ones that don't need much breaking in. Well these suckers really need some breaking in and I am curious as to everyone's methods. My trainer said to put them on, dunk them in warm bath water and then walk around with them so they stretch and mold to my legs. After spending what I did, that is hard for me to stomach. Does this really work?
 
#2 ·
I have heard that the water method works really well but I also could not stomach to dunk my expensive leather boots in water. I just wore them as much as I could at the barn, I wore them around the house a bit too. I would just ride in them as much as you can and they should break in nicely.
 
#3 ·
I know, I can't quite make myself do it. lol
The only problem is that in just one area on my right leg (bigger) it's tight around one strip of my calf and it cuts my circulation off. :shock: I might be riding around with a dead leg wondering why my horse keeps venturing off to the right. lol
Maybe I could just get that particular area wet? hmmm....
 
#4 ·
I walked through a creek bed w/ my new ariats (not on purpose) and then got stuck wearing them all day because they were all I had with me and they broke in wonderfully. So I did it w/ my cowboy boots and they are SO comfortable. I have another pare I'm tempted to soak w/ a power washer and wear for a few hours but I want to wait until it's warmer outside. I never tried it w/ english boots though... Mine I just wore until the blisters stopped coming....
 
#5 ·
go on a walk in them

orrrrr well you're watching tv, just sit there and bend the ankles back and forth, and the toe up and down a bit, for 30 min or so. :) then they're comfy enough to wear while riding, and they finish breaking in during normal wear.
 
#6 ·
Stair method!
put on a ton of leather softener and conditioner and then pull them on and stand on a stair with your heels pushing down, holding onto something in front of you.

You can also crouch so that your ankle are bent, resting your butt on top of them. You can also get a little workout by doing squats in them.

Condition the top too. Tall boots also break in there... just takes a little longer.
 
#9 ·
I was told by my tack shop to put Horsemans one step on the INSIDE of the boot on the leather, and then just work it in real good, then ride in them. It worked great. Just make sure you wear tall socks or the oil will stain your breeches. I would do that then walk in them, wear them the whole day. I went grocery shopping in mine, then rode, then went to the feed store and everything with my boots on, and they were broken in by the next day. What brand are they? That will determine how long they take as well. Like, Grand Prixs will break in the fastest, Ariats a little slower, then Ovations even slower. Just depends on the type of leather used.
 
#10 ·
I wear mine everywhere, including around the house to break them in. That way you get all the blisters over with before the shows.
 
#11 ·
i had some ariats that my trainer said i needed to break in-fast. i just wore them everytime i went to the barn to ride like four horses. keep em clean and SUPER oiled and they will break in sooooo fast. now they are so comfy and feel like a second skin. dont know what to do about the cutting off circulation. if theyre super expensive, i would think that you would have gotten just the right size.
 
#12 ·
Thanks guys! I appreciate the tips.
Yeah, I'm wondering if I got the right size. lol The left boot doesnt cut off my circulation, just the right. My right calf is stronger. I haven't even tried anything yet, but I think I'll try putting stuff on the inside first and see what happens.
Thanks again! :)
 
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