How to wear in Dr Martens?

[confusedandemployed]

I've recently taken possession of the most beautiful boots in the world (see pic), but by Christ they are murder! I'm trying to wear them at home all day, but am having to do so with the laces laced only halfway up and the side zips down. They are rubbing my heels like buggery! Does anyone have any tips for breaking them in, especially as they are glittery so the dubbin / softening wax is presumably a no go?

[SweetNorthernRose]

Multiple pairs of the thickest socks you have and a lot of perseverance unfortunately!
Don't know if taking the insoles out would make any difference?

[Talisin]

Pair of thin socks under a pair of thick socks for you, a hammer applied through a thin blanket for them.

They are completely fabulous though so eventually the pain will be worth it.

[fallaciousreasoning]

Just popping on to say I've recently treated myself to the exact same pair. They really are fabulous 😁

[HairyChinChin]

I have these. Fabulous but still in the box because they hurt like hell.

[Lucked]

I have Doc Martens but they are on another level, the sole is so thick!

Yes to double socks but other than that I can only offer you good luck!

[Pinkdoor]

I'm having the same problem!

[FredaFox]

Also just bought some but brogue style, once broken in docs are the best, thick socks is what I’m doing and not wearing daily so my feet recover from the rubbing good luck OP

[Nat6999]

Thick socks & batter them as much as you can to soften them up. Even better could someone of the same size wear them in a bit? They normally take about 2-3 months to wear in, plenty of polish to soften them up, I have even heard of someone who soaked hers in fabric softener. Do you know a cobblers who could stretch them for you?

[Nat6999]

If you are a small enough size, the kids DM's are a lot softer than the adult ones, they go up to size 5 1/2.

[HMArsey]

Freda, which brogue ones do you have and how is the sizing?

This thread has given me fond memories of holding dubbin slathered DMs in front of the gas fire in 1992.

[MikeUniformMike]

vaseline inside them

[Catmar]

Wear tights with socks over the top-just cut the feet out of the tights if you're wearing them with jeans obviously. It really helps to prevent blisters. If you've already got blisters just put thick fabric plasters on and persevere. It will be worth it

[MyGhastIsFlabbered]

I've had to put my gorgeous DMs up for sale because I'm too afraid to break them in

[imnotinthemood]

Really thick socks and don't do a great deal of walking about the first few times you wear them . Last winter I got a really lovely black patent pair of boots . I've just bought a black pair of shoes they are so lovely but I need to wear those in now .

[Russell19]

Sorry to say I had the same issue and gave in and sold them

[HebeMumsnet]

Following (with my poor, bleeding feet). I even bought DM's very own balm to put on them which allegedly makes them as soft as a baby's bottom. Reader, it does not. Unless I'm doing it wrong. Going to try walking socks and the hammer next.

[RB68]

my daughter recently did hers and I think we are nearly there she has had them around 2 mths. Blood sweat and tears plus compeed plasters. She also swears by fluffy socks as opposed to DMs own she has only balmed them a couple of times and I have to say they don't seem particularly soft still to me

[HairyChinChin]

The balm doesn't work on the glitter DM's. I asked. DM sell special socks, that's what they recommended for me.

[TwatCat]

A hair dryer, warm them up then wearing thick socks stick your feet in them and bend your toes and move your ankles as much as possible until they go cold again. Repeat repeat repeat. You need the leather to be warmed up to help them become more pliable but don't dry them out either. May need to apply polish between.

[shitpark]

Can you put the balm on the inside to soften up the leather? It might work with the glitter ones. Other than that, just bend them a lot, especially around the ankle bit. You could use a sledge hammer, a very large one. I only buy the MIE ones, and they are much easier to break in. And wear a pair of tights/pop socks with a pair of thicker fluffy socks on top. Always use blister plasters and build up the amount of time wearing them, very gradually

[shitpark]

You really have to apply thick layers of balm, rub it in. I did it twice a day when new.

[Doyouthinktheysaurus]

I've got those boots! They are incredibly beautiful.

Mine had their first wear Saturday, thick socks, not walking too far, started to rub on one heel after a mile or so.

Thick good quality walking socks are key I think. I always wear proper walking socks with my Docs.

Not sure a hammer will work, it's not hard leather, not even leather! Have used a hammer on other boots with some success though. It's the sole, it's so thick it isn't flexible at all.

I might try stick in gel pads where it rubs on the heel, and perseverance. Plus I don't think they will ever be all day walking boots. More going out boots😎

[whifflesqueak]

Do I have weird feet? Mine have never hurt...

[Canyousewcushions]

Pre-emptive compeeds (blister plasters) help a lot. Wait until your heels have recovered, apply compeeds and try again.

I think I now have enough pairs for my feet to be permanently altered- my last pair didn't hurt at all!!

[AFistfulofDolores1]

This is very useful, thank you everyone. Bought a pair of Doc shoes last week and my feet were bleeding at work by the afternoon. I should have remembered: I have a pair of boots, but bought them so long ago the pain has obviously become a very distant memory!