How long does it take to "wear in" new doc marten boots?

[Loka123]

How long does it take to "wear in" new doc marten boots?

I know it varies from person to person but roughly how many hours of wear?

Depends on the model in my experience, what socks you wear, softness of the leather... some needed no breaking, some have never broken in after 3 years of persevering. You should get some ‘docs socks’, they’re padded where the boots rub. Cannot give you an average though, sorry!

Depends on the person really. I've had 4/5 pairs over the years and never need to break them in. They're a bit stiff to begin with but they always fit and are never painful.

I currently have cherry reds I'm breaking in but they’re getting there. The more I wear them the more they loosen up. I think it’s a question of just keeping flexing them and wearing them as often as possible.

The polley shoes I have just bought are killing my right foot but I’m just keeping them on!

My secret weapon with dms are those sticky gel pad things that you stick inside the shoe/boot where it rubs.
Magic!
My Polleys didn't hurt at all after putting these in.

There's articles written about the best way to break in Docs which are useful.
I know as I had to refer my son to them after I bought him a pair.

I of course got myself a pair in soft leather.

I've had mine for 5+ years now and they're still agony. I want this amazing pair of comfy boots everyone goes on about!

Dr got the Pride ones for her birthday.
They're feeling ok on her now after three weeks, but maybe 6 days of wearing them full time?

DD, not Dr ffs.

Mine took about 3 months of wearing not much else.
Then my feet still ached when I took them off.

Leather biker boots style ones for me - immediately comfortable. Patent leather lace ups, never. I sent them back immediately having realised they would never even bend. Saw a lot of people online saying this too. Similar story recently with some Clarissa sandals, ordered but sent back immediately. Other DM sandals with softer leather were comfy from the first minute. This winter I want to buy some lace up boots but will go for the plain leather rather than patent.

Mine (a discontinued boot) were pretty quick. Around the house for a few days then short trips out and about and voila done.

Standard ones take a little breaking in as described above. There are some with softer leather which don't need much if any breaking in but they're not as long lasting.

Do NOT get the vegan patent ones. I've been wearing docs since the 90s and I've got some patent vegan ones and they are hell, I can't break them in. They're gorgeous too, sadly.

Three pairs of 16 hole boots - good fit from day one. My cherry red boots however are 3 years old and dispute wearing them every week in the winter, I still get blisters. I might bin them this year.

I have some of the classic ones. I can´t remember the name of the line. I have had them for three years and it was just at the end of this winter that they starte getting comfy. They are probably the heaviest boots I own and they hurt my ankles if I wear them for more than three days in a row.

Other DMs that I have and have had have worn in after a few weeks. I think it is just that particular style. It´s a shame as they are really nice looking.

In my day we were told to drive over them with the car when you first got them

Getting the right size is key. I'm an 8 in some shoes but a 7 in DMs. Never had an issue breaking! Hem in except a wee blister on my heel which quickly healed after a week or two of regular wear!

Oh and I got men's as my feet are wide and I don't care about looking feminine!

Thanks everyone :)

Just popping in to share a pic recently sent by my DC1 very happy when their latest DMs arrived.

Thick socks & short strolls to begin with.

Patent ones never broke in for me.
The pascal ones were instantly comfortable, no breaking in required.
Classic cherry red 1460s took a bit of breaking in, probably a few weeks. I did very short walks in them and put sticky gel pads on the inside of the heel to reduce the amount of rubbing, these really worked and they are so comfy now.

Two pints of blood.

Breaking in DMs was undoubtedly my most painful student memory!

You can get their own actual leather balm- that helps.

Wearing two pairs of socks to stretch then a bit (for short periods).

Go out in the rain with shed loads of balm on.

Compeed extereme

I'm wondering if the hardlife ones are easier to break in. I will never buy a pair of standard DMs again after a pair split after 18 months. The for life ones were amazing and the hard life ones are the replacement.

If your DMS genuine leather not patent vegan or suede then do yourself and your footwear a favour and buy a tin of this it is designed for saddles bridles and such like so will not rot stitching and will waterproof and help keep leather supple, a tin will last you years and years its very easy to apply.
It can also be used on leather coats handbags and belts , just make sure you will have enough time for it to soak in properly otherwise it could transfer to your clothing
Www.carrdaymartin.co.uk/product/vanner-prestneatsfoot-compound/
In my experience the thirster your boots are more oil than absorb the harder they will be to breaking because the leather is tough but this should make things easier.
Make sure whatever you apply it to is very dry, it soaks in better when the leather is at body temp
Take care not to get it on the soles of your footwear.