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Original poster

Should I persevere trying to break in my DM Shoes?

18 replies

LivingDeadGirlUK · 20/02/2022 11:03

I bought some DM shoes, the brogue style ones that are flat and lace up, second hand. They had barely been worn and I think I can see why!

The leather at the back of the heel rubs something awful, I bought some 'heel grips' that helped a bit, but now they are worn out and need replacing. I also got a memory foam insole as even though they are flat my feet were killing me after a few hours on my feet. Now they are a bit too full if you see what I mean though.

Is the whole 'break in DM's and they become super comfy' a myth? Should I continue or pass on to the next mug lol

OP posts:

Ifailed · 20/02/2022 11:07

They sound like they just don't fit you, I've never had a problem with DMs in the past.

Original poster

LivingDeadGirlUK · 20/02/2022 11:14

@Ifailed

They sound like they just don't fit you, I've never had a problem with DMs in the past.

Possibly, it doesn't feel like my foot was slipping and now I've put an insole in (as the ball of my foot was hurting so much after wearing them for 3 hours) my foot is quite fixed in there, possibly too tight. My foot wasn't slipping about in them.

It's just a shame as they are sturdy and have a good non slip sole!

OP posts:

bellamountain · 20/02/2022 11:22

I bought a pair of DM boots before Christmas, wore them once and oh my days, my heels were shredded. My right heel in particular was so bad, I could only wear my canvas lace up vans for a week after. Any other shoe or trainers and I couldn't walk. If you can get hold of a good shoe stretcher, it really helped loosen them up. Thicker socks too, they are now comfortable.

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amylou8 · 20/02/2022 11:32

I having the same dilemma with a pair of DM Serena boots. They're a good fit on the foot, but hurt across the top of my foot. I really love them, but I think they're going to cripple me. £150 dillema, do I persist or take them back Schuh while I still can.

Perpop · 20/02/2022 11:35

My granny would say to stick some potatoes in them to stretch them

I got new ones last year and I hated them for weeks before I broke them in - now I wear them every day and they’re so comfortable! (I’ve the vegan ones but I’m sure all are similar in breaking in!)

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 20/02/2022 11:43

I'm a podiatrist and I can tell you no shoes need to be "broen in" they either fit or don't fit and if this happens they are the wrong style and shape for your foot.
I am a 5.5 E fitting and when I but that size the shoes fit and are comfy right away.
If you have either a high arched or a flat foot then there are certain shoes you just cannot wear so its always important to try them on and have a walk about first.

Original poster

LivingDeadGirlUK · 20/02/2022 11:44

@Perpop

My granny would say to stick some potatoes in them to stretch them

So can you now wear them with just a normal pair of socks and no need to tactically bandage any part of your foot?

OP posts:

Gilead · 20/02/2022 11:58

There are loads of tricks online to break them in. ( Sorry @Shehasadiamondinthesky) Docs are known for this, the leather at the heel needs softening. I’ve been wearing them for 40 years, have around ten pairs and love them, but they need work the first month.
I wear mine around the house instead of slippers to start with.

Original poster

LivingDeadGirlUK · 20/02/2022 12:46

@Gilead

There are loads of tricks online to break them in. ( Sorry *@Shehasadiamondinthesky*) Docs are known for this, the leather at the heel needs softening. I’ve been wearing them for 40 years, have around ten pairs and love them, but they need work the first month. I wear mine around the house instead of slippers to start with.

Yeah thats where I got the heel grips from, I just figured that they would become comfortable before the heel grips wore out. I think the PP's above who said they just don't fit may be right, given that they also hurt the ball of my foot after a few hours of walking in them.

I've just seen a trick with a hairdryer that I'll give a go!

OP posts:

jimpamdwight · 20/02/2022 16:19

I have 3 pairs of DMs and wear none because they hurt and don't have the patience to break them in! Can't bear to part with them yet

Malteser71 · 20/02/2022 16:21

Definitely buy a shoe stretcher. I have both shoe and boot stretchers, I can’t break DMs in without them

EmpressCixi · 20/02/2022 16:24

I used to rub Dubbin on them to condition and soften the leather. That said, I always had the calf height DMs, never the ankle ones.

HelloBunny · 20/02/2022 16:30

Took me a good while to break in my DM biker boots. They were so heavy! But once they settled in, I got five good years out of them... And another year of them falling apart. Which I could find the same ones again!

SayCheeseBoris · 20/02/2022 16:31

Anyone who finds the boots hurt across the top of the foot try taking out the removable insole. This gives that extra bit of room and doesn't cause the pain across the top of the boot.

dangermouseisace · 20/02/2022 16:42

When I wore leather ones I’d have to wear 2 pairs of socks for about a week, and that was it. I wear vegan ones now which take barely any breaking in. Maybe they don’t fit right? DM’s will hurt if they are slightly too small or slightly too big. Or there is something wrong with them. I bought DM sandals and they had dodgy stitching and shredded my ankle- back they went!

Feedmepancakes · 20/02/2022 16:48

I have had two pairs and they just don't seem to suit my feet at all. I originally had 4s but they seemed slightly too small, so I upped to a 5 a few years later and they were slightly too big. They absolutely tore my ankles to bits both times though so maybe it wasn't just the size. I do have quite narrow ankles I think.

I have sadly accepted they are just not for me!

UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 20/02/2022 16:48

Unpopular opinion: DMs are uncomfortable. They rub and give terrible blisters despite many attempts at "wearing in". They fit as in they are the right size, not too loose or tight, but they are just awful.

Indoctro · 20/02/2022 16:51

I bought DM Original style lace up boots at Xmas and absolutely love them I have walked miles in them from day one and they are mega comfy. I think maybe they just aren't right for your feet

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