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Original poster

Help with breaking in DMs please

33 replies

nicky2512 · 30/10/2023 13:56

Dd got some of the softer leather DM boots. Thought she had worn them enough for short walks etc and attempted a longer trip - I have never witnessed blisters like what she ended up with! Her poor heels are raw. I was all for putting them on vinted but she wants another go!

I can order some of their special socks but was just wondering if there’s a trick I’m missing.

OP posts:
Scootergrrrl · 30/10/2023 14:00

Put on two pairs of thin-ish socks and wet them. Put some Vaseline or something on the heels inside the boots and walk around as much as she can. The socks rub against each other rather than her heels and the moisture makes the leather mould to the shape of her feet. Good luck!

Eloradannin2nd · 30/10/2023 14:00

I have just started wearing mine again. I got them for Christmas last year, I had really bad blisters walking about 2 miles when they were new.

I wore them last week when we were away and so far haven’t had any blisters.

Try Vaseline on her feet before she wears them. Also I find cheap socks are worse for causing blisters. You could also try 2 pairs of socks.

it’s worth it! They are so comfy after a while.

ItWasntMyFault · 30/10/2023 14:03

I used Foot Matters Shoe Stretch spray on some leather shoes recently and it was brilliant stuff. I think it was about £7 from Amazon.
Definitely worth a try.

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Original poster
nicky2512 · 30/10/2023 14:37

@Scootergrrrl , @Eloradannin2nd and @ItWasntMyFault Thank you all so much. Some great ideas to try. I wore them years and years ago but def didn’t suffer as much as she has.
Will make her wait until her feet heal then try your ideas. Then vinted if these don’t work!

OP posts:
ihavespoken · 30/10/2023 14:40

In ye olden days my friends and I used to whack the heel bit with a hammer for ages to soften it Grin
The pain of unbroken-in DMs is horrendous but worth going through as they will last for ever

Original poster
nicky2512 · 30/10/2023 15:38

@ihavespoken you know what - I think a hammer might have been involved back in the day with mine. Didn’t think the softer ones would have needed brute force but might be a good last resort!

OP posts:
cocksstrideintheevening · 30/10/2023 18:09

Are they too big for her? My soft ones didn't need any breaking in at all and my feet get blisters at the mere mention of new shoes

cntychops · 30/10/2023 18:55

I've got the soft leather DMs and used these:

TSHAOUN 6 Pairs Heel Cushion Pads Inserts Heel Protectors Heel Grips with Self-Adhesive Strong Sticky Backing for Shoes Too Big, Insoles for Shoes for Women Men, Prevent Grind Feet (Black,Gray,Beige) amzn.eu/d/4S01AaB

They are brilliant and stopped my blisters straight away.

Original poster
nicky2512 · 30/10/2023 19:02

@cocksstrideintheevening no that’s what upset her the most about it - they seemed to fit perfectly. And in the first few weeks when she was wearing them for shorter times, she had said they were really comfortable.

OP posts:
Original poster
nicky2512 · 30/10/2023 19:02

Thanks @cntychops those look good.

OP posts:
Rufffles · 30/10/2023 19:05

Ah yes! She has my every sympathy! Tell her not to lose heart. Stick with them - it's worth it!

I stuck pantyliners round the backs of my heels (Achilles) - inside my socks - and it REALLY helped. Since mine broke in I've never looked back. They're like slippers now.

AuroraForever · 30/10/2023 19:06

I have the soft leather ones too and not suffered a single blister. Couple of things to try: wear thick socks with reinforced toe and heel (ie hiking socks or men’s workwear socks), tie the boots up tight. They will mould to her foot shape and the less wriggle room the less blisters there’ll be.

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 30/10/2023 19:09

13yo DD has soft leather DMs and she needed Scholl inserts in them (off the shelf in boots). DMs are built for a man's foot so women, especially young women find they are too deep and therefore uncomfortable.

I am a recent convert from DMs to Solovair and found the break in process to be much kinder on the heels.

Whealspeed · 30/10/2023 19:20

1 wait til blisters are fully healed
2 apply Leukotape to areas prone to blistering. The leukotape will stay on for days or weeks. Do not peel off.
3 wear the boots with wool socks only. Definitely no cotton content. Build up gradually to longer periods of wear.

BowiesJumper · 30/10/2023 19:35

I am currently breaking in some soft leather DMs too. I do have the dm double layer socks, but what’s helped most is plasters on the back where the blisters were (I made same mistake of being overly confident on one walk and got blisters!) and a big bit of gaffer tape over the top on my heels. Apparently it’s what the forces do with new boots. I’ve worn them about 6 or 7 times so far and still need the tape but they’re more comfy with each wear.

GenialHarryGr0ut · 30/10/2023 19:51

I've found the Doc Socks to be great when breaking in new DMs

leavethelighton · 30/10/2023 20:01

I’ve owned many, many pairs of DMs over the years and my patented method is:

  • Scholl blister plasters on the heels (put on before you actually get blisters)
  • Two pairs of socks - I usually go for thin ankle socks for both, but one thin and a thicker pair over the top can be helpful
  • Tie them as tightly as possible to minimise your foot moving inside the boot
The pre-plastering before wearing is the key for me! Some styles are definitely much harder to break in than others though.
MajorBarbara · 30/10/2023 20:13

You can get special breaking-in socks for DMs, they sell them in Schuh. I think they are called 'Double Doc Socks'.

CJCreggsGoldfish · 30/10/2023 20:16

Silicone heel protectors off Amazon were a god send. You put them on under socks. They feel a bit weird but I didn’t have any blistering with them. I normally struggle with converse too so wore them with them and again, no problem.

Whatliesbeneath707 · 30/10/2023 20:17

Oh heck...I read the title as you asking for help to break into someone's direct messages (DMs) 😂

Hexcodes · 30/10/2023 20:18

I used these to stop heel blisters - worked straight away. I'm hoping as I wear them more the back will soften

VivoFoot 2 Pairs Gel Heel Protectors, Silicone Heel Socks, Heel Sleeves, Heel Pain and Cracked Heels Relief for Men and Women https://amzn.eu/d/7VrkV3J

BonjourCrisette · 30/10/2023 20:27

MajorBarbara · 30/10/2023 20:13

You can get special breaking-in socks for DMs, they sell them in Schuh. I think they are called 'Double Doc Socks'.

Yes, this. They are really really good.

guineapigslave · 30/10/2023 20:28

Worked recently for solovairs that literally caused agony within 2 minutes and were tight everywhere: put on several pairs of socks and direct a hairdryer at the points which are causing problems for a few minutes (be careful). Leave the boots on for 20 mins, wiggle toes and bend the heel as much as you can, put in a shoe tree for the night. Mine are now too roomy if anything!

NeverDropYourMooncup · 30/10/2023 20:38

5x3 inch adhesive wound dressings are brilliant for covering blisters once they've formed. 7x5s for the most extensive soreness.

Source: was first aider in a school when DMs were all the rage.

abouttobecomeagrandparent · 30/10/2023 20:43

I got the DM socks with mine and never had a problem. Always tie them up reasonably tight and although the leather is stiff no blisters.