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Original poster

Dr Martens

42 replies

Bluesheep8 · 17/09/2017 07:46

Hi everyone, inspired by a recent thread on here, I've treated myself to a beautiful pair of black patent DM boots...used to wear them as a teen but I don't remember them being do bloody uncomfortable and having to wear them in. I'm a size 5 usually and have quite broad feet so tried on a 5 in the shop. The actual 'foot' part fits me as in the length but they don't feel 'deep' enough iyswim and are really pressing on the top of my foot kind of halfway up where the eyelets are. Any I e had the same? Will they start to give? I said all this to the lady in the shop and she said she found the same and to wear in the house and return if no improvement...anyone else?

OP posts:

Saucery · 17/09/2017 07:51

I used to hammer mine from the inside but that's probably not possible with patents. They will wear in eventually but a bit of wearing around the house won't do it. Re-lace and have it looser over that part of your foot and wear thicker socks for a while.

Original poster

Bluesheep8 · 17/09/2017 08:01

Hi, thank you for your reply and advice...I've already got them laced really loosely and they still feel too tight on the top of my foot but I know a 6 would've been too long in the foot part. I also don't think I could get my foot in with thick socks but will try that. Hmmm don't want to wear them outside yet as £89 is an awful lot of money to waste if I can't return them...

OP posts:

SignoraStronza · 17/09/2017 08:03

I used some stretching spray - did the trick eventually.

HLBug · 17/09/2017 08:03

I agree with thick socks - they will help stretch but save your poor feet. You'll probably be roasting after a short walk though! They will give, just keep going.

Tamatoa · 17/09/2017 08:05

I read once that sleeping in shoes helps? But.....it's probably an urban myth!

Timmytoo · 17/09/2017 08:06

Can you use damp newspaper? I'm getting my paid but unsure if you can do this with docs. Jealous you only paid 80 quid 💷

Timmytoo · 17/09/2017 08:06

Pair not paid 😩

Saucery · 17/09/2017 08:07

They do sound a bit short in the foot then. I always go up a size in Docs but I am habitual thick sock wearer
Would a 6 really be way too big, do you think?

PNGirl · 17/09/2017 08:07

They all rub there, famously in fact. I specifically bought Pascal Virginias as they are softer and used stretch spray, 3 pairs of socks and stuffed them overnight. The pair I had before in stiffer leather weren't worn in after months of wear so I sold them on!

TheTroutofNoCraic · 17/09/2017 08:10

Stuff them (and I mean jam pack them) with crumbled up damp newspaper...leave them to dry over a day and night.

Also, I find wearing my dm boots with nylon tights instead of socks helps me break them in as they prevent the sloughing friction you get with socks

Original poster

Bluesheep8 · 17/09/2017 08:15

Thanks for the replies everyone, I think I may go back tomorrow and try a 6 to compare but as I said, the foot part feels fine it's just the 'depth' of them and the pressure on the top of my foot is making it go numb now! They are just too tight I think...gutted! They were £89 from Office yesterday btw

OP posts:

Saucery · 17/09/2017 08:19

I hope you find the Doc of your dreams!

PNGirl · 17/09/2017 08:19

You can get Docs socks which are padded on all the pressure points:

www.drmartens.com/uk/p/clothing-and-accessories-soft-accessories-cotton-nylon-docs-sock

But patent is the worst (next to canvas ones). Maybe try a softer leather pair.

Ozzde · 17/09/2017 08:21

Dms are a nightmare to break in but soo comfy once they are. You must have high arches as I can wear insoles with mine and I go down a half size.

If the bigger size doesn't suit I noticed yesterday that dm style boots seem to be everywhere this season.

Original poster

Bluesheep8 · 17/09/2017 08:25

Thanks all...that's the odd thing,I don't have high arches and actually have very flat feet...I am going to take them back and try and swap for a 6 if they're not too big as there's no hope for me with these ones. Failing that I will just have to accept defeat, sadly!

OP posts:

zen1 · 17/09/2017 08:32

I wonder if they've changed the way they are made in more recent years? I wore them all through the 90s and was always a size 6. They used to rub on the back of the heel for about a week, but after that were really comfortable. In the last 10 years I've had a few pairs and I've had to buy a size 7 as the 6s just feel too tight. They take forever to wear-in (if at all) and if I want to by blister-free I have to put gauze dressings under my socks as a preventative measure.

imjessie · 17/09/2017 08:37

I have tricky feet and have to give up on a lot of shoes . I've heard docs are really uncomfortable until you break them in but I can never get past that stage ! .. I had some Chelsea boot ones when I was a teen and I remember them being really comfy but my feet were probably better then .. I bought them on the kings road when I was about 14 .. makes me feel cool saying that ! 😜

AdalindSchade · 17/09/2017 08:38

Some people say you need to size up with docs Boots. I would go back and swap for a 6.

Saucery · 17/09/2017 08:38

A friend gave me a pair of 1640s that were really short in the foot, totally different from the ones I used to get. It's something to do with the outsourcing of manufacture over the past few years.

backinaminute · 17/09/2017 08:39

I've got these exact same ones and have had the same problem. I'm also a size 5.

It's taken a long time of short trips and thick socks. I've also used the stretching spray but with some shoe stretchers. It was the same place as yours are too tight. It did work eventually.

Mine still sometimes rub on the back of my heels but they aren't tight like they were.

It's taken a lot of effort, and I still don't think they are that comfy. Certainly not how I remember them from my teenage years. I also tend to reach for other boots due to the effort involved with wearing them so don't end up wearing them as much as I'd like.

Saying that, I love them and might dig them out today

Littlelondoner · 17/09/2017 08:40

Aaah memories. I still have scars on my heels from breaking in docs as a teen.

You can get shoe stretch spray whuch softens up leather. Surely worth a shot?

Fairylea · 17/09/2017 08:41

I think they have definitely changed the instep / part that goes across the top of your foot. Like you I used to wear them non stop all through my teens and I recently bought a pair aged 36 and I struggle to even wear them for an hour! I know they need breaking in but the pain across the arch is awful and I don't remember anything like that before!!

Original poster

Bluesheep8 · 17/09/2017 08:41

Yes, as someone suggested, they have definitely changed. I wore them throughout the 90's and never had this problem. Pinning my hopes on the 6 now..btw, I REALLY want the black and white polka dot ribbon laces from Amazon!

OP posts:

Fairylea · 17/09/2017 08:46

My dh has 5 pairs and wears nothing else and when he gets a new pair he just wears them from the first day with no problems! I look at him like he's mad. He must have feet made of steel!

thethoughtfox · 17/09/2017 08:57

All patent shoes are really tight and reluctant to stretch.

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