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Style and beauty

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Original poster

Breaking in Doc Martens!

31 replies

TigerCameForTea · 29/07/2019 23:29

Aaaah, today I finally got some vegan Doc Martens (thanks DH) but they're agony... Any tips?! They might have to go back otherwise! I've only worn them indoors for 30 mins!

OP posts:

thisenglishlife · 29/07/2019 23:32

I've heard that using a hammer(!!) works.

inchoccyheaven · 29/07/2019 23:34

Dw says 20 mins a day bending your toes and ankles both ways as much as you can bear and then one day they become a squishy cushion of loveliness and so worth it.

FairyJuice · 29/07/2019 23:35

Had the same problem when I bought mine and after 2 bouts of heel blisters, I buried them in the back of my wardrobe for 6 months 🙈 When I rediscovered them, I was just determined to break them in, so wore them for about an hour daily for a few weeks and then took them on one long walk that seemed to sort them out. They are so comfy now so well worth the effort.

Oh and not the right weather atm, but boot socks really help. Good luck with it!

MrsMop7 · 29/07/2019 23:35

I wear mine for a while in the house each day, and when I start to wear them out it's for short walks only with compeed plasters on my heels.

Once it's done though they are bloody amazing

teenybean · 30/07/2019 00:00

I have no idea, I've had my dms nearly 10 years & still can't wear the bloody things! But they are so beautiful

GreenTulips · 30/07/2019 00:04

2 pairs of socks to start with
You can get them stretched at a shoe repair place - takes 24 hours about £10 ish

Lucked · 30/07/2019 00:05

Just short trips frequently. Wear two pairs of fine socks.

CrapSouzette · 30/07/2019 00:10

I recall going out and getting totally hammered (numbed the pain) and dancing all night (broke them in). But that was a hundred or so years ago in my youth, so now it’d be little and often until you can bear it. Maybe a gin or two?

Bufferingkisses · 30/07/2019 00:11

Buy spray on shoe stretch. You spray, lace tightly and wiggle all ways until they are dry. Repeat until they are comfy. The spray makes them stretch quickly though so don't overdo it!

Hmm, having said that I'm not sure if the sray only works on leather? Which would be annoying as it's the only pain free way I've found for docs!

FairyBatman · 30/07/2019 00:13

Leather ones wear half an hour a day with boot socks. Once they do t hurt for half an hour increase it to an hour.

Canvas ones are an absolute bitch to break in. The only way I can wear mine is not lace them tight on the ankle.

magicstar1 · 30/07/2019 00:28

I bought a gorgeous pair two years ago, and wore them Christmas shopping. I actually cried when walking to the bus for home with DH...my feet were just agony. They’ve been under the bed since because every time I try them on my ankles get so sore at the back.

PerspicaciaTick · 30/07/2019 00:39

Mine didn't need breaking in, they were comfy from day 1. I'm not sure if my proper walking socks helped?

IHeartKingThistle · 30/07/2019 01:03

My new patent ones took about a week, a short walk per day.

Monty27 · 30/07/2019 01:36

I've heard that pointing a hairdryer at them whilst wearing them shapes them to fit better.
It took me two years of perseverance to break mine in.

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 30/07/2019 05:04

I always wear proper walking socks.

I don't seem to have any issues anymore really, I have so many pairs now, it's been ages since I had to break a pair in.

The last pair I had trouble with, I did take a hammer to at the suggestion of MN. Didn't damage the shoe but did soften it a bit.

I bought a jadon glitter pair in the sale, those are the ones with the flat form sole and I suspect they are going to be a bugger to wear in. They were half price though🤣

oohyoudevilyou · 30/07/2019 08:09

I bought the patent ones, and nothing worked, even wearing them round the house with hiking socks for weeks. Ended up ebaying them and getting Monkey boots instead which are lovely and comfortable - cheaper too (if you can get over the skinhead connotations).

My DM insists on calling them Bovver boots and longs for the day she'll see me in a pair of nude stiletto courts

WeCameToDance · 30/07/2019 08:26

I have patent ones. You probably don't want to hear this but I've finally broken them in this week after..... 6 years!
I love love love docs but it has put me off ever buying a pair again.

WeCameToDance · 30/07/2019 08:35

oohyoudevil your mum sounds exactly like my mum. I have a very old pair of underground creepers. Bought from a charity shop and donated by a shoeshop owner who was shutting business and had found them lurking in his store room. They are hideous but in that fabulous way. My mum insists on calling them my man shoes and practically fainted when I insisted on wearing them to my graduation. She longs for the day when I wear sparkly, strappy heels

Badabingbadabum · 30/07/2019 08:56

I have a pair of patent purple ones which are about 18 years old and it took a few wears to get them comfortable. I have a pair of wonderful gunmetal ones which are now 20 years old. I still can't wear them! They hate my feet.

TheBeesKnee · 30/07/2019 09:02

I layered duct tape over plasters then put good socks on and just wote them normally. Not sure how long that took to work but it was a relief and I didn't get blisters.

SuperPixie247 · 30/07/2019 12:21

Take out the insoles first then wear with bedsocks round the house. Mine were absolute agony but within a week they were almost there.

CMOTDibbler · 30/07/2019 12:26

1000 mile fusion socks. They are double layer but not so thick that they put pressure on

RaininSummer · 30/07/2019 12:52

I think I have given up with my patent pair as every time I wear them I get sore or bleeding ankles. Had them about 10 years and have tried lots of socks and stamping around the house.

Original poster

TigerCameForTea · 30/07/2019 17:49

Sounds like perseverance and time is what I'll need...! Thanks everyone, I've got to try and get them in my hand luggage before we fly back to Bristol (from Edinburgh) on Thursday!!

OP posts:

Smallinthesmoke · 30/07/2019 20:55

I recommend the Doc socks (don't think anyone has mentioned these yet but they are socks specially padded for wearing in DMs)
www.drmartens.com/uk/en_gb/p/AC237003
with blister plasters underneath, and building up bit by bit.

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