Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

How to wear in Dr Martens?

84 replies

confusedandemployed · 09/09/2019 18:27

I've recently taken possession of the most beautiful boots in the world (see pic), but by Christ they are murder! I'm trying to wear them at home all day, but am having to do so with the laces laced only halfway up and the side zips down. They are rubbing my heels like buggery! Does anyone have any tips for breaking them in, especially as they are glittery so the dubbin / softening wax is presumably a no go?

How to wear in Dr Martens?
OP posts:
SweetNorthernRose · 09/09/2019 18:31

Multiple pairs of the thickest socks you have and a lot of perseverance unfortunately!
Don't know if taking the insoles out would make any difference?

Talisin · 09/09/2019 18:32

Pair of thin socks under a pair of thick socks for you, a hammer applied through a thin blanket for them.

They are completely fabulous though so eventually the pain will be worth it.

fallaciousreasoning · 09/09/2019 18:36

Just popping on to say I've recently treated myself to the exact same pair. They really are fabulous 😁

HairyChinChin · 09/09/2019 18:37

I have these. Fabulous but still in the box because they hurt like hell.

Lucked · 09/09/2019 18:42

I have Doc Martens but they are on another level, the sole is so thick!

Yes to double socks but other than that I can only offer you good luck!

Pinkdoor · 09/09/2019 18:44

I'm having the same problem!

FredaFox · 09/09/2019 18:45

Also just bought some but brogue style, once broken in docs are the best, thick socks is what I’m doing and not wearing daily so my feet recover from the rubbing good luck OP

Nat6999 · 09/09/2019 19:04

Thick socks & batter them as much as you can to soften them up. Even better could someone of the same size wear them in a bit? They normally take about 2-3 months to wear in, plenty of polish to soften them up, I have even heard of someone who soaked hers in fabric softener. Do you know a cobblers who could stretch them for you?

Nat6999 · 09/09/2019 19:13

If you are a small enough size, the kids DM's are a lot softer than the adult ones, they go up to size 5 1/2.

HMArsey · 09/09/2019 19:16

Freda, which brogue ones do you have and how is the sizing?

This thread has given me fond memories of holding dubbin slathered DMs in front of the gas fire in 1992. Smile

MikeUniformMike · 09/09/2019 19:17

vaseline inside them

Catmar · 09/09/2019 19:40

Wear tights with socks over the top-just cut the feet out of the tights if you're wearing them with jeans obviously. It really helps to prevent blisters. If you've already got blisters just put thick fabric plasters on and persevere. It will be worth itWink

MyGhastIsFlabbered · 09/09/2019 19:42

I've had to put my gorgeous DMs up for sale because I'm too afraid to break them in Blush

imnotinthemood · 09/09/2019 19:45

Really thick socks and don't do a great deal of walking about the first few times you wear them . Last winter I got a really lovely black patent pair of boots . I've just bought a black pair of shoes they are so lovely but I need to wear those in now .

Russell19 · 09/09/2019 19:47

Sorry to say I had the same issue and gave in and sold them Sad

MNHQ
HebeMumsnet · 09/09/2019 19:50

Following (with my poor, bleeding feet). I even bought DM's very own balm to put on them which allegedly makes them as soft as a baby's bottom. Reader, it does not. Unless I'm doing it wrong. Going to try walking socks and the hammer next.

RB68 · 09/09/2019 19:54

my daughter recently did hers and I think we are nearly there she has had them around 2 mths. Blood sweat and tears plus compeed plasters. She also swears by fluffy socks as opposed to DMs own she has only balmed them a couple of times and I have to say they don't seem particularly soft still to me

HairyChinChin · 09/09/2019 19:56

The balm doesn't work on the glitter DM's. I asked. DM sell special socks, that's what they recommended for me.

TwatCat · 09/09/2019 19:56

A hair dryer, warm them up then wearing thick socks stick your feet in them and bend your toes and move your ankles as much as possible until they go cold again. Repeat repeat repeat. You need the leather to be warmed up to help them become more pliable but don't dry them out either. May need to apply polish between.

shitpark · 09/09/2019 20:15

Can you put the balm on the inside to soften up the leather? It might work with the glitter ones. Other than that, just bend them a lot, especially around the ankle bit. You could use a sledge hammer, a very large one. I only buy the MIE ones, and they are much easier to break in. And wear a pair of tights/pop socks with a pair of thicker fluffy socks on top. Always use blister plasters and build up the amount of time wearing them, very gradually

shitpark · 09/09/2019 20:16

You really have to apply thick layers of balm, rub it in. I did it twice a day when new.

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 09/09/2019 20:18

I've got those boots! They are incredibly beautiful.

Mine had their first wear Saturday, thick socks, not walking too far, started to rub on one heel after a mile or so.

Thick good quality walking socks are key I think. I always wear proper walking socks with my Docs.

Not sure a hammer will work, it's not hard leather, not even leather! Have used a hammer on other boots with some success though. It's the sole, it's so thick it isn't flexible at all.

I might try stick in gel pads where it rubs on the heel, and perseverance. Plus I don't think they will ever be all day walking boots. More going out boots😎

whifflesqueak · 09/09/2019 20:20

Do I have weird feet? Mine have never hurt...

Canyousewcushions · 09/09/2019 20:28

Pre-emptive compeeds (blister plasters) help a lot. Wait until your heels have recovered, apply compeeds and try again.

I think I now have enough pairs for my feet to be permanently altered- my last pair didn't hurt at all!!

AFistfulofDolores1 · 09/09/2019 20:30

This is very useful, thank you everyone. Bought a pair of Doc shoes last week and my feet were bleeding at work by the afternoon. I should have remembered: I have a pair of boots, but bought them so long ago the pain has obviously become a very distant memory!