How To Break In New Leather Shoes
8/18/2023
Leather shoes, we love them. You’ll find the majority of our range is crafted from leather and for good reason. It’s breathable durable and of course, comfy. Leather can start firm but with a little love will soften and mould to the shape of your foot.
It’s best cared for with a good quality polish or conditioner, helping to pop moisture back into the leather and keep it hydrated, but we’ll get into that later.
First, let’s master the art of breaking in your new kicks with these tried and trusted tips. Let’s get into it.
It’s all about quality.
Fact. We use leather that’s initially on the firm side. Why? Because while we make our shoes comfy, we want them to last, too. Your shoes will retain their shape with wear (so you don’t end up with overstretched, unsupportive shoes), while providing extra support and stability to your feet. (Win-win!)
While quality is key, looking after our planet is, too. All our leather uppers are sourced from Leather Working Group-rated tanneries. These tanneries must adhere to a strict protocol, focusing on energy and water usage, waste management and the control of chemicals. This ensures the leather meets our high standards, too.
The good thing about leather is that it’s a natural material. It will soften and mould to the shape of your feet within a few wears. If you’re about to jet off around the globe or have a big week in the office, we have a few easy steps that will help speed up the wearing in process.
Before taking your new shoes for a spin, here’s our step-by-step guide to break them in.
Step 1
Size Matters
First things first, before you start rocking your new shoes, take a moment to check your size. For ultimate comfort, we ideally want a good thumbs width of space between your toes and the end of the shoe. For pointed shoes, your big toe should end roughly where the point starts to taper in.
If you’re still unsure, fitting shoes is literally our bread and butter. Chat with us live, call us or visit one of our stores. We may be biased, but our entire team are pretty damn great.
Step 2
Our Secret Weapon
You guessed it, it’s The Fit Kit. If your shoes feature a removable footbed and they're feeling too snug, easy fix! Simply remove the standard footbeds and insert the thinner ones provided in the Fit Kit. This will immediately give you more room to wiggle your toes. If your shoes are feeling too loose, we’ve got this covered too. Simply remove the standard footbeds already inside the shoes, insert the forefoot padding and pop the original footbeds on top. You’ll instantly feel more secure in the shoe.
If your shoes feature our in-built footbed and they feel too roomy, try our Magic Gel Inserts. These nifty little pads will minimise the space in the shoe and push you back into the heel
TIP! Don’t forget the straps, buckles, laces or zips aren’t just for good looks. The fastenings ensure the shoes stay on your feet, stand up, push your heel to the back and tighten or loosen them to suit your foot shape.
Step 3
Wear Them Around The House
Now that you have the fit sorted, take your shoes for a test drive (carpet-style). That’s right, wear your shoes in the comfort of your own home. This will allow them to naturally soften and mould to your unique foot shape, ensuring an oh-so comfy fit before their big debut.
Step 4
Knock Your Socks Off
Or ‘on’ in this case. Heat and pressure is your new best friend when it comes to breaking in new leather shoes. Grab your thickest pair of socks and let them work their magic by gently softening the leather as you wear your new shoes at home. This go-to tip will turn those tight spots into one of sheer comfort in no time. Don’t be shy, they’ll do wonders in softening your sandals, boots, loafers and heels, too.
Step 5
Magical Gel Spots!
Saving the best for last, our Magic Gel Spots! Truly the ace up our sleeve when it comes to saying goodbye to those niggly areas. It’s as easy as one, two, three! Locate those pressure points, determine the right size Gel Spot and then stick ‘em inside the shoe. Voila!
Patience Is Key
Soft, comfy leather won’t happen overnight but we believe in you. The end results are worth it, we promise. Just allow yourself some time to wear in your new shoes before you hit the streets with them.
Take Them For A Spin
Now you’re all across the wearing in process, it’s time to put your shoes to the test. Wear them, love them dance in them and if you’re living your best life, don’t hesitate to tell us. Reviews are our favourite and make it all worth it.
If you’re ever in doubt, we’re always here help. Visit us in-store or chat with us live, we’ll guide you through the wearing-in process and see to it you’re feeling good in your new shoes.