New Boots wearing in?

[Ribenapigeon]

My old Frank Thomas boots had worn through the sole and got too soft so i've bought myself some Held Marvins. Great boot good and strong and very secure feeling, but just rode with them for the first time and I can hardly change gear they're so stiff. Will they wear in or have I made a mistake. They felt fine in the store but if they're never going to develope more feel I'm afraid they're going to be an expensive mistake. I'm clunking through the gears like it was my first day on a bike

[Hetzer]

If they're leather leave them in water until the leather is soaked through and then wear them with thick socks for a day, preferably with a long walk.
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"There's the horizon! Ride hard, ride fast and cut down all who stand in your way!"

[Ribenapigeon]

Thanks i'll try that tonight. Having wet feet for a day will be ok as I got used to that with my old boots.

[recman]

I would suggest walking round in them all day long if you can.
They'll wear in and become more flexible but it will take time.
I wouldn't give in if I were you, I've had some work boots which gave be one or two blisters in the first couple of days but after that turned out to be among the most comfortable footwear I own.

[Hetzer]

[Ribenapigeon]

i've bought some leather conditioner and ill wet them and treat them tonight.

[Hetzer]

Soak them (fill with water AND submerge them), wear them with thick socks for as many hours as you can while also walking/riding as much as possible, let them dry, THEN treat them (unless your treatment specifically says to apply while still soaked).

Soaking them allows the leather to stretch and form to the shape of your feet (made bigger by thick socks).

The last boots I did this with (Austrian para boots that shredded my heels) now fit like gloves and are as comfy as a warm bed.
____________________
"There's the horizon! Ride hard, ride fast and cut down all who stand in your way!"

[Ribenapigeon]

Its Nikwax stuff, says to apply to wet leather. The boots are actually really comfy, no rubbing or tightness I could miles in them. Just need a little more ankle movement and toe feel. I'm ging to stand in the bath in them tonight, push the waterproofing to its limit

[-Matt-]

My previous two from-new boots just slackened off after a few days riding [5-10 hours at a guess], but may not be enough for all boots.

I found with one pair it wasn't so much they were stiff it was just because they had a thicker sole and harder toe-top than my old knackered pair it gave the impression that was the issue.

[Ribenapigeon]

[-Matt-]

This is the part Hetzer reveals hes was only joking






[I joke ]

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

It's a long time since I've needed to soak a pair of new boots.
I tend to break them in by wearing thick socks and clomping about the house and garden, occasionally squatting to get some movement in the toe area.
After a few rides in the rain and clomping about then usually sorted.
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[Ribenapigeon]

The sooner the boots are sorted the better. I ended up fumbling into neutral on a roundabout this morning, scary!

[Hetzer]

[Ribenapigeon]

[quote="Hetzer"

So you're trying to soak them via the waterproofed outside.

Boot-forming, the Darwin method. [/quote]

Doh :-/

[Ribenapigeon]

The soaking my boots really helped they're breaking in nicely now. Thanks folks.