Breaking in new work boots

[jjbodean1970]

bought some new red wing irish setter 838 work boots.

Cabela's -- Irish Setter 6 Original Wingshooter Boots

man, they seem tight across the wide part of my foot. i dont wear wide, but feel like i may need it with these. is this normal? will they break in eventually, cause i dont want to have spent this $$$ for boots that make my feet ache, and these are making them ache right now.

thanks,

jeff

 

[D'Animal]

Send them back and get the next wider size than the one you have.


You can oil them with Mink oil to soften them up and stretch them out. You can also get a boot stretcher the stretch them out in the right area. Most places that do it also do boot repair so they will charge for it.

 

[bigndn]

Are they crazy tight or just slightly tight? If slightly, you can spray the boots at the tight spot with 50/50 rubbing alcohol and water and it will help.

If they're crazy tight, you can't wear them without your feet going numb, take them back, like Dan said.

If you want the fastest way, fill them up with hot water until the water is wicking thru to the outside, it may take 2 fills, and then (with work socks on) lace them up good and wear them until they're dry.

edit: that doesn't work with goretex or the equivalent.

 

[Koffer]

Shoes/boots are the hardest thing for me to buy . I have to try them on . The only time I can do a sight unseen is if I get the same brand, same model and size . Sometimes its a 11 1/2 wide other times 12M or Wide , or could be 11M . Or they just dont feel right in any size could be a crappy steel toe that cuts into the side or top of my foot or too small
On my feet all day I got to find the right ones or working blows all day long

 

[CruisinGA]

I have a pair of irish setters I really like.

Same problem- correct fit in all dimensions except too wide at the ball of the foot. Hafta try the mink oil.

 

[e rock]

Those boots shouldn't require "breaking in". Get the right ones.

 

[bigndn]

Those boots shouldn't require "breaking in". Get the right ones.

Why? Are they soft leather like Danner's?

 

[sirenmoses]

Why? Are they soft leather like Danner's?

My first wildland boots were Irish Setters, no break-in required, very soft leather. Felt like moccasins when I was taking a break from the Whites.

 

[bigndn]

My first wildland boots were Irish Setters, no break-in required, very soft leather. Felt like moccasins when I was taking a break from the Whites.

I have a pair of White's Smokejumpers and a set of Nick's Hot Shots. Love them both for logging and firefighting. Around the property, I'll wear any of my Meindl's from Cabelas, though.

 

[agomez]

My irish setters required no break in all leather though.....

 

[haystax]

Go do some work and quit yer fawkin bitchin'

Everyone has tried to convince me to buy some White's but like bigndn, I'm too spoiled by Meindl's to even try another brand. I've got the White's comboy packs and they only shine as extra counterbalance for sidehilling my sled. You don't want to walk to far but they are damn warm.

I have been very happy with Ariat pull on ropers for summertime, that way I drive the firetruck and let the guys with White's walk and drag hose

 

[jjbodean1970]

went to the red wing store to try some other boots on. dude measured my foot and said a D was the right width, estimated about 3 days of wear would have them fitting like a glove.

what sayeth mud?

 

[jeffj40]

went to the red wing store to try some other boots on. dude measured my foot and said a D was the right width, estimated about 3 days of wear would have them fitting like a glove.

what sayeth mud?

Dude can measure with a NASA micrometer but if they're tight they don't fit. Get a wider size. Shoes shouldn't hurt.... Unless you want to commit some sort of crime cos as we all know "if the boot don't fit yous got to aquit"

 

[bigndn]

went to the red wing store to try some other boots on. dude measured my foot and said a D was the right width, estimated about 3 days of wear would have them fitting like a glove.

what sayeth mud?

Were you wearing the same thickness of socks? All leather boots will stretch a little bit. Would you rather have them fit well when broke in or feel a little loose?

 

[jjbodean1970]

Were you wearing the same thickness of socks? All leather boots will stretch a little bit. Would you rather have them fit well when broke in or feel a little loose?

same socks, i have about 6 pair same ones.

would rather them fit well when broke in obviously, but never really had to break in a new pair of shoes or boots from this kind of starting point, hence my apprehension and need for advice.

 

[AShoe]

I always broke in work boots by wearing them in the shower, walking around till they were dry, then oiling them a couple times. It worked on a couple of pairs of wildland firefighting boots.

 

[jjbodean1970]

I always broke in work boots by wearing them in the shower, walking around till they were dry, then oiling them a couple times. It worked on a couple of pairs of wildland firefighting boots.

hell, thats good enough for me since your name is "ashoe" and all

 

[tcb]

I remember getting to break in a pair of boots on a road march @ ft. benning... my feet looked like hamburger at the end of the day.

I'd get the next bigger size..