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Tips on breaking in Doc Martens?

Postal workers discussion forum. Discuss the day to day life in a Blue Shirt.
uphillstruggle
Posts: 85
Joined: 28 Aug 2007, 16:18

Re: Tips on breaking in Doc Martens?

Post by uphillstruggle »

I've had some success with cardboard before in shoes with hard heels.
A strip from a cereal box or similar double-sided-taped around the inside of the heel helps prevent heel shredding while you break them in.

Oh, braying the heel with a hammer against a hard surface helps soften them up a bit too.
mazza111
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Re: Tips on breaking in Doc Martens?

Post by mazza111 »

Soap, candle wax or vaseline rubbed on the parts that are rubbing softens the inside of the leather and acts as a barrier between the foot and shoe.

P.S. I wouldn't wear them again until your heel has healed.
coca cola
Posts: 5
Joined: 30 Jul 2009, 04:56
Gender: Male

Re: Tips on breaking in Doc Martens?

Post by coca cola »

Get a hammer and smash the back of the doc martins it def helps :angel
banddy
Posts: 208
Joined: 07 Mar 2010, 16:31
Gender: Male

Re: Tips on breaking in Doc Martens?

Post by banddy »

run them over with your car a few times, so i was advised. i didn't do it and they still hurt. i'm off to get the car keys... :hmmmm
Pegman
Posts: 373
Joined: 27 Aug 2009, 22:41
Gender: Male
Location: The Deep South

Re: Tips on breaking in Doc Martens?

Post by Pegman »

Sherpas Rule wrote:Got a new pair last week, wore them around the house for a few days and then out on delivery on Saturday, could barely walk by the end I was as much pain, they've ripped my heels to shreds!
Had to resort to my magnums today as still in pain! Anyone got any good tips for breaking them in quickly and easily!?
Don't get Doc Martins, I've had two pairs of magnums on the trot, and neither of them needed breaking in.
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Straight4ward
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Re: Tips on breaking in Doc Martens?

Post by Straight4ward »

You’ll either need a strong stomach or a complete lack of smell for this one:

During the advance into Russia in the 2nd World War, German soldiers broke their new boots in by standing them in a bucket of urine for a fortnight. Apparently it leaves the leather extremely supple and soft - - - - -

- - - - - - and It’ll leave you smelling like a tenement stairwell but at least your feet will be nice n’ comfy!

Good luck with this one. LOL
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Stormproof
Posts: 6116
Joined: 07 Jul 2007, 21:03
Gender: Female

Re: Tips on breaking in Doc Martens?

Post by Stormproof »

Someone told me to put them on and then stand in a bowl of water until they are soaked through. Once soaked take them off and allow to dry slowly, not on rad or airing cupboard. Don't know if it works because I were'nt sure if they were winding me up or not :hmmmm

http://www.wikihow.com/Break-in-Your-Doc-Martens" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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TrueBlueTerrier
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Re: Tips on breaking in Doc Martens?

Post by TrueBlueTerrier »

Stormproof wrote:Someone told me to put them on and then stand in a bowl of water until they are soaked through. Once soaked take them off and allow to dry slowly, not on rad or airing cupboard. Don't know if it works because I were'nt sure if they were winding me up or not :hmmmm

http://www.wikihow.com/Break-in-Your-Doc-Martens" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
No that's the method along with Straight4ward urine (your own) I used for all my time in the Mob. You should not get a urine smell as once you have softened them make sure you polish them once or twice a day for a few weeks. The perfume in the polish and its constituents will mask the smell. Also never ever use bright yellow pee for that exact reason.

Forget to add - to aid the natural process of drying get newspaper and roll into balls and put it into the shoe/boot.
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krussel
Posts: 5300
Joined: 26 Jan 2009, 18:03
Gender: Male
Location: Out on the streets.

Re: Tips on breaking in Doc Martens?

Post by krussel »

I ve never had a really comfy pair of RM Doc Martins yet :sad: by the time they were worn in they had already started to split on the crease. A guy at work buys his own private Docs and recons the leather is softer and better quality :hmmmm
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dados
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Re: Tips on breaking in Doc Martens?

Post by dados »

krussel wrote:I ve never had a really comfy pair of RM Doc Martins yet :sad: by the time they were worn in they had already started to split on the crease. A guy at work buys his own private Docs and recons the leather is softer and better quality :hmmmm
& therein lies the problem with all RM workwear,trumpeting about DM's & Magnums is all well & good,but not when they are grade D,or lower,but gotta say the CAT trainers are spot on,but have heard they have been withdrawn(probably too popular & fit for purpose,can't have that,eh,what)
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tonyjkilleen
Posts: 4
Joined: 09 Mar 2010, 14:42
Gender: Male

Re: Tips on breaking in Doc Martens?

Post by tonyjkilleen »

get a tin of dubbin from a camping shop and apply thickly shed loads of the stuff all over the leather uppers, let them soak in by placing shoes on a hot radiator overnight , :nana and rub off excess wax in the morning do this occasionaly for a week and they will be fine ,UNFORTUNATELY MY LAST PAIR ONLY LASTED 2 MONTHS!!!!
lekker
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 364
Joined: 23 Oct 2008, 21:26
Gender: Male

Re: Tips on breaking in Doc Martens?

Post by lekker »

coca cola wrote:Get a hammer and smash the back of the doc martins it def helps :angel

That's exactly what I do to them and as you say it certainly helps :dance
Pegman
Posts: 373
Joined: 27 Aug 2009, 22:41
Gender: Male
Location: The Deep South

Re: Tips on breaking in Doc Martens?

Post by Pegman »

Applied for a new pair of Magnums today, was told I'm only allowed one pair in 9 months, so I asked my DIM if he would like to see me walking walking around in bare feet, RM state you have to wear RM approved footwear so I said it's a health and safety issue, and if I injured myself on my walk I would be suing RM, my new magnums have been ordered, didn't even have to drag the Union or HSE rep in :nana
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Caniel
Posts: 623
Joined: 03 Jul 2009, 18:25
Gender: Female
Location: The Batcave

Re: Tips on breaking in Doc Martens?

Post by Caniel »

Thick socks help and wearing them out and about (like to the shops) before using them on delivery. They will hurt you a bit but give your feet a few days to heal and then you'll be sorted.
k979aaa
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Re: Tips on breaking in Doc Martens?

Post by k979aaa »

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:
Stormproof wrote:Someone told me to put them on and then stand in a bowl of water until they are soaked through. Once soaked take them off and allow to dry slowly, not on rad or airing cupboard. Don't know if it works because I were'nt sure if they were winding me up or not :hmmmm

http://www.wikihow.com/Break-in-Your-Doc-Martens" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
No that's the method along with Straight4ward urine (your own) I used for all my time in the Mob. You should not get a urine smell as once you have softened them make sure you polish them once or twice a day for a few weeks. The perfume in the polish and its constituents will mask the smell. Also never ever use bright yellow pee for that exact reason.

Forget to add - to aid the natural process of drying get newspaper and roll into balls and put it into the shoe/boot.
You are kidding right their again makes me wonder if some of my work colleagues use the same technique!. :Sick