Blundstone is reputed for manufacturing durable and high-quality boots. They have a wide range of products, including casual wear, official footwear, and work boots for both men and women.
While the shoes are designed to optimize comfort, you can expect some discomfort before they are officially broken in. Leather boots often feel snug and tight and may cause blisters in the first few weeks. However, there are measures you can take to shorten the painful break-in time.
This article discusses 7 ways to break in your Blundstone boots. It also covers tips for preventing blisters as your break in your new shoes. Without further ado, here is how to break in Blundstone boots.
Wear Thick Socks
When you first buy the shoes, wear them with thick socks every evening for 2-4 hours. Thick socks help to widen the shoes’ fit while protecting your feet’s high-impact areas from bruises.
Walk around the house in the first week before wearing them for a full day. When you start wearing the shoes the entire day, keep wearing them with thick socks until the boots break in entirely.
Bend and Twist the Boots
New Blundstone boots are stiff and rigid. You will be surprised how simply bending and twisting them loosens up the premium leather and sole. Here are the steps to follow:
- Hold the toe side of the shoes with one hand and the heel with the other hand
- Gently twist the shoes as if wringing out clothes
- Then, bend the heel and the toe tip towards each other, front and back
- Repeat the twisting and bending two or three more times
- The shoes should feel less snug when you wear them
- You can immediately wear them with thick socks to encourage further stretching
Apply Leather Conditioner
Apply leather conditioner on your new Blundstone boots before wearing them. The conditioner softens the premium leather, quickening the break-in process. It also helps waterproof the leather shoes and improves their aesthetics and durability. If you let leather shoes stay dry for a long time, they are likely to crack.
Apply Heat to the Shoes
This method works for genuine leather Blundstones only. If the shoes are made of PU leather or a combination of leather and plastic, applying heat will damage them.
Here are the steps for applying heat to your Blundstone leather boots to help break them in.
What You Need
- Blow dryer
- Thick socks
- New Blundstone boots
- Leather conditioner
Steps
- Wear thick or double-layered socks
- Put on your new Blundstone boots
- Power on the blow dryer
- Apply heat on the shoes, a section at a time. Focus on each section for 20-30 seconds
- Walk around with the shoes while they are still warm to help them conform to the shape and size of your foot
- You may need to repeat this process several times until the shoes stretch out to your satisfaction
- Apply leather conditioner. The heat may cause the leather to dry out, and the conditioner moistens it and protects the leather
Apply Stretching Spray
There is a special stretching spray for leather footwear that helps loosen up premium leather. It has a minimal effect, but if your boots are the right size, the little stretch will go a long way in improving the fit of the shoes for your heel and foot and can help you avoid a painful blister.
Apply a generous amount of stretching spray to your Blundstone boots. Wear thick socks, wear the shoes, and walk around in them. As the leather dries up, the shoes will conform to the size and shape of your feet.
Use a Boot Stretcher
If you buy boots often, buying a boot stretcher will prove to be a worthwhile investment as it minimizes the hassle of breaking in new boots. Here is how to use a boot stretcher to break in your new Blundstones.
- Insert the stretcher all the way into your Blundstone boots
- Turn the handles of the boot stretcher in a clockwise direction to open the stretcher
- Keep opening the stretcher until it is snug. You will notice that the shoes begin to bulge outward
- Then, turn it three more times to make it snugger
- Leave the boot stretcher inside the shoes overnight
Take Your Shoes to a Cobbler
If you have tried some of the methods described above for breaking in your Blundstones and they don’t seem to be working, consider taking the shoes to a cobbler. Cobblers have stretching machines that are more effective at expanding the shoes.
Tips for Preventing Blisters as You Break-In Your Blundstone Boots
Ensure the Shoes Are the Right Fit
No matter what measures you take to break into your Blundstone boots, you will not achieve a comfortable fit if they are smaller than your correct size.
When buying Blundstones online, always check the manufacturer’s sizing guidelines. Some shoes fit true to size while others run smaller or bigger. Others have a narrow fit, so you need to compensate by going a size up or down.
Follow the provided instructions for measuring your foot size and compare the dimensions against the sizing chart to find your correct size. It is best to measure your shoe size in the evening when your leg is slightly swollen rather than in the morning.
Protect the High Impact Areas of Your Feet
Since you need to wear your shoes to break them in, it is best to take measures to protect high-impact areas of your feet, such as heels and the top of your toes, from blistering. Aside from wearing double-layered socks or thick socks to avoid a blister, apply emollient, anti-friction balm, or anti-perspiration on these areas. Also, lay moleskin on the inner side of the heel area of the boots.
Minimize Moisture Inside the Boots
Ensure your feet, including the spaces between your toes, are dry before wearing socks. Also, ensure that your socks are dry. If your feet tend to get sweaty, apply talcum powder inside the shoes to enhance moisture absorption.
Conclusion
Most Blundstone boots take some time to break in. However, by applying some of the methods discussed above, you will quicken the break-in time for your new Blundstone boots. In the meantime, take measures to protect your feet against blistering.
Ultimately, always make sure to get the right Blundstone shoes for a faster break-in process and to achieve maximum comfort with your footwear.
