How to break in your fashion combat boots

I’ve always loved fashion combat boots and lace-ups. Because I live in Florida, I’m more used to wearing flip-flops and wedge sandals.

I own cowboy boots and UGG boots, which come in handy during the few cold days we have here.

However, recently I walked into a store and found a great pair of Steve Madden fashion combat boots on sale and I succumbed.

I tried them on and after some deliberation, I sized up.

Once at home, initially super happy with my purchase, I felt I may have made a mistake!

After wearing the boots around the house for a bit and for a quick run to the grocery store, I was sure I would end up with blisters and that they would take forever to break in.

Next to my comfy boots, these felt like torture after a short while. I researched online and most of the tips I found were for real military combat boots.

I wasn’t going to risk ruining my fashion boots by soaking them in water, putting them in the freezer or filling them with wet paper, so this is what I did instead, and I’ve been able to wear them day in, day out, without a problem.

1.- I rubbed the inside with alcohol.-

These boots are made of leather, and I remembered how my grandmother would rub the insides of our leather boots and shoes with alcohol when we were kids.

She claimed this softened the leather and helped avoid blisters. I did it twice inside each boot, until they felt soaked in alcohol.

I insisted on the areas where I felt a bit of pressure: heels and sides (I have bunions!).

2.- I stepped on the heels.-

I picked up this tip from an article on GQ magazine. It worked and it was easy.

I did it several times over the course of a few hours after I’d done the alcohol-rubbing bit.

The heels felt oh so much softer compared to when I first tried on the boots.

3.- I bought a pair of boot socks.-

I bought myself a pair of military boot socks. They worked out perfectly!

They provided cushioning exactly where I needed it: toes and heels. They also helped stretch the boot a bit.

After a couple of hours, I wondered whether the boots now fit too snugly and switched to a regular pair of socks and I felt the boots were too loose. The socks are great!

4.- I adjusted the laces.-

These boots have a side zipper, which is super convenient. But I realized that I could adjust the laces to each foot individually for the utmost comfort.

One of my feet is bigger and wider than the other, so I made sure that when I adjusted the laces, the fit was perfect on each foot, even if they looked slightly different.

5.- I wore the boots in increments.-

I wore them around the house first, then out for errands, and then for a couple of hours and increased that over the span of three days.

I did not get blisters and the boots now feel like I’ve owned them for a long time.

The post contains affiliate links inserted mindfully and hoping they help! Enjoy your boots!

Also read: 7 Shoe brands for feet with bunions

If you’ve recently purchased some stylish combat boots and want to break them in in record time, here’s how! #style #fashion #shoes #boots

Lorraine C. Ladish

Bilingual and bicultural Spanish-American editor, writer, speaker, influencer, yoga teacher (RYT500) wife and mom. Founder of Viva Fifty! Published author of 18 books. Her most recent book Your Best Age was released by HarperCollins in September of 2017.

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