I returned a defective pair of boots back to the manufacturer and they sent me a new pair. The only issue is the defective pair was an under the ankle pair and the new pair is an over the ankle pair. I have never had an over the ankle pair of boots. For people in the GRM hive that wear over the ankle boots, what is a reasonable break in period for them? These have felt weird so far..
It depends on the construction but mine only start to get real comfortable after a couple of weeks.
Days, weeks, months, depends on the boots and how often you wear it... Doc Martens took forever for me. During break-ins, I also wear wrist sport bands on the area where the top of the boots would rub and the socks is not enough to protect the skin.
If they are leather, treating them with mink oil on the outside can help to soften them up. It may take a month for your feet to adjust, just don't wear them every single day to give your ankles a rest. I love my linesman's boots from Red Wing, but I can't wear them every day. 
A couple weeks typically. put on extra socks and lace em up daily.
Yeah, I'm in them and on my feet 10-18hrs a day. They'll take much longer to break in if you don't wear them every day.
If the old ones were under the ankle weren't thy shoes? What is an under the ankle boot?
You start out with soft feet and tough boots and end with tough feet and soft boots. You might consider wearing sock liners if you are getting blisters. I find that you might have a good results by replacing the insoles with gel soles/inserts. I just broke in a new pair of boots and it took about a week of wearing them everyday.
If I buy a set of boots and they hurt/rub/chafe as I'm walking out of the store, they go back. Yes, they will break in and get softer. No, they should not hurt, even hard as a rock.
When breaking in new shoes, I have found this stuff to help: http://www.drugstore.com/band-aid-active-friction-block-stick/qxp163404
T.J. wrote: If the old ones were under the ankle weren't thy shoes? What is an under the ankle boot?
what he said...
my current boots- Red Wing composite toes- are the most expensive pieces of clothing i've ever bought at $160 for the pair. they were comfortable out of the box, and still feel awesome almost 2 years later.. and other than some scuffing where i kick stuff from time to time (composite toes, so why wouldn't i?) and soem staining from the coolant in the CNC, they still look pretty damn good..
Under the ankle boots are shorter length boots and over the ankle boots are the longer length ones.
I used to know a guy that broke his boots in wet. He would soak them in a buck until saturated. Put them on and wear them dry. Said it made for the most comfortable boot ever because it would be form fitted to the foot and ankle. I was never brave enough to try it.
Mine break in time usually take weeks. I keep my old pair with me and change when I can't stand it anymore. Eventually the new pair is as comfortable as the old.
Toyman01 wrote: I used to know a guy that broke his boots in wet. He would soak them in a buck until saturated. Put them on and wear them dry. Said it made for the most comfortable boot ever because it would be form fitted to the foot and ankle. I was never brave enough to try it. Mine break in time usually take weeks. I keep my old pair with me and change when I can't stand it anymore. Eventually the new pair is as comfortable as the old.
I have done this when I was on Active Duty in the Army. Fill the bathtub up, soak the boots and then put them on. It does work well.
Mine are four years old and very comfy. I wear them every day. 
Usually about a week and a half to two weeks for these tactical boots. I always add a gel insert. Boots are all different.
Toyman01 wrote: I used to know a guy that broke his boots in wet. He would soak them in a buck until saturated. Put them on and wear them dry. Said it made for the most comfortable boot ever because it would be form fitted to the foot and ankle.
I've done similar, just hiked through very swampy areas.
Can't wait until my current crop of boots and shoes wears out so I can justify a pair of these: http://www.wwiiimpressions.com/newusarmyfootwear.html
I may be spoiled rotten but all my boots are Red Wings (ie: Multiple pairs). You get what you pay for.
Wear em with a good thick sock. Not every day but around the house a bit, a trip to the store, etc. They will take a bit but once they are broken in ahhhhh nothing better then slipping your foot into a boot.
Truth be told I hardly wear anything but boots anymore. All day comfort, great support, great grip/ sole, and I can do everything in them. Its worth the cost.
I think my next pair will be redwings' my usual boots are more expensive but they don't seem to be holding up the way they used to.
I wear Bates. 
I usually wear them to work and around town to break in. I have tried the soak and walk until dry method, it works but I do not like wet feet all day. I treat mine regularly with Sno-Seal. I have 2 pairs of White's Hathorn Sportsmen. They are comfortable and the company gives outstanding service. My boots are shown below.
http://www.whitesboots.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29878
I SO misread the thread subject and was very confused for the few seconds until I read it again... 
I used to soak all my new MX boots in water then wear them on a long trail ride. Do this maybe twice and they were good to go. I learned the hard way do NOT store them where the upper part can lean forward, the 'ridge' developed would make the top of my feet bleed.
You might also ask this guy:
I keep reading "boobs", not "boots".
Rusted_Busted_Spit wrote:Toyman01 wrote: I used to know a guy that broke his boots in wet. He would soak them in a buck until saturated. Put them on and wear them dry. Said it made for the most comfortable boot ever because it would be form fitted to the foot and ankle. I was never brave enough to try it. Mine break in time usually take weeks. I keep my old pair with me and change when I can't stand it anymore. Eventually the new pair is as comfortable as the old.I have done this when I was on Active Duty in the Army. Fill the bathtub up, soak the boots and then put them on. It does work well.
sounds like a good way to get em comfortable quickly... my dad found me some military issue combat boots back in the early 90's... seems a few of them got left after Just Cause in Panama... a number of years later I wore them every day while working in the back of Chick-fil-a as a closer, daily ware plus soaking them for deck cleaning the kitchen floor every night made them one of the most comfortable shoes I ever had... it took forever to get them laced up though... sadly my idiot brother-in-law who has feet 2 sizes larger than I "borrowed" them for Halloween... those few hrs ruined them and they ended up in the trash :-/... no i'm not bitter or anything...
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