Your probably a half size, put in doctor Sholes and wear a pair of work socks they should fit after that that's what I did and they feel like a dream now
I'm so happy an educated expert, a professional, is finally creating content around Docs. Most Doc content is usually just fans with uninformed opinions taken from hand-me-down myths and advice. Thank you for your work. Have you been posting this to the Doc Martens subreddit? I feel like those folks could benefit from it.
*I TRIED THIS!* I just bought a new pair of doc jadons and I smothered them in the same mink oil - inside and out (made sure not to get it on the soles). I applied the heat on low with a blow dryer before oiling them, and then set then near my wood stove in my house just to keep them warm and let the oil set in. I DIDN’T EVEN WEAR THEM. I left them there for a few days. Applied oil again a second and third time whenever I saw it was pretty absorbed. Today I wore them for the first time and they were SO SURPRISINGLY COMFY! This hack works. 💯 Thank you so much for sharing!! My boots feel so flexible/pliable now. I was worried because of all the reviews saying they hurt so bad breaking in, but I didn’t even experience that. 🙌🏼
Did yours feel wayyyyyyy to tight in beginning I can't even wear mine over 10 min cause I need to try this but I have a problem am I good to apply mink if I already tried wonder balsam
I got my first pair of Docs in 1980. We had to get friends to bring them over from England a pair at a time, as there were no local dealers in Boston. The one ultimate trick to breaking them in is simple: wear plastic bags over your socks for the first week or so. This will make your foot slide in the boot without chaffing against the leather. No blisters, and the boot leather gets a good work out, moving and bending more as you walk around. It's actually very comfortable, and doesn't hinder your walking at all. The only thing to watch is to change socks more frequently as your feet won't breathe well in the plastic. Trust me, this is the secret that helped me break in many a pair over the years.
Having that problem now. Like it's the worst. I'm like " how can I break them in if I literally feel like the top of my foot is bruised after a few hrs lmao
@@brittanymcneely6109 keep wearing them. Wear a thick sock too, it'll feel counterintuitive as it feels tighter but it'll stretch the leather faster. After you've broken in a pair they will be about 1/2 a size larger than when you first got them. Completely normal for them to be tight across the top to begin with. Use a leather moisturiser on the inside and the outside of the boot, especially where it hurts. Keep them warm and keep them stuffed when not wearing them. I work for DM and get this question a lot and I've also broken in a lot of boots. Keep with it
@@skeg8599 so they're not too small? the only pain i have on both is the top of the foot just near where the laces start. i've conditioned and just walked around the house. should i just band-aid it and use it normally until it shapes or keep conditioning and heating? thanks for your help.
@@sKiiTs8 that's actually completely normal. They always feel tight there to start. Wear some thick socks and band aid if needed, keep moisturising them. The more you stretch them out the comfier it'll get. It does take perseverance though. As long as your toes aren't getting crushed at the end of the shoe, if they feel tight on the top that is fine. If you got them too big it'll actually hurt more in the long run because the shoe/boot will slip around on your foot and cause blisters. And they'll only stretch anyway so the problem would get worse. Hope that helps
This is golden. Worked for my 2976 Doc Martens (Chelsea boots made of brown horse leather). I used pasty mink oil and a hair dryer, and repeated the process you described in the video around three times alternating it with walking in/wearing the boots with thick socks on. Literally from the next day onwards, I was finally able to finally wear my boots completely pain-free in any kind of socks. 🎉 Thank you so much for sharing this method! 🙏
i'm looking for advice before wearing my new pair and there is honestly a video in the top results when you look for "doc martens break in" with a hammer on the boot in the thumbnail.
VosQuiTransitis since posting this, I’ve also seen videos where that actually seems to work. 😳. I’m planning to buy some this fall and the hammer suddenly appeals to me lol 😂
Hammer them while you're wearing them in the shower. That way your feet will hurt from the hammering, not from the stiffness of the leather. #yourewelcome
Please make a video on how to distinguish high and low-quality leather products. And it also would be nice to know how to look after leather bags, boots, jackets, etc. Thanks.
DanielG0m3z same I just bought a pair of light coloured work shoes that are *really* stiff. But I really love the colour so I haven’t even worn them yet until I can figure it out.
well yeah most people like docs and its something people are interested in. it's like car videos all the popular car get views compared to some 2006 honda civic
I remember when I was little, my parents would take me to the shoe shop to get a new pair of shoes, and the salesman would always use a shoe-horn to put the new shoes on. I have adopted that practice, and especially with Doc Martens, I have found it very helpful in putting them on, and saving the wear and tear on the heel as you put them on and take them off. Makes it very much easier when you don't have to yank and pull at them to get them on. Just wanted to share that with you all
I think you should have compared it with another method of breaking it in. Would love to see a comparison of the mink oil vs Dr. Martens wonder balsam or other similar material.
Back in my Army days, I did pretty much the same mixing warm mink and neatsfoot oil and saturating my combat boots. They fit like a glove afterward and were fairly water repellent. Only downside was the could not be shined, so they were relegated to field duty only.
Listen to everything Rose Anvil says and follow his instructions, this is the greatest way I have ever found to break in Doc's. Not saying that Wonder Balsam doesn't work, but this is a much better way. I have many pairs of Doc's, pretty much all I wear and have a pair of 1460 "Rock and Roll's" or "Rockabillie's" which were made out of a much thicker leather and I just could not get them tamed. I followed the Mink Oil trick and completely doused them inside and out let them sit for 2 days, wearing them for 3 days and repeating the process 3 times. Now they are as comfortable as fur-lined slippers. Thanks so much Rose Anvil for turning me on to this process as I was about ready to give up on one of my favorite pairs.
I tried this and it worked great! So glad you made this video. I would definitely recommend this method to anyone who is curious about whether or not it's a good idea etc... super easy, just oiled them a few times during the week and they are broken in after only like 2 weeks of wear EDIT: the boots I am referring the Jadon (docs)
All I can say is “thank you” Bought the Jadon Max in a size 7 women’s. Right foot fit perfectly but the left one was tight around the big toe and where the tongue meets the toe box. Rubbed the oil on them, sat them in front of our space heater on medium for about 30 minutes and now the left fits just as well as the right! If anyone is still having a bit of a problem, grab a set of boot stretchers and pop them in after you’ve oiled and warmed the boots a bit.
I've got the same he has in the video. The left isn't too bad but the right has the top of my foot in agony. I have THE FLATTEST feet so I'm surprised the top part of the boot makes it hurt so bad
I had been wearing a pair of $42 second-hand leather army boots that I'd oil every couple weeks, and they finally started to tear after 7 years of everyday wear. Really goes to show how taking care of leather makes a huge difference. Thanks for the vid, I'll be testing this technique on my new pair!
@@Bakanelli Well I wash my boots after hiking, and when you let them dry afterwards, even at room temp, the leather looses moisture through evaporation, so I imagine they would have been pretty cracked and possibly flaking, around the points of articulation around toes? The oil kept them supple, but I think it was only a matter of time until the material gradually weakened and tore over time and use lol.
I literally needed this so bad. I was scared that the boots were too small. But its really just the top of my foot thats uncomfortable. My foot is so sore after a day of trying to break my docs in that I can't wear them daily like I planned to when purchasing these expensive ass boots lol. I'm so happy you had the same problem, seeing as I've I wanted these boots for so long and now I know they aren't too small. Just difficult to break in lol.
Almost all boots like this are tight at the top, I made the rookie mistake of wearing mine on a plane trip before I wore them in and oh boy. I have wide feet too, the lady I bought them from warned me against getting the ones two sizes bigger than the size I actually needed because I didn't realise that you buy them based on the length from your heel to your toe, not the fit of the top. I broke them in traditionally and it took about a month and a half before they were super comfy
@Amelia Rodriguez did you end up exchanging them or were you able to break them in? I'm a women's size 7 and got a 6 and they rub the sides of my pinky toes... should I just get a 7?
I bought a size down because i’m a half size. They got here and I couldn’t even sit with my feet in them without them hurting so bad. I watched this video and thought i’d try it out so i ordered this product. I was expecting it to not do much and I was worried I had bought the wrong size. I did this exact method and I’m in shock. The boots are so much more comfortable. It was like magic before my eyes. WOULD RECOMMEND. Will be doing this to all my boots now.
Thank you for the tutorial! I tried this and wore my docs for an entire week after they’re so much more comfortable! My boots were shiny from the oil after like two days but they returned back to matte soon after. They’re still not fully broken into yet but my feet hurt less and leather feels more malleable and conforms to my feet better! I’d still recommend tight lacing your docs though but it’s much more comfortable after doing this method :-)
I just tried this on a brand new pair of greasy leather Solovairs - two coats last night, walked in them for about half an hour today, and another coat tonight. They are already far far softer and more comfortable than when I got them yesterday. I've wanted to get these boots for a couple of years after seeing your videos on them and this one, and I'm glad I finally sprung for them.
Lacing is crucial in breaking in DM’s and also maintains their shape. Straight laced with diagonal under, as everyone in the U.K. laced them for decades. I can see you wised up to that method by the end of the video.
Thank you for making this video! I've broken in a fair few pairs of Docs over the years but it never gets any easier. You would think my feet would have hardened to them but nope, a new pair are absolutely agony to break in! I have just used your technique on a pair I've had for at least 6 years and have tried my hardest to wear them as long as possible but gave up each time after a couple of hours as they were too painful. Thanks to you I've managed to wear them for a full day with only minimal discomfort!! It truly does work. The difference I felt wearing them after coating them in the mink oil was instantly noticeable. Again, thank you so much!!
so glad that someone who understands leather is making videos like these- really helpful and instructional video, will definitely be using this technique when i get my MiE docs in a couple weeks!
it's important to know that it's better to straight lace instead of X (cross) lace them when breaking in, as they can be cinched up way better. I noticed you were putting them on cross laced, then when you did the review at the end they were straight laced. How you lace them up has a big impact on how they break in.
After 1 week of oiling and walking my docs now are breaked in perfect. Thank you SOO much! I think this was way faster than would have been any other options.
I literally had to wear mine for a year.... and they bruised the top of my fat foot.... but now that I’ve wore them for like three years they fit like a glove!
I've been wearing Doc Martens for 35 years I have them in every color imaginable I absolutely love them I even got my daughter wearing them when she was only two years old she's been wearing them ever since
I am doing this now, with a sprayed on mink oil with a hairdryer on a 30cm distance. I do 5 mins warming the boots and then rubbing the oil. Then to the other boot. Then repeat the steps. Then I do another 10 mins warming it. Then I let it sit for 2-3 hours. Now I’m touching them again and I could see such a huge difference!! It’s insane that this method works really well. Thank you! I think I will enjoy using the boots!
This reminds me of the time I bought a vintage pair of Frye boots from the late 70's off eBay. They arrived looking new as expected but wearing them they had an awful creaking sound that wouldn't go away. Figured the leather sole was too dry sitting unused for 30+ years. I poured Fiebings Neatsfeat in a bucket big enough to set the boots in, and deep enough to reach the top of the leather soles. Left them in it for a day or 2. Yep, it worked. 😂 But it created up and darked the boots, so I had to apply the stuff to the whole boot. Thankfully they look better darker. 😂 Years later the soles still seem a little wet. 😂🤣
Heating certainly helps a lot! Then I also would apply a good and thin leather conditioner to my new leather boots or shoes to soften and condition their leather and let the leather absorb it. I do not use a thin conditioner if I do not want the leather to darken. Then I moisten some thicker socks than these boots/shoes intended to be worn with in just a bit of strong vodka or 70% rubbing alcohol. The amount you use depends on the thickness of the leather, and then wear shoes/boots in a house for an hour or two until the socks are almost dry. Do not try to walk a lot right away: let alcohol vapor get into the leather first. You also can put on a dry pair of thick socks after you took off your socks that are still slightly moist and wear your boots some more time to allow the dry socks to absorb the remains of alcohol and water from the leather. Then try them with the kinds of socks these shoes/boots were intended to be worn. I also massage the leather of shoes/boots with my hands to soften the leather. Sometimes you might need to repeat the whole process if the shoes are not yet broken in the way you like them because you used too little vodka or allowed too short a time for the procedure. You would be amazed how quickly and painlessly you will break in even the most stubborn boots. This method allows for saving your time and avoiding blisters and such.
Thank you! as a motorcycle mechanic I bought a pair for work and they were cool for about a a week until my left pinky toe started to pinch so bad that I have to put some extra padding in there. Definitely gonna try the mink oil 👌
I always wanted some docs. Last year I finally got myself some and wore them two days. I hated the hard unwearable leather. Finally I can do something to wear them! Thank you so much
Great videos man! I wish you were around 10 years ago when I bought a ton of boots, and didn’t know what the heck I was doing. Keep this channel going. Good stuff.
Great video! One thing to note though. The mink oil in addition to darkening the color, also makes the boot lose it's ''posture'' and makes it just loose and bumby. More so than suffering the month or two and just breaking in the parts of the boot that are getting the most work while walking. But like you said you like them with a well worn look. Def not that big of a deal with a black boot but a lighter color boot might end up looking a little baggy.
4:57 This. I had just finally blown out a pair of work boots after beating the hell out of them for three years. Got a new pair, still not broken in yet, and I had an interview with a masonry company and I got roasted by the owner...
Also one day a video on alternative brands from the luxury brands. Luxury brands arnt as good as bespoken brands, so what's the wallet and belt and jacket and boots and dress shoes we SHOULD be getting!!!
Great! I just came back to say IT WORKED. (Did have only shoe creme with 5% of mink oil in it and hair drier for 3 min on each boot.) Squashed them up for 10 minutes and left for 2 days in a plastic bag. ( Another method is Wraping boot in a towel and light tapping on hard places of the leather work too!!!). Soft as never before!!!
I followed the instructions to the letter (however using non-mink leather oil) and - by God - they work. The discomfort I felt in mine boots was literally oiled away instantly. Well done!
You saved my feet with this video. I live in Denmark, but managed to find the exact brand of liquid mink oil and tried out your method on a brand new pair of Red Wing Blacksmiths. They were REALLY tight when I first tried them on, but with this method, they were totally comfortable within a day of wearing them, no blisters - nothing. You my man are a legend👍
may i ask how many bootles (240ml ones) you used for a pair of boots? Cause he git 2 standing around and i want to break in my solovair ones (he leather is stiff af) but dont want to order either too little or too much of it.
Works pretty well. After one week of wearing them and using mink oil, they are pretty comfortable now. Thanks for the video and greetings from Germany.
I used to wear the old school hiking boots in the 80’s. When they were brand new I used Dubbin on them to waterproof them. After applying the Dubbin I used to place then in a aluminum tray in the oven so the oil sunk in. First time I did it my parents thought I was crazy. I left them in just a few minutes. After that the Dubbin was sealed into the boots. It helped breaking them in as well. I just tossed those boots 4 years ago. I wish they still made Hiking Boots like that.
I would defiantly enjoy learning about the different types of leather. Whats the difference between the higher end leathers used in boots like roughout leather and there durability's. Thank you. I really enjoy your content so far.
Most full grain leather used to make boots are the inside(flesh side) of the skin showing. Rough out is the outside(hair side) of the skin showing. As you could imagine the outside is a lot tougher because its grown to protect the animal. However because it's the outer layer, it sees the most scaring, stretching, and abuse. This is why it's so rough looking and is a casual leather.
down here in Guatemala, whenever my parents bought me real leather shoes for my school uniform they'd just fill them with corn seeds and leave it for a day or two haha
Wtf and it worked!? my dad is from Michoacán and he just tells me to wear the crap out of them. I just bought a pair of the Chelsea boots doc martens make they are a pain. Might try that method
I recently bought 2 pairs of boots. One is the Solovair in gaucho leather, so there are no problems there, the other from Brandit, the Phantom 10 hole. It was hard to believe this is actually cow hide. As the looked great but would not take any dubbin and after watching your Dr. Martin videos it made me think they are all PU on the outside. And yes, they were dirt cheap. Last night, I rubbed some Kaps mink oil into the inside and this morning the same with a little pre warming. Wow, what a difference it has made. It's starting to feel like leather. Thanks for the good boot videos. ❤
One of the techniques that works the best for me is wearing your boots right after you cleaned them and this technique works pretty much with any kind of leather
Every pair of Doc's I've owned wore them in the shower then let them dry on.my feet. Mink oil or dm's wonder balsam after they were dry. Broken in a 2-3 days.
just take your docs into the pit you know get on Facebook check your local police station just find a flyer for the nearest punk rock show go and make sure that's a really rocking band and just get in the pit for like I don't know 5, 6, 12 hours just 12 hours of straight pitting just get in there and really fuck up those boots & really just really break them in
I’m giving this technique a go! I’ve worn my new Docs for three days and they aren’t too terribly uncomfortable but my right leg hurts where the top of the boot hits it, when it hits it. Looks like good stuff and Fiebing’s is a great brand! I hope this all goes according to plan 😂
been binge watching your videos today ! just ordered a pair of 1460 nappa leather docs .. cant wait to get them !! thanks for keeping me company today man!
Mink oil works faster but there are alternatives. Go to your local footwear store. Neetsfoot oil is one I've seen for boots. Dont use olive oil. It can go rancid and make your boots stink.
A little something to mention concerning your evaluation test is that the left and right boots can vary noticeably in terms of the leather quality. They don't necessarily use leather from the same hide for the right and the left boots . .So i have in fact a pair of doc martens that always have had same treatment but the left shoe leather is in much better shape than the right shoe . I.got another brand of boots and it's the same story .
Same! I felt I was wearing plastic shoes out of the box. After the first treatment, it felt already like stiff leather. Wore them 1 hour in the house. Second treatment and nobody would believe I was happily wearing new Dr Martens. 😊🥳 Tip : Couldn't find mink oil where I am, but simply used saddle oil.
I haven't read all the comments here so excuse me if someone's already brought this up. You used mink oil both on the inside and outside of the boot, so if you want to preserve the colour of pale-coloured boots, could you oil the insides only? Or would it soak through to the outside?
Thanks for the vid......I use Huberd's shoe grease or for lighter care Huberd's shoe oil....also great for break-in , been using this stuff for 45 years without any complaints from my boots, shoe or my feet :)
I wear Red Wing Iron Rangers. They are pretty tough to break in. I gave them mink oil from day one. But still my ankles hurt the first couple of weeks. But just put on some nice thick boot socks, and you will get through it. It was really worth it. Now they are very comfortable, and I think they will last a lot longer than a pair of Dr Martens. But I do like how the Dr Martens look, and the history of the brand. I look forward to your next video 👍
@@aportilla007 , from another Alex P: you are so right. Docs are not comparable to anything Red Wing puts out. I consider Docs more like "the tennis shoe of boots" really. Just snagged my very first pair of Docs now, at age 52, after being a Red Wing guy for 30 years. They're basically my "tennis shoe" bootwear. I do like them, but they're not even close in quality to the Iron Rangers (which I also have and love. They're my magnificent beasts.) Check out his video where he cuts into Docs and shows us how shoddily they are made, especially the ones made in Thailand. But even the UK boots....no shank, no cork, nothing. Just good, cool, hip looks.
I have a pair of doc jadons and they are the stiffest things ever, I’ve been trying to break them in for over a month and still are so stiff. Ordered the mink oil and can’t wait to see/feel the difference!!
How can I soften up white doc martins? The tops of my feet right where the laces start are so painful when wearing these docs that I literally just never wear them. But I don’t want the white leather to turn brown from mink oil so what on earth is a girl to do? Is getting them professional stretched out an option?
Hmmmmmm!!! Nick's Boots absolutely cautions against the use any oil or conditioner on their boots during break-in. I can see how your technique produces an easy break-in, but I also respect Nick's expert's suggestion. So, whatz the difference and why does Nick take the opposite stance? -Thankx
the difference is in the type of leather. the reason nicks cautions against it is because conditioner softens the leather a lot, and if its still stiff and can break if its doing a lot of heavy work, which docs aren't meant for. this will work for 99.9 percent of boots. you can do it for nicks too, but i wouldn't if you're trying to do heavy work in them.
@@RoseAnvil would plain coconut oil suffice? or jojoba oil? (jojoba is expensive, but have a lot on hand for my beard) … or something like the chamberlain leather milk you reviewed?
Omg you are a foot saver. I thought my foot wasnt made for my docs especially on the top where I had the most issues, they were super tight and uncomfortable after two hours of wear. I got them last christmas and i was still trying to break them in! I ordered the mink order just now, thanks! I'll let u k ow how it went!
@@RoseAnvil Hey it's me! So I used the mink oil on my boots and the difference is noticeable! The top part is a lot more wearable and while there is slight tightness around the side which I'm sure will stretch out in time my boots are useable more than ever! I will also use it on a pair of tall boots on the calf part! Thanks a lot!
This process worked beautifully! I used it on a new pair of 1460 crazy horse aztecs . They came shipped in a really dark brown and not the nice lighter distressed color as did the second pair I ordered which they were on sale with Docs online. By the second day ad after 3 rounds of heavy soaking Insides leather and outside as well as heat treating they tend to soften quickly. Thanks for the great show keep it up!
Think you overdid the mink OIL, bub. You basically broke down the toughness quality of the Leather, and saturated them with a lot of oil that will shorten the life of the boot. They look like saggy patent leather, and that stuff will leak into the welt stitching, loosen it up, and lead to all kinds of microbial gunkiness. Use the mink oil on on 'hot spots' , and allow your feet to guide you. Also, get 2 sets of quality insoles, and switch them out every so often, as well as clean dry and comfortable socks. Wear them, and theyll break in, just for YOU!
You sound like a guy with experience...! May I ask a guestion - do you recommend rubbing any oil into the leather at all? And do you think I could use olive oil if that's the case? I know it's no pain no gain but I got two relatively new pairs of Docs so I'm hoping I can speed up the break in phase a little bit faster somehow
Very interesting technique! Thanks for the video, Rose Anvil. Does it have to be mink oil? Do other oils work? Do you also need to break in vegan boots? Cheers, Govind
I just bought the same boots in the video and I wore it for the first time yesterday, my feet and the boots are still recovering.....one thing for sure, I'm no longer afraid of walking alone in dark when I have Dr. Marten over my feet....creepy people don't even messing with you when they see those hard ass boots
Good thinking on applying the oil INSIDE the boot. Just did that with cosmetic grade avocado oil (it’s all I have on hand) on a brand new pair of made in China Jadons. I focused on that fold in the tongue that digs into the top of your foot and the Achilles area. It softened it up right away! Didn’t use a heater but I’m sure that would have helped a lot. Tbh I never considered buying doc martens because I hear the break-in period is terrible and that they’re low quality lol but this vid sold me. I figure if I can break them in and last me for a few seasons, it's good enough for me. Hahaha Thanks for your awesome content!
Yes, please! People are especially complaining about the "Vintage Made in England" soles which has been stopping me from buying them. I'm actually considering the Dublin Docs since the some seems to be different but I want to make sure they're really worth the money.
Im on my first pair of Doc Martens. Had various Ranger Boots before them. Anyone who complains about Doc Martens really should wear some Angry Itch/Bondage London rangers. Puts things into perspective xD
I just got these boots and literally can’t wear them, it fits my feet except the top part. The top made my foot go numb 😰 definitely gonna buy some of this! Thank you!!
After your Docs, you can start breaking in a Rose Anvil wallet - bit.ly/3XHs6CL
“I hate wearing boots that are brand new, I feel so silly in them”. I felt that.
Haha yes
??????
I'm feeling him, I bought me some new docs, and I'm like: wow such a difference between my old ones and the new ones. I walk like a robot
Its like the opposite of white forces
same lol
See I just let my docs rub the shit out of my feet until they submitted to me
Ha ha ha
They don’t submit to you. Your feet submit to them.
The wonder balsam seems to have an effect
They didn't fit then.
Your probably a half size, put in doctor Sholes and wear a pair of work socks they should fit after that that's what I did and they feel like a dream now
I'm so happy an educated expert, a professional, is finally creating content around Docs. Most Doc content is usually just fans with uninformed opinions taken from hand-me-down myths and advice. Thank you for your work. Have you been posting this to the Doc Martens subreddit? I feel like those folks could benefit from it.
You’re welcome! Thanks for the support. I didn’t even know they had a forum for that ha ha
For real! I'm planning to buy Dr Martens and the leather comparison video really helped me to make a choice.
@@bubbles-1020 that's exactly how I found this video. I was debating buying vintage or buying new and found these videos!
@@tinamarie2121 Yeah, I personally want the Horween ones so bad but they don't sell them in the EU stores anymorr. Too bad I don't live in America.
@@andrewfanelli666 are you sure its the best idea to expose people to "fandoms" ? Most fandoms don't like different opinions...
I’ve had my docs for 20 years and they still aren’t broken in. I’m trying this.
Fam did you accidentally get the limited edition ones made of actual concrete instead of leather? Easy mistake to make
Well you’ve gotta wear them silly
WakandaForevar you don’t wear them enough 🤷🏻♀️
Alex Garcia that’s weird because mine are pretty much broken in in just in two or three months
@@goregore6259 i also did like in two months, but i even used them to run and shit
*I TRIED THIS!* I just bought a new pair of doc jadons and I smothered them in the same mink oil - inside and out (made sure not to get it on the soles). I applied the heat on low with a blow dryer before oiling them, and then set then near my wood stove in my house just to keep them warm and let the oil set in. I DIDN’T EVEN WEAR THEM. I left them there for a few days. Applied oil again a second and third time whenever I saw it was pretty absorbed. Today I wore them for the first time and they were SO SURPRISINGLY COMFY! This hack works. 💯 Thank you so much for sharing!! My boots feel so flexible/pliable now. I was worried because of all the reviews saying they hurt so bad breaking in, but I didn’t even experience that. 🙌🏼
Did yours feel wayyyyyyy to tight in beginning I can't even wear mine over 10 min cause I need to try this but I have a problem am I good to apply mink if I already tried wonder balsam
I have this same problem. I think you can maybe let the wonder balsam soak in and then do the mibk@@ADmuskratHD
I got my first pair of Docs in 1980. We had to get friends to bring them over from England a pair at a time, as there were no local dealers in Boston. The one ultimate trick to breaking them in is simple: wear plastic bags over your socks for the first week or so. This will make your foot slide in the boot without chaffing against the leather. No blisters, and the boot leather gets a good work out, moving and bending more as you walk around. It's actually very comfortable, and doesn't hinder your walking at all. The only thing to watch is to change socks more frequently as your feet won't breathe well in the plastic. Trust me, this is the secret that helped me break in many a pair over the years.
How do you make sure the plastic bag doesn't slip off your foot? Elastic band?
Soon as you said “the top of my foot hurt” I was nodding in agreement and the memory of it was felt in my feet.
Having that problem now. Like it's the worst. I'm like " how can I break them in if I literally feel like the top of my foot is bruised after a few hrs lmao
@@brittanymcneely6109 keep wearing them. Wear a thick sock too, it'll feel counterintuitive as it feels tighter but it'll stretch the leather faster. After you've broken in a pair they will be about 1/2 a size larger than when you first got them. Completely normal for them to be tight across the top to begin with.
Use a leather moisturiser on the inside and the outside of the boot, especially where it hurts.
Keep them warm and keep them stuffed when not wearing them.
I work for DM and get this question a lot and I've also broken in a lot of boots.
Keep with it
@@skeg8599 so they're not too small? the only pain i have on both is the top of the foot just near where the laces start. i've conditioned and just walked around the house. should i just band-aid it and use it normally until it shapes or keep conditioning and heating? thanks for your help.
@@sKiiTs8 that's actually completely normal. They always feel tight there to start. Wear some thick socks and band aid if needed, keep moisturising them. The more you stretch them out the comfier it'll get. It does take perseverance though.
As long as your toes aren't getting crushed at the end of the shoe, if they feel tight on the top that is fine.
If you got them too big it'll actually hurt more in the long run because the shoe/boot will slip around on your foot and cause blisters. And they'll only stretch anyway so the problem would get worse.
Hope that helps
can I use mink oil on the white color boots?
I agree, brand new Docs look weird to me. They don’t look appealing. Always love how they look creased.
Amen!
yeah i’m wearing brand new ones and they just look wrong
clem fandango seriously thought buying them used but with method I just might get a new pair!
clem fandango my vegan Jadons are taking a while to break in. Got insoles for them the other days so hopefully that will help
clem fandango i bought mine 2 months ago and i can’t wait for them to get older i look like a clown 😞
This is golden. Worked for my 2976 Doc Martens (Chelsea boots made of brown horse leather). I used pasty mink oil and a hair dryer, and repeated the process you described in the video around three times alternating it with walking in/wearing the boots with thick socks on. Literally from the next day onwards, I was finally able to finally wear my boots completely pain-free in any kind of socks. 🎉 Thank you so much for sharing this method! 🙏
I'm glad to see this! I just got a pair of black chelsea docs and they kill the bridge of my feet
Do you think paste will work better with chelsea?
I just got the 2976 too. Will do the same
“Wear them in the shower-beat it with a hammer” almost took me out lol. 🤣
i'm looking for advice before wearing my new pair and there is honestly a video in the top results when you look for "doc martens break in" with a hammer on the boot in the thumbnail.
VosQuiTransitis since posting this, I’ve also seen videos where that actually seems to work. 😳. I’m planning to buy some this fall and the hammer suddenly appeals to me lol 😂
no but actually, wear them in the shower. for real 😅
Hammer them while you're wearing them in the shower.
That way your feet will hurt from the hammering, not from the stiffness of the leather. #yourewelcome
Please make a video on how to distinguish high and low-quality leather products. And it also would be nice to know how to look after leather bags, boots, jackets, etc. Thanks.
That’s a good idea
@@RoseAnvil I would love to see a video like that too!
@@RoseAnvil and also on how to look after boots without altering their colour
DanielG0m3z same
I just bought a pair of light coloured work shoes that are *really* stiff.
But I really love the colour so I haven’t even worn them yet until I can figure it out.
Dont buy leather. Buy VEGAN.
For someone who seems to not like dr martens you sure make alot of videos about them lol
Ha ha valid
Hipsters paying his bills
They get the views.
well yeah most people like docs and its something people are interested in. it's like car videos all the popular car get views compared to some 2006 honda civic
At the beginning didn’t he say he’s had tons of pairs lol if you hated them I don’t think you’d keep buying them
Best method ever. Tried on my new Doc and after 2 days they feel more comfortable than my over 10 years old broken by just walking in them. Thank you!
Awesome I’m glad it helped
"Here’s my brand new pair of boots, look at these" I felt that...
It’s the worst right?!
I remember when I was little, my parents would take me to the shoe shop to get a new pair of shoes, and the salesman would always use a shoe-horn to put the new shoes on. I have adopted that practice, and especially with Doc Martens, I have found it very helpful in putting them on, and saving the wear and tear on the heel as you put them on and take them off. Makes it very much easier when you don't have to yank and pull at them to get them on. Just wanted to share that with you all
I think you should have compared it with another method of breaking it in. Would love to see a comparison of the mink oil vs Dr. Martens wonder balsam or other similar material.
That’s a good idea
I agree. Thats what I was thinking the whole time. All I have is the wonder balsam. Maybe I should go get the mink oil. Please do a comparison.
Wonder balsam doesnt work . Trust me
@@Chigenurick Why?
@@jamesrivera8721 I tried and honestly it do nothing.
Back in my Army days, I did pretty much the same mixing warm mink and neatsfoot oil and saturating my combat boots. They fit like a glove afterward and were fairly water repellent. Only downside was the could not be shined, so they were relegated to field duty only.
Listen to everything Rose Anvil says and follow his instructions, this is the greatest way I have ever found to break in Doc's. Not saying that Wonder Balsam doesn't work, but this is a much better way. I have many pairs of Doc's, pretty much all I wear and have a pair of 1460 "Rock and Roll's" or "Rockabillie's" which were made out of a much thicker leather and I just could not get them tamed. I followed the Mink Oil trick and completely doused them inside and out let them sit for 2 days, wearing them for 3 days and repeating the process 3 times. Now they are as comfortable as fur-lined slippers. Thanks so much Rose Anvil for turning me on to this process as I was about ready to give up on one of my favorite pairs.
I tried this and it worked great! So glad you made this video. I would definitely recommend this method to anyone who is curious about whether or not it's a good idea etc... super easy, just oiled them a few times during the week and they are broken in after only like 2 weeks of wear
EDIT: the boots I am referring the Jadon (docs)
@Platzhalter the warming up is to open the pores so you should do it every time
All I can say is “thank you”
Bought the Jadon Max in a size 7 women’s. Right foot fit perfectly but the left one was tight around the big toe and where the tongue meets the toe box.
Rubbed the oil on them, sat them in front of our space heater on medium for about 30 minutes and now the left fits just as well as the right!
If anyone is still having a bit of a problem, grab a set of boot stretchers and pop them in after you’ve oiled and warmed the boots a bit.
I've got the same he has in the video. The left isn't too bad but the right has the top of my foot in agony. I have THE FLATTEST feet so I'm surprised the top part of the boot makes it hurt so bad
How do you know if a firefighter is at your party? He’ll tell you.
Haha! Pretty accurate.🤣
yeah and he'll tell you where all the fire exits are too
LMAO
I had been wearing a pair of $42 second-hand leather army boots that I'd oil every couple weeks, and they finally started to tear after 7 years of everyday wear. Really goes to show how taking care of leather makes a huge difference.
Thanks for the vid, I'll be testing this technique on my new pair!
Should have left one untreated so we can compare the results 😜
@@Bakanelli Well I wash my boots after hiking, and when you let them dry afterwards, even at room temp, the leather looses moisture through evaporation, so I imagine they would have been pretty cracked and possibly flaking, around the points of articulation around toes?
The oil kept them supple, but I think it was only a matter of time until the material gradually weakened and tore over time and use lol.
I literally needed this so bad. I was scared that the boots were too small. But its really just the top of my foot thats uncomfortable. My foot is so sore after a day of trying to break my docs in that I can't wear them daily like I planned to when purchasing these expensive ass boots lol. I'm so happy you had the same problem, seeing as I've I wanted these boots for so long and now I know they aren't too small. Just difficult to break in lol.
Almost all boots like this are tight at the top, I made the rookie mistake of wearing mine on a plane trip before I wore them in and oh boy. I have wide feet too, the lady I bought them from warned me against getting the ones two sizes bigger than the size I actually needed because I didn't realise that you buy them based on the length from your heel to your toe, not the fit of the top. I broke them in traditionally and it took about a month and a half before they were super comfy
@Amelia Rodriguez did you end up exchanging them or were you able to break them in? I'm a women's size 7 and got a 6 and they rub the sides of my pinky toes... should I just get a 7?
@Amelia Rodriguez ok thank you I will totally do that. I'm going to go blow dry my boots now lol 😆 🙃
same i felt the same way
Should have bought solovair
I bought a size down because i’m a half size. They got here and I couldn’t even sit with my feet in them without them hurting so bad. I watched this video and thought i’d try it out so i ordered this product. I was expecting it to not do much and I was worried I had bought the wrong size. I did this exact method and I’m in shock. The boots are so much more comfortable. It was like magic before my eyes. WOULD RECOMMEND. Will be doing this to all my boots now.
This gives me hope hahaha I also bought a size down because I’m a half size and the size up was just too big
Thank you for the tutorial! I tried this and wore my docs for an entire week after they’re so much more comfortable! My boots were shiny from the oil after like two days but they returned back to matte soon after. They’re still not fully broken into yet but my feet hurt less and leather feels more malleable and conforms to my feet better! I’d still recommend tight lacing your docs though but it’s much more comfortable after doing this method :-)
How to break in Docs: take two ibuprofen and wear them. Done.
Lol! I love this
Lol nice
🤬😖👍🇬🇧
Hahahaha.. this crack me up. Haha.. 🤣
Literally lol
I just tried this on a brand new pair of greasy leather Solovairs - two coats last night, walked in them for about half an hour today, and another coat tonight. They are already far far softer and more comfortable than when I got them yesterday. I've wanted to get these boots for a couple of years after seeing your videos on them and this one, and I'm glad I finally sprung for them.
Lacing is crucial in breaking in DM’s and also maintains their shape. Straight laced with diagonal under, as everyone in the U.K. laced them for decades. I can see you wised up to that method by the end of the video.
Do you have any links to this method of lacing (diagram etc)? I can fine some ways to straight lace, but they don't sound like what you're describing.
Thank you for making this video! I've broken in a fair few pairs of Docs over the years but it never gets any easier. You would think my feet would have hardened to them but nope, a new pair are absolutely agony to break in!
I have just used your technique on a pair I've had for at least 6 years and have tried my hardest to wear them as long as possible but gave up each time after a couple of hours as they were too painful. Thanks to you I've managed to wear them for a full day with only minimal discomfort!! It truly does work. The difference I felt wearing them after coating them in the mink oil was instantly noticeable. Again, thank you so much!!
so glad that someone who understands leather is making videos like these- really helpful and instructional video, will definitely be using this technique when i get my MiE docs in a couple weeks!
🙌 thanks for the support!
it's important to know that it's better to straight lace instead of X (cross) lace them when breaking in, as they can be cinched up way better. I noticed you were putting them on cross laced, then when you did the review at the end they were straight laced. How you lace them up has a big impact on how they break in.
So finally the way to break them in.. mink oil. You a hero to many people now mister.
After 1 week of oiling and walking my docs now are breaked in perfect. Thank you SOO much! I think this was way faster than would have been any other options.
Some say that boot is still slicked in oil.
I have owned so many docs over the years n i just believed i had to break my foot in, not the boot lol i will have to try this method!
It works great for me
i dunno why i’m watching this my docs are literally second hand-
k saaaame
knowledge
Im breaking in and stretching second hand boots rn
hhahahahha same
I dont even own docs and im watching it
I literally had to wear mine for a year.... and they bruised the top of my fat foot.... but now that I’ve wore them for like three years they fit like a glove!
I've been wearing Doc Martens for 35 years I have them in every color imaginable I absolutely love them I even got my daughter wearing them when she was only two years old she's been wearing them ever since
I am doing this now, with a sprayed on mink oil with a hairdryer on a 30cm distance. I do 5 mins warming the boots and then rubbing the oil. Then to the other boot. Then repeat the steps. Then I do another 10 mins warming it. Then I let it sit for 2-3 hours. Now I’m touching them again and I could see such a huge difference!! It’s insane that this method works really well. Thank you! I think I will enjoy using the boots!
I had no idea what what breaking it boots even meant but the videos so captivating and now I’m on a channel marathon.
just bought my first pair of docs, all your videos are very helpful thank you !
You’re welcome! Thanks for the aupport
This reminds me of the time I bought a vintage pair of Frye boots from the late 70's off eBay. They arrived looking new as expected but wearing them they had an awful creaking sound that wouldn't go away. Figured the leather sole was too dry sitting unused for 30+ years. I poured Fiebings Neatsfeat in a bucket big enough to set the boots in, and deep enough to reach the top of the leather soles. Left them in it for a day or 2. Yep, it worked. 😂 But it created up and darked the boots, so I had to apply the stuff to the whole boot. Thankfully they look better darker. 😂
Years later the soles still seem a little wet. 😂🤣
Heating certainly helps a lot! Then I also would apply a good and thin leather conditioner to my new leather boots or shoes to soften and condition their leather and let the leather absorb it. I do not use a thin conditioner if I do not want the leather to darken. Then I moisten some thicker socks than these boots/shoes intended to be worn with in just a bit of strong vodka or 70% rubbing alcohol. The amount you use depends on the thickness of the leather, and then wear shoes/boots in a house for an hour or two until the socks are almost dry. Do not try to walk a lot right away: let alcohol vapor get into the leather first. You also can put on a dry pair of thick socks after you took off your socks that are still slightly moist and wear your boots some more time to allow the dry socks to absorb the remains of alcohol and water from the leather. Then try them with the kinds of socks these shoes/boots were intended to be worn. I also massage the leather of shoes/boots with my hands to soften the leather. Sometimes you might need to repeat the whole process if the shoes are not yet broken in the way you like them because you used too little vodka or allowed too short a time for the procedure. You would be amazed how quickly and painlessly you will break in even the most stubborn boots. This method allows for saving your time and avoiding blisters and such.
Thank you! as a motorcycle mechanic I bought a pair for work and they were cool for about a a week until my left pinky toe started to pinch so bad that I have to put some extra padding in there. Definitely gonna try the mink oil 👌
I always wanted some docs. Last year I finally got myself some and wore them two days. I hated the hard unwearable leather. Finally I can do something to wear them! Thank you so much
Let me know how it goes!
Great videos man! I wish you were around 10 years ago when I bought a ton of boots, and didn’t know what the heck I was doing. Keep this channel going. Good stuff.
Thanks man!
This is the way, I was taught by my grandpa and uncle. Great explanation thanks 😊
Awesome thanks
Very happy to hear it helps the top of your foot, that's where I'm having problems. Got mink oil coming tomorrow, hope it helps
Great video! One thing to note though. The mink oil in addition to darkening the color, also makes the boot lose it's ''posture'' and makes it just loose and bumby. More so than suffering the month or two and just breaking in the parts of the boot that are getting the most work while walking. But like you said you like them with a well worn look. Def not that big of a deal with a black boot but a lighter color boot might end up looking a little baggy.
4:57 This. I had just finally blown out a pair of work boots after beating the hell out of them for three years. Got a new pair, still not broken in yet, and I had an interview with a masonry company and I got roasted by the owner...
I'm praying you do more brands i just love your format etc!!!! And your personality is the best #1 fan
Also one day a video on alternative brands from the luxury brands. Luxury brands arnt as good as bespoken brands, so what's the wallet and belt and jacket and boots and dress shoes we SHOULD be getting!!!
Thank you 😊
Luxury brands usually really suck honestly ha ha
@@RoseAnvil exactly so I want to know what else I could buy rather than them that are better quality 😍😍😍
@@RoseAnvil You're personality is HAWT!!!!
That’s exactly the technique we used to break our boots in the army. Works great and fast!
Great! I just came back to say IT WORKED. (Did have only shoe creme with 5% of mink oil in it and hair drier for 3 min on each boot.) Squashed them up for 10 minutes and left for 2 days in a plastic bag. ( Another method is Wraping boot in a towel and light tapping on hard places of the leather work too!!!). Soft as never before!!!
I followed the instructions to the letter (however using non-mink leather oil) and - by God - they work. The discomfort I felt in mine boots was literally oiled away instantly. Well done!
what oil did you use instead of the mink oil?
@@Jan-rc5bp Literally any oil will do. Use coconut oil or olive oil for example.
Just watched about 6 of these in a row, great content
same lmao
You saved my feet with this video. I live in Denmark, but managed to find the exact brand of liquid mink oil and tried out your method on a brand new pair of Red Wing Blacksmiths. They were REALLY tight when I first tried them on, but with this method, they were totally comfortable within a day of wearing them, no blisters - nothing. You my man are a legend👍
may i ask how many bootles (240ml ones) you used for a pair of boots? Cause he git 2 standing around and i want to break in my solovair ones (he leather is stiff af) but dont want to order either too little or too much of it.
@@MrDexter4ever 1 bottle was plenty👍
@@jesperap thx :)
Thanks for teaching us this. I had all my docs prep up like this. No pain at all with all my 14docs ❤
Works pretty well. After one week of wearing them and using mink oil, they are pretty comfortable now. Thanks for the video and greetings from Germany.
I used to wear the old school hiking boots in the 80’s. When they were brand new I used Dubbin on them to waterproof them. After applying the Dubbin I used to place then in a aluminum tray in the oven so the oil sunk in. First time I did it my parents thought I was crazy. I left them in just a few minutes. After that the Dubbin was sealed into the boots. It helped breaking them in as well. I just tossed those boots 4 years ago. I wish they still made Hiking Boots like that.
I would defiantly enjoy learning about the different types of leather. Whats the difference between the higher end leathers used in boots like roughout leather and there durability's. Thank you. I really enjoy your content so far.
Thanks I’m on it! Hopefully next week!
Most full grain leather used to make boots are the inside(flesh side) of the skin showing. Rough out is the outside(hair side) of the skin showing. As you could imagine the outside is a lot tougher because its grown to protect the animal. However because it's the outer layer, it sees the most scaring, stretching, and abuse. This is why it's so rough looking and is a casual leather.
@@mrblock2013 you have this backwards. Roughout or Nubuck is the flesh side out while most other leather is the finished grain (or hair side) out.
@@tonybarrett9662 You are correct. Rough out is the inside of the top layer of leather. That's my mistake.
down here in Guatemala, whenever my parents bought me real leather shoes for my school uniform they'd just fill them with corn seeds and leave it for a day or two haha
Wtf and it worked!? my dad is from Michoacán and he just tells me to wear the crap out of them. I just bought a pair of the Chelsea boots doc martens make they are a pain. Might try that method
That 1 Earth Dog just bought Chelsea boots too. Week two and owwwww
In South Africa 🇿🇦 damp dune sand the red sand and boom... I'm sorry I'm definitely not gonna go through that pain...
is there a reason to use mink oil rather than a plant-based oil ( olive, coconut, castor) or mineral oil? Thank you! This was super helpful!
Got the same doubt here!
Any good conditioner or cream will work similarly
Edit, I mean any good leather conditioner, I wouldn’t use olive oil on boots lol
I recently bought 2 pairs of boots. One is the Solovair in gaucho leather, so there are no problems there, the other from Brandit, the Phantom 10 hole. It was hard to believe this is actually cow hide. As the looked great but would not take any dubbin and after watching your Dr. Martin videos it made me think they are all PU on the outside. And yes, they were dirt cheap. Last night, I rubbed some Kaps mink oil into the inside and this morning the same with a little pre warming. Wow, what a difference it has made. It's starting to feel like leather. Thanks for the good boot videos. ❤
One of the techniques that works the best for me is wearing your boots right after you cleaned them and this technique works pretty much with any kind of leather
Every pair of Doc's I've owned wore them in the shower then let them dry on.my feet. Mink oil or dm's wonder balsam after they were dry. Broken in a 2-3 days.
Wtf
just take your docs into the pit you know get on Facebook check your local police station just find a flyer for the nearest punk rock show go and make sure that's a really rocking band and just get in the pit for like I don't know 5, 6, 12 hours just 12 hours of straight pitting just get in there and really fuck up those boots & really just really break them in
😂
Hey sounds good to me
I’m giving this technique a go! I’ve worn my new Docs for three days and they aren’t too terribly uncomfortable but my right leg hurts where the top of the boot hits it, when it hits it.
Looks like good stuff and Fiebing’s is a great brand! I hope this all goes according to plan 😂
been binge watching your videos today ! just ordered a pair of 1460 nappa leather docs .. cant wait to get them !! thanks for keeping me company today man!
also i subscribed liked and turned notifications on
Glad you like them!
Those doc marten boots look so clean, I really like the leather on them.
Definitely the wallets sound interesting! Also I’d love to learn the difference between levels of quality in leathers
I’ll get to it!
Me too, i'd love the learn
Do I *have* to use mink oil or is there another type of oil i can use? (Olive, castor, etc)
I think olive oil is a no no. I read somewhere to not do that.
Mink oil works faster but there are alternatives. Go to your local footwear store. Neetsfoot oil is one I've seen for boots. Dont use olive oil. It can go rancid and make your boots stink.
A little something to mention concerning your evaluation test is that the left and right boots can vary noticeably in terms of the leather quality. They don't necessarily use leather from the same hide for the right and the left boots . .So i have in fact a pair of doc martens that always have had same treatment but the left shoe leather is in much better shape than the right shoe . I.got another brand of boots and it's the same story .
Could be that one foot is much harder on boots than the other. Slight differences in foot shape/size can make a huge difference to how your boots age
Woah you were only at 10k subs at the time of this video. You definitely blew up. Congrats!
Same! I felt I was wearing plastic shoes out of the box. After the first treatment, it felt already like stiff leather. Wore them 1 hour in the house. Second treatment and nobody would believe I was happily wearing new Dr Martens. 😊🥳
Tip : Couldn't find mink oil where I am, but simply used saddle oil.
This is great! Thank you. I’d definitely appreciate a video on this process for lighter leather.
I haven't read all the comments here so excuse me if someone's already brought this up. You used mink oil both on the inside and outside of the boot, so if you want to preserve the colour of pale-coloured boots, could you oil the insides only? Or would it soak through to the outside?
Essex Boy I don’t think it would show on the outside
Its porous. There's a high possibility it will darken the light leather. Check out saphir renovateur for lighter options ☺
Great question, I was thinking the same thing
Yes please make one on different colours!
I did the same last night, with mink oil that's like boot polish and a hair dryer. This is a good video and works well
Thanks for the vid......I use Huberd's shoe grease or for lighter care Huberd's shoe oil....also great for break-in , been using this stuff for 45 years without any complaints from my boots, shoe or my feet :)
I usually recommend that to people who don’t want to use mink oil
I wear Red Wing Iron Rangers. They are pretty tough to break in. I gave them mink oil from day one. But still my ankles hurt the first couple of weeks. But just put on some nice thick boot socks, and you will get through it. It was really worth it. Now they are very comfortable, and I think they will last a lot longer than a pair of Dr Martens. But I do like how the Dr Martens look, and the history of the brand. I look forward to your next video 👍
Docs are not on the level of Iron Rangers.
I want some iron rangers really bad
Check out Whites boots as well.
@@aportilla007 , from another Alex P: you are so right. Docs are not comparable to anything Red Wing puts out. I consider Docs more like "the tennis shoe of boots" really. Just snagged my very first pair of Docs now, at age 52, after being a Red Wing guy for 30 years. They're basically my "tennis shoe" bootwear. I do like them, but they're not even close in quality to the Iron Rangers (which I also have and love. They're my magnificent beasts.) Check out his video where he cuts into Docs and shows us how shoddily they are made, especially the ones made in Thailand. But even the UK boots....no shank, no cork, nothing. Just good, cool, hip looks.
I have a pair of doc jadons and they are the stiffest things ever, I’ve been trying to break them in for over a month and still are so stiff. Ordered the mink oil and can’t wait to see/feel the difference!!
Let me know how it goes!
This is SUCH good information wish I didn’t just look up mink oil though 😢
Ha ha there are plenty of alternatives!
@@RoseAnvil any other oil will you recommend? like olive oil
@@RoseAnvil yeah wondering if coconut oil or vegetable oil work?
How can I soften up white doc martins? The tops of my feet right where the laces start are so painful when wearing these docs that I literally just never wear them. But I don’t want the white leather to turn brown from mink oil so what on earth is a girl to do? Is getting them professional stretched out an option?
Very similar to what I used to do in the Army. Corcoran Jump Boots can be painful if you don’t break them in properly.
Doucheing your boots makes it much faster break in nice rose anvil is always doing cool stuff love this guy and love the channel
Hmmmmmm!!!
Nick's Boots absolutely cautions against the use any oil or conditioner on their boots during break-in. I can see how your technique produces an easy break-in, but I also respect Nick's expert's suggestion. So, whatz the difference and why does Nick take the opposite stance?
-Thankx
the difference is in the type of leather. the reason nicks cautions against it is because conditioner softens the leather a lot, and if its still stiff and can break if its doing a lot of heavy work, which docs aren't meant for. this will work for 99.9 percent of boots. you can do it for nicks too, but i wouldn't if you're trying to do heavy work in them.
Can you name an alternative to mink oil pretty please?
(Edit: just in case anyone is wondering why, don't come at me: Mink oil is cruel)
Any non petroleum based oil would be just fine
Try leather conditioner
@@RoseAnvil Any? Would cooking oil (like sunflower or olive) work as well? Sorry for the stupid question but I have pretty limited options.
@@RoseAnvil would plain coconut oil suffice? or jojoba oil? (jojoba is expensive, but have a lot on hand for my beard) … or something like the chamberlain leather milk you reviewed?
Time to buy some mink oil, thanks for reccomending it, snwt!
Omg you are a foot saver. I thought my foot wasnt made for my docs especially on the top where I had the most issues, they were super tight and uncomfortable after two hours of wear. I got them last christmas and i was still trying to break them in! I ordered the mink order just now, thanks! I'll let u k ow how it went!
Ya let me know!
@@RoseAnvil Hey it's me! So I used the mink oil on my boots and the difference is noticeable! The top part is a lot more wearable and while there is slight tightness around the side which I'm sure will stretch out in time my boots are useable more than ever! I will also use it on a pair of tall boots on the calf part! Thanks a lot!
This process worked beautifully! I used it on a new pair of 1460 crazy horse aztecs . They came shipped in a really dark brown and not the nice lighter distressed color as did the second pair I ordered which they were on sale with Docs online. By the second day ad after 3 rounds of heavy soaking Insides leather and outside as well as heat treating they tend to soften quickly. Thanks for the great show keep it up!
Think you overdid the mink OIL, bub. You basically broke down the toughness quality of the Leather, and saturated them with a lot of oil that will shorten the life of the boot. They look like saggy patent leather, and that stuff will leak into the welt stitching, loosen it up, and lead to all kinds of microbial gunkiness. Use the mink oil on on 'hot spots' , and allow your feet to guide you. Also, get 2 sets of quality insoles, and switch them out every so often, as well as clean dry and comfortable socks. Wear them, and theyll break in, just for YOU!
You sound like a guy with experience...! May I ask a guestion - do you recommend rubbing any oil into the leather at all? And do you think I could use olive oil if that's the case? I know it's no pain no gain but I got two relatively new pairs of Docs so I'm hoping I can speed up the break in phase a little bit faster somehow
Very interesting technique! Thanks for the video, Rose Anvil. Does it have to be mink oil? Do other oils work? Do you also need to break in vegan boots? Cheers, Govind
Im definitely goimg to try this ive had a pair for 11 years and there still stiff at the top. Life savor lol
yes, would really like to see a light leather break ion technique since i tend to buy light leather boots
I need to buy some light colored boots than!
2nd on this. The mink oil technique looks great but if possible id rather not darken my red wings
Yes to this!
When it comes to it, it’s hard to hate one of the best boots ever made
I just bought the same boots in the video and I wore it for the first time yesterday, my feet and the boots are still recovering.....one thing for sure, I'm no longer afraid of walking alone in dark when I have Dr. Marten over my feet....creepy people don't even messing with you when they see those hard ass boots
Good thinking on applying the oil INSIDE the boot. Just did that with cosmetic grade avocado oil (it’s all I have on hand) on a brand new pair of made in China Jadons.
I focused on that fold in the tongue that digs into the top of your foot and the Achilles area. It softened it up right away! Didn’t use a heater but I’m sure that would have helped a lot.
Tbh I never considered buying doc martens because I hear the break-in period is terrible and that they’re low quality lol but this vid sold me. I figure if I can break them in and last me for a few seasons, it's good enough for me. Hahaha
Thanks for your awesome content!
This comment was very helpful. I just bought some Max Jadons myself and I have avocado oil for days
@@corenpaige avoid food oils, it will go rancid and smell
Great Doc martens videos, can you do leather jackets how to break in, how to distress, etc. Any other leather jacket related. thanks and subscribed
That’s a good idea
I get my leather jackets pre-broken in from Goodwill 🤠
Leather jackets would be a good video
i been suing it on leather jackets for years it works really good. especially on B3 style bomber
@@Mpearl8084 "Pre-broken" literally means before they are broken.
Just say broken in
Please do a video regarding the sole wear on dc martens nowadays and how we can protect the soles, or extend their life.
As this is their fail point
I’ll have to really think about that one
Yes, please! People are especially complaining about the "Vintage Made in England" soles which has been stopping me from buying them. I'm actually considering the Dublin Docs since the some seems to be different but I want to make sure they're really worth the money.
@@RoseAnvil yep. If possible, you probably have quite a lot of knowledge 👌
Im on my first pair of Doc Martens.
Had various Ranger Boots before them.
Anyone who complains about Doc Martens really should wear some Angry Itch/Bondage London rangers.
Puts things into perspective xD
I just got these boots and literally can’t wear them, it fits my feet except the top part. The top made my foot go numb 😰 definitely gonna buy some of this! Thank you!!