Author Topic: Leather Boots (NGC)  (Read 1501 times)

Offline injundave

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Leather Boots (NGC)
« on: August 26, 2019, 03:50:51 PM »
I have a pair of beautiful leather boots which I bought 40 years ago. I recall that I paid $150 for them which was a lot of money in 1979. I have walked and ridden a lot of miles in them since then. I recently had them repaired because the soles were starting to come apart and they are too good to throw away. The problem I have is that they are now tight across the top of my feet and are uncomfortable to wear.

Does anyone know of a way to stretch the leather without causing damage to the boots?



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Online Tom H

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Re: Leather Boots (NGC)
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2019, 03:56:56 PM »
A shoe repair should be able to stretch them. There is a tool that you put in the shoe/boot that expands.

Tom
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Offline yogidozer

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Re: Leather Boots (NGC)
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2019, 04:02:49 PM »
Leather boots seem to shrink on their own if not worn.
You can try this. Apply a generous amount of Neatsfoot oil, then put on two pair of heave socks.
Wear them around the yard when you can. This should work, if they did fit at one time.

Offline RinkRat II

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Re: Leather Boots (NGC)
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2019, 04:12:08 PM »


      Google Boot Stretcher if you dont have a good shoe repair shop (sounds like you do)
   
       Paul B :boozing:
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Offline Markcarovilli

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Re: Leather Boots (NGC)
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2019, 06:33:42 PM »
Put plastic bag in shoe - fill plastic bag with water - put assembly in freezer - watch science in action as shoe is expanded....

Mark

Offline cliffrod

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Re: Leather Boots (NGC)
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2019, 08:09:42 PM »
I always prefer to wear well-fitting Red Wings and other heavy leather work boots, both lace up and pull on.  Too tight when new that would eventually fit like socks.  Oiling, waxing, mink oil, etc.  it was usually a painful process process until they finally fit right.  Then, one of the shops that resoled several of my boots taught me this-

Using a hair dryer or heat gun (low temp), heat the areas needing stretching to soften leather.  Vigorously work & stretch the warmed areas over the smooth rounded end of a wooden broom handle or similar, held between your legs or in a vise.  Make sure the rounded handle is smooth so it doesn't tear the inner lining of the boot or shoe.  Really go to work, use your body weight and stretch the offending areas.  This works for clearancing for high or tall arches, bunions, crooked toes,  etc.  it's simple to stretch specific areas without disrupting others that fit well. 

He also advised me to use the same heat gun or hair dryer to expedite oiling or waxing the leather instead of the old method of wipe-on application, waiting overnight or longer until it is absorbed & repeat until no more is absorbed..  Heat the leather, apply the product of choice and watch it disappear into the warm leather like a sponge absorbs water.  When it stops absorbing, wipe off excess and you're done.  It works great for all leather products- boots, gloves, jackets.  I like sno seal (no need for a mink oil vs wax vs whatever debate) and apply completely like this as soon as a new item comes home with me.   It takes a few minutes to completely prep your boots instead of a few days.

Doing these two thing together for new boots will help shorten the break-in time from weeks or months to an afternoon.  He said that's how he was trained to do it and had been doing customers' boots and shoes like this for decades.
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Offline Ncdan

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Re: Leather Boots (NGC)
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2019, 08:43:54 PM »
Being a country boy with a grandpaw that was a wise man I will pass on the secret of getting a new pair of  brogans to fit perfectly and  permanently.
Soak the boot for a couple hours in tap hot water, foot and ankle only. Put the boots on and go to work, walking them dry. They WILL mold to your exact foot  dimensions.


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