IHWE-MRLOU-BLK - Wesco® - 10" Horsehide Pull-On "Mister Lou" Engineer Boot - Black
-
@seawolf They also sprayed the leather (I think with an isopropyl alcohol/mixture) to aide in the stretching of the leather. Took it very slow to not damage the leather fibres.
-
@goosehd That sounds great. I should call around and find a cobbler that can do this. My right instep is a bit more pronounced than normal and it's painful sometimes when I wear my non-custom Wescos.
-
@goosehd Oh no. That's what I have. FML. It doesn't quite hit the right spot. I need one that stretches up and down, not side to side. I'll go google that and see if it's a thing.
-
OR you pee in your boot and wear it till it dryes. If you have problem peeing in your own boots, ask a friend to do it.
(or byu urea at pharmacy or where-ever you get in your neck of the woods)
urea has been used ages for softening leather... once your boot is wet, it'll stretch and mold to your feet.
Also riding a motorcycle in rain gives boots a nice soak, and using them while wet damp does the trick as well.... -
@injunjack I may have to move this to Unpopular Opinions.
-
Stretching my instep to make room for my weird right foot. I used a 2:1 solution of water:isopropyl alcohol to loosen the fibers, and I'll leave it overnight and report back.
“Good design is actually a lot harder to notice than poor design, in part because good designs fit our needs so well that the design is invisible” - Don Norman
@zeebeeleather
-
@Oaktavia Me too! I think it will. I got a nice wooden instep stretcher and cranked it open.
-
@Oaktavia That’s exactly right. That spot is always rough for me with new engineer boots but usually it mellows out. This pair is different, and after a year of regular wear, it’s time to take some action. My right foot has a really high instep and I normally get custom fit Wescos, but I couldn’t pass up the Maryam release last year, and this is my penance for skipping the custom build.
“Good design is actually a lot harder to notice than poor design, in part because good designs fit our needs so well that the design is invisible” - Don Norman
@zeebeeleather
-
@seawolf the Maryam is really tough and unforgiving. It took me over a year before mine finally stopped being so stubborn. It's such a strong beast. I was worried my instep wouldn't get better but it finally did.
-
-
I had the same problem with my boots, the instep (especially on the right boot) was so tight at the beginning that I almost gave up. The first time I tried them on it took me about 5 minutes (no joke!).
Now, after about 2 months and stubbornly breaking in with the sole, I'm about 80-90% satisfied. I also had some discomfort on the instep and on the side (where the seam of the heel piece runs) at the beginning on both boots while wearing them. However, this has now been resolved.
In the meantime, I have taken the soles out and have now got to the point where I put the soles in with thin socks and take them out with thick ones. I am confident that the boots will break in some more over the next few months so that it will be even easier to put them on and that I can put the soles back in again (also with thicker socks). But yes, those guys are tough!
Good luck with stretching, I look forward to your report!
