Frye Boots

[The Farmers Daughter]

I received a gorgeous pair of Frye boots for my birthday. Love em to death, but I have trouble with getting boots to fit me through the instep. They are great everywhere else and just about the prettiest boots I have ever laid eyes on.

Can someone offer me suggestions on how to break them in and get them to stretch a bit across the instep?

[Kevin]

I don't know how the leather is finished on the outside, but if you want to keep it as is, then apply a cream conditioner such as Bic-4 to the INSIDE of the boots. It will go throughout the leather and you can still polish them. Do not use oil unless you want a gooey mess.

As far as stretching the instep, you'll have to take them to someone that has instep stretchers. Potions don't work if you can't exert pressure until they dry. If the boots have zippers, make sure they know what they're doing before you leave them.

Good luck,

Kevin

[The Farmers Daughter]

Hi Kevin

Thanks for your reply. I don't know if it matters but they have a pebble finish on the outside and they are completely lined on the inside all the way from the shaft to the toe. Leather sole and heel too. I don't have Bic - 4, but I have Dr. Jackson's hide rejuvenater and plain old lexol. Does it matter which I use?

I don't know how the leather is finished on the outside, but if you want to keep it as is, then apply a cream conditioner such as Bic-4 to the INSIDE of the boots. It will go throughout the leather and you can still polish them. Do not use oil unless you want a gooey mess.

As far as stretching the instep, you'll have to take them to someone that has instep stretchers. Potions don't work if you can't exert pressure until they dry. If the boots have zippers, make sure they know what they're doing before you leave them.

Good luck,

Kevin

[steve hansl]

Wet the boots down with rubbing alcohol where they are tight and wear them,keep them moistened until they start feeling good.On the other hand you could get them done at the shoe repair.I think the main ingredient in the stretch liquid is alcohol going by the smell.

[Leatherimages]

There are specific stretchers for stretching the instep of boots.

Because they're comparitively expensive, many s/r shops will turn a shoe stretcher sideways and mis-shape them in an effort to stretch the instep of boots.

The local shoe here in Prescott had a terrible experience stretching boots improperly for a customer.

Be certain that anywhere you leave them has the proper equipment.

Some leathers will stain even with the correct solution.

Be sure you feel comfortable about wherever you leave them.

If you'd like to ship them to me, I'd be happy to use my 40 yrs experience helping you.

My phone number is 928 442-1213.

With Regards,

Paul

[Kevin]

Are they leather lined ? I forgot to ask. I've never used Dr. Jackson's and anything I've had a customer bring in that they used Lexol on was dried out. Sometimes I wonder if it is the customer that buys Lexol and not the Lexol itself. I once had a lady bring in some dress gloves that she had used Nivea face cream on and they were beautiful.

The other day a lady brought in one of the nastiest pairs of boots I've ever seen, a "friend" had told her to soak a pair of socks with neetsfoot oil and wear the boots with them, it made them soft alright.

The best thing for breaking boots in is to wear them, but if they don't fit , it only takes 1/16" to cause true discomfort.

I'm rambling again,

Kevin

PS the main ingredient in stretch fluid probably is alcohol, but there are other things in it to prevent drying the leather out like alcohol does.

[8thsinner]

Two of my favourite techniques for breaking in boots are as follows.

2 day break in, wear them in a warm bath, take em off, put on plastic bags, put on socks wear boots.

1 day break in, urinate in them, wear them 6 hours, take em off, and leave em to dry....

The second method is hardly the most hygienic sounding but in an emergency it does work. However if the boots are good quality I would not risk the second method, and carefully make sure the first method is not too warm, otherwise it might end badly.

I have used the first method on hiking boots, dr martins and combat boots with no ill effect.

[steve hansl]

The stretch liquid like Sellaris SPS is a superior product compared to the little bottles the shoe stores sell as you can use it inside or outside the footwear.I have been stretching at least one pair of shoes a day for the last 20yrs and have yet had any discoloration or ill effects from the liquid.I totally agree with the point about being careful where you take your work,the person behind the stretcher can cause major damage.

[The Farmers Daughter]

Two of my favourite techniques for breaking in boots are as follows.

2 day break in, wear them in a warm bath, take em off, put on plastic bags, put on socks wear boots.

1 day break in, urinate in them, wear them 6 hours, take em off, and leave em to dry....

The second method is hardly the most hygienic sounding but in an emergency it does work. However if the boots are good quality I would not risk the second method, and carefully make sure the first method is not too warm, otherwise it might end badly.

I have used the first method on hiking boots, dr martins and combat boots with no ill effect.

Yeah, I think we can nix the 2nd option. Just so I'm clear on the first option .... is it necessary to wear them in a warm bath or is soaking them in a tub of warm water sufficient? What is the point of the plastic bags? wouldn't they just make your feet sweat? Sorry, kinda clueless here.

[8thsinner]

A tub would work as well as a bath yes, and the bags are to allow the feet a little more movement, sort of to make sure like the little toes can still move without crushing themselves and what not.

And yes you would sweat a bit if it was hot or you did some activity. but you should only wear them dry indoors and preferably in a slightly cool environment, Any additional heat source can damage the mold.

I am not totally sure but if you wear them hot, or allow your feet to get too hot it will evaporate the water more quickly causing the same lack of mold.

Just wear them on a lazy day, mostly sitting around, watching tv, with occasional tea making, walk to the shops etc. Take it slow. You have to make sure you don't stress the leather too much in one direction otherwise you will lose vital support.

[KAYAK45]

8th Sinner. The urine trick only works if you drink a liter of vodka first. then it's just like the alcohol thing.

I don't think I'm up to the liter thing anymore! Too old.

But..one of the best saddles I ever had was tanked ina horse trough overnight and rode dry the next couple of days. Lots of neatsfoot and baby powder. Should let it drip dry awhile first. Man... was that thing heavy to get up on top the horses!

Kevin