How to Break in Your Doc Martens: 11 Steps (with Pictures) (2024)

FAQs

How do you fully break in Doc Martens? ›

To fully break in your Dr. Martens, take it slow and build up to being able to wear them comfortably for as long as you want. Start wearing your brand new Docs inside your house for 10- to 20-minute intervals a few times a day, and take them off once they begin to ache, as you want to avoid any blisters.

How long does it take to fully break in Doc Martens? On average, it takes 3-6 weeks to fully break in your docs. It can be sped up by using heat techniques or wearing them with socks to increase the break in period. However, while they may be wearable, the full break in period will come at around 3 weeks.

Massaging your footwear with your hands will simulate the effect your feet have on the leather when you first start stomping around. The more you work it, the more the leather will soften.

One of the reasons why Dr. Martens can be so painful, is that your feet don't have enough room. Dr. Martens shoes come with removable insoles; removing the insoles is a quick and easy way to give your feet a little extra room while breaking in your boots.

How Long Does It Take to Break in Doc Martens Fully? For most models, the break-in time is between three and six weeks. The break-in period might take a few days to a few weeks. Applying heat treatments or wearing them with socks might help speed up the break-in process.

Soak Your Boots in Water

Something that can help the break-in process for the internal leather footbed of your boots is water. If you fill your shoes entirely full of water, lace them up around your feet, and wear them until they are dry, the break-in process for the leather footbed will be a lot easier.

The inner lining of Doc Martens is made of an abrasive material that rubs against the foot and creates blisters. Removing the insole takes some of the friction away and helps prevent blisters. It's still best to wear thick socks to prevent blisters around the ankle.

Inside your Doc Martens, there's an extra inner liner. If yours feel a bit tight over the top of your foot, removing the liner will alter the fit slightly and should give your feet the extra bit of space they need.

Should my toes touch the end of Doc Martens? The toes should not touch the end of the shoes. Go with one that is not pinching or restrictive and the toes don't touch or rub against the end of the shoe. If you don't have that distance, you can develop hammertoes.

How long does it take to bed in Dr. Martens? ›

When you purchase a new pair of Docs, you'll find that there is a considerable “wear in” period where the boots soften and stretch out – unfortunately this doesn't happen overnight, and can take between three to six weeks depending on materials used & leather thickness.

Doc Martens tend to run true to size, but try them on anyway to make sure you buy the right size. Boots in the right size should feel tight, but not uncomfortable. Doc Martens only come in whole sizes. The official website recommends sizing down if you normally take a half size.

Dr Martens mould to your foot so the effort is worth it. Once broken in, they'll be the comfiest pair on your shoe-rack so take it slow but keep going. Getting them fully broken in and comfy can take a couple of weeks but you'll get there.

Boots in the right size should feel tight, but not uncomfortable. Doc Martens only come in whole sizes. The official website recommends sizing down if you normally take a half size. 2.

When you purchase a new pair of Docs, you'll find that there is a considerable “wear in” period where the boots soften and stretch out – unfortunately this doesn't happen overnight, and can take between three to six weeks depending on materials used & leather thickness.

Doc Marten heels can be very uncomfortable and often the first place to give you a blister. Wearing two pairs of socks with your shoes or boots will help soften the heel area as well as any other area which may be tight cause prevent blisters.

Dr Martens mould to your foot so the effort is worth it. Once broken in, they'll be the comfiest pair on your shoe-rack so take it slow but keep going. Getting them fully broken in and comfy can take a couple of weeks but you'll get there.

Most Doc Martens will have a high degree of water resistance. So if you're walking through puddles or you're caught in a drizzle, your Doc Martens should be fine under these lighter conditions. However, if you're looking to wade through rivers in your 1460s, you're going to end up with wet feet and damaged leather.