How to Break In Doc Martens (Fast) | Expert Advice

This article will discuss how to break in Doc Martens. We’ll dispel myths like wearing them in the bath or beating them with a hammer, focusing on a tried and tested method shared by a former firefighter, seasoned hiker, and official Stridewise expert, Weston Kay of Rose Anvil.

This technique works better than any other technique seen, and we’ll also be putting it to the test by comparing the results to a control boot. So, if you’re tired of suffering through the painful process of breaking in new boots, read on to discover a tried and true method.

Overview:

We went with the Made in England Docs (MiE), which uses Dr. Martens’ stiff leather. That’s why the MiE Docs are the hardest to break in, but rest assured, if you bought the soft leather Doc Martens 1460s, these tips will help as well. Their new leathers are thinner, so it’ll only be an easier process.

Breaking in Doc Martens: What You’ll Need

Here’s a quick list to tick off before you get started breaking in Doc Martens.

• A hot air gun or hair drier: You’ll be warming up your leather to soften it. A small heater or hair dryer will suffice.
• Liquid mink oil: We like Fiebing’s Liquid Mink Oil because of its low viscosity, making it easy to penetrate the pores of the leather.
• (Alternative) If you don’t want to darken your boots, try Bickmore’s Bick 4 leather conditioner.
• Paper towels: Used to rub the conditioner into the leather without getting your hands all oily.
• Shoe tree: Helps loosen the leather fibers after conditioning.

Doc Martens Wonder Balsam is another option, but it’s petroleum-based and doesn’t work as well in our experience.

How to Break in Doc Martens

And you’re ready! Here’s how to make your Dr. Martens’ leather supple in an afternoon instead of years of blistery wear.

Step 1: Heat Up The Boot

• Use a hair dryer or small heater to heat the leather gently
• Don’t use extreme heat or blast your Docs with a hair dryer, that can compromise the glue or the seams.

In order to properly break in your boots, heating them up can be a helpful step. You can use a hot air gun or even a hair dryer to warm up the boot without damaging the glue or seams. By doing so, you’ll be opening up the pores of the leather and allowing the oil to penetrate more easily.

Simply turn on your heat source, open up the boot, and let the inside start to warm up for five to six minutes. Don’t use extreme heat or blast a hair dryer directly on the leather, that can compromise the glue or the seams. Be gentle.  

After heating up the boots, you’ll notice that the leather will be more pliable and easier to work with.

Step 2. Condition the Leather

• Liberally apply liquid mink oil

Conditioning helps to moisturize the leather, keep it supple, and prevent cracking — just like moisturizing your skin. What a lot of people don’t know is that it can also be a great way to soften your boots out of the box if you want to minimize break in. 

To start, you need to coat the entire boot with the oil using paper towels to work it in thoroughly. Ensure that the leather is completely saturated; don’t be shy.

Step 3. Let the Docs Rest for 10 Minutes

This will allow the conditioner to sink into the boots’ pores.

Step 4. Apply Another Coat

For faster results, you can even coat the inside of the boot, but be careful not to get the oil on the insole as it can get onto your socks.

While the mink oil paste is also effective, it may not work as well as the liquid oil. The process can get messy, and you may end up with oil on your hands and clothes, but the end result will be worth it. 

Step 5. Heat the Boot Again

After coating your boots with the liquid mink oil, the next step is to start heating them again. Just like the first time, be careful not to place the heat source too close to the boot.

The heat will help to re-open the pores of the leather while also allowing the excess oil to evaporate.

Step 6: Wipe the Boots Off and Wear Them!

After a few minutes of the boots absorbing the heat, it’s time to wipe off any excess oil and start wearing them.

To keep your boots in good condition, you can apply more oil in the morning and night or whenever you notice that they start to get dry.  

Tip: Use a shoe tree when you’re not wearing your docs to help them break in and last longer.

Mink Oil vs the Control Boots

After applying mink oil to the first boot and letting it soak in for several minutes, the leather appeared darker and more saturated. Weston then wore both boots daily for a week, and the results were remarkable. The boot treated with mink oil was comfortable within just a few hours of wear, while the untreated boot remained stiff and uncomfortable even after a week and a half. 

The difference in comfort and wearability between the two boots was striking. Weston reported that even after a full day of walking, the treated boot felt comfortable and did not cause any discomfort, while the untreated boot caused pain and discomfort on the top of the foot.

While it may be messy and time-consuming, the results are well worth the effort. If you want your new boots to be as comfortable as possible, consider giving them a good coating of mink oil before wearing them for the first time.

What to Consider Before Conditioning

If you’re planning on trying out the mink oil technique to break in your boots, there are a few things to consider before getting started.

Don’t Overheat Your Boots

First and foremost, be careful not to overheat your boots during the process. While Dr. Martens boots are Goodyear welted, there are glued parts inside that could be damaged if exposed to excessive heat. (Although Docs have an unusual heat-sewn construction, even standard Goodyear welted boots contain plenty of glue, so this advice applies to any good boot.)

Aim to warm the boots just enough to receive the oil, but not so much that you risk drying out or damaging the leather.

Mink Oil Can Darken Leather

It’s also important to keep in mind that this process will darken the leather of your boots, so it may not be the best choice for lighter colored boots. Before beginning the process, do a patch test on a small, inconspicuous area of your boots to see how they react to the mink oil.

You can use Bickmore’s Bick 4 leather conditioner if you don’t want to darken the leather.

Other Tips for Breaking in Docs

Have you ever wondered why it takes so much effort to break in a new pair of boots? The answer lies in the nature of leather and the way it’s constructed.

Leather is made up of tightly packed fibers that become more flexible and pliable when they are worked and moved around. When you wear a new pair of boots, the leather fibers start to separate and loosen up, which can cause discomfort and even pain.

Wrapping Up

Breaking in new Doc Martens boots may require some effort, but it’s worth it for the comfort and longevity of your footwear. Remember to treat your boots with care and use techniques that work best for your leather type.

With proper care and maintenance, your boots will last for years to come, and you’ll have a pair of trusted companions for all your adventures. So don’t rush the process and take the time to break in your boots properly to enjoy the full benefits of your investment. Happy boot breaking in!

How do you break in a pair of Dr. Martens fast?

Condition them! Gently heat the boots and then saturate them with liquid mink oil. This softens the leather while also extending its lifespan.

How do you break in Doc Martens in 2 days?

If you want to accelerate your timeline for breaking in your Doc Marten boots, use liquid mink oil. Gently heat the boot with a hairdryer on a low setting, then drench it with mink oil and let them dry overnight. They'll be much softer and easier to wear if you use heat or leather softener or both for the best results.

Do Doc Martens hurt to break in?

The normal 1460 Docs are made with fairly thin leathers like Nappa leather and their Virginia leather that isn't usually difficult to break in, but the Made in England Docs have thicker leather that will take a couple of weeks to feel comfortable. Don't try to wear your boots for a long period of time when they're new, swap them out for sneakers once they start hurting and try again tomorrow.