How to Soften Hard Leather Shoes

Hard leather shoes can cause blisters and other maladies of the foot. You can soften them up and save yourself some pain and anguish by following a few basic rules about softening hard leather shoes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Saddle soap
• Leather conditioner
• Cotton cloths or rags
• Newspapers
• Thick socks
• Rubbing alcohol

1. Slather your hard leather shoes in saddle soap, making sure to cover the entire shoe both inside and out, and then wipe away the excess. This will begin soften your hard leather shoes.

2. Stuff the shoes with a bunch of newspapers after applying the saddle soap, and let stand for a night or two.

3. Put on two pairs of thick socks and walk around the house in the shoes. This will break the shoes in while they are still soft, forming to your foot and saving you future discomfort.

4. Daub rubbing alcohol on any problem spots to spot-soften them. Do not do this all over the shoe, as it will damage it slightly, warping the leather.

5. Finally, as a finishing touch, add polish.

Tips & Warnings

• Leather shoes that become waterlogged can harden up. Wipe your leather shoes out after each use, if possible. Sweat is bad for them.
• You can apply a leather conditioner instead of the saddle soap. This will help to soften the leather too. Then cover the shoe in wax to waterproof it.
• Do not cover your leather shoe in rubbing alcohol. This will warp it beyond recognition. Only apply in problem spots as needed, and only as a last resort.

[magmum5]

on 4/30/2009 I have found that the quickest, easiest way to make new leather shoes fit comfortable and conform to my feet is to put them on outside on my deck and get a pail of warm water and step into the pail of water with each shoe. Then walk around in them for about 1/2 - 1 hour. This works like a miracle. For synthetic makes (which I buy rarely) the only thing I found to minimize pressure spots on feet is to heat them up either in the dryer on a dryer rack or with a hair dryer (on high heat) then put them on while still very warm. You may have to do this 2 or 3 separate times. Good luck! - Magmum5 :)