You've just purchased a new pair of tall boots – congratulations! Now the oh-so-fun process of breaking them in begins. Breaking in tall boots is uncomfortable, sometimes painful, and even a bit frustrating. It takes some time. However, there are a few things you can do to help speed the process along.

Wear Heel Lifts

It’s generally recommended to purchase tall boots that are about an inch taller than you need them to be. While this accounts for the fact that most tall boots drop by one inch as they break in, it can also make initially wearing them very uncomfortable. Inserting heel lifts into the soles of your tall boots can give you the temporary added height that you need, minimizing the amount that the boot digs into the back of your leg as you break it in.

Condition Away

The trick to breaking in tall boots is to get the boots to soften up enough to mold to your legs. Using a quality cream boot conditioner can help to make the boots more supple and pliable, which will also make them more comfortable. Liberally apply conditioner to your tall boots, both inside and out. Repeat this process as you break your tall boots in.

Start Gradually

Put your tall boots on just for short amounts of time at first. Wear them around the house, or walk down the driveway to get the mail. Depending on how stiff your tall boots are, you’ll be able to wear them for longer and longer amounts of time. If you feel the boots rubbing or blistering your skin, take them off to give your legs and feet time to recover. You don’t have to break your tall boots in in one single marathon session. If you take the time to break them in gradually, you’ll be more comfortable – and able to walk the next day.

Wear Good Socks

When you start breaking in tall boots, wearing socks that offer you plenty of protection is important, or you’ll be facing rubs and blisters. Use a comfortable pair of boot socks, and consider supplementing them with a thin ankle wrap for additional protection.

Consider Water?

Some riders swear by the old tradition of standing in a bathtub or bucket while wearing a new pair of tall boots. The idea is that water helps to soften the leather. After getting the boots wet, riders wear them around the house all day until the boots dry. Supposedly as the boots dry, they contour themselves to the shape of your legs. Getting your brand new tall boots wet is a little hard to swallow, so we’ll leave the decision of whether this theory is worth it up to you.

Breaking in tall boots is never fun, but it’s a process that we’ve all gone through. Just be sure to take good care of your tall boots so that you don’t have to endure this process again anytime soon!

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Original Source: Breaking In Tall Boots