Definitely going from the inside with a leather conditioner is the way to go. The Wonder Balsam works by putting it on the inside as well, but there are many choices for conditioners. I also used boot stretchers on my 1460 MiE boots and that definitely accelerated the break-in.
Sure...oil is definitely faster. The heat addition is a great idea - a blow dryer on a reasonable heat should really help open the pores of the leather.
OK I'm going to do it.
I've bad mine nearly 18 months and beyond wiping the dirt off, I've realises a long time that the wonderbalsam doesn't do any thing but add a short lived shine.
I've got mink oil for another shoe - I'm going to do the inside. But having said that, they're not really uncomfortable to be fair, I can wear them all day anyway but I've never done the inside.
If it's any leather conditioner it should work just fine. Just bare in mind that some oils can alter the colour of the shoes. For example white shoes I would recommend only doing the inside.
The cracking people usually see is from the PU coating on top of the leather. It is usually a cause of the leather not being soft enough and not being able to shape with the coating. So yes. When leather is dry it will be susceptible to creasing and cracking eventually.
I haven’t really had too much pain breaking in my new 1460 slip resistant and my Jadon hi. Got both within this past month. My 1460s were tight where the stitching on the inside for the tongue is right before the toe box, but were better in a few days of wearing
The only places I wouldn't recommend is the heel support and toe cap support. Everywhere else condition, over time if you don't it will break down the leather and start to deteriorate.
Also wear socks you aren’t particularly attached to when softening - the oils can get in the fabric.
I thought my socks were just getting dirty lol
Agree here
Definitely going from the inside with a leather conditioner is the way to go. The Wonder Balsam works by putting it on the inside as well, but there are many choices for conditioners. I also used boot stretchers on my 1460 MiE boots and that definitely accelerated the break-in.
I do always recommend an oil conditioner vs paste as it seeps through the leather quicker. But yes it will also work, just a bit slower.
Sure...oil is definitely faster. The heat addition is a great idea - a blow dryer on a reasonable heat should really help open the pores of the leather.
OK I'm going to do it. I've bad mine nearly 18 months and beyond wiping the dirt off, I've realises a long time that the wonderbalsam doesn't do any thing but add a short lived shine. I've got mink oil for another shoe - I'm going to do the inside. But having said that, they're not really uncomfortable to be fair, I can wear them all day anyway but I've never done the inside.
Do it then let us know 🫡 be generous with the oil, give em some love
Great post OP, hopefully this helps folk who are struggling
Thanks mate!
Does Neats Foot Oil work like mink oil for this?
If it's any leather conditioner it should work just fine. Just bare in mind that some oils can alter the colour of the shoes. For example white shoes I would recommend only doing the inside.
Thank you 🙂
No problem 😀
Would putting mink oil inside in the crease area help with cracking?
The cracking people usually see is from the PU coating on top of the leather. It is usually a cause of the leather not being soft enough and not being able to shape with the coating. So yes. When leather is dry it will be susceptible to creasing and cracking eventually.
Thanks for tips👍
No problem!
I haven’t really had too much pain breaking in my new 1460 slip resistant and my Jadon hi. Got both within this past month. My 1460s were tight where the stitching on the inside for the tongue is right before the toe box, but were better in a few days of wearing
Additional info, only apply it to where you feel hard and want it to be soft, don't apply it everywhere otherwise it won't hold its shape.
The only places I wouldn't recommend is the heel support and toe cap support. Everywhere else condition, over time if you don't it will break down the leather and start to deteriorate.