How to soften up long leather boots?

[royal]

Hi,

Has anyone any tips for softening the leather on long boots?
My Just Tog ones are great, but soooo stiff! I can't wear them long enough to bed them in and can't bend my ankle properly to ride!!

So anyone got any magic tips?!

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

good old vanner and prest neatsfoot compound will help soften leather, i used it on my now lovely and soft long leather boots

 

[Havinalaugh]

Another vote for neatsfoot here!

 

[Boltonrider]

I used to work with a fella.... old army type....
he swore by errr, taking a leak in em, especially leather one's!

Never tried it myself!

 

[royal]

Re: the neatsfoot....on the inside or outside? Tried on the outside, but it just sits on top as its really smooth leather....did a little bit on the inside (like tack) and it stained it!!

Boltonrider.....erm......!!!!!!!!!

 

[kerilli]

effax leather balm, the stuff in the brown pot. smells like honey, super for leather.

 

[Kenzo]

Only one way, get riding in them, the sooner you do the sooner they will drop and soften!

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

i only used it on the outside, just applied lashings of it and let it soak right in, the buff them after a bit
they soon softened with wear on the inside too

 

[PoppyAnderson]

I second the 'get riding in 'em'. I've got some and I wore them everywhere at first and I mean everywhere! They were so uncomfy and I thought they'd never soften but they eventually did and are now great. You're just gonna have to push on thru' the pain I'm afraid!

 

[BigRed]

How well they soften depends on the quality of the leather.

I agree that the best way is to wear them. The warmth of your legs and the moisture of your legs and feet will start the process.

 

[FigJam]

[ QUOTE ]
I second the 'get riding in 'em'. I've got some and I wore them everywhere at first and I mean everywhere! They were so uncomfy and I thought they'd never soften but they eventually did and are now great. You're just gonna have to push on thru' the pain I'm afraid!

[/ QUOTE ]

Totally agree with this. Went through very similar with my Ariat gaiters, they were SO sore to wear at first, couldn't bend my knee more than a minimal amount (made mounting entertaining for spectators!!) and they were so tight I was worried they were cutting off the blood supply to my feet!

However, after a month of persevering through the pain (no pain, no gain and they looked so pretty it was well worth it!) they are not broken in and feel much better. I know it doesn't feel like they'll ever feel good to wear right now, but stick with wearing them and they will!

I regularly used a little saddle soap and tack conditioner on them to keep them looking nice, don't konw how much that helped. I didn't want to oil in case they went too far in the other direction and were too loose/baggy!

 

[joy]

I asked this question a while ago and the answer is....
Get out there and ride in them and wear them!