| Author | Message | ||
     Fltwistygirl |
So, as a rider/transplanted Midwest to Southeast to Western chick, I have had a few pairs of a variety of boots to break in as I have adapted to the lay of the land. I wanted to share what I have learned. 1. When you have new boots, unless they are custom made, you may not know the history. If they have come from/or been stored in the west, humidity is low and the leather is thirsty. 2. Thirsty leather boots need moisture and something that provides moisture and water repellent is a bonus. I found my ideal product in Minnesota at a farm/ranch supply place and have not located it since. I feel like I am running contraband with my boot conditioning product from St. Peter as well as top the tater and porketta from the Iron Range, and feel bad having the the in-laws stocking up on boot goo, condiments, pork roasts then transporting. And then plochmans mustard. Ugh. 3. If not custom fitted, there may be pressure points. You may need to stretch them out out. 4. Once you find a product that helps you saturate them, you can find something to stretch them. For me, I use a combo of tennis ball where I dont have a huge need for more room and a fake apple or an orange (from a craft store) for the places that need more work (stretching).This may seem weird, but it may work. My favorite ranch style and riding boots fit like slippers now. yay. I alternate between wearing and stretching till they are all broken in. Flipflops...ftw. YMMV. Hope to post pics soon! B. | ||
| Fotoguzzi |
so what is the product name? | ||
| Xbimmer |
Back when I collected old milsurp rifles I would use this stuff to restore the slings. http://www.skidmores.com/proddetail.asp?prod=lc Works really well though I don't remember using it on any riding gear since most of my stuff is textile. They offer a "Biker" version also which I haven't tried. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
The product is "Nor-v-gen". It comes in a shoe paste and shoe oil form. I prefer the paste and find if you saturate the boot and let it sit in the sun to really soak in, it really absorbs into the leather. It's amazing how the lack of humidity here in Colorado sucks the life out of leather, wood and your skin. | ||
| Hootowl |
This works too: https://www.google.com/search?q=mink+oil&safe=acti ve&hl=en&gbv=2&prmd=ivnsfd&source=lnms&sa=X&ei=1Vh JVJX6KuaR8gHJ4IG4CQ&ved=0CAQQ_AU | ||
| Zac4mac |
When you're breaking in a new pair of boots, keep a spray bottle of Isopropyl alcohol handy. Spray the tight spots a few times and feel the relief. Z | ||
| Jesse_lackman |
I've worn Red Wing work boots for 35 years and have never had to break new ones in. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Zac- I'd never heard of that. No damage to the leather? Jesse- I have never had problems breaking in work (range) boots. It's boots like this that are problematic:   | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
More...here's the Nor-V-Gen and the craft store fruits.  Nother shot...I slather a bunch of goo in the crease lines as they form..  And, maintenance on my Sidi's. I wear thicker socks for winter riding and want to make sure they are comfy off the shelf for the winter season:  | ||
| Biffdotorg |
I love a good Minnesota girl! Plotchmans mustard! Awesome, my wife bought Heinz and I cannot believe it. She threw my old Plotchmans (barrel bottle) away as she said it expired! Are you kidding me, it's mustard!!! | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
BTW I used to use mink oil, but the nor-v-gen provides a level of protection against road grime that I've never experienced with any other product. And Biff- Not sure how I got so particular about condiments, but I know whenever I get back to MN, after my initial stop at White Castle for Jalapeno sliders, it's off to the grocery store for the "right" mustard and top the tater. At least we have Taco Johns in Colorado! | ||
| Fotoguzzi |
"At least we have Taco Johns in Colorado!" Ha! we call them Taco Sven's in Little Canada. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Never had tj's on that side of town. Found some fine Mexican cuisine in s. St. Paul this summer. Nomnomnom. Greg is the boot whisperer...a good man will help break in his gals boots. Few things better than a good pair of ariats. |
