How To Break in Your Dr. Martens

Updated: 13/07/23

It’s no secret that Dr. Martens hurt like hell during the breaking-in process. For many, this pain-bringing ritual stands as a testament to the shoe's quality, but for other Doc lovers, it can also be a real make-or-break period. For years now, Doc wearers have flooded forums across the internet in search of the ultimate remedy to ease their Dr. Martens-related suffering. But fear not, because we have you covered.

As well as sneakers, here at The Sole Supplier, we are partial to a pair of Docs, especially for the winter, and we’d love to shed some insight on to how to make the breaking-in period more comfortable for you. Everyone who has ever owned, or plans to own, a pair of Docs has questioned:

To begin with a disclaimer: breaking in a pair of brand-new Docs is not a process you can rush. We would say, with a lot of patience and depending on your feet, this process can take anywhere between 1 – 3 months. Luckily for you, DM boots are built to last a lifetime, so you have plenty of time spare to still get your wear out of them. They will also NEVER go out of fashion. It’s a win-win and your feet will thank you in the long run.

Despite its roots as a workwear boot, the DM has long been a grunge and punk symbol. More recently, however, it has taken the worlds of Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest by storm, becoming one of the most relevant style icons of the current era whilst staying true to its roots as one of the most durable and (eventually) one of the most comfortable branded boots out there.

This hype has led to everyone and their dog wanting a pair of Docs as part of their rotation, but heed our warning because these boots are not for the faint-hearted. With that said, blisters on your heels and toes, blood all over your socks and aching ankles are not the way forward, so make sure to carry on reading for an avid Doc-wearer's insight on navigating the tricky early stages of your Dr. Martens newness.

So, without further ado, let’s get to it. How to make your Docs more comfortable...

Docs fit everyone differently, even two people who both wear a UK 6.5, for example, won't fit the same pair of boots in the same way. Subsequently, this also means break-in times will vary between the user and depending on which technique(s) you use.

Over a time of breaking in the DMs, the leather, whether that be vegan or real, should stretch to fit your feet. However, if they are still not feeling quite right and a bit too tight after a time, it is possible to remove the inner sole to give yourself a bit more room. Naturally, this means you might have to compromise on comfort slightly, but at least you'll still be able to wear them.

On the flip side, if you feel that they are a bit too big and the slippage is causing some nasty blisters, then there are insoles you can buy to pad the boots out. Another top tip: make sure that you are lacing the boots as tight as can be! Even if it feels unnatural, the leather will then mould to the exact shape of your foot, instead of guessing where your foot might be.

Related Article: The Ultimate Dr. Martens Size Guide

Okay – this may seem obvious, but you need to pile on the socks. And we mean PILE. Trainer socks, followed by ankle socks, a pair of longer socks, and some bed socks or walking socks. Layers are your friend and there is no shame in admitting this. As you begin to break in your Dr. Martens, you may feel the desire to cut down on the number of pairs you need, but we can assure you that in the beginning, there is no such thing as too much.

Double socks not enough? I’m not surprised. You’re going to need a bit more than that for the ultimate Doc-comfort experience. And stick with us here folks, we know what we say next might seem like a peculiar suggestion; however, it works like an absolute charm!

We swear by this hack when breaking in our Doc Martens boots; it makes them infinitely more comfortable...

Two words: sanitary towel. Yep, you read that right. For any of the fellas reading, you're going to have to stick with us here, but once you realise just helpful this hack is you'll be way more likely to try. To accomplish this hack, you simply have to unpeel a pad, and then stick it over that awkward, hard bit on the inside of your boot’s heel. We promise you this hack will change your life! Combined with a pair of long socks, you’re ready to say goodbye to those bleeding heels.

The thick, absorbency layers in the towels make the perfect padding for your ankle as you’re breaking in your DM boots. We definitely recommend this hack to increase the comfort of your Docs, especially on their first outing (which should only be a short walk – btw!), but over time you may not feel the need.

Nevertheless, a regular Dr. Martens wearer on The Sole Supplier team still swears by this hack every time she leaves the house wearing her beloved DMs:

You’ll get a feel for what works for you and what doesn’t. Some will say you should take a spare pair of shoes out with you on your first, long outing in your Docs, but with this padding we bet you wouldn’t need them! That’s how confident we are.

Bash the toughest parts of the Docs with a hammer. It’s that simple. But be careful! We don’t need a trip to A&E, thank you. Not only will this technique work to soften the leather of your Docs, but it also means you'll be able to take out the pent up frustration you incurred from the pain of breaking them in! Quick note, if you happen to be using a claw hammer, don't use the claw part. Because it's a sharper edge, there's a good chance this could damage the leather and puncture it slightly.

At some point, Dr. Martens had to realise the error of its own brilliant ways, so the brand came to the rescue with its own homemade wax specially created to protect and improve the condition of your Docs. However, this magic product, as well as giving your boots a good polish, helps stretch, soften and hydrate the leather. This is the perfect product for first-time Doc wearers, so pick up a tin of this leather softener here.

If you’re looking to avoid the breaking-in process as much as possible, you can invest in some of the more comfortable styles of Dr. Martens. The DM Sinclair and Pascal boots are made from a much softer leather in the first place, meaning there isn’t the awkward stiff period that normally causes the most amount of pain.

You also have your choice of now-surging sandals and mules. Both of these choices offer a much softer alternative in comparison to your average leather boots and are just about as stylish as they come. A break-in process will still be required, but believe us when we say it won't be anywhere near as arduous.

Definitely not! Although breaking in your first pair of Docs can be a gruelling task, your reward is an incredibly soft and cushioned boot which will last you for years to come. Even if you do have a tough break-in process, any small cuts or bruises will heal within days.

Unfortunately there is no sure fire way to break in your Doc Martens quickly. The best way to break them in as quickly as possible is to wear them as much as you can. Wear them around the house, on walks to the shop and anywhere else you can. The more you wear them, the quicker they'll break in. Just be careful not to wear them on any very long walks in the beginning stages.

Our best tip would be to layer up your socks as much as possible. Wear five pairs if that's what it takes! Socks provide extra cushioning which will help prevent blisters and can also help speed up the wearing in process. Don't forget about Compeed blister patches either, these will offer further protection and keep those blisters at bay.

Dr. Martens are the best boots you could ever invest in and over time it is SO worth the pain. They are the perfect winter shoe and we all love ours to pieces. With these hacks, you’ll be able to enjoy yours to the absolute limit and make the most of these iconic boots. If all this fails however, you can always go neck a few bevs and have a good dance with your pals. That seems to work wonders at breaking in Docs, too.

Be sure to check out some of our other size guide and styling content below for more tips and advice from The Sole Supplier team: