Shoecare & Product Advice

Need tips on breaking in your new shoes? Here's how. 

Get the right fit. 

With wear, your new shoes will stretch widthwise, but not lengthwise. Make sure to have at least 1cm of space from the tip of your longest toe to the front of the shoe. If you have a wide foot, choose a wide fitting style which will allow your toes to spread comfortably. Before ordering online, chat to our Product Experts either via Live Chat or on 0800 497 369 for a virtual fitting. 

Take it slow. 

Start by wearing your new shoes for short periods of time. Begin by wearing them around the house so that you can take them off if your feet ache or they start to rub.   

Tighten the laces. 

It may be tempting to loosen the laces to allow more room inside the shoe, however, tying them up tightly will help to stretch the fabric and speed up the break-in process. 

Grab your thickest socks. 

Wear your thickest socks whilst you break in your new shoes. It will create a thick, padded layer between your feet and your new shoes which will prevent rubbing and blisters. The bulkiness of the socks will also help to stretch the material of the shoe. 

Breaking in your Docs will take time and patience, but everyone goes through it. Read on to discover the ways to make this rite of passage go smoothly -  we've got you covered.

1. Get the perfect fit
If you normally take half a size, we recommend sizing down. The boots should feel tight but not uncomfortable. If the boot feels uncomfortable when you try it on, especially in the width, then it is too small. Docs will soften and stretch as you wear them in - You can check out our size guide for more information.

2. Wear thick socks and keep your laces tight

Wearing thick socks will protect your feet + encourage the leather to warm up + soften faster. Keep your laces tight to encourage the boot to mould to your foot and avoid rubbing.

3. If they're brand new, start with 1-2 hour intervals
Begin by wearing your Docs around the house for short periods of time. Don't attempt a festival or long walk the first time you wear them. Some leathers stretch quicker than others, Nappa, Carpathian and Virginia are some great soft leather options. 

4. Repeat until they're perfect
Follow the mentioned steps above until your boots are soft and shaped to your foot. 

Throughout the years, we've heard all sorts... Let us know how you break in yours! 

Yes, we do! We stock a range of vegan products at Hype DC.

If you’re looking to purchase any cruelty-free products, simply head over to the search bar at the top of the page and type in ‘vegan’. This will bring up our vegan range.

Alternatively, if you're looking for sustainable shoes, you'll find our range here.

Items listed on the website are generally still in stock. However, due to stock levels constantly fluctuating we cannot fully guarantee this. 

If you would like to confirm that an item is in stock before ordering, feel free to reach out to our Product Experts and provide the product name and number.