WESCO-MRLOU-CXL Wesco® -10" CXL Steerhide Engineer Boot - Brown The "Mister Lou"
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Hi @Oaktavia the break-in experience for everyone can be very different, the leather will take time to soften up but it will eventually. The boots are all made on one last and will take some manipulation to get them to mold to your feet, the only real way around this is as @Dmart touched on, is opting for a custom last. You could also explore the option of different insoles, trying to find some that give/take space in the right areas.
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I’ve never had engineers, but I’l got quite a high instep and have always found with boots that they fit better after the first time I wear them out in torrential rain and get them properly wet, so I’d say give it a whirl
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I’ve never had engineers, but I’l got quite a high instep and have always found with boots that they fit better after the first time I wear them out in torrential rain and get them properly wet, so I’d say give it a whirl
That's what I used to do with a new pair of Vans or something similar. Walking around in the rain would really help break them in. I know its apples to oranges but I'm willing to try this.
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If you can suffer through it for a while I bet they will stretch naturally, though it is understandable to accelerate the process @Oaktavia – but if it is any comfort, I've had even extremely thick leathers that were uncomfortably pressing on my foot (also high arches) ultimately tamed by powering through the discomfort (there are limits to what we should be willing to go through--I didn't have sores or anything like that and would have sought alternatives had it gotten to that point).
I love engineers and think they go great with your look so hope it works out!
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@mclaincausey I was also thinking this, since they have already stretched a bit in that one area. Loosening them up helped quite a bit too. If I go ahead and fill 'em with water I'll let you all know how it worked out.
But thanks for the insight. I don't have sores or even redness of any kind just a little pressure when wearing. I'm nit picky so anything that isn't perfect I try to resolve.
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OK–yeah I think you're going to be just fine then.
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I've chatted about this in other threads, but it seems pretty relevant here — I got a pair of Mr Lous late last year, albeit natural CXL. I felt a lot of the same tightness, as I've got super high insteps, on my right foot even more so than the left.
I wanted to add that my experience has been similar to others': they do really loosen up with regular wear. I took the insoles out of mine, which helped a lot, and the pressure to the top of my foot that I particularly feel on my right foot has lessened a ton.
I think you'll dig em the more you wear em. I've really enjoyed mine so far, and they're certainly a lot easier to deal with than my black CXL Lofgrens.
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@popvulture okay wonderful, that is exactly what I was hoping to hear. Which is what I thought would be the case, just wanted a confirmation. I do not think they are the wrong size at all, just high instep slight discomfort. Thanks for the help!!
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You bet! FWIW my first pair was a 13, but I thought they just felt a tad too big. I went down to a 12 because these were just stock boots — no 12.5 available. The length in the 12 felt fine but I was a little worried at first that I'd fucked up and was stuck with the tightness in the instep, but like I said, they've chilled out and are getting really comfy. I'm gonna try putting the insoles back in after a good while, so that should make em feel even better.
TLDR - I feel your pain and can def say rest easy knowing they get better!
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You bet! FWIW my first pair was a 13, but I thought they just felt a tad too big. I went down to a 12 because these were just stock boots — no 12.5 available. The length in the 12 felt fine but I was a little worried at first that I'd fucked up and was stuck with the tightness in the instep, but like I said, they've chilled out and are getting really comfy. I'm gonna try putting the insoles back in after a good while, so that should make em feel even better.
TLDR - I feel your pain and can def say rest easy knowing they get better!
Yes you described my worries exactly. Thanks for this, I feel hugely relieved and I think I'll skip the warm water idea in the video. I was willing to try it but filling my $755 boots with warm water made me nervous.
I've been wearing mine pretty much non stop since Monday. 7.5 hours of work as a teacher the past three days and at home until right before bedtime. Plan on to continue this for the time being. I might try to sell a pair or two of Iron Rangers now becaue I just don't think I'll wear them again at this point.
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Haha dude I don't blame you at all. That water shit sounds like more than I could stomach!
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Yeah–if the leather on my boots did it, CXL, which is very much more elastic than that, will do it even more readily.
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dear god don't fill your wescos with water :o If you're a logger ok since they're gonna be thrashed but geeziz…
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Nice! I started with thin socks as well, but eventually I was able to ratchet up the thickness a little bit — I think the slightly beefier socks helped get a bit more stretch. Not like I really love super chunky socks (I hate getting too hot), but a little padding felt nice after having to forgo my insoles for the time being.
