Do Timberlands Stretch? How to Break In Tight Boots

There is nothing more annoying than buying a pair of expensive Timberland boots thinking they are the perfect fit only to find out later that what you thought was a snug fit is actually a bit tight and uncomfortable. So do Timberlands stretch and if so can how can you get them to fit perfectly instead of them killing your feet?

Luckily I have plenty of solutions that can help you to stretch nubuck leather (the kind found in most Timberland boots) so that you can get them to fit your feet with as minimal hassle as possible.

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Should Timberlands Be Tight?

But before I begin remember that buying the right-fit leather boots starts in the store or when you order them online. Make sure you try on your boots at home in the afternoon after you have been standing on your feet for a while so that your feet are a little more swollen. Wear them with some thick socks and walk around the house to assess the fit.

Timberland boots should fit snugly on your foot but they should never feel tight or uncomfortable.

Check the footwear to make sure they are the right size by assessing if they rub at the heel or on any of the seams. Make sure that your toes aren’t touching the front of the boot and that they have enough room to spread out.

Equally, make sure that they aren’t too loose either which can also cause problems. You shouldn’t be experiencing any pain as you walk around although you might find the leather will be a little stiff.

If you feel discomfort don’t buy them or send them back to buy an alternative size.

Can You Stretch Out Timberlands?

So what happens if you already have your new Timberland Boots and you can no longer send them back? Do Timberlands stretch or are you doomed to wear uncomfortable boots or even take them to the thrift store because they are impossible to wear?

Well, the good news is that leather boots stretch and there are plenty of methods that you can use in order to make your boots more comfortable.

Stretching Timberlands isn’t difficult and in most cases, you will be able to increase the size of the boot by at least half to one full size using some of the methods I’m going to mention below.

Most of the methods I’m going to talk about are relatively cheap and easy to do especially when compared to the price of your Timberlands. Just note that if you are in any way nervous about messing around with your boots take them to a professional who can do the work for you.

Do Timberlands Need Breaking In?

The first method which works if your Timberland boots are just slightly too tight is to see if breaking them in can help. Most boots especially heavy leather boots take a period of time to break in so that they start to take the shape of your foot.

You have to remember that leather boots when they are new are usually quite stiff and the leather is relatively inflexible. As you begin to wear your boots the leather stretches and softens slightly and your boots should start to feel more comfortable.

When you break in your shoes and boots they are forming a new shape that adjusts to your feet and gait. This process can take a little time.

How Long Does it Take For Timberland Boots To Break In?

On average a new pair of boots can take anywhere between 70 and 100 hours of wearing time to break in. Whilst this process is taking place your footwear may feel stiff and you may find that you can’t walk for long hours in your boots.

It always makes sense to try and break in your footwear at home initially. Wear the boots around the house with a thick pair of socks and you should find the leather starts to stretch naturally and mold to your feet.

When you are at the point where your boots are feeling more comfortable start wearing them for short walks outside of the house and gradually increase the time you are wearing them for.

If you want to stop boots from rubbing your ankle you can read our article on the topic as that has some tips to stop that problem.

Hopefully, this will allow the leather to soften sufficiently so that your boots feel much more comfortable. If that doesn’t work and your boots still feel uncomfortable then you need to try some of the following stretching methods.

How Can I Make My Timberlands Loose? Use a Boot Stretcher

If your boots are still killing your feet or hurting or rubbing your toes then you will need to use stretching methods in order to get your Timberlands to fit.

The first method which is one of the easiest is to invest in a boot stretcher to do the hard work for you.

Boot stretchers are a device that is placed inside your boots that can help to stretch your boots length, width, or even the height of the top of the boot. Just note that not every boot stretcher has all three functions so you need to find one that will solve your particular problem.

Most people find that boot or shoe stretchers that help with the length and width problem are the most popular. This four-way shoe stretcher is a perfect example of a device that can help with this problem.

Just insert it inside your leather boots and turn the handle to create the pressure you need to stretch those tight boots. Usually, 24 hours of stretching should do the trick to get those boots fitting more comfortably.

Alternatively, if you need to adjust the height of your boots you can use this boot stretcher which helps to take pressure off the top of your foot.

Use a Shoe or Boot Stretching Spray

There are plenty of shoe stretching sprays on the market that have also been designed to help increase the size of footwear without damaging or staining your boots.

All you need to do when you are using one of these is to spritz the stretching spray on the inside of your boots paying particular attention to the areas which are causing you the pain points.

Now put on your boots with some thick socks and start to walk in them around the house. As you walk and wear in your Timberland boots the leather will start to stretch.

Whilst the spray works brilliantly on its own some people use it with the boot stretchers to break in their boots. They simply spray the inside of their boots and then place them in the stretchers for 24 hours to get the movement they need.

Heat Your Boots With a Hairdryer

I have added this method mainly because Timberland Boots themselves have given this as an option to help break in their boots. Whilst this method has been recommended by the company I would like to add a huge word of caution and that is using too much heat on nubuck or leather can cause your boots to start to crack and split.

If you are going to use this method to try and increase the size of your boots then try and only use the heat for short bursts at a time.

Whilst heat can help to stretch your boots it can also damage them as well so where possible use this method if you don’t have boot stretchers or stretching sprays available.

All you need to do to make this work is put on your boots with a pair of thick socks and aim the hairdryer at the problem pinch points. Try and use a lower heat to start and only for twenty seconds or so at a time.

Heat the problem area and then start walking around in your boots to loosen up the leather. Repeat the process if needed once the leather has cooled down until you get the fit you need.

Just be careful not to get carried away with this method as it can cause damage which clearly you do not want.

Use Leather Conditioners and Oils

Do Timberlands stretch? Well, they do when you use leather conditioners and oils on them to help with the stretching process and to soften the leather footwear.

There are lots of different conditioners and oils that you can buy to make a difference such as Lexol leather conditioner. This product not only protects your Timberland shoes and boots but it also helps to make the leather more flexible and supple.

Just put a small amount onto a dry cloth and slowly rub it into your Timberland Boots so that the conditioner is fully absorbed. When you walk in your boots now you should find the leather is softer and not so harsh on your feet.

Obviously, this won’t help to increase the length of your boots but it can help with pinch points and problem areas where your boots were previously hurting.

How To Stretch Timberland Boots in the Freezer

Do Timberlands stretch? Well believe it or not yes they do in your freezer at home.

A freezer can be a cheap method of trying to get your Timberland boots to fit as all you need is water, some freezer bags and a plastic bag.

Fill a freezer bag half to two-thirds full with water and then fully seal it but make sure you get rid of the air. Then pop it into another empty freezer bag and seal it again.

Pop the bag into the inside of your boot where it feels too tight and then place the boots into a plastic bag. Pop the whole lot in your freezer for 24 hours and allow the water to turn to ice and expand.

The expansion of the water into ice puts pressure on your leather boot and causes it to stretch. When the boots are removed from the freezer and the ice melts you can remove the bags. You should now find they feel roomier. Repeat the process if you need.

Visit a Local Cobbler

Finally, if you don’t trust yourself with any of these methods then your local cobbler can probably help. Remember they have plenty of equipment for stretching boots and shoes that you don’t have at home plus professional know-how.

Do Timberlands stretch? Well, they certainly do when they are placed in their equipment and this is certainly something worth considering especially if you feel that your boots need a large increase in size.

A local cobbler is worth their weight in gold and may be able to save your incorrectly sized expensive boots.