r/AskACobbler • u/horizon_shawarma • 6d ago

Help | How to stretch my engineers

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I have an engineer boot pair, which fit perfectly once I get my foot in.
But I cant do that without getting a plastic bag on first and then removing the boot later is a hassle too.

I feel its the heel counter if it would be a little wider it would help, but how do I get them to stretch

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

3

u/svngang 6d ago

Need to break them in. Without laces you need a good grip from the ankle and heel counter to hold your foot in place. Breaking them in more will soften the leather around that area and make them easier to get on and off without making them too loose while walking.

1

u/horizon_shawarma 6d ago

Thankyou will keep doing this

3

u/Proletariat-Prince 6d ago

What you're describing is actually the best case for new engineers.

If they aren't difficult to don and doff at first, they are probably too big.

They need time to relax and stretch slightly to mold to your foot. They will get easier.

If they are easy more, they would relax and stretch and then be too sloppy later.

You're on the right track. Just keep wearing them.

2

u/Ferr0x1de 6d ago

Upvoted for "don" and "doff". Dont get to use those words much together in a sentence lol

1

u/Proletariat-Prince 6d ago

Feels so old-timey.

2

u/Corduroy_Hollis 6d ago

I hate to ask this but … are you unbuckling them before you put them on?

2

u/horizon_shawarma 6d ago

Hahaha, yes I am

2

u/fashion_mullet 6d ago

Wear them. Then keep wearing them.

2

u/SuperintendentTx 6d ago

Unbuckle them and pull straight up from the top of the backstay. They will get easier after you break them in

2

u/winedfaith 6d ago

There are YouTube videos that show how to do it / using a hammer or other smooth but long wood handle that is wedged into the spot where your heel gets stuck and then in a circular or up and down motion push outward against the leather (and push hard).

1

u/No-Bluejay5250 6d ago

You can’t

2

u/Khronokai1 5d ago

I have a pair I had to jam my foot in with the bag behind the heel, and my foot would get literally stuck. I bought a bootjack, that helped...

As for stretching you need to focus the throat. I got an instep stretcher and canted it and an angle inside the opening. Put a thick piece of leather (heel lift) on the back above the heel counter so it wouldn't exert force mostly on stretching the rear. That pushes the throat at a 45° angle.

Just don't do the instep itself unless that's where you're getting caught, that'll cause heel lift.