Riding boot break-in help

**fabiodriven** · 03-23-2010, 10:15 AM

So I've always worn work boots riding and I'd like to start wearing my riding boots. I bought a set a couple years ago and they were so stiff I couldn't even get my toe under the shifter to upshift. They are made by O'Neal and I know they are supposed to be stiff, but these things seem REALLY stiff. I am wearing them right now at work to try and loosen them up a little. What else can I do?

**gripnrip** · 03-23-2010, 11:24 AM

The best way that I know is to put them on and then take a water hose and wet them down “just on the out side” like your washing off the mud after a good ride.
Then keep them on for awhile and walk around in them, then squat down with them on and it will rock you up on your tows. That should do the trick for you.

Don’t worry about ruining the boots, they are made to get wet. I wash mine inside and out from tome to time and they hold up very well.

Dennis

**keister** · 03-23-2010, 12:13 PM

Step 1: Ride
Step 2: Wash them
Step 3: Ride some more
Repeat as necessary.

Since getting riding boots I have also moved all of my shift levers up a few notches on the spline to clear the larger boots.

**fabiodriven** · 03-23-2010, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by keister

Step 1: Ride
Step 2: Wash them
Step 3: Ride some more
Repeat as necessary.

Since getting riding boots I have also moved all of my shift levers up a few notches on the spline to clear the larger boots.

I can't do that. I can't even shift with these things on. They are like rocks.

**Mosh** · 03-23-2010, 01:21 PM

I wore them and waded in a creek until they were soaked,then rode them wet for a few hours..
It sucked, but after that, they were golden.

**gripnrip** · 03-23-2010, 01:41 PM

A lot of people move there shifter up a notch or two, but it’s been my experience that by doing that you run the risk of putting too much weight on the shifter lever when you land a jump. This could bend or break the lever or even bend the shifter forks in the trany.
If you just cant seem to get used to riding with boots then you can make the shifter longer by cutting it in half and welding in a spacer.

Some boot stiles are a little thinner in the tow area and are better then others.

Getting them wet and wearing them does seem to work though.

Dennis

**Dirtcrasher** · 03-23-2010, 01:53 PM

20 minutes at 350 degrees ought to do it

John, mine still hurt sometimes but I think it's the design of the GAERNE boot. I like the walking and riding them wet idea and wearing them at work...........

**fabiodriven** · 03-23-2010, 01:58 PM

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll try the thing with the water, but I have a feeling I may need better boots. Even though these things are brand new, they were only like $60 or something cheap like that so I'm getting the feeling there may be something wrong with them. I had a guy in my shop this morning that felt them and he couldn't believe how tough they were.

**Dirtcrasher** · 03-23-2010, 02:08 PM

I wonder if the ski shop would help you......

A heat gun/hair dryer would be similar but; They broke in my SKI boots with a machine that got them nice ansd hot, then you walked around. Cross Sabers in Ranyham did it, it can't hurt to offer 10-20$ for them to try or just unload them and grab another set.

I have 3 sets of boots here that you are welcome to try.

I can't ride without boots, they make me feel like Jeremy McGrath

**cox** · 03-23-2010, 02:26 PM

You feel like Jeremy McGrath when you were MX boots? I am SO getting a pair....

**300rman** · 03-23-2010, 07:59 PM

You arent supposed to bend your foot to shift, or your ankle for that matter. it took me a few weeks to get used to shifting with my boots....at first i couldnt get into second gear. now all is well. i never washed mine either.

just practice with em.

**MyMistress86R** · 03-24-2010, 11:09 AM

I concur with the water/wear method. Derrick Adams does this with every pair of boots he buys and I did it with my Fly 805s. Find a creek and dunk them effers then just spend as much time in them as you can until they start to get flexible. I had the same problems you are having and this trick had em ready in no time.

**3wheelmecca** · 03-24-2010, 11:28 AM

+1 on that. My Answer vintage boots were very hard, but I put them in a 5 gallon bucket full of water, dried the inside, and rode for a day and now I can run with them on. Also try Armor-All to keep them clean, it works on mine.

**leviblue** · 03-24-2010, 02:46 PM

I went fly fishing with mine then let my little brother wear them for a while. I don't wear them much anymore I like short boots better so I'm looking a the Thor low cuts.

**tanks350x** · 03-27-2010, 07:44 AM

I have a pair of THOR Quadrants, I have the same issues as you do John. I've had them for over a year and you never seen me wear them on the trails. I can't break them in

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Riding boot break-in help