To break in new leather shoes, wear them in short sessions so the leather gradually softens and molds to your feet, protect against blisters, and gently stretch spots that pinch, rather than forcing long wear right away.
Wear them around the house for short stretches over several days so the leather slowly flexes and conforms to your feet. Thicker socks can ease the fit, a leather conditioner keeps the material supple, and gradually increasing the wearing time avoids overdoing it.
Cover hot spots, often the heel and toes, with a bandage or blister plaster before wearing, and keep the early sessions short. Stopping before the shoe starts to rub raw lets your feet adjust without injury.
For spots that pinch, a shoe stretcher or a professional stretch can relieve pressure, and wearing the shoes with thick socks helps ease width. Go gently, because over-stretching leather can loosen the fit permanently.
It varies with the leather and the shoe, but breaking them in gradually over several short wears is safer than one long day, which tends to cause blisters.
It can. Conditioner keeps the leather supple so it flexes and molds more easily, though it will not change the shoe's size.
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