Does an all-leather boot shrink or stretch over time?

[Rokwiia]

I'm actively looking for an all-leather boot and have never had one before. I'm trying to understand whether the fit will tighten or stretch over time. I can see how leather repeatedly getting wet and drying might cause it to shrink. I can also see how leather could stretch a hair as it loosens with use.

What should I expect over continued use---will the fit of the leather boot shrink or loosen?

Merrell Wilderness

Kenetrek Hardscrabble

Hanwag Bergler

 

[Hyphen]

I don’t feel mine have changed size, although my foot has. The three main pair have been through all weather conditions and abuse. I rinse off salt and keep them conditioned. My opinion, but Crispi boots should be on your list for consideration.

 

[jdmaxwell]

Leather boot will sometimes shrink if wet then dried to quickly over high heat. My experience

 

[HighUintas]

Under decent care, they shouldn't shrink. The liners and other synthetic materials on the inside will shrink far less than leather, and not a noticeable amount at all. They may of course start to feel bigger over time, just from the inner padding becoming compressed.

As long as you use a good wax or other protectant on the leather and dry them in a room temp environment then it shouldn't shrink or crack.

If there is no liner on the inside and it is straight leather on the inside and out, you'll need to be a little more careful with not leaving them damp in a hot car or similar because the effect will be pronounced.

 

[Jellymon1]

I accidentally put my meindl boots about a foot away from the wood stove and forgot about them. The stove got way too hot that night and the boots shrunk a whole size and were ruined. I won’t make that mistake again.

 

[KChunter71]

Your location says in the mountains. If your hiking around sharp rocks you will get more protection from the Kenetreks as they have a rubber rands around the boot. All three are good options as I look for a boot that can be resoled as this cost less than a new pair. As far as all leather don't ever use heat to dry them. Take a look at the Lowa boots too. Im on my fourth pair between Renegades and Tibets. If you are wanting leather lined the ones marked LL are leather inside. My dad has been a cobbler for 40 years and I worked for him through high school and until I finished college. Its kind of made me a boot snob I guess.

 

[carsonkeys]

I've heard horror stories of guys, after multiple days of continuous rain and creek crossings, stretching their boots so bad that their laces were bottoming-out. I've experienced a little bit of stretch, but nothing to that degree. So to answer your question, if leather boots become completely saturated with water they can absolutely stretch out.

 

[Marbles]

Depends, wet leather stretches. I tend to by leather boots a tad on the small side as they will form to ones foot and stretch a little with normal use.

If wet and exposed to heat leather will shrink and harden.

Obernauf's LP is the best leather treatment I have found.

Leather, even treated, will hold quite a bit of water if moving in a damp environment.

 

[Wrench]

any natural material will stretch and shrink. How you take care of it is what determines how much.

 

[HighUintas]

Your location says in the mountains. If your hiking around sharp rocks you will get more protection from the Kenetreks as they have a rubber rands around the boot. All three are good options as I look for a boot that can be resoled as this cost less than a new pair. As far as all leather don't ever use heat to dry them. Take a look at the Lowa boots too. Im on my fourth pair between Renegades and Tibets. If you are wanting leather lined the ones marked LL are leather inside. My dad has been a cobbler for 40 years and I worked for him through high school and until I finished college. Its kind of made me a boot snob I guess.

I like a boot that can be resoled as well. Can those kennetreks be resoled?

I wear these https://www.campsaver.com/scarpa-r-evolution-plus-gtx-backpacking-boot-mens.html

Any idea on those?

 

[KChunter71]

Yes Kennetreks can be resoled.

Those Scarpas you would have to call on. Depends of you sole is hollow inside. You need something to glue to on a molded sole.

 

[Rokwiia]

I assumed the Hard Scrabble could bee resoled by Kenetrek as they offer that service on their website. I tried on the Scarpa SL Active and loved the boot but it didn't fit me well.

I never tried Lowa because I heard they run narrow.

 

[Jn78]

In my experience, they seem to stretch a little bit. I am not surenifnthis is because they are breaking in and sort of molding to my foot, but they do feel looser after some use. I have not experienced any shrinkage but I avoid exposing them to high heat and I frequently condition my boots with Grangers.

 

[gelton]

I have had leather boots shrink around the toe box. Everyone says if you keep them treated and dont subject them to high heat like a fire that they shouldn't, which are points I follow but it still happened. Also true like the poster above said that if they get soaking wet that they can stretch as well.

 

[ID gives AF]

Expensive boots shrunk!

I've got a pair of boots I really like that shrunk a little bit. Full leather. From doing a little research there has been success with stretching boots by putting a plastic bag in the boot, filling it with water and freezing it. When the water freezes it expands and stretches. A lot of people...

rokslide.com

cross-reference for remedies for shrunken all-leather boots