3 Ways to Put Boots On - wikiHow (2024)

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1Putting On Cowboy Boots

2Putting On Lace-Up Boots

3Putting On Hiking Boots

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Co-authored byCarroll Kelly

Last Updated: April 16, 2024References

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Some boots, like cowboy boots, have a narrow space in which to fit your feet. This often means they are tailored to your foot so they’re more comfortable to walk in, but it also means they can be hard to put on. Some boots have to be laced up correctly for a snug fit, which is important if you’re walking for long periods or hiking. Wearing the right socks makes a big difference, when it comes to comfort as well. Hold on to your boot straps, pull up and read on for tips on how to slide your feet in with ease.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Putting On Cowboy Boots

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  1. 1

    Wear boot socks. The right socks will help you put on cowboy boots. Wear boot socks or ribbed athletic ones that go up to your calf. The sock material will help you wiggle your feet into boots along with your body weight.[1]

  2. 2

    Sit down on a chair or bench. It will be easier to push your heels into cowboy boots if you’re sitting down. Use the side of your bed to sit down on as long as your feet fully touch the ground.

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  3. 3

    Use the boot pull straps. Many cowboy boots have pull straps located on the sides and top of each. Insert your index fingers from the front with the tips facing backwards. Open the tops wide as you hold onto the straps. If you don’t have loops on the sides of your boots, grasp the sides with your hands.[2]

  4. 4

    Place your foot in the upper portion of the boot. Pull the boots up by pulling on the straps. They may go on all the way, or they may stop before your ankle is flush with the heel.[3]

  5. 5

    Stand up and put the boot heel on the floor. While keeping your fingers in the loops, use your body weight to step down as you pull one boot up. Your foot should slide into place.[4]

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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Putting On Lace-Up Boots

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  1. 1

    Lace underneath the bottom eyelet. Start by lacing underneath the bottom eyelets on both sides of each boot. This will help you criss-cross the laces using moderate to high tension, depending on how snug you need to make your boots.

  2. 2

    Start lacing underneath the bottom eyelet. To relieve any pressure at the base of the boots, start criss-crossing the laces from the top part of the bottom eyelet. All consecutive eyelets should be threaded from underneath.[5]

  3. 3

    Criss-cross the laces. The criss-cross technique is common, but also the most comfortable to wear with boots. After you lace the first pair of eyelets, criss-cross each lace to the opposite side by threading underneath each eyelet.

  4. 4

    Loosen up the laces from the top down. To put on your boots easily and not mess up all your hard work lacing them, loosen the laces from the top. Only loosen the top few laces at first. Check to see if your foot will fit and if it doesn’t, loosen up one or two more at the top.

  5. 5

    Wear the correct sock material. Cotton or polyester socks will make your feet smell to high heaven after you take off your boots. Wear wool socks or at least a wool blend. Steer clear of ones made entirely out of nylon, cotton or polyester.[6]

  6. 6

    Use your body weight. As your muscle flexes, it might allow you to push a tight boot all the way down. Remember to keep your laces snug at the bottom at least, so your boots don’t slip.

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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Putting On Hiking Boots

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  1. 1

    Wear liner socks. Liner socks are worn between your boots and regular socks, and they snugly hold your feet in place. Find some made out of wool, but about half the thickness. Opt for synthetic material that wicks away moisture or something like silk, if you can’t find wool.[7]

  2. 2

    Double knot the laces. To prevent your boots from slipping while you walk, or your laces coming undone; double knot them. After you lace and tie your boots like normal, tie them again using the butterfly loops.[8]

  3. 3

    Find thick socks. You don’t want your boots to slip around your foot at all while you walk. To make sure you prevent this, find thick socks. Look for socks about the thickness of fleece or made out of fleece themselves.[9]

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    Buy a software like Sibelius or a free one like MuseScore and write it out on there, and then print it.

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      Tips

      • Choose boots that contain elastic panels around the boot upper.

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      • Leather boots will stretch slightly and mold to fit your feet over time, so size down.

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about putting boots on, check out our in-depth interview with Victor Adrian.

      About This Article

      3 Ways to Put Boots On - wikiHow (34)

      Co-authored by:

      Carroll Kelly

      Shoe Care Specialist

      This article was co-authored by Carroll Kelly. Carroll Kelly is a Shoe Care Specialist and the Owner of Austin Shoe Hospital in Austin, Texas. With over 37 years of experience, Carroll specializes in sustainable shoes, boots, belts, handbags, and luggage repair. Carroll graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas. Austin Shoe Hospital is a family-run business that started over 105 years ago from a single horse-drawn carriage. Today they are the largest and most recognized shoe repair company in the world. This article has been viewed 58,279 times.

      2 votes - 100%

      Co-authors: 8

      Updated: April 16, 2024

      Views:58,279

      Categories: Boots

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      3 Ways to Put Boots On - wikiHow (2024)

      FAQs

      How to wear boots - wikiHow? ›

      Let your boot complement the rest of your outfit.

      In general, wear brown with brown and black with black. For an evening look, pair heeled boots with a super skinny pant and shiny top. If you want to wear a bright statement boot, pair it with more muted color clothing.

      How to put boots on easy? ›

      Wear boot socks or ribbed athletic ones that go up to your calf. The sock material will help you wiggle your feet into boots along with your body weight. Sit down on a chair or bench. It will be easier to push your heels into cowboy boots if you're sitting down.

      Do boots hurt at first? ›

      You may experience discomfort at the top of the foot where the boot rubs your foot. Avoid the pain by skipping a few eyelets with your boot's laces in the areas rubbing against your foot. This can help relieve the pressure and help you break in other areas of the boot.

      How to wear boots with skinny? ›

      Cuffed skinny jeans look great with a more casual ankle boot. While skinny jeans typically line up with the opening of your ankle boot, sometimes you might want to wear a taller ankle boot. When wearing booties that go slightly above your ankle and your hemming, it looks best to tuck your skinny jeans into your boots.

      Are boots tight at first? ›

      New boots often feel tight until the leather becomes molded to the shape of your feet, so you only need to condition your boots and wear them with thick socks for a few days before they feel fantastic.

      How to wear boots fast? ›

      Wear thick socks

      A fast way to break in boots is by wearing thick socks. Protect your feet with thick socks to prevent friction and reduce the risk of discomfort. Socks that are too thin might leave extra space in your boots, resulting in more friction.

      What is the 2:1:3 method of lacing? ›

      take one lace. go straight up to the second hook one two. go down to the first hook on the other side. one and then go up to the third. so it's 2 1 3.

      How to lace up timbs? ›

      Cross each lace from inside to outside: Thread each lace across and up to one eyelet. Be sure to pull the laces from under the eyelet outwards. Repeat as needed: Continue crisscrossing the laces until you get to the top of the boot. Then, double knot your laces before you hit the trail.

      How to stretch frye boots? ›

      You can make use of:
      1. Ice to stretch your boots. Freezing your boots can help expand them. ...
      2. Heat can also help stretch boots. ...
      3. Last but not least, you can stuff your boots with materials such as rolled up towels, old newspapers or any other material that may help stretch the boots.
      Feb 1, 2023

      How do boots stretch? ›

      As the water freezes, it expands and stretches the leather. You can also apply leather conditioner or specialized shoe stretching spray and wear them around the house with thick socks on to add a bit more space inside your boots. The conditioner helps soften the fibers and allows them to stretch more easily.

      How to get cowgirl boots on? ›

      Use the tabs and pull holes at the top of the boot to pull it onto your foot. You'll feel a slight resistance and hear a faint popping noise as your foot goes into the boot. 3. There should also be a very slight amount of heel lift (space between your heel and the insole of the boot) to allow for proper gait.

      Why are boots so hard to put on? ›

      -Answer: Your boots are hard to get on because the instep or throat of a boot is too narrow. You have a couple of choices to help this problem. Stretching is the best answer. We have professional equipment that can open your boots up and make them easy to get on.

      How do you stretch boots to get them on? ›

      Stretching liquid or spray: You can make use of shoe stretching liquid to help soften your boots thus allowing you room to “break them in." For this method to work, you'll have to wear the shoes while still wet from the liquid. As a tip, it is better to spray inside the boots in order to avoid damaging the outside.

      How to hack for tight boots? ›

      How to Stretch Shoes That Are Too Tight (Quickly and Effectively)
      1. Wear Them in the Evening. ...
      2. Thick Socks and a Blow Dryer. ...
      3. Frozen Zip-Close Bag. ...
      4. Stuff in Newspapers. ...
      5. Use the Peeled Potato Hack. ...
      6. Adjustable Shoe Trees. ...
      7. Shoe Stretch Sprays and Liquids. ...
      8. Find a Shoe Repair Professional.

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