Behind the bench: what comes back from Ladakh
Torn straps, broken zips and cracked visors: what fails on the road, and what we change because of it.
Breaking in leather riding boots
Two weeks of short rides, a little dubbin and patience: how to make new boots comfortable.
New leather boots are stiff. That stiffness is part of what protects your ankles, but it makes the first week uncomfortable, and a long trip in unbroken boots can end in blisters. Plan two weeks to break them in before any big ride.
Start by wearing them at home for an hour a day with the socks you will ride in. Walk up and down stairs, because the bend at the ankle is where boots are stiffest. Then ride in them, short city rides at first, then a longer Sunday ride to Morni or Kasauli.
If a particular spot rubs, do not cut or stretch the boot. Bring it to the store and we can soften the leather at that point, or suggest an insole that lifts your foot slightly. Most pressure problems are solved this way.
Care for the leather from the first week. Wipe off mud with a damp cloth, let them dry at room temperature, never near a heater, and rub in a thin coat of dubbin or leather balm once a month in the riding season. This keeps the leather supple and helps the waterproof liner last.
After the monsoon, open the boots fully, stuff them with newspaper and let them dry for two days. Wet boots stored closed grow mould. Treated this way, good boots last ten years or more.
