Hi! I just purchased a pair of leather boots from Correl Boots (Corral Women's Cognac Studded Wrap Ankle Boots P5042). The leather is smooth all over the boot except at the toe. The leather at the toe is somewhat rough and unfinished. Why? Where they poorly made? I've conditioned the toe with Bickmore-Bick 4 and that has helped but the toe is still noticeably (noticeable by touch only) a different texture. I know the boots are made to look somewhat distressed but will the rough/unfinished toe be more prone to damage by salt, water, etc? Should I be concerned about this? Where they poorly made and I should return them? Should I continue to condition them? Should I polish them? Thank you so much for your help!

Can the shaft of my cowboy boots be made thinner to fit my thin legs better??

The inside heel of my boot is rough leather like velcro. Walking my socks off!. How can I smooth it out?

The Corral boots were purposely made to look worn or somewhat distressed. This is a trend in fashion. Just like jeans that are made with holes and frayed edges. That style of boot is sanded after it is made to make it look worn. Distressed jeans wear out sooner, and distressed boots can too. But it is more of an appearance, than wear problem. Corral boots are made very well. We sell them too.
If it bothers you, you can buff the toes out with any good polish and protect your boots.

Yes they can be taken in and made smaller. We charge an average of $50-$75 to do this.

We fix this problem in our repair department by covering the inside of the boot with new smooth leather. It is, on average, a $30 job to do.
If you want a DIY solution, I guess you could hand sand the leather with some very fine sandpaper. But results will vary with every boot due to differences in types and kinds of leather.

I just got a new pair of Llyod Hilo Chelsea boots and they seem to be a size too big. I dont want to return them, but there is a one-finger gap between the heel and the back of the shoe. Are there any fixes to this ?

If your boots have a one finger gap, then they are totally the wrong size and you should return them for a correct fit. If you can't return them, then you will have to just stuff them full of a lot of cushions and insoles and heavy socks and more. They can never fit right. The Llyod Hilo Chelsea boots you mention have elastic gores on the side. It is possible to take that in and add leather backs to take up some space, but not enough. So, you will still need to add adding stuffing and end up with a boot that is just not made for your foot. My recommendation is, get the right size.

I've owned zip boots from same company for years. I ordered a new pair online, but the room in the ankle area seems a bit tight. The old ones had at least an inch more width in the opening.

I'm debating just returning them. How much does this area normally stretch over time? I've been wearing them only on the carpet. ..once I scuff them up..they're mine!

Howdy,
I have a pair of calf skin lather riding boots and I have been coloring them with melatonian Red Mahogany boot cream. However, on one boot, it seems to be scraping off on the toe. Its getting rid of the color and seems to leave a large portion of the toe left to its original color, with a wierd brown color in the center. I am wondering what can i do to get these sectioned colored again. I know its not how I am doing it because the other shoe is just fine.

I have a pair of Joe Browns riding boots, which I love. Unfortunately, one of the 1" high, block heels seems to have collapsed inside, causing it to go all squishy. Please tell me this can be fixed? Many thanks.

Hey, I just bought a pair of rocky square toe work boots about two weeks ago. The left boot just started rubbing my heel and takin the skin off? Is this normal for new boots or is it a problem

I need to had gussets to my leather boots. I was told the standard gusset material is only 8 inches wide and I would have to research trying to find a wider piece to cover from ankle to just under the knee. My question is, do you have a recommendation on where to locate larger pieces of material or perhaps an alternative to increasing calf width? if I can locate the material my local cobbler says he can put it in.

Thanks!

The largest size elastic for gussets is 8". Your local cobbler is right. I would suggest using a leather panel, in a matching color, instead of elastic.

It is not normal. New boots should not ever rub your skin off. Breaking in a boot just means that a comfortable boot becomes more comfortable. Breaking in does not mean torturing your feet until a boot gets comfortable.
Rubbing skin off like that is caused either by the boot being too loose and it rubs a blister with too much slipping up and down. Or the boot has something rough in the back that digs in and rubs the skin off. Both can be fixed by a good repairman.

Any suggestions on what to put over the rough spot?

I can help. We do this everyday. But the solution depends on a lot of things. Can you send a couple of pics to me at thebootguy@bootnshoe.com. I'll send you back a detailed response.

Take a look at this this post on making boots comfortable. making boots comfortable.

Hi- I have a new pair of boots with a reinforced, hard toe - a biker style but not actually steel! They make the boots look very masculine and clunky. Is there any way to get these back to soft leather? Thanks for any advice!

It is possible to take the hard toe out. It would soften them up, but they will still look clunky. It won't change the appearance.

Thanks. I returned the boots and will just avoid that toe in future! Thanks very much for your help.

So I have these combat boots and the heels are nice and firm and I have had them for over a year. But one day I put them on and all of a sudden the left heel is soft and squishy and when I walk it sinks down, I just wanted to know what could have happened?

From what you describe it may be that the soles are made of PU or Polyurethane. This material is good for soles and heels until it begins to break down and fall apart. If the compounding was not right when the boots were made or if the material get to be 5-7 years old then it begins to break down. If the heel looks like it is crumbling apart then this is the case. You say the boots are only a year old, but how long did the manufacturer and the retailer have the boots before you bought them.
I may be on the wrong track. Give me more info and I can make a better explanation to your specific problem if the above doesn't sound like what you are experiencing.

Hi, I've been wearing a pair of Ariats for about a year and a half now (3-4 days out of the week) my boots are very much broken in but recently my right heel has been slipping and that side feels a little looser than my left. I did get water on that side a week back and was wearing them. Could that have stretched them? Is there anything I can do to stiffen/shrink them back to fitting snug? Thank you.

My husband has a pair of double Hs and the back part able the heel keeps creasing in and rubbing the back of his leg above his ankle. Is there a way to get that crease out? Thanks for your time.

Can they be made wider to accommodate larger calves... On male work boots... Maybe larger than stretching would allow

It is a possibility that the leather on one boot can stretch more than the other with getting wet. I find that the majority of people have one foot that is larger than the other and causes slip. I have not had any success in shrinking the heel. The best answer is to put a piece of leather in the back of the loose boot.

There are several things we can do in our shoe repair for this. What you may want to try first is to stuff a rolled up newspaper into the boots when you are not wearing them to train the leather from wrinkling. That is a good first thing to try.

Yes a leather panel or elastic and be inserted in the tops to make the boots as large as you need.

I have two pairs of Ariats that I ride horseback in, the leather on the part of the boots that seem to be against the stirrups of the saddle seems to be rubbing and is a darker color and is smoother on both pairs of boots. Is there anything else that causes this, is there a way to combat it, and is it damaging the boots long-term functionality or just their looks? Thanks!

Hi! Today when I was walking to work one of my boots began making a loud "clank" noise whenever I put pressure on my heel. They're fairly new but could it be something inside the heel is loose and/or broken? If so -is there a way to fix it?

Rubbing can cause the leather to darken and smooth. It does not damage the leather, just the looks.
When You say they are smoother, is the leather originally a rough leather like suede or nu-buck? That may explain more of what you are asking. You can use a good suede brush to rough the leather again and it will also lighten the color too.

It sounds like the steel shank spring in your boot is broken or loose. Any good shoe repair should be able to fix this for you.

hi I would like to know if You can stretch out 2 pairs of boots both are to short in length and the bigger sizes are not available and how much do you charge I will be waiting for answer thank you

We can stretch your boots in the length. We charge $10 a pair for length stretching, plus shipping.

there is a whole in my Ariat boots where the leather has came un-sewed and i need it sewed back up can you do that.

Sure, No Problem!

.4537 BK HBC/CO MAD DOG TW. Lucchese are my first pair of boots! I'm so happy, until the right heel seems floppy when I walk. It's worse when I drive the car, so I take the right boot off when I drive. I saw in a comment you made, they should add a piece of leather in the back. Should I do that?
The boot seems baggy around the ankle, is that normal? Did I get the right size (9)?
How should I weather proof them? I was told Favor is a polish for the house I should use. I can send pictures. The left hurts sometimes when I wear the boot a while because I'm breaking them in; is the right boot going to be alright?
The boots cost so much, the boot barn will not return them. Did I get the wrong size?

Can shoes/boots be successfully stretched? I have some 10 1/2 D's which probably should be 10 1/2 E's. Thanks.

I live in Southern California and have a pair of boots that require professional stretching. My local shoe repair only have the manual wooden inserts. I need to find the professional machines in my local area. How can I find that?

i suppose you would just have to call around and ask to find out how knowledgeable the shoe repair is in your area.
Nothing wrong with old fashion wooden stretcher. I have some that are almost a hundred years old in design that I still use everyday. But there are some newer stretchers that will stretch areas that the old wooden ones can't. You know, being knowledgable on what to do is the key thing, not equipment.
So where do your boots need to be stretched? That is the real question. If just the width then your local Guy's wooden stretchers will do just fine.
Or send them to me and I'll do whatever you need.

Yes, not a problem. Try your local shoe repair or even where you bought the boots may have a stretcher to do it for you. Or ship to me and I'll do it for you.

I have a pair of ariats that are my absolute fav! The heel leather wrap is peeling exposing the plastic heel. What can I wrap it with if I peel off both leather looking adhesives?

Thanks, Krystal

You can buy a leather wrap to re-wrap the heel. The leather wrap is made up of strips of leather that when glued on the heel resemble layers of leather stacked on the heel. It is possible to do yourself. However, It is a little difficult to put on and I would suggest taking them to your local shoe repair to do. Or send them to us. But if you want to do yourself then call our toll free number, 1-866-65boots, and we can get more information and sell you some.

Skip, I am not sure if I correctly entered my question concerning the repairing of my boot scuff. I have a pair of Justin boots (JB3001) Crazy Cow model and I have recently scuffed the boot. The scuff is not a gouge although it has discolored the leather some and I have tried using a brown Kiwi polish with no success. I have also tried using the color of Brown Sugar from Meltonian and again no success. I have ordered a light brown dye and am awaiting that arrival.

My question is, what would be the best course of action to restore the boots that are only a year old and still have a somewhat new appearance ?

That boot is a cowhide leather called Crazy Cow or Crazy Horse. Sometimes called Apache or Distressed. This leather is hot stuffed with oil and wax in the tanning process.

Your answer may be as simple as just warming the scuff with a hair dryer. This brings some of the oil and wax to the surface and the scuff disappears. Try that first.

Don’t use the tan dye. It will not have the results you want for your boot.

Try the heat and if it doesn’t help, then send me a couple of photos of your problem and I’ll give you more specific advice.

Well Skip I tried the blow dryer and I had little effect. Wondering if I had used too much Kiwi prior to blow dryer??? I think it looks a little bit better but still a long way to go. Not sure how to send photos due the fact that this is a computer and not a smart phone.

Well Skip, I have done it this time. After using the blow dryer method and seeing little effects I got the bright idea to use a lighter and it was actually effective. But, I decided to slow the flame fanning technique that I was applying over the scuffed area precisely over the heavier scuffed spots, 2 nickel sized areas, and now I have those 2 areas that are noticeably darker than the remaining area along with the boot itself. Is there any hope for me and my boot? More-so, is there any hope for my boot? I know that I am a lost cause. Lol

Good news is there is still hope. But, You've gone beyond what I can give you quick and easy advice on. If you can figure out how to send a photo maybe I can still help. Other than that you need to get a pro to fix them for you. Mail them to me or take them to a local cobbler in your area.

My advice for your Caimen Leather Lucchese boots:
First, Give them a little more time to break in. They may still start fitting better or at least good enough to not give you as much trouble.
Second, Once they are broken in, if they still slip badly then you may want to put in a leather heel counter. Since you can't take them back the only alternative is to try to make them fit better.

Favor is for furniture. Why put furniture polish for wood on a nice piece of Caimen Leahter? Use something that is designed perfectly for your boots. Favor probably would not do your boots any harm, but it does not have the proper ingredients to soften, protect and prolong the life of Caimen leather. I would suggest Apple Leather Care for your Caimen boots

I was wearing my steel toe boots and tripped over something later that day I discovered I fractured my toe. How is that possible?

Well Skip, I hope you are able to view the photo of my boot issue. I was able to send a photo to Boyer's Boots, Shoe Repair and Western Wear facebook page.

Have a pair of aria boots. I love them but my right boot fits very tight from the width of my foot to where it feels it cut my circulation. What can I do to widen it?

You can stretch them. Here is a post I made about it in detail. Basically, leather will stretch if you dampen it and apply pressure. Using a stretcher and stretch solution is the best way. But if you don't have a stretcher you can get some relief by dampening the inside of the boot and wearing until it drys.

Oh my that is terrible. I hope it heals quick for you. How can it happen? I guess what you are really asking is if they are safety toes why wasn't my toe safe? Safety toes merely means your feet are safer but not perfectly protected from everything. Like a safety belt in a car can in rare occasions cause more damage.
Safety toes are designed to prevent crushing your toes. They are tested for drops on them and tested for crushing pressure on them. They are not tested for trips.
I doubt you did anything wrong. Just a freak accident.

I have two pairs of boots that I struggle to get into. First pair are a Frye 8R Harness Style and the second are a Red Wing Engineer Style. My foot gets caught at the instep and heal. Sometimes, I wrap a plastic bag around my foot so my heal can slide in. I have also tried a shoe horn but the with so much pressure the heal collapses and there is a lot of wiggling going on. Once my foot is inside, they feel fine. Although, I'm a little bit of a contortionist taking them off. What is the process of having them sent to you from PA to have them stretched and possibly conditioned?

I have a pair of leather Frye boots that are too tall to be flattering on my petite legs. Can they be shortened to a more flattering shaft height? And if so, how much can I expect to pay for that? Also, one of the insoles has a lump that's uncomfortable. I've tried other Fryes that are really comfortable right out of the gate, so I'm not sure what's up with these. How difficult would that be to fix? I love the style of these boots and would love to figure out how to make them work. Thanks.

You perfectly described boots that need stretched in the throat. We can help. Send the boots to Boyer's BootNShoe, 420 N 36th St., Quincy, Il, 62301. Please include an note about what you want done. We will stretch and condition them and return them to you within 2 -3 days. call 217-223-9709 if you have further questions

To give you an accurate price, I'd like to see a picture or give me a style number of your boot. An average price would be around $50.
The insole lump can be a couple of different things, but can be fixed. Is the lump right in front of the heel?

I am actually deciding between two pairs, and wondering if it's worth keeping either. The Jane Strappy in tan leather is the one I was talking about: http://www.janestrappy.com I would want the shafts shortened and this is the one with the uncomfortable insole. The lump is right in front of the heel, yes. The other boot is a Jackie Button, pictured here: http://www.altardstate.com/shop/footwear/frye-jackie-button-boot.html Those are very comfortable, I just don't love the button detail. Could the button be removed without looking strange? Could the shaft height of these be shortened? I'd prefer them if they were straight across the top. Thank you!

Both of those styles could be shortened. The Jane Strappy would be the more difficult of the two. Both styles have decorative buttons that may possibly be difficult to reattach, so it is good you want to remove the button. There are several things we could do to still make them look good. One idea is to replace the button you don't like with a smaller antiqued brass rivet to cover the hole the button would leave.
Also I would not put a binding on the edge of the tops, like you see on the Jackie Button Frye boot. The edge would be stitched but would have a raw edge.
Price for cutting them down would be around $50 plus shipping.

Thank you very much. Now I just have to decide if an additional $50 adds too much to the overall expense of the boots. I appreciate you taking the time to reply to my questions!

I saw your photo. I wish I had seen this before I had given you the previous advice. This needs some work done to it. What it would require is hard to tell you here and honestly just takes experinece to do properly. But it can be made to look a lot better. Send them to me or take them to a pro in your town. That would be my best advice. Sorry.

I just purchased my first pair of Ariats a few weeks ago. My normal shoe size is 11.5 and the boots I purchased are 11.5. I still feel as if my foot slides around a bit when I walk especially walking down hill, etc. If I kick my feet the boot doesn't come off or anything like that. It just feels a little looser than I may be use too but I don't know if that's just how boots are suppose to be. Is this just a case of having to getbuse to them?

As I try to understand, different types of shows require different product to waterproof.
If you don't mind, which product would you use to waterproof the following dress shoes? I have them in black and brown. They will be facing the typical snow from Germany.http://tinyurl.com/hvp5a7m
Also this boots http://tinyurl.com/zmp9a2v
And lastly this shoeshttp://tinyurl.com/j6fztjb
And where can I purchase all that?
Thanks in advance! :)

I would recommend a protection spray like Rain and Stain Guard Protector. This will work well on all of the footwear you showed me. It will work well on the dress shoes because they are a polishable leather and you can polish over this product when it dries. It will work well on the Timberland boots because they are a light color and a water repellent leather. This product will not darken them and it work well on this this leather.
Heavier waterproofing like my favorite waterproofing, Bee Natural Rain and Snow, would tend to darken and would not be polishable. So that is why I am not recommending that product.

I find most Ariat boots run about a half size big. So, your boots may be a bit big. I would suggest adding an extra insole or wearing a heavier sock.

I bought a pair of cowboy boots and sprayed them with water resistant stuff and now my boots have a real funny color to them can u help?

Tell me more please. What kind of leather are they and what waterproofing did you use? Without knowing that I can just give you some general advice.
I imagine your boots are made of a finished top grain leather and that you used a spray silicone waterproofing. Silicone can just dry on the surface of finished leather and leave a residue. If that is the case then just using some polish and buffing the leather will remove the residue. Try that. If it doesn't help then send me more info.

how can i stop a pair on ankle boots from stretching around the ankle?

I'm not sure I understand your question. It is not normal for boots to stretch in the ankle. Perhaps your ankle boots have elastic in the tops and that has stretched with wear? If that is the case the elastic can be replaced.

they're ankle booties that you slip your foot in and that are tight around the ankle, but with more steps and movement they stretch out at the ankle part because my leg is moving (which was tight when originally bought) is it possible to bring them back to being tight?

If you just slip your foot in then they have to have some kind of stretch material at the ankle. That material could be replaced. Yes.

I have a pair of western boots and I have very skinny calves how long would it take to get them altered if I sent them to you ? I need them for a wedding in April? Thanks

We can do them quickly for you. Turnaround time is just a couple of days. Please send me a photo of your boots and describe in detail how you want them altered. Send that to info@bootnshoe.com you can ship them to Boyer's Bootnshoe 420 n 36th st. Quincy, IL 62301 thanks

I got these new boots and they hurt my feet in like 5 minutes especially my toes which rub when I walk what can I do to stop this?

In what way do they hurt your feet? Are they just too tight? Then you can have the boots stretched in the toes.

Hi I have a black leather boots that has a cute buckle design on the back of it I like it but every time I wear the boots the buckle catches on the seat of my car when I get in and out, and the buckle also scratches the bottom part of the car when I was getting out. I drive an SUV and I'm pretty short. I have to be really careful getting in and out of my car when I wear my black boots. Sometimes when I'm in a hurry I don't think about it and forget until the boots catches the upholstery on my seat or scratches the bottom of the car. My question is how to I prevent the boots from scratching without removing the buckle cause removing it looks really tacky. Is there something I can put on the buckle to keep it from scratching. Thank you...

Can you send a picture of the boot or give me a style number and brand so I can see what you are talking about?

I have to wear water boots at work I've been wearing them for 2weeks and now they ate making dark marks on my leg how can I get rid of those marks and prevent them from reoccurring?

Get some tall boot socks. Then the boots won't rub your legs.

Hi! I have an older pair of Dan Post women's boots. They hadn't been worn in some time. But after putting them on recently I noticed that I could feel a painful hard ridge under my heel. Though I can't definitively pinpoint the source, it seems to.align with the front of the heel of the shoes (the edge of the heel closest to the toe). It almost feels as if my heel is sinking into the center of the heel of the shoes and I am feeling the outter edge of the heel through the insole. Is this a common problem? Can you advise me of the likely cause of my problem and suggest a possible solution? Thanks for your help!

It sounds to me like the insole inside of the boot is curling up on the edges. This can be caused by age and how the boots have been stored.
How I would fix this: We have a hydraulic press machine that presses on new soles. I would use that machine to press and flatten the insole to remove the curling. Then I would add new cushion insoles.
How you could DIY fix this: You need to get the insoles flat again. But instead of flattening you will fill in the low areas. You can use heel cushions or full insoles for fill. Try to sand the edges of the new cushions to round them out so the whole cushion lays flat. Otherwise you'll just make the new insoles curl up too.

Hi there, Could you please help me. I just bought a new pair of Ariat Daisy cowgirl boots and I was breaking them in walking near the beach when my toddler took off down towards the water and I had to run after him over the stones, scuffing the heels of my new boots quite badly in the process. There are quite a few scratches and scuffs... I tried to do a bit of DIY using different types of oils, including walnut and coconut, but I don't think I helped very much. I've been trying to find an answer on google but I'm not sure what the fabric is? is it leather? The material has looks a bit 'fluffy' (for want of a better word) where it has been scuffed. I think if I could apply something which would darken the scuffs scratches then the boot would look much better. Could you please give me some help! Many thanks for any advise you can give :)

There is hope, don't despair. I get this question a lot. I am making a video next week to show you what to do. I'll send you a link when it's done.
Here is the answer in case you Can't wait. Your Ariat Dixie boots are made of an oiled, shrunken shoulder, cowhide leather. I suggest using a good cream polish like Meltonian Shoe Cream. Use the correct color. For you boots use Fashion Brown. Meltonian Shoe Cream has a good stain in the polish to cover scuffs. Firmly rub the polish into to the scuffed area to not only rub the polish in but to also bring some of the leather oil to the surface. You'll see the scuffed area darken some and it will darken more in the next step. Next buff briskly with a shoe shine brush or a rag will do if you don't have a brush. The scuffs should disappear, if not repeat the steps again.

I just bought a pair of ariat boots with colored stitching on the top near the toes. I also have a pair of corral boots with colored stitching. Will the stitching become discolored if I oil them, or should I avoid getting oil on the stitching?

Oil will change the stitching and it if doesn't the dirt that oil attracts will. Oil is best used on work boots or footwear that gets really dry from extreme use or weather. I would suggest using a good boot creme, like Ariat Premium Boot and Shoe Conditioner. A boot creme made with natural waxes and is oil free. It will not change the color of your boots or the stitching and can be buffed to a shine.

Hi, I think I have snapped the shank in my Wolverine Sentinel boot. There is an audible click and I can feel the click under the ball of my foot, I think as the 2 parts of the broken shank touch then separate from each other on each flex. What's your opinion of this DIY hack? Drill a small hole inside the boot in the foot bed at the flex point, then use a syringe to pump silicone sealer in the cavity? I think it may need 2 holes, the other for the air to escape. A cobbler want's to take the boot apart, but I'd rather save my money for a new pair.

I posted on Maeve Kelly's post on February 27 on accident.

I've got a pair of ostrich boots that I wear recreationally and for work. I've had them for about 4 years. About a year ago I noticed the right boots toe box was raising in height. Didn't think anything of it. Recently however the toe box has become a nusance due to the fact it is about half an inch higher off the ground than the left boot. My question is, is there anything I can do myself to fix this issue? I really don't want to get the soles redone if I can avoid it.
I would post a picture if I could.

Pretty ingenious idea to drill the holes and fill with silicone. There are two problems with your plan that I can think of. First I don't think the silicone will dry if it is squeezed in a place where air can't get to it. Second, the silicone will be soft and flexible. It won't give you any support and it will most likely still make the clicking noise.
If you don't want a professional at a shoe repair to do the job, then you can try this DIY instead. Remove the cushion insole. Lift up the fiberboard insole or cut it with a utility knife. Pull out the broken shank spring. Glue the insole back down. You are probably better off without the shank spring than using the silicone.

Thanks. I hadn't thought about the silicone curing. I was going to use Silicone II Aluminum & Metal caulk as I have some over from a project, it has good plasticity. How far back to the heel should I cut to get to the back of the shank? It's an 8.5" boot. How wide is the shank? Thanks for your advice!

It is about 5" long, but just slice the insole enough that you can reach in with needle nose pliers and pull out the old broken shank.

I need to see a picture to see exactly what you are talking about in order to give you good advice. Send a photo to thebootguy@bootnshoe.com. thanks

I bought a pair of ariats. There is a leather panel on the inside on the back just above the heel. This causes the boot to fold at the the top and dig into the back of my leg when I walk. Any suggestions?

It sounds like that leather panel is making the boot stiffer in that the area and above it is then softer and more pliable. The solution is to get that panel flexing and bending where it should. Dampen the area with water and flex the boot back and forth until that piece becomes more flexible.

Thank you! I can't wait to try it!

Bought a pair of Nocona cowboy boots, and I can just barely squeeze a pinch on the instep, is this a good fit. can put on insoles to remedy this. the boots are size 7-1/2D

Just being able almost pinch the instep is a perfect fit. If you are someone who likes extra tight boots then you could add insoles. But it sounds perfect now.

Phew I was worried, being able to pinch leather at the instep was worrisome. I like my boots tight and not so much slippage.

I have a wonderful pair of boots I've had for 3 years. I guess I walk heavy because I've imprinted the inside where my big toe and inner sole are pressing. It's starting to create pain and I don't want bunions, but they are a rare pair of boots and not replaceable.

Local cobbler said he can't fix it and I'm wondering if there's any options you can suggest besides insoles. I've tried them all they end up with the same problem because of the indentation.
Thanks for your help!

Hey Bootguy.

I have a pair of Haix Airpower R2's that I just had resoled by a factory approved cobbler. He was supposed to address a small hole/tearing on the toecap area just ahead of the beginning of the protective toe cap. For what ever reason he didn't address the issue and now I am left needing to fix this with something. The hole is approximately 5mm in diameter, it is not completely through the leather only about half the thickness deep.

I am wondering what the best product to put in there to help seal it up and make it so I can put some polish back on there and make them glow. Filling it just with wax polish didn't work last time I tried doing this with different boots.

Thanks in advance,

I would use a product by Golden Paints called Modeling Gel or Matte Gel. You can find this at Hobby Lobby, Michaels or any art supply store. You can buy it in black or add black Acrylic paint to it to make it black. fill in the hole and let dry. It shrinks so it may take 2-3 applications to fill a bigger hole. When completely dry then finish by polishing over it with Kelly's Wax polish.

I have a sole pressing machine that is used to press new, glued soles onto boots that are being repaired. I have had success, in cases like yours, in using this machine to press out those indentations. I wet the inside leather and then use the press to form the insoles flat again.
A DIY thing you could try is just to place new leather insoles over the current insoles. They will eventually mold to your foot too and then you'd have to replace them.
Now let me say this, having the insole mold to your foot is normally a good thing. It is like having a custom arch made out of leather next to your foot. There may be other reasons for your foot pain.
Also, I do not believe this will cause you to get bunions. I have found bunions to be more hereditary than to be caused by improper fitting shoes.

I'm located in Canada, unfortunately there is no hobby lobby in the area, Michael's has indicated they have a liquitex product called Matte Gel, but they do not carry any products by Golden Paints.

Liquitex or any other brand will work the same. It is an acrylic paste, basically, and it works as a gap filler.

Thanks for the input! I thought it must just be faulty inner soles as this is not a problem in my other well worn shoes/boots.Naturally they get imprints, but not like this. The biggest issue it that the big toe area is so depressed that its created a 'raised' ridge where the toes meet the foot and puts pressure there. I feel like Id have to fill it with putty to make it level enough to put another insole without a dip forming after one wear.
However Ive not tried leather insoles - just the foamy or silver backed felt ones in the winter. Maybe it would help.

Anyhow, thanks again :)

Can a 2 inch cowboy boots heel be cut down 1/2 " without ruining the boot?

I would not suggest that much being taken off. You could easily go to 1" though. Taking that much off changes the balance of the boot a lot.
But, hey, you can try it and if it is too much you can always add another 1/2" to bring it back to 1". It won't really ruin the boot. It just may make the boot walk and feel unbalanced.