Stretching Brogans

[63rdGuy]

Got a question about my Brogans.
I bought a pair of Robert Land brogans about 2 years ago. I broke them in by putting them on, stepping in a pan of water until soaked and doing yard work until dry.
If its dry, I don't have much problems with them. But if its wet and I wear them all weekend, 1/2 of my big toe toe-nail turns black. I don't mean dyed black, I mean it puts so much pressure on my toe that the toe nail bleeds under the nail. I takes about 6 months to grow out. There isn't much pain involved, but its now happened twice.
Should I just buy a size bigger (These are supposed to be 11 1/2 which is what I typically wear) or can these be "stretched".
Again, this doesn't happen all the time, just when they get soaked during the weekend.
BTW, I was wearing cotton socks under wool sockes (my skin doesn't like wool). Now I wear hiking liner socks under period cotton socks.

Thanks.

[Spinster]

A small amount of Neets Foot Oil (NOT Compound) rubbed on that area of the leather should help stretch the toe out.

Many period shoes run a bit small--and then we squeeze 2 pair of socks inside them!

Fits a 6, buys an 8

[Kevin O'Beirne]

Mrs. Lawson knows of which she speaks. That said, consider buying a new pair properly sized. :)

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Got a question about my Brogans.
I bought a pair of Robert Land brogans about 2 years ago. I broke them in by putting them on, stepping in a pan of water until soaked and doing yard work until dry.
If its dry, I don't have much problems with them. But if its wet and I wear them all weekend, 1/2 of my big toe toe-nail turns black. I don't mean dyed black, I mean it puts so much pressure on my toe that the toe nail bleeds under the nail. I takes about 6 months to grow out. There isn't much pain involved, but its now happened twice.
Should I just buy a size bigger (These are supposed to be 11 1/2 which is what I typically wear) or can these be "stretched".
Again, this doesn't happen all the time, just when they get soaked during the weekend.
BTW, I was wearing cotton socks under wool sockes (my skin doesn't like wool). Now I wear hiking liner socks under period cotton socks.

Thanks.

While the use of a little Neatsfoot Oil, or Cod-liver oil, Mink Oil...and Dubbin (Personal Favorite) may be good conditioners to the leather (helping to repel water and keep supple); these ARE NOT CURE-ALLS for ill-fitting shoes.

Oils/Waxes will not prevent the shoes from becomming overly saturated (only delay)...if subjected to rainfall, or creek crossings, much of the oil will be washed out of the leather (leaving you back at square 1, by the end of the day).

If you've "form-fit" your shoes to your feet (by soaking them down in water, wearing until dry...and then conditioning with oils), and are then still having recurring instances of ill-fitting shoes...then it is probably best to seriously consider a new pair of shoes. After two years, if the problem is still happening...it's not going away. BUY A NEW PAIR OF SHOES.

While I've only had personal transactions with Bob Serio of Missouri Boot & Shoe (highly recommend), several other vendors also produce some pretty awesome footware: Mick Nesseim (MJN Boot & Leather Shop), Tom Mattimore (Mattimore Harness), and of course Robert Land (Robert Land Footware Ltd.).

[Dkjarnagin]

You can take your shoes to a good shoe repair and they can stretch them in the spot that is hurting if that is the only area that is brothering you. I have had this done with modern shoes I have owned and have had great success.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Just an asdie...

There is a nail bed fungus that appears purplish to black under the toe nail, and can mimic a blood blister.
And they take months to go away" as the toe nail grows out.
Aside from the moisture rich environment, they can also get a start from a blow to the toe, or from ill-fitting shoes.

CHS

[Slickrick214]

You can get them fixed as Dkjarnagin said or you can get a new pair Stonewall_Greyfox said. Either way I would not continue to wear that pair it can't be good for your feet. If you decide to get a new pair you should look at Missouri Boot and shoe company. They have you draw out your foot so they can get the shoe to almost exactly to your foot.