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Need tips on breaking in your new kicks? Here's how. 

Get the right fit. 

With wear, your new kicks will stretch widthwise, but not lengthwise. Make sure to have at least 1cm of space from the tip of your longest toe to the front of the shoe. If you have a wide foot, choose a wide fitting style which will allow your toes to spread comfortably. Before ordering online, chat to our Kicks Team either via Live Chat or on 0800 752 897 for a virtual fitting. 

Take it slow. 

Start by wearing your new kicks for short periods of time. Begin by wearing them around the house so that you can take them off if your feet ache or they start to rub.   

Tighten the laces. 

It may be tempting to loosen the laces to allow more room inside the shoe, however, tying them up tightly will help to stretch the fabric and speed up the break-in process. 

Grab your thickest socks. 

Wear your thickest socks whilst you break in your new shoes. It will create a thick, padded layer between your feet and your new shoes which will prevent rubbing and blisters. The bulkiness of the socks will also help to stretch the material of the shoe. 

We stand by our INFIKNIT product. So much that we are guaranteeing it for life. No catch. If it rips, tears, or develops a hole, we’ll send you a new pair or give you a refund.* If you have an issue, please contact our Customer Experience team here and provide the following information:

1. Your original order number or date of purchase and the store you purchased from
2. Photos of all the information on the inside cuff of the sock
3. Clear close-up photo of the problem areas in the sock
4. Photo of the entire pair.

Please note that this is only valid for INFIKNIT products. The easiest way to determine whether or not your item is part of the Infiknit collection is that there will be a logo on the inside cuff of the sock.

What's next?

Our Kicks Team will review your claim and get back to you as soon as possible. If approved, we will offer an online refund or a replacement pair in the same style. If this style is no longer available, then we will offer a pair of your choice of equal value. 

*Please note that any evidence of deliberate damage or tampering will result in declining of the claim.

INFIKNIT is Stance's newest core innovation that guarantees durability for life! Each INFIKNIT sock contains a premium yarn construction that specifically targets areas of high friction for an all-new super strong standard in durability.

A few things to note.

• It is our most durable fibre to date
• Our socks are made of a proprietary blend of fibres that adds durability to areas that experience the most friction
• Products with INFIKNIT typically last longer than products without it.

We also offer a lifetime guarantee on these products. You can find more information about it here.

Breaking in your Docs will take time and patience, but everyone goes through it. Read on to discover the ways to make this rite of passage go smoothly -  we've got you covered.

1. Get the perfect fit
If you normally take half a size, we recommend sizing down. The boots should feel tight but not uncomfortable. If the boot feels uncomfortable when you try it on, especially in the width, then it is too small. Docs will soften and stretch as you wear them in - You can check out our size guide for more information.

2. Wear thick socks and keep your laces tight

Wearing thick socks will protect your feet + encourage the leather to warm up + soften faster. Keep your laces tight to encourage the boot to mould to your foot and avoid rubbing.

3. If they're brand new, start with 1-2 hour intervals
Begin by wearing your Docs around the house for short periods of time. Don't attempt a festival or long walk the first time you wear them. Some leathers stretch quicker than others, Nappa, Carpathian and Virginia are some great soft leather options. 

4. Wonder Balsam

To help speed up the process, we recommend using Dr. Marten's Wonder Balsam. This little pot of gold contains a mix of lanolin, beeswax and coconut oil to help soften the leather. It also adds a protective layer and subtle shine to your boots. 

5. Repeat until they're perfect
Follow the mentioned steps above until your boots are soft and shaped to your foot. 

Throughout the years, we've heard all sorts... Let us know how you break in yours! 

Do: Clean your sneakers ASAP if they get dirty or wet to prevent any long term damage. 

Do not: Wash your sneakers in the washing machine or use bleach to clean them. Glue and other fastenings can be damaged in the wash. 

1. How to keep your sneakers protected:

• Use a sneaker protector. It will form a protective layer against dirt and stains. Also makes repeat cleaning easier. We recommend: 
• • • Platypus Sneaker Protector or Sneaker Lab Sneaker Protector 
      
      

 2. How to keep your sneakers clean:

• Use a cleaner specifically formulated for sneakers. It will help to lift dirt and stains. Sneaker Lab products have a pro-bacterial formula which continues to clean 3 days after application. We recommend:
  • • • • Sneaker Lab Basic Kit - Includes bristle brush and cleaner. #1 team recommendation. 
        • For on-the-go cleaning : Sneaker Lab Sneaker Wipes or Sneaker Lab Leather Wipes
        • For total care: Sneaker Lab Premium Kit  - Includes everything you'd possibly need to keep your sneakers fresh. 

We're sorry if we've sold out in your size! There's a chance we will be restocking your item - Simply select your size and click 'Notify Me' and we'll send you an email if we do! 

Feel free to reach out to our Kicks Team here who can help you find something similar. 

Unfortunately, we don't offer a price match guarantee if our styles are on sale with another brand.

However, join our mailing list and we'll keep you up to date with promotions and upcoming sales!