Quote Originally Posted by Troglodyte View Post
The trick an old soldier told me they employed when issued with new footwear, was to put on the shoes or boots as they would be worn normally, and then stand in a bowl of hot water.

The heat softens the leather, and the wet allows it to stretch, shrink and mould to the foot's shape.

But this required the wet shoes to remain on the feet until dry, or almost, so a couple of hours or more. After that, the shoes would always be comfortable.

Maybe worth a try if you feel brave...
This is the advice I've always read for new cowboy boots, which are notoriously torturous when new, and it makes sense, if you have the stomach for it.