Another alteration question: boots

[lidador]

Has anyone had elastic/gussets put into a pair of dress boots? Any idea what it might cost?

I have an old pair of old fashioned (no zippers, no gussets) boots that my calves grew out of ages ago, but I actually fit into again now (barely).

There’s a cobbler very close to where I live – would he be able to install some elastic for me?

Also: The foot box fits me, but is hard and can get uncomfortable over a 1 hour ride – if I want to use these as schooling boots, is there any way to soften it up/make it more comfortable?

[IPEsq]

As for gussets, yes, but it depends on the wear level of the leather where they’d go. If the leather is thin from wear and stretched, then the risk in putting in a gusset is that the leather will rip despite the stitching for the gusset. Where is the foot area too stiff?

[lidador]

[QUOTE=IPEsq;7634824]
Where is the foot area too stiff?[/QUOTE]

The whole foot is pretty rigid. I mostly notice that the outside of my foot is pressed against the wall of the shoe, and that’s what makes my foot sore. As there’s otherwise plenty of room, I don’t really know what that means about where the stiffness is. Maybe the foot would be able to rotate more if the calves were less tight?

[myleetlepony]

Yes, I have had gussetts put in on a pair of dress boots. They were barely broken in and had stiff uppers. She charged me $60.

You can “spot” stretch any areas of tightness by soaking the inside only layer of leather with 70% rubbing alcohol. I used a spray bottle for an area on my calf, but you could probably use a cotton ball to reach the footbed. Do not get the alcohol on the outter layer or it will take the finish off. I just sprayed, let it soak in and put the boot on. Two or three times of doing that and everything fit perfectly.

[2tempe]

whoever does the gussets may be able to do something if you explain where they are tight.