I have some Tredstep boots that are still pretty stiff on me despite having worn them quite a bit. I haven't broken them in through wear around my house since it never felt like that's work. I used to have a softer, much thinner boot of a different brand and that desperately needed house breaking-in, so that in lies why I haven't done so with these.

My trainer recommends using oil on them, heated oil specifically to rub on them and loosen the leather a bit, but I'm not entire sure if I want to go about that now... we went to a Dover tack shop and they gave us some Effax Leder-Balsam to use, but when we went to another tack shop at another date and brought the idea up, the lady at the counter put fear into me saying that it wasn't something that I should be doing.

Since my boots have pretty thick leather, they should be fine. Yes? I mean, thus far it's been 2 to 1 is saying that I could do it, basically. I don't want to ruin a nice pair of boots.

Additionally, how long to you heat it for? 30 second in the microwave? I mean, this stuff is already pretty soft, doesn't seem like it needs too much cooking.

Tredstep Donatello, I heated neatsfoot oil. It has to be HOT, not just lukewarm, and after you use that to soften the leather condition your boots so that the heat doesn't dry the leather up. But it works amazing, I do it to my saddles every once in awhile just to keep them supple.