Breaking in Ghillie Brogues

[TNScotsman]

With a highland dress wedding coming up next weekend I'm almost ready, but am just starting to break in my ghillie brogues. They're a bit too long as I need a wide or extra wide shoe and the only option to get something that fit was to go up a size from what I normally wear. They're good quality, leather shoes, but I can tell are going to be a bit of work to get comfortable as they're too loose at the heel, which makes them want to move around rather than settle onto my feet. I've read that good inserts can help address that issue, but was curious if folks here had any helpful experience to share. I'll be in them all day for the wedding, so am working now to try and ensure I won't be limping around or ruining a new pair of hose with open blisters!

[PassingW]

Heel counters (perhaps two adhesive counters in each shoe as needed) in the brogues and a pair of ankle socks under your kilt hose might be worth trying. Best of luck.

[EagleJCS]

PassingW's suggestion is a good one. Your local shoe shop or shoe repair place should have heel cushions/pads to help shoes fit tighter.

Once you have your shoes fitting snugly with the hose/socks you intend to wear, wear them as much as you can, walk around the house in them, stand around in them, flex them as much as possible. That'll help you figure out where the hot spots (friction points) are on your feet/heels.

An old hiker's trick is to put tape over those spots before you start your hike to reduce the possibility of blisters (usually duct tape, but a good quality medical tape that will still stick when wet will work too). Apply the tape directly to your feet/heels over those spots before putting on your hose/socks. Make the piece of tape a good bit wider than the area you intend to cover so it doesn't work loose. (e.g. if the spot is one inch by one inch, use about a 4 inch length of duct tape.) Using foot powder to keep your feet dry will help as well. Apply the powder after you apply the tape.

Best of luck, have a spare pair of comfortable shoes on hand (I'm sure there will be others changing shoes at the reception as well) and congratulations to the happy couple.

[pastorsteve]

As stated above - to break the gillie's in - you have to wear them. Saturate the leather with neatsfoot oil to start softening the leather. I would put band-aids on my heels (or tape) knowing blisters are possible. Also, an old shoe salesman told me if your shoes are a 1/4 size too large, put an insole in them (a second if there's already one) to bring your foot up tighter in the shoe. I'm heading out to a black-tie Burns-night (belated due to COVID) tonight so luckily mine are about 5 years old and comfy.

[kingandrew]

I would note that unless it was specified by the bride, you would be perfectly all right substituting most any other black dress shoe (oxfords, brogues, etc.) for the ghillies. They are not a requirement for dressing formally, and are not as popular with general kilt wearers as they are with pipers.

I hope you have a joyous and comfortable experience.

Andrew

[TNScotsman]

Thanks Andrew! Heel spacers did the trick in this case, and of course quality hose help things feel much more comfortable. I was in them all day, including two long walks to and from the event because of remote parking, and felt just fine when the day was over. Now I can look forward to years of good service from them.

[Me cousin Jack]

Heel counters (perhaps two adhesive counters in each shoe as needed) in the brogues and a pair of ankle socks under your kilt hose might be worth trying. Best of luck.

That’s what I did, and brought a few band aids just incase!