[masraum]

Many years ago, when I was in college, I had a pair of Florsheim penny loafers. I hadn't worn them in years, and was working part time at a grocery store bagging groceries. My black sneakers wore out, so I started wearing the penny loafers. One day it was pouring so me, and the shoes got soaked taking groceries out to customer's cars. The shoes after getting wet conformed to the shape of my feet and were super comfortable. That's actually close to the process that I've heard recommended here for breaking in new leather shoes. Anyway, they looked like hell after that and I think the soles were worn and the finish looked like crap. I was in the mall and saw a shoe repair place. I took the shoes in and said "can you do anything with these?" I think they resoled the shoes, and put a nice finish on them (something more than a polish, I assume). The shoes were great after that for many years.

I think the break-in procedure that Tobra has mentioned is to wear wool socks if you've got them and fill your shoes with warm water and wear them. The wool helps keep things from getting too nasty/stinky, and the water helps the leather confirm to your feet which relieves spots that rub your feet. Then after a day like that, you let them dry thoroughly and they are supposed to be good to go. I've never tried it, but after my experience with that other pair of shoes, I suspect it would probably work pretty well.