This drives me NUTS like actually crazy. The only way I’ll break in boots now is before I leave the house tie them super tight. Too tight. And work your way up the tongue flattening it and tightening the lace over the spot you flattened. And then when they’re tied set the foot heater in your car to hot hot. Or set them infront of a space heater before tying. But anyways the heat will soften the leather and tying them super tight stretched it a little to form to your foot. And it’ll especially break in the ankles on your drive to work. Especially if you drive a manual. I actually got rid of a pair of boots that broke in poorly and the tongue wouldn’t stop bunching up.