Breaking in new shoes is something we’re all familiar with. While not always the most comfortable experience, with some time and patience, your fresh kicks will soon become your go-to footwear.
However, there are a few simple ways to make the adjustment process quicker and easier.
So, if you’re wondering how to break in new shoes, we’ve outlined our top tips and tricks in this guide.
How Long Does It Take to Break In Shoes?
When it comes to breaking in shoes, patience is key. Generally, it can take a few weeks to break in a new pair, depending on the frequency of use.
However, it’s important to remember that this is also subject to the shoe’s style, fit and material.
For example, it may only take a couple of days to adjust to some soft canvas pumps, whereas it could take longer with a pair of leather boots.
What’s the Best Way to Break In Shoes?
It’s an unavoidable part of buying new footwear, but our advice may make the process quicker and more comfortable.
Depending on the type of shoe, you might have to use a combination of the following tips to achieve the best results.
Ensure You Have the Right Fit
When it comes to understanding how to break in shoes, it’s important to recognise that wearing in a pair that is the wrong size for your feet may be tricky.
Ensuring you know how shoes should fit can make all the difference between finding the perfect kicks and ending up with uncomfortable footwear. Whether you’re venturing out to a shop or using our sizing-from-home guide, try to ensure that the length, width and depth are optimal for your feet.
Wear Them Around the House
Though it may be tempting to debut your new style in public, we recommend wearing them around the house before heading out and about. That way, you’ll be able to take them off and give your feet a rest, which is a little tricky to do in public.
Flexing and wriggling your feet may also be an effective method to loosen your new kicks.
Layer Up with Padding
You may want to don a pair of thick socks for an extra layer as you wear your kicks around the house. The soft material could offer additional comfort and may ease any initial rubbing.
If you’re seeking more padding, moleskin adhesive plasters boast a durable cotton texture that could help protect your skin from friction. As the shoe’s material around the heel and toes tends to be thicker, we recommend using the plasters to protect those areas.
Use a Leather Conditioner
If you’re wondering how to break in leather shoes, a conditioner is a handy product to have at your disposal.
Massaging a small amount into the material may help it to ease and loosen over time. These conditioning products also help to maintain the natural oils and texture.
However, it goes without saying that this method only works for leather footwear!
How to Break In Stubborn Footwear
If the methods we’ve listed above aren’t having the desired effect, shoe stretchers can be a handy way of breaking in especially rigid shoes.
Try a Shoe Stretcher
A shoe stretcher can be a useful tool to help you adjust to new footwear. It could help to both slightly widen and lengthen your kicks simultaneously.
However, bear in mind that they tend to have better results with materials like suede and leather, as these natural textiles may have more capacity to stretch.
With our simple tips and tricks, you should feel more confident with how to break in your new shoes.
To discover more advice and inspiration, explore our blog today.
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