Nothing’s worse than that first run after you buy new shoes. If you don’t know how to break in sneakers, you could end up with pain that shoots up your legs. Or, you could develop blisters that keep you from running for a few days.
Don’t suffer through the break-in process. Use these tips to get your shoes fitting great faster.
Use a Shoe Stretcher
There are shoe stretchers designed particularly for athletic shoes. They’re usually made of hard plastic or wood, shaped to fit within the shoe. A long, metal handle comes out the other side with a twistable hook.
All you have to do is insert each stretcher into your shoe and gently twist the handle. Don’t twist too far at once. You don’t want to overstretch your shoes.
Stretch them a little bit overnight and see how they fit in the morning. If they’re still tight, repeat the process.
Wear Them a Little Bit at a Time
If you’re not pressed for time, an easy way to break in sneakers is by wearing them a little bit at a time. This could be as much as five to ten minutes a day for a week. Even that little bit of regular wear should have you feeling a difference in your Air Jordan 3 or other sneakers.
Just make sure you’re not wearing them to the point where your feet hurt. The goal is to break them in with as little pain as possible!
Wear Thick Socks
Wearing thick socks can also help as you’re breaking in new sneakers. The socks serve two purposes here.
First, they push against the shoes, helping them stretch. Second, they add extra protection for your feet. You’ll avoid blisters and keep your shoes from pressing on tender spots.
Prevent Blisters
Preventing blisters is one way to break in shoes with minimal pain. Bandaids are your friend as you stretch your shoes. Put them on your ankles and the top two sides of your feet to prevent blisters.
Another tip? If you’re not a fan of socks, keep your feet moisturized. Dry skin is more prone to developing blisters from rubbing against your shoes.
Use Stretch Spray
Stretch spray is usually a diluted alcohol mixture that can work to loosen the fibers in your shoes. If you’re breaking in leather sneakers, using a salve like Vaseline can help soften the shoe, too.
Start with small amounts and try not to over-apply these products. You want to make sure your new shoes stay in great shape.
Manually Stretch Your Shoe
If all else fails, you can always manually stretch your shoes! To do this, gently bend the toe and the heel of the shoe toward and away from one another. Twist the shoe side to side, too.
You want to be careful not to bend the sneaker too far. You don’t want to damage the integrity of the shoe’s structure before you get a chance to wear them. Start with gentle stretches and see how they fit after a few sessions.
How to Break in Sneakers
Knowing how to break in new sneakers will save you a lot of aches and pains. And it’ll keep you up and running without the blisters! Give these tips a try the next time you bring home a new pair of kicks.
