How to Break in New Running Shoes – Guide, Benefits + Pro Tips:

How to Break in New Running Shoes? When it comes to the best way to break into comfortable running shoes, there are so many different approaches to use. But the one thing you have to remember is that all of your efforts could be for nothing if the shoes are not compatible with your foot type. Just make sure you do exactly what we’re going over here and don’t rush anything.

Have you ever bought a brand new pair of running shoes and then found yourself running on the treadmill or jogging around your neighborhood a couple of times, only to find out that they’re basically impossible to break in? Sure, we’ve all been there. If you’re having trouble breaking in your new running sneakers, or want some tips or tricks to make the process go faster.

Ideally, a new pair of running shoes should fit perfectly and feel comfortable right out of the box; some people even argue that modern-day stability running shoes don’t need to be broken in. How to Break in New Running Shoes, However, the best way to break your new shoes in is to avoid wearing them until they feel like your old favorite pair implicitly comfortable.

When a new pair of fresh sneakers arrive at your doorstep is always exciting but what if they are the wrong size, color, or even style? Heading straight to the races with them could result in an injury so make sure you’ve done your homework and have properly acquainted yourself with our helpful steeping process. Let’s take a look at some of the primary topics we’ll be covering below.

How to Break in New Running Shoes

Why do New Running Shoes Need Breaking In?

How to Break in New Running Shoes? The primary purpose of breaking in a new pair of shoes is to allow their material to soften and adjust to the shape of your feet. This prevents you from developing foot injuries such as:

Blisters: fluid-filled pockets in the skin caused by friction from shoe material rubbing your feet.

Hot Feet: Constant friction between shoes and your feet can cause swelling and a burning sensation. That’s why it’s important to wear comfy, well-fitted shoes.

Corns: This is an inflammation of the foot that usually appears on the soft tissue between, above, or underneath your toes. Often times athlete’s foot is caused by excess friction or pressure found on a specific spot on your foot.

Calluses: Similar to corns, these are dead, dry skin cells that build up over prolonged periods of time and mostly appear on the heel and sole. They can also occur when there is a high amount of friction occurring between your shoe and your foot.

While some people may disagree, even the best running sneakers are not exempt from the need to break in regardless of quality.

How Long Does It Take to Break in New Running Shoes?

Typically, it takes new running shoes about a week to fully adjust to the shape of your feet. Factors like the time of day that you run, your running surface, and even the thickness of socks you wear are all factors contributing to how long new running shoes will take to “break-in”.

  • How often do you wear them?
  • Type of shoe
  • How you break them in

How to Break in New Running Shoes, It’s one of the most important things when it comes to running. It can make or break your running experience. In your fitness journey, it’s important that you get the right pair of running shoes to avoid injury and enhance your running experience. It’s often said that you should have new running shoes broken in before using them for running. So why do we need to break in our new shoes?

New running shoes have a tendency to run small these days. This leads to a lot of problems. From blisters to bad running form, there are a huge number of issues that can arise if your running shoes don’t fit properly. This blog will look at why new running shoes need to be broken in, what is the best way to break them in, and other issues you may find in the process.

How to Break in Running Shoes

How to Break in New Running Shoes Before going for your first run in new shoes, it’s essential to take several walks in them. Doing so lets you determine whether they fit well and also gives the shoes a chance to help them begin to gradually adjust to your feet.

Go for a Walk-in Them

Try taking at least three walks in a pair of shoes you haven’t worn before. Pay attention to how they feel around your ankles, toes, or ball of the foot. Notice anything that indicates they might be either uncomfortable or not quite the right fit? For example:

  • If the shoe box is too narrow or too short you may find that your toes are squished and there’s little wiggle room.
  • Although this will make your feet feel cramped, it could also affect blood circulation because they won’t be able to “breathe”.
  • This can lead to bad foot odor as well.
  • So what to do? Make sure that the box allows some extra “slack” in terms of width and length

When trying on shoes, your doctor may put you through a series of tests to determine if the shoes are the proper fit. One such test is known as a gait analysis. Your feet will be placed into special foot trackers, which will then evaluate things like pronation and movement. If your doctor observes any abnormal tendencies when performing these motions, he or she may choose to fit you with specially designed corrective orthotic inserts or arch support insoles. These tools can realign your posture and help eliminate some potential risks going forward. And while you won’t need a chiropractor’s office for this, they can provide useful information to make sure that you have a smooth walking experience.

Go for a Short Run in Them

Most people decide to try out their new running shoes instead of training in a pair that isn’t completely broken in. How to Break in New Running Shoes, However, the best suggestion is to do both since it is one of the most efficient ways to train up for your new shoes. But just make sure that your first time wearing them isn’t another half marathon when you’re trying to get ready for one- unless you are planning a run-walk regime.

Like going for a walk, taking a few test runs in your new pair of shoes will help you figure out if they are the right fit for you. Make sure that your initial trial runs are shorter and more frequent don’t wait until you have run 5km before checking that the shoes are worth their salt.

Watch for the following signs of ill-fitting shoes:

  • If your feet feel sore, numb, or burning when wearing running shoes.
  • There are a few ways you can spot and avoid the problem.
  • So check these points to see if your new pair of shoes isn’t the likely culprit.
  • The top of your foot feels numb.
  • This is usually because the shoes are too tight, inhibiting blood circulation in your feet.

Wear Your Shoes with Thicker Socks

When going out for a run, runners should be wearing a top pair of tech running socks that offer both comfort and breathability, and a sturdy yet light second layer at the bottom to help them break their shoes in faster by creating more traction.

Freeze the Shoes

A great way to break in your new running shoes is to submerge them in 6-8 cups of water overnight. This will stretch the seams and leather of the shoe, making for a comfortable fit that lasts. Here’s how you do it How to Break in New Running Shoes:

While the procedure for freezing your running shoes is unexpected and may seem awkward, it’s one of the most effective ways to break them in quickly. Here is a step-by-step guide on how one could go about freezing their running shoes:

  • Freezing your running shoes is the ideal way to keep them in pristine condition for when you need them the most.
  • Make sure that there is no cold air inside your frozen shoe.
  • It will assist with avoiding blisters or any other sort of physical discomfort related to taking ice baths.
  • For example, filling two freezer bags of water and partially sealing them will allow you.

Heat Them

How to Break in New Running Shoes No need to put your running shoes on the oven rack follow these four easy steps instead of heating them up like a pair of freshly-made cookies in an electric oven. Here’s what you do:

  • Put on a pair of new shoes and go for a walk or run.
  • It’s important to break in your shoes so as to avoid blistering and physical discomfort.
  • If you’ve found a shoe that causes blisters.
  • Try wearing an extra layer of socks before breaking them in with these tips.

To heat the heels, you can put them in a microwave for about three minutes on high. You’ll know that they are hot enough when the soles begin to soften and feel more pliable. They should only be reheated twice. If heat is applied more than twice, the glue may become unstable causing the soles to loosen from their position around the toes of your shoes.

How Long Does it Take To Break In Running Shoes?

The ideal duration of the breaking-in period bottom line really depends on a number of variables, such as how stiff and thick the sole of your shoe is compared to the overall fabric that makes up parts of its upper.

For example, minimalist running shoes may wear in within a few days whereas motion control or highly cushioned shoes with thick soles take between two and three weeks to fully adjust to.

How to Break in New Running Shoes? That’s why you shouldn’t buy a new pair of running shoes that were designed for someone else. Before purchasing them, try them on and walk around the house in them. These are your feet, after all, so you should be the one who makes sure they fit properly while also getting a feel for how they feel while walking around the house with the shoes to make sure they’re comfortable before taking them out for a run or any other workout.

Our shoes come with a 30-day guarantee. They should feel comfortable after wearing them for an hour, but they’ll need more time to really break-in. Feel them out over time and keep an eye out for any red flags throughout the trial period that might indicate that you’re better off switching styles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a break in new running shoes?

Before you start running with a new pair of shoes, you should get out and walk in them with no weight on your back or take a couple of runs in sneakers or something else. After this, the official break-in period should begin. It takes about 50-150 kilometers depending on the shoe and how you run. However, the shoe will never be fully broken in until you run about 1,000 km. Anyone who says otherwise is lying.

How do you break in new shoes fast?

New shoes should be soaked in warm water. You could also apply baby powder to it. This will make your foot sweat and the shoes will break in faster. If there is any discomfort, you could use a soft cloth and apply pressure on the most painful spots. You could use a soft toothbrush to do the same. Wearing the shoes for some time will make them more comfortable to wear.

Should you walk in running shoes to break in?

It is always a good idea to break in your running shoes with a few light runs to get the feel of them without overdoing it and injuring yourself. If possible, go for a short walk in them in the evening, either in the comfort of your home or outside with no disruptions. The objective here is to become accustomed to the feel of your new shoes, so you do not have to constantly think about your feet when you run. Also, the walk might help in taking out the tightness of the new shoes.

Are new running shoes supposed to hurt?

It’s normal for new running shoes to be uncomfortable. However, this shouldn’t last for more than a week. Other than the initial discomfort, you should feel no pain when running. If you do, then you might have another problem. It’s possible that you sustained an injury. Consult with a doctor to get it checked.

Conclusion

If you’re replacing your old pair of shoes with the same style but with all new materials and fit, your breaking-in period will be shorter. But just to be safe, we recommend that you follow the advice above when it comes time for you to get accustomed to a new model of the previous pair so as not to get hurt.

Don’t go straight to your shopping cart with old shoes. Compromising on quality by buying new ones as soon as you’ve worn them for the recommended amount of time isn’t the best idea. Alternate between different pairs of shoes which gives your body a chance to adjust and in turn, prevent pain and other problems caused by using one pair too often.

If you need advice on finding the right pair of How to Break in New Running Shoes, contact your local running store or ask a podiatrist.

Breaking in cheap running shoes is never fun, but it’s a necessary step that you cannot skip. No matter what the price tag sounds like, make sure to leave yourself ample time for your feet to adjust if you want to avoid any potential foot injuries along the way.


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John Keats
By John Keats

John Keats is a nature lover, hiker, and consultant blogger at different shoe brands. He deeply knows about the best products and always recommends them to his friends and family. Now, he turned his interest into a full-time job as an article writer. He recommends top brands and products to readers after testing. Read full reviews about him from articles!


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