Have you ever bought a new pair of shoes only to find that they kill your feet? Well, don't take them back. They can be fixed simply by breaking them in. You're not really breaking them, but you're getting them used to your feet.
Step 1
Wear your new shoes around the house before you go out in them. Try walking up stairs, standing around (like cooking dinner), sitting down, and running.
Step 2
Adjust the shoe laces until you can find out what works for you.
Step 3
Wear them with socks so you can tell if you need socks when you wear them. This can also prevent blistering when getting used to new tennies.
Step 4
If possible, buy a shoe stretcher. These can help your shoes get a little less tight. If you don't want to buy a stretcher (though they can be cheap online), taking the shoe by the heel and the tip and flexing it back and forth works just fine.
- Make sure you wear your shoes after using the flex method or your shoes will lose their shape!
Step 5
Shoes have stiff spots? Try spraying some water on them! When you walk around your house in them, make a note of any tight spots. These usually go away in time, but if you're crunched, use a small spray bottle and spray some tap water on the spots.
- Dry them before wearing them again, or your new shoes'll get moldy and smelly! They could also contribute to athlete's foot.
Step 6
Choose the best shoe breaking-in method that works for you.
Tips
- Don't wear your new shoes out of your house! They could get dirty and then you can't wear them around your house.
- Do your best to buy the right size in the first place.
Warnings
- Water can damage some shoes. Read the label first!
