How to Break In New Shoes Gently
Written by Artemis Clo
Knowing how to break in new shoes gently is what turns a lovely pair into one you actually wear. A firm new shoe needs time to soften and learn the shape of your foot, and rushing it is how good shoes end up at the back of the cupboard. Here is the patient method.
Start indoors: how to break in new shoes at home
Begin with the soft option. Wear your new pair around the house for twenty or thirty minutes at a time, a few times a day. Make a cup of tea, potter about, go up and down the stairs. This lets the uppers warm and flex without the commitment of a long walk.
Wearing them indoors first has a practical side too. Shoes that have only met your carpet usually look as good as new, so if you realise they are not right, you still have options. Our FAQ explains how returns work, so check it before your first trip outside.
Pay attention to how they feel. A little firmness across the top is normal and usually eases. Rubbing at the back of the heel or pressure on your toes is worth noting now, when it is easy to act on. A pair of colour-block penny loafers with a low heel is a good example of a shape that benefits from this slow start, as does anything in the shoes collection with a closed back.
Shoes to consider
A few pieces that fit what you have just read.
Colour-Block Penny Loafers, Low Heel
Orthopaedic Wedge Trainers with Side Zip
Orthopaedic Metallic Glitter Trainers, Chunky Sole
Build up slowly outside
Once the indoor sessions feel easy, take your shoes out for short trips. A walk to the post box, a quick errand, a stroll round the block. Keep it under an hour for the first few outings, and stay close enough to home that you can swap shoes if needed.
Then lengthen the outings gradually over a week or two. Save the long day out, the wedding or the city break for when the shoes already feel like yours. Our guide on how to dress for a long day on your feet has more on planning those bigger days.
Carry a plaster or two in your bag for the first outings, just in case something rubs. If you feel a hot spot at the heel or a toe, stop and adjust rather than pushing on.
Gentle ways to break in new shoes that feel firm
If a pair is the right length but feels a little snug across the top or sides, a few tried and tested tricks can help.
- Thick socks and a hairdryer. Put on a pair of thick socks, slip on the shoes, and warm the snug areas with a hairdryer on a low setting for a minute or two while you flex your feet. Keep the dryer moving and at a distance. Walk around until they cool. Check the care label first, as this suits some materials better than others.
- Flex the sole by hand. Bend a stiff sole gently back and forth a few times, at the point where your foot naturally bends.
- Use a shoe stretcher. A wooden or plastic stretcher left in overnight can ease a little extra width. It cannot add length.
- Soften the heel counter. If the back of the heel feels firm, press and flex it gently between your thumbs a few times.
A heel grip or a thin insole can also help if the shoe feels slightly loose and your heel slips, which causes rubbing just as easily as a tight fit.
Boots, sandals and trainers: what to expect
Boots take the longest, because there is more of them. Wear them with the socks you plan to use all winter, and break them in before the first frosty morning rather than on it. A style with a strap and pull tab, like these flat ankle boots with a strap and pull tab, is easy to slip on and off for short indoor sessions. Browse the boots in early autumn to give yourself time.
Sandals need a different kind of attention, because straps touch bare skin. Wear them indoors for a few evenings and adjust buckles or touch straps until nothing rubs. Styles with buckles or touch straps, which you will find among our sandals, make this much easier.
Trainers generally need the least work. A day or two around the house is usually plenty.
If a pair still feels wrong after two weeks of gentle wear, it is probably the size or shape rather than the breaking in. Our guide on how shoes should fit helps you tell the difference, and if your feet are uncomfortable in most shoes, a qualified professional is the right person to ask.
Next, from our boots
Something from a neighbouring rail, for the same moment.
Orthopaedic Flat Ankle Boots, Strap and Pull Tab
Orthopaedic Knit Ankle Boots with Low Block Heel
Orthopaedic Pointed Shoe Boots with Block Heel
Your questions, answered
How long does it take to break in new shoes?
Most pairs settle within one to two weeks of short, regular wear. Firmer boots can take a little longer. If a shoe still feels wrong after that, the size or shape is probably the issue rather than the breaking in.
Do trainers need breaking in?
Usually very little. Soft uppers and flexible soles tend to feel comfortable within a day or two. A short walk around the house is still a good idea before a long day out.
Should new shoes feel tight?
Snug, yes; tight, no. Your heel should feel held and your toes should have room to wiggle. Firmness across the top often eases with wear, but a shoe that is too short will never grow longer.
Is it worth using a shoe stretching spray?
It can help a little on some materials when used with a shoe stretcher or thick socks. Check the maker's advice and test it on a small, discreet area first, as some sprays can mark lighter finishes.
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