{"id":12589,"date":"2025-04-28T10:38:14","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T17:38:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/?p=12589"},"modified":"2025-05-19T11:30:03","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T18:30:03","slug":"how-to-break-in-loafers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/how-to-break-in-loafers\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Break In New Loafers: A Guide for Leather and More"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lifting the cardboard box\u2019s lid. Peeling away the crisp, white tissue paper. Peeking at the pristine soles. Smelling the fresh leather scent. What could possibly beat the feeling of unboxing a new pair of\u00a0women\u2019s loafers<\/a><\/span>\u00a0or\u00a0men\u2019s loafers<\/a><\/span>? How about trying them on!<\/p>\n

At first, your new loafers will give your feet a warm hug\u2014but a quick walk around your room will alert you to some stiffness. This inflexibility in your new leather shoes or suede kicks might prove frustrating, but with a little work, you can mold them perfectly to your feet.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

To help you\u00a0make your shoes more comfortable<\/a><\/span>, we\u2019ve assembled a series of practical tips and techniques for breaking in loafers, whether they\u2019re made of leather, suede, nubuck, or other materials. Sit back, kick your feet up, and slip right into our comfort guide.<\/p>\n

Selecting the Right-Sized Loafers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Before learning how to break in stiff leather loafers, you must first find a pair that fits properly.<\/p>\n

When you wear the wrong size, your shoes can\u2019t conform to the shape of your feet. That may lead to discomfort and increase the risk of developing blisters, bunions, ingrown toenails, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and more.<\/p>\n

Ouch. Not fun.<\/p>\n

The good news is that you don\u2019t have to go to a brick-and-mortar store and step on a piece of cold metal to\u00a0measure your shoe size<\/a><\/span>. All you need is a pencil, a piece of paper, and either a ruler or a smartphone measuring app.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t know\u00a0how to find the perfect fit<\/a><\/span>? Here\u2019s how to get started:<\/p>\n

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  1. With the paper resting on the floor (avoid carpets and tape the corners to keep them still), place your foot down and carefully trace around it.<\/li>\n
  2. Once complete, use your measuring device to determine the length from the top of the biggest toe to the bottom of the heel, and the width across the widest part of your foot (typically across the ball of the foot).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Pro tip: Complete this activity wearing a thick sock, as this will prime you well for your loafers.<\/p>\n

    \"Unbatable<\/a><\/p>\n

    Breaking In Loafers: A Breakdown<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    You know your shoe size. You\u2019ve bought your brand new pair of loafers. Now comes the fun part: Figuring out\u00a0how to break into your new shoes quickly<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

    While you\u2019ll find many purported hacks on the internet, here are our tried-and-tested, expert-backed breaking-in strategies for new leather shoes.<\/p>\n

    Go for a Stroll\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Ever play baseball or softball as a kid? Remember the process of breaking in your mitt?<\/p>\n

    Perhaps shaving cream was involved, or you rubber banded the sides together and stuck it under your mattress. Or maybe you took a much more basic (yet more effective) approach by using the mitt for its intended purpose: to play catch.<\/p>\n

    While we don\u2019t recommend using your loafers as a softball glove, we do cosign this straightforward approach. Simply walk around the house with your loafers on.<\/p>\n

    Walk for two minutes, or walk for twenty. Wear them while vacuuming or dusting the house. Walk around while calling your mother-in-law to wish her a happy birthday. You\u2019re in control based on your schedule and what feels comfortable. Plus, the more you slip into and slip out of the shoes, the more they\u2019ll naturally loosen. This is true for any material.<\/p>\n

    The best part of this tip? It won\u2019t cost you a cent\u2014and it\u2019s a good excuse to get your steps in.<\/p>\n

    Bring the Heat<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Did you know that heat stretches leather and suede? That\u2019s why blow dryers and loafers make for an unexpectedly dynamic combination. Follow these steps to break in your suede or leather loafers (and make your toes toasty warm):<\/p>\n

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    1. Put on socks to protect your feet and slip on your new loafers.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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      1. Turn the blow dryer on low to medium heat and aim it at particularly stiff or tight areas\u2014like the toe box or the heel\u2014for a couple of minutes. This will soften and expand your loafers.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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        1. Once you\u2019re finished, roam around the room and strut your stuff so your loafers can properly mold to your feet.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Pro tip: Be careful not to burn or damage your new shoes by pointing the hair dryer head at the same spot for too long. You don\u2019t want to ruin an immaculate pair of loafers before you have the chance to show them off!<\/p>\n

          Ice, Ice, Baby<\/strong><\/h3>\n

          It turns out that heat isn\u2019t the only temperature that can effectively swell your loafers. Freezing cold water also does the trick.<\/p>\n

          Who\u2019s ready for a little science experiment?<\/p>\n

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          1. Grab two resealable plastic bags and fill them halfway with water. Seal them up tight and place one bag in each shoe\u2014trying, if possible, to position the water to reach the stiffest areas (i.e. the heel or toe box).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
              \n
            1. Stick the loafers in the freezer\u2014they can say hello to their new ice cream carton neighbors\u2014and leave them there for about eight hours.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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              1. Retrieve your shoes and remove the plastic bags, which will now contain blocks of ice. You should notice a difference when you slip your loafers on (besides a little chill!).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                Leather, suede, nubuck, and canvas materials can all weather the frigid climate, so the ice method will work for most types of loafers.<\/p>\n

                Remember: Before inserting, make sure that the plastic bags are completely sealed before sticking them in your dress shoes. Excessive water due to leakage, for example, may strip away natural oils in leather, causing the shoes to stiffen\u2014which defeats the original purpose of this little experiment.<\/p>\n

                Shoo Blisters Away<\/strong><\/h2>\n

                Blisters often find their way onto our feet thanks to friction, heat, or moisture from new leather or suede shoes. Excessive rubbing between the skin and the insole, particularly if the shoe is new and not yet broken in, can lead to serious irritation or chafing, especially along the forefoot or back of the heel where shoes tend to be tightest<\/p>\n

                Effective loafer-stretching should keep the blisters away, but if you feel a few forming, don\u2019t stress! Fortunately, you can take a few easy measures to\u00a0prevent blisters from forming on the back of your feet<\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n