{"id":7615,"date":"2021-02-05T10:51:56","date_gmt":"2021-02-05T18:51:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/?p=7615"},"modified":"2025-04-29T09:19:14","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T16:19:14","slug":"how-to-break-in-new-shoes-quickly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/how-to-break-in-new-shoes-quickly\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Break In New Shoes Quickly"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-12610 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/79086scr_6b3b86b69a71b8c.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1100\" height=\"472\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/79086scr_6b3b86b69a71b8c.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/79086scr_6b3b86b69a71b8c-300x129.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/79086scr_6b3b86b69a71b8c-1024x439.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/79086scr_6b3b86b69a71b8c-768x330.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No matter how expensive or high-quality a pair of shoes is, nor how comfortable it will ultimately be, there\u2019s almost no avoiding the break-in period. While there may be a few exceptions in the case of sandals, virtually all shoes, including<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/womens-shoes\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">comfortable shoes for women<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and men, will be at least a little stiff the first few (or more) times you wear them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, how long does it take to break in shoes? To get the most comfort out of a new pair, the orthotic footwear experts at Vionic recommend wearing them for only a few hours the first few times you put them on. This gives your feet time to adjust to the shape and material while also allowing the shoes to conform to your feet. Within one to two weeks, you can usually expect to feel comfortable, supported, and pain-free when you strut around in your new kicks.\u00b9<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All this being said, if you\u2019ve recently purchased footwear for a special occasion or a particular pair for work or travel, you might not be able to take your time. Luckily, there are some methods for speeding up the process. Read on to learn <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to break in new shoes <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Break In Shoes Fast: 4 Easy Hacks<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes, new shoes can be exceptionally uncomfortable and even painful at first and then turn into the comfiest pair you own. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you&#8217;re testing out <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">new running shoes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or heels, it&#8217;s not uncommon to experience <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">foot pain<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">discomfort<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> after just a few hours of wear. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You definitely want to try to avoid painful blisters, ingrown toenails, overpronation, unnecessary rubbing<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">friction<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> sore feet, and heel pain, which is why slow and steady is usually the way to go.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But when you\u2019re in a pinch, you might feel like you don\u2019t have any other choice but to grin and bear it. If you want to know how to break in shoes fast, Vionic has you covered. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try these four helpful hacks to ensure a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">comfortable fit<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in your new shoes.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. How to Break In Leather Shoes with a Blow Dryer<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most common questions we get asked is <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/how-to-break-in-leather-boots\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to break in new leather boots<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. While <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">leather shoes are known for being possibly the most comfortable type of footwear<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, their thicker shoe material can cause <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">discomfort<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">friction <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">during the early stages of wear<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. When the material finally softens and molds to the natural shape of your foot, you can say hello to years of footwear bliss. But the first time you pull them out of the box and slip them on, maybe not so much.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did you know you can break in dress shoes, wedding shoes, patent leather pumps, suede flats, leather boots, and other new leather shoes in just a few minutes with a blow dryer? <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to learn one way <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/10-easy-ways-to-make-shoes-more-comfortable\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to make your shoes more comfortable<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, all you have to do is apply some heat to your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">leather boots<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and shoes. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leather softens with heat, allowing you to expedite the break-in process and get the job done in the comfort of your own home.\u00b2<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Here\u2019s how to break in leather shoes with a hairdryer:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Put on your new shoes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Turn on the blow dryer and aim the hot air at your shoes, holding it about 8 to 10 inches from the leather.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Work your way around the entire uppers of each shoe, focusing on any particularly <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tight <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">areas<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">around your heels or toes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once the leather warms up and softens, stand up and walk around your home for 15 minutes or so.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your shoes should be less tight and more comfortable overall. You can always repeat the process to break them in a little more before heading out to an event.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. How to Break In Shoes with Ice<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another option is the ice method. Instead of heat, it relies on the expanding effect of freezing water to break in shoes from the inside.\u00b3 Bear in mind that the process may get the material slightly wet, so it\u2019s best for nylon or mesh sneakers, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">new <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">running shoes,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or<\/span> <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/women\/weather-resistant.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">water-resistant footwear<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Here\u2019s how to break new shoes with ice:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fill two resealable plastic bags about halfway with water. Sandwich baggies should be about the right size, though you just want to make sure they\u2019re large enough that they\u2019ll put enough pressure on your shoes when they expand.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seal the bags, making sure to remove all air from the inside.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Put the baggies inside each of your shoes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Put your shoes in a larger resealable freezer bag (or each in their own bag if they don\u2019t fit in one). This will help protect them from moisture. Seal the larger bag and place it in your freezer.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After about four hours, the water inside each shoe should be frozen into solid ice. It should have also expanded, which puts pressure on the inside to break them in\u2014like a shoe stretcher.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remove your shoes from the freezer, and take the baggies out. Once your shoes have thawed out a bit, try them on.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since the ice expanded into the contours of the shoe cavities, they should take on the right shape and feel comfortably broken in.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This is an excellent way to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/how-to-stretch-boots\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stretch out boots<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that are a little too tight.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/womens-shoes\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-12014 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Fall22_Womens-Wear-To-Work.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Fall22_Womens-Wear-To-Work.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Fall22_Womens-Wear-To-Work-300x100.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. How to Break In Shoes with Thick Socks<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wearing thick socks or multiple pairs of shoes can also help break in new shoes quickly. If you\u2019d typically wear thin stockings, tights, nylons, or no socks with this pair, thicker socks can give you a head start in molding them to your feet. You can even try this with sandals and other traditionally sockless styles. Wearing <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">thick pair<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of socks with your shoes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for a few hours at home can go a long way.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. How to Break In Heels Using the Potato Method<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve got a fresh pair of high heels you\u2019re pretty sure will hurt your feet until they\u2019re properly broken in, try the potato method.\u2074 It might sound odd, but this technique can actually be really effective in<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/how-to-make-your-shoes-not-hurt-your-heels\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to make shoes not hurt heels<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Here\u2019s how to break in heels with a potato:<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll need one large potato. It should be slightly bigger than the cavity of the shoe but not too big, as you don\u2019t want it to warp the toe box.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Peel it and dry it off with a towel to remove as much moisture as possible.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Put the potato inside your shoe and leave it for 12 to 24 hours.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remove the potato and place it in the other shoe, leaving it for the same amount of time.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you try on your heels, they should be stretched ever so slightly and much more comfortable than they were initially.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since potatoes vary in shape and size, you\u2019ll want to use the same one for each shoe. For this reason, the potato break-in method takes a couple of days.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Basics of Breaking In Shoes<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The above techniques can be really helpful when you don\u2019t have a lot of time and are trying to figure out<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/10-easy-ways-to-make-shoes-more-comfortable\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how to make shoes more comfortable<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> quickly. However, the best practices for breaking in shoes involve starting at home and going slow.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Start at Home<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As we mentioned, wearing <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">thick pair <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">socks the first few times can be really beneficial. And even if the particular style doesn\u2019t call for socks, you can always start at home. You don\u2019t have to wear socks to break in shoes, either. You can just wear them around your humble abode for a couple of hours a day until they\u2019re comfortable enough to be worn out and about.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Go Slow<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We also recommend going slow. For best results, wear a new pair for short periods the first couple of weeks, but wear them often. You might put them on for an hour the first day, then bump it up to two hours the next, and so on. Additionally, if you\u2019re wearing them to work, you can bring another pair to change into halfway through your shift if needed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/insoles.html\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-12009 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Fall22_Arch-Support-Inserts.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Fall22_Arch-Support-Inserts.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.vionicshoes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Fall22_Arch-Support-Inserts-300x100.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Most Comfortable Shoes for Men and Women<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The podiatrist-designed footwear from <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vionic<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> features built-in orthotics for unbeatable comfort. Crave-worthy arch support, plush cushioning, incredible contouring, and heel stability are embedded into the soles of each pair. While we still suggest taking your time breaking them in, you\u2019ll feel the difference instantly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And that\u2019s not all. Unlike many orthotic shoe brands, Vionic is just as committed to fashion as we are to foot health. We believe comfort, support, and style should all be prioritized, which you can see for yourself when you browse our on-trend designs. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All of our shoes are designed with <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/vio-motion-support\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vio Motion technology<\/span><\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, so you can enjoy a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">comfortable fit<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and find the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">right shoes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the first time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shop our orthotic shoe collections for men and women today!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Sources:<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Christine Luff. \u201cHow Long Does It Take to Break In Running Shoes?\u201d. Verywell Fit. Updated on Jul 02, 2020,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellfit.com\/how-long-does-it-take-to-break-in-running-shoes-2911788\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.verywellfit.com\/how-long-does-it-take-to-break-in-running-shoes-2911788<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Lauren Eggertsen. \u201cto Break In Your Shoes\u201d. Who What Wear. Dec 15, 2017,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.whowhatwear.com\/how-to-break-in-shoes\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.whowhatwear.com\/how-to-break-in-shoes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Emily McClure. \u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7 Pain-Free Ways To Break In New Shoes\u201d. Bustle. Oct. 29, 2015,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bustle.com\/articles\/119973-7-ways-to-break-in-new-shoes-without-hurting-your-feet\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.bustle.com\/articles\/119973-7-ways-to-break-in-new-shoes-without-hurting-your-feet<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Carroll Kelly. \u201cHow to Break in a New Pair of Shoes\u201d. Wiki How. April 8, 2021,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Break-in-a-New-Pair-of-Shoes\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Break-in-a-New-Pair-of-Shoes<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a class=\"more-link\" id=\"excerpt\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/how-to-break-in-new-shoes-quickly\/\">Read More &gt;<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2722],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7615","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-foot-health-wellness","dwtl normal"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7615","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7615"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7615\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12637,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7615\/revisions\/12637"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7615"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7615"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7615"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}