How do you break in a new pair of running shoes?

Question

I have 2 new pairs, but I prefer running in some old ones that don't offer enough support. How can I get more comfortable in my new shoes?

Answer 1

I run a lot, so I go through a lot of shoes, maybe one every 3-4 months or so. I went through countless shoes, and I had to break in every one of those shoes. Still, I dread having to break in new shoes because they don't feel quite right at first. Unfortunately, there's no real trick to it except to just bite the bullet, go out, and run or walk in them. However, it does not have to be a totally negative experience.

The best time to break them in is to wear them is in the morning or afternoon, before your feet feel pain at the end of the day. If you can wear them all day, that's even better. Also, wear your laces loosely. If you feel any chaffing at all, it may not necessarily be the shoe. Try applying vaseline in the affected area on your feet during the "break in" period. If the chaffing persists, then it's the shoes.

It typically takes me about a week or so before I forget that I'm breaking in the new shoes. It takes some people a little longer or shorter, but it just depends on the feet and the shoes. Sometimes, I think it helps to get the shoes prematurely dirty by running through trails, but I'm sure that's just in my head.

Enjoy your new shoes.

Answer 2

I'd say wear them throughout the day for a couple of days. Like a previous poster already mentioned, good running shoes really don't take much to break in. If they are the correct fit, correct type of running shoe, and offer adequate support for your type of foot-then you shouldn't have much of a problem.

In my experience, Nike shoes (for me) are the absolute hardest to break in. That is probably because Nike running shoes are made with a slimmer toebox and don't agree with my medium wide feet.

If you have wider than average feet I would stay away from Nike if you're seriously into running. Try something along the lines of Asic Gels or Saucony. Hope I helped!

Answer 3

Wear them a day when you know you're going to be doing a lot of walking (the mall, shopping, etc.) It's not so much that the shoes need to be broken in (especially if they're good ones) but that your feet need to get used to them. Make sure you have good socks- not something that will rub funny. Once your comfortable doing that- just a day or so, go ahead and take them for a jog. Again, if they're good shoes, they won't take much breaking in.

Answer 4

I go through several pairs a year training for marathons, heres what I do.

For the first week, I just wear them around in the afternoons after work like a regular shoe, just to walk in them and get used to them. The second week, I'll wear them for my shorter workouts of 4 miles or less. By the third week, they are ready to go for anything.

Answer 5

Good running shoes don't require much break-in. I usually wear them around home for a few days until I feel the time is right, Just to make sure there aren;t any surprise rubs.

But, of course, brand X from your local Wal-Mart or Target, I cannot relate to.

Answer 6

bend em up and down and just jog in em till you get the feel of them.

Answer 7

Wear them. It's that easy.