Life Hack: Three ways to break in a new pair of shoes
Shoes Be In Painful A Breaking Can Process
If you’ve bought a new pair of shoes, you might be struggling to break them in so they’re comfortable to wear. If you rush ahead and wear certain shoes before they have softened and adjusted to your feet you could find yourself in a lot of pain. It takes some patience to break in a new pair of shoes — but there are some shortcuts you can try if you’re keen to debut your new footwear.
You should wear your new shoes around the house first for small periods to gradually soften them. Rather than wearing them while out and about, when you’re at home you can remove the shoes the moment any discomfort could cause blisters or cuts on your feet. You should tie the laces tightly when wearing them around your home. This will stretch the fabric and accelerate the breaking-in process. The more you stretch it, the looser it will become. Similarly, a thick pair of socks can also help stretch your shoes. Wear them with the new shoes around your home for the material to stretch, and the socks will also provide a comfortable layer of protection for your feet.
If your leather shoes heat up the material could move and stretch easier. You can use a hairdryer to speed up the process and break in your shoes quicker. Put on a thick pair of socks, followed by your new shoes. Blow the hot air on the shoes for a few minutes, focusing on the areas that feel tighter on your feet. Once the material is warm and flexible, turn off the hairdryer and keep your shoes on your feet until they cool. This will help them mould to your feet.
If you’re trying to stretch a pair of runners, look to your freezer. When cold water freezes it expands, and can help to break in running shoes. Fill two small sealable and freezable bags with water. Place each one inside your shoes and place the shoes into your freezer. Leave the runners for at least four hours. The expanding ice should stretch the material. Remove the shoes from the freezer and take out the bags of ice.
Blisters are a common result when breaking in shoes, but you can take steps to avoid them. When you first wear your new shoes, take note of the areas you notice some pinching and friction. Cover these areas with a plaster to protect your skin. Similarly, wearing the right style of socks can minimise friction and protect your heel and ankle. Ensure your feet are completely dry when wearing your new shoes too — a powder might help keep them moisture-free. A thin layer of petroleum jelly like Vaseline can protect your toes against blisters when wearing sandals.