How to break in basketball shoes fast

How to break in new basketball sneakers

21st Jul 2015 |

Break In,  New Shoes

Posted by SS

As with any shoe, breaking in your new basketball sneakers can either be a royal pain in your feet or a comfortable process. It all depends on your preparation and attention to a well constructed plan. Breaking in shoes sounds simple, just wear them. However, ensuring they get broken in properly takes a bit more planning.

The Purchase

Only you know your preferences when it comes to your footwear. Yet making the right purchase can mean the difference between a long breaking in period or a shorter one. If the shoe is not perfectly sized for your feet, than the breaking in period will be longer. If you shop at discount stores, there may not be a professional shoe fitter and you will need to rely on your own knowledge with the following tips.

Always try on shoes near the end of the day, when your feet have swollen to their largest, allowing for extra room when you put them on in the morning. Also almost everyone has two differently sized feet. Make sure that you always try on shoes on your larger foot. If your feet are more than a half size different, even consider getting two different sized shoes, one of each foot. Last, make sure there is enough room for your foot; if it's too tight, you cannot stretch them adequately, too loose and you cannot tie them tight enough.

Breaking Bad

The process for breaking in your new basketball sneakers should be a process. Make sure to buy your shoes at least two weeks in advance of wearing them to a competitive event.

Wear your shoes for 10 minutes of light activity for 3 days in a row, adding ten minutes each day, so by the 3rd day you are wearing them for 30 minutes of walking or light exercise.

For the next 4 days wear your shoes for a minimum of 1 hour each day, and include more vigorous exercise each day. Start with walking and add 15 minutes of light jogging. By the fourth day you should include 30 minutes of jogging in your shoes.

Then the stretching process is started. For the next 4 days, wear your new basketball sneakers for 2 hours a day, but include at least 30 minutes of aggressive turns, jumps, and pivots. These exercises could be included in light practice or a friendly game of pick up. Lastly for the remaining 3 days of the two week break in period, wear them as long as you can, but also wear them each day to a real team practice or pickup game to continue the break in period.

After two weeks of increasing activity, the shoes should naturally mold to your feet and provide a comfortable experience with very little pain. This is the easiest and best way to break in new basketball sneakers without breaking your feet also.

Share this article

How To Break In New Basketball Shoes (Step By Step) – Get Hyped Sports

Buying new basketball shoes is exciting. Many basketball players want to step on the hardwood right away and start breaking in their shoes. The problem is, the shoes come directly from the factory, and are in a box for weeks, sometimes months.

Basketball shoes can be broken in by wearing them 10-15 minutes a day doing light activity. Wearing them for more than 15 minutes directly after purchase will feel stiff and sometimes cause blisters.

In this article, we will show you step by step how to break in basketball shoes soon after purchase.

How To Break In New Basketball Shoes

Breaking in basketball shoes takes time. It’s not something that can be done overnight. Here are the steps we recommend you take to break into new basketball shoes.

1. Before we start, you need to make sure the shoe fits well.
2. The first thing you should do is break in your shoes with light activity before the first time you wear them to a basketball game or practice.
3. Before you put on your shoes to play basketball the first time, condition your feet and ankles with high-top basketball socks or even blank ones from the store. Basketball is a tough sport and can cause blisters when new shoes are being worn with no support.
4. Your new basketball shoes will be very stiff at first and take some time to break in. Do not try to ‘break them in’ quickly by playing hard-nosed, physical games of basketball right away.
5. Once you have your new basketball shoes and have worked them out for 10-15 minutes, you can wear your shoes to basketball practice or games.

Before using your shoes once, do not put on socks and play for more than 15 minutes straight in them (for socks or even regular sneakers). It can cause blisters on your feet if the shoe is too tight.

Light activity like walking around a shopping center or going to Dunkin Donuts for coffee will help the shoe conform easier and stretch out over time. If you are doing this while wearing socks, make sure they are high-top basketball socks that support the ankle (not regular dress socks). ​

You should go for a short walk to break them in, especially if you plan on playing basketball in them.

Instead, you should give your shoes 10-15 minutes of light activity after purchasing them.

This will allow the shoe to conform to your feet and allow it to stretch out over time. You do not want an incredibly tight basketball shoe causing blisters on your feet right away.

If they feel even a little bit tight, wait another 5-6 minutes before switching them out for the next practice and game. You do not want to wear basketball shoes that are too tight at first because they can cause blisters on your feet right away.

This is when it’s important to make sure you’ve conditioned your feet and ankles before playing in your new basketball shoes.

Why Do Basketball Shoes Hurt My Feet?

Basketball shoes can hurt your feet if they are brand new or if they’re tied too tight. They can also be uncomfortable if they’re too big for your feet or if you have bad ankles.

If they are new shoes, make sure you wait before playing in them to give them time to conform to your feet. Try them on for size when they first come out of the box at the store but do not play in them until you have conditioned your feet and ankles. This will cause blisters otherwise.

Try an ankle brace if basketball causes pain in your ankles because it may help protect against injury. If this doesn’t work, see a doctor for more options on how to handle the pain from playing basketball. It’s often a recurring issue and can be difficult to fix without help from doctors or physical therapists.

Do Basketball Shoes Loosen Up?

Basketball shoes do loosen up the more than you wear them and condition in them. If you bought the basketball shoes directly from the store, it would take 5-10 physical activity sessions before they are officially loosened up.

All it takes is a 15 minutes walk after the basketball shoes are bought. But you should try them on for size when purchased, and don’t play in them until your feet are conditioned.

This will help your shoes conform to your feet and allow them to stretch out over time. If the basketball shoes are too tight now, it can cause blisters when you play in them for the first time.

See Our Complete List Of Helpful Basketball Articles Here.

Conclusion

Breaking in your basketball shoes is pretty straightforward. Do light activities like walking around a shopping center for 10-15 minutes. Then put on your ankle braces or high-top basketball socks and run around for another five minutes.

Do this before putting them on again for practice or a game, and you should be good to go. As soon as they’re broken in, they will feel much more comfortable and conform to your feet’ shape over time. It’s definitely worth the wait, especially if you have pain or blisters when playing in new shoes.

How to stretch sneakers in length or width

If the shoes are tight, it is not only uncomfortable, but it can harm the feet. This is especially true of sports shoes or sneakers. Stretching sneakers, making them more comfortable to wear is quite possible. The main thing is to know what material they are made of and apply the appropriate methods.

Which sneakers can be stretched

Do not rush to start the procedure of stretching a pair immediately after purchase. Often, after long loads and shopping, the legs get tired and swell. Perhaps in the morning your sneakers will no longer reap. If they still seem small, try stretching them out. But first find out what they are made of. Otherwise, there is a risk of irreparably spoiling them.

The easiest way to give the desired shape to sneakers made of suede, leather, nubuck. Be careful with fabric shoes: they can easily be deformed if not used correctly. The most difficult thing is to stretch the leatherette product. This material is hard to tolerate exposure to boiling water, steam, ice. And it is not easy to stretch it in the usual “wet” way. Perhaps it is better to sell or donate such sneakers. But if this option is not suitable, you can try stretching with the help of products containing alcohol.

Remember that:

1. Sports shoes are easier to stretch in width.
2. Fabric can be lengthened by a maximum of half a size. You can stretch sneakers to size if they are made of leather, suede or nubuck.
3. The skin becomes fragile after the procedure. Before stretching, especially with the use of heat, it is better to treat the product with shoe polish.
4. Sneakers made of artificial materials are easy to deform with an inept approach.
5. Stitching seams do not stretch.
6. Do not pour boiling water on rubber soles.
7. If the heel is very high, try not to break it.
8. At first, it is better to try to spread an uncomfortable pair, but not longer than three days.
9. The best time to buy new shoes is in the evening, when the feet are a little swollen.
10. Do not take sneakers without trying them on, as each manufacturer has its own size grid.

The smartest solution

If, after buying a sneaker, you realize that they are too tight, it is best to return or exchange them at the store. According to Russian laws, any buyer can return a new product under warranty within two weeks. To do this, you need to present your passport, cash receipt and warranty card. The main thing is that the shoes should be in the same form as when you bought them. It should not have signs of use: creases, scuffs. Make sure all liners, insoles and laces are in place.

If the pair is old, or you couldn't get it back under warranty, the surest solution is to take it to a professional workshop. The shoemaker knows how to stretch sneakers or sneakers.

Each shoe has its own suitable product. Special pads on screws that can stretch any material help to increase the length. Masters use different creams, aerosols, powders that can cope with an uncomfortable couple. The shoemaker will take into account all your wishes and features of the foot, pull the sneakers in the area of ​​​​the bone.

If this method does not suit you for some reason, you can try to increase the sneakers or sneakers at home.

How to stretch shoes

There are several methods. Just remember that no sneakers or sneakers can stretch more than one size.

Steam and paper

This is a fairly simple and cheap method to pull leather, rubber, fabric sneakers and sneakers at home. It takes a few minutes to hold the product over the steam. The main thing is to do it carefully so as not to burn yourself. Then stuff your sneakers with dry, crumpled newspaper. To prevent the upper part of the shoe from deforming, do not dry it with a hair dryer, in the sun, near the radiator. Wait for the newspaper to dry. To speed up the process, paper can be changed. The same method helps to enlarge sports shoes if they have sat down after washing.

Vinegar

To stretch the sneakers, dampen a cloth with vinegar and then put it into the sock and into the back of the shoe. Cotton pads can be used instead of cloth. Put on shoes with impregnation and wear for about two hours. The method allows you to lengthen the product by a couple of millimeters.

Spacers

This is one of the most effective methods, the closest to what the masters do. To manage on your own, buy spacers at a shoe store. They are equipped with a screw mechanism, fit any size, pull leather materials well. In addition to the spacers, plastic pads are sold that take into account the characteristics of the foot.

You will also need professional products for the surface treatment of sneakers. It can be a special liquid, stretching foam or spray. This method works well for all types of leather and suede, but is unlikely to be useful for stretching the fabric.

Liquids containing alcohol may be used instead of professional products. For example, cologne. Or just water. Apply the product inside and out. Using the screw, set the block to the desired value, place it back to back. Keep the spacers inside until the sneakers are completely dry. If you repeat this procedure several times, you will completely relieve yourself of discomfort.

Before using an aerosol or spray, check how the shoe material will react to them. To do this, apply the product to an inconspicuous area. If after a couple of hours the treated area has changed color, it is better to look for another drug.

Water and ice

There are several ways to stretch sneakers or sneakers with water and cold. You can wear wet sneakers over your socks and then lace them up tight. Until the shoes dry, you need to actively move: run, jump, walk. If at any point your feet get hot, just pour cold water on the soles.

You can expand fabric sneakers with ice. To do this, use the physics course familiar from school:

1. Take two thick plastic bags, place inside each sneaker and carefully unfold.
2. Fill the bags with water and tie them up conscientiously.
3. Place the sneakers in the freezer for 24 hours.
4. If the steam presses into the toe, put something under the heels so that the bulk of the water "flows" down.
5. After a day, take the sneakers out of the freezer.
6. Let the ice melt a little.
7. Remove the cellophane.
8. Remove excess moisture with a tissue, dry the sneakers.

The method has one nuance: if the fabric is too thin, it may tear under the influence of ice.

When he presses the back

Sneakers can press not only in the heel area, but also on the side edging. It can be stretched in the same way as the heel. There are several proven methods to make the material softer.

Hammer

Moisten a soft cloth with water, apply to the back of the back from the inside. Then lightly tap with a hammer. The heel of the shoe must be on a firm surface.

Fingers

If the back of the shoe is made of hard leather or rubber, you can simply massage it with your fingers. The heel of the sneaker is especially easy to soften in this way: it is usually made of hard cardboard. In order not to spend a lot of time and effort on kneading, first hold the product over the steam. After a few minutes, the skin or matter will become more pliable.

Hair dryer

The method is suitable for softening pressing leather elements of sports shoes. To do this, you need an ordinary hair dryer. Hot air stretches the skin, making it more supple. After heat treatment, simply pull the sneaker with your fingers or put it on your foot. Be careful when heating the seam: there is a risk that the glue will melt from excessively hot air.

How to stretch shoes wide

It is much easier to increase sneakers or sneakers in width than in length. Suede is the easiest to stretch. Sneakers made of this material are enough to put on voluminous socks. After a couple of days, the legs will become much more comfortable. You can also pull the product at home with the help of professional tools that are produced by shoe brands and sold in special stores.

But you can use the available tools that are always at hand.

Alcohol and laundry soap

This method expands leather sneakers well. The following steps must be followed in sequence:

1. Pour alcohol or vodka into shoes (cologne will do).
2. Rub the interior surface with soaked laundry soap.
3. Let the resulting compound dry.

This method has some nuances. In particular, if the interior of the sneakers is made of low-quality matter, then a bad smell will appear in them. Getting rid of it in the future will be problematic. If this is your case, forget about soap, use only alcohol (vodka, cologne).

To do this, thoroughly moisten the inside of the product, put it on your feet and pour alcohol on the outside of the sneakers. You need to wear shoes for about two hours. So you will not only stretch the tight pair, but make it softer. The method is suitable even for sneakers made of synthetic materials. But if the sneakers are made of genuine leather, they must be rubbed with special protective agents or castor oil before being treated with alcohol.

Kerosene

Flammable liquid can be used as an alternative to soap and alcohol. The principle of processing is the same: grease the inner surface of the shoe with kerosene, wear for about an hour. As with laundry soap, there is a risk that the sneakers will have a stubborn smell.

Window cleaner

The method is based on the principle that glass and mirror cleaners contain alcohol. Proceed according to the following instruction:

1. Spray the sneakers liberally inside and out.
2. Wear shoes with thick socks.
3. Wear for about two hours.

The effectiveness of the method is confirmed by many lovers of sports shoes. It can be used for natural materials and leatherette products. Another plus of this approach is that the smell of washing liquid quickly disappears.

Boiling water

This approach is only suitable for leather shoes that can withstand 300-degree boiling water. The procedure requires some courage, since boiling water must be poured into the product and left for 8 minutes. Then drain and allow the skin to dry at room temperature. Never use this method to expand products made of synthetic materials. Otherwise, it will lead to deformation.

Moisture

The so-called "military" method is suitable for stretching leather and fabric products. It is enough to moisten socks in water, put them on with sneakers and wear them until completely dry. To remove excess moisture from the shoes, after the procedure, the shoes need to be stuffed with crumpled newspapers.

If the situation is hopeless

When none of the above methods help, and the purchase is still too tight, try simply removing the insoles. If this approach seems unhygienic to you, replace the thick sports insole with a regular thin one. In extreme cases, you can sell or give a couple to friends.

And remember that you can not buy sneakers without trying them on. The best time to buy sports shoes is in the evening. After all, at this time our feet are a little larger.

How to stretch your sneakers at home by a size larger if you press your fingers

Contents

1. How to determine if shoes can be stretched
2. Stretching aids
3. The ice method
4. How to stretch heated sneakers
How to use
5. newspaper to stretch sneakers
6. Method with alcohol
7. Oil method
8. How to stretch sneakers
9. How to stretch leather sneakers
10. Helpful hints:

There are times when during the operation of the shoe it turns out that wearing it creates inconvenience. It turns out that the sneakers are tight in the fingers, and the sneakers are too narrow and it would be nice to widen them. The advice of experts will help stretch sneakers or sneakers by 1 size and not ruin it.

How to determine if shoes can be stretched

First of all, you need to determine the material and format of sewing your model of sneakers. Pay attention to a number of factors:

• If the model is made of textile, there is a chance that it will stretch itself during wear. If after a few days of application a miracle did not happen, you can try stretching products. At the same time, do not count on cardinal changes. Textiles are worn in no more than half the size.
• Genuine or pressed leather can be easily stretched. Their parameters can easily be increased by 1 size.
• Hard plastics are more difficult. When attempting to modify such a product, it is most likely that it will deform and lose its attractiveness.
• If it's not about fullness or length, it's likely that the seams are too tight. Unfortunately, this situation cannot be corrected by stretching. In this situation, it is better to exchange or return the purchase to the store.

Only after considering the risks and making sure that the benefits are higher, proceed to the activities of breaking in shoes. If this is difficult to do at home, ask a shoemaker for help. In the arsenal of specialists there are always devices and devices for correcting the size of shoes.

Stretching agents

Demand creates supply, therefore household chemical goods and footwear stores offer a choice of stretching agents for products made of different materials.

Among them are several popular products:

• Salton foam for posting all types of leather.
• Salamander Shoe Stretch Suitable for smooth leather, suede, patent leather and nubuck.
• Stretch spray for Pregrada 9 shoes0223 is suitable for all skin types.
• Dr. Spray Waxon Shoe Stretch is designed specifically to fit any shoe size.