{"id":121058,"date":"2005-07-31T23:23:15","date_gmt":"2005-08-01T04:23:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thebudgetfashionista.com\/wordpress\/?p=764"},"modified":"2025-10-18T09:25:55","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T15:25:55","slug":"how-to-break-in-new-shoes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/archive\/how-to-break-in-new-shoes\/","title":{"rendered":"How to break in new shoes"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>There\u2019s nothing quite like that niggling doubt that tickles the back of your brain when you purchase a pair of shoes without trying them on. It\u2019s an unfortunate reality that buying footwear online is usually a bit of a risk, but sometimes those deals are just too amazing to pass up.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>So what happens when you try them on, only to discover that they don\u2019t quite fit just right? That they just&#8230;well, they only kind of fit. But you don\u2019t really want to return them because you just love them? Don\u2019t go printing a return slip just yet. Here are some tricks that may help you make the most of your purchase and avoid buyer\u2019s remorse at the same time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to break in new shoes \u2014 5 ways<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Wear them inside<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A solid trial run is often an effective way to break in a new pair of shoes. This is particularly important if you\u2019re planning to wear them to a special event. Pull on a pair of thick white cotton athletic socks and slip into the shoes. Give them a good workout by wearing them on different household surfaces and climbing the stairs. It\u2019s not unusual for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/archive\/how-to-break-in-new-shoes\/\">new shoes<\/a> to be a bit slippery, so be sure to scuff the bottoms with sandpaper to make them safer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Heat things up<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"736\" height=\"1128\" class=\"wp-image-119847\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2005\/07\/heat-up-shoes-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"how to break in new shoes with a hair dryer\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2005\/07\/heat-up-shoes-1-1.jpg 736w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2005\/07\/heat-up-shoes-1-1-196x300.jpg 196w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2005\/07\/heat-up-shoes-1-1-668x1024.jpg 668w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 736px) 100vw, 736px\" \/>\r\n<figcaption>Heating shoes up with a hair dryer can help break them in.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Heat should soften the material of your new shoes, which makes them more malleable and easy to stretch out. To accomplish this, slip into a pair of your fuzziest, thickest socks and step into your shoes. Then aim your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/archive\/zuvi-halo-hair-dryer\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"28\">hair dryer<\/a> directly at your shoes and blast them with high heat. Move the dryer back and forth so that every section is evenly heated, then walk around for a bit. The combination of heat and the socks should help relax and stretch the material.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Or get chilly<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Sometimes you actually need a little cool air to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/archive\/comfortable-flat-shoes\/\">make your shoes more comfortable<\/a>. Clear some space in the freezer for this trick! Fill freezer bags with water and place them inside the shoes. Then put your footwear in the freezer and allow them to freeze. Remove them after they\u2019re completely frozen and let the ice thaw. Once you remove the bags, you should notice the shoes are easier to wear.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Try some water<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>We don\u2019t normally recommend getting your new shoes all wet, but there\u2019s an exception to be made for new leather footwear that doesn\u2019t fit just right. Warning: don\u2019t try this with a pair of costly, high-end shoes, or anything that is light-hued.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>First use a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/archive\/waterproof-spring-look\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"15\">waterproofing product<\/a> to protect the material. Then soak the shoes underwater for a couple of minutes. Wear a pair of thick white socks and walk around your house until the shoes dry. This should allow just enough time for the shoes to mold to your feet.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Use a stretcher<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"736\" height=\"1128\" class=\"wp-image-119842\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2005\/07\/shoe-stretcher-1.jpg\" alt=\"Shoe stretcher from Amazon\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2005\/07\/shoe-stretcher-1.jpg 736w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2005\/07\/shoe-stretcher-1-196x300.jpg 196w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2005\/07\/shoe-stretcher-1-668x1024.jpg 668w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 736px) 100vw, 736px\" \/>\r\n<figcaption><a class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2EaSq3n\" rel=\"sponsored noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Let a shoe stretcher do the break in work for you!<span class=\"wpil-link-icon\" title=\"Link goes to external site.\" style=\"margin: 0 0 0 5px;\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" style=\"height:16px; width:16px; fill:#000000; stroke:#000000; display:inline-block;\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:svg=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><g id=\"wpil-svg-outbound-7-icon-path\" fill=\"none\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_31_188)\">\r\n                            <path d=\"M9.16724 14.8891L20.1672 3.88908\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/>\r\n                            <path d=\"M13.4497 3.53554L20.5208 3.53554L20.5208 10.6066\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\r\n                            <path d=\"M17.5 13.5L17.5 16.26C17.5 17.4179 17.5 17.9968 17.2675 18.4359C17.0799 18.7902 16.7902 19.0799 16.4359 19.2675C15.9968 19.5 15.4179 19.5 14.26 19.5L7.74 19.5C6.58213 19.5 6.0032 19.5 5.56414 19.2675C5.20983 19.0799 4.92007 18.7902 4.73247 18.4359C4.5 17.9968 4.5 17.4179 4.5 16.26L4.5 9.74C4.5 8.58213 4.5 8.0032 4.73247 7.56414C4.92007 7.20983 5.20982 6.92007 5.56414 6.73247C6.0032 6.5 6.58213 6.5 7.74 6.5L11 6.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/>\r\n                        <\/g>\r\n                        <defs>\r\n                            <clipPath id=\"clip0_31_188\">\r\n                                <rect fill=\"white\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\"\/>\r\n                            <\/clipPath>\r\n                        <\/defs><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>When all else fails, purchase a <a class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2EaSq3n\" rel=\"sponsored noopener\" target=\"_blank\">shoe stretcher<span class=\"wpil-link-icon\" title=\"Link goes to external site.\" style=\"margin: 0 0 0 5px;\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" style=\"height:16px; width:16px; fill:#000000; stroke:#000000; display:inline-block;\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:svg=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><use href=\"#wpil-svg-outbound-7-icon-path\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/a>. These handy devices are designed to make your snug shoes far more comfortable. Bear in mind that you\u2019ll usually need to leave the stretcher inside the shoe for up to two full days to feel true results.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There\u2019s nothing quite like that niggling doubt that tickles the back of your brain when you purchase a pair of shoes without trying them on. It\u2019s an unfortunate reality that buying footwear online is usually a bit of a risk, but sometimes those deals are just too amazing to pass up. So what happens when&hellip;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/archive\/how-to-break-in-new-shoes\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Read More &raquo;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">How to break in new shoes<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":119848,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"off","neve_meta_content_width":70,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[36],"class_list":["post-121058","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fashion-trends","tag-shoes"],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":119848,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2005\/07\/break-in-shoes-1-300x150.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121058","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=121058"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121058\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/119848"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=121058"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=121058"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=121058"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}