How to Break in New Sneakers: Ways to Avoid Chafing
Buying new sneakers is always an exciting moment, but the first few days of wearing them can be less enjoyable – stiff uppers, a chafing heel, pressure on the toes . How to avoid discomfort and make the shoes quickly adapt to your foot? Here are the proven methods!
Wear your shoes around the house before going out for the first time
Before you go on a long trip, walk around your apartment in your new sneakers. This will allow the material to stretch a little and adjust to the shape of your foot.
- Wear them several times for 30-60 minutes
- If you feel any tightness, try loosening the laces slightly
- Wear thicker socks to help the material break down faster
Use the sock method
If your sneakers are a bit too tight or cause chafing, the thick socks method will work.
How to do it?
- Put on thick cotton socks
- Put on your sneakers and wear them for about an hour
- If you feel any pressure, gently stretch the upper with your fingers
Soften the shoe upper with a dryer
This method works best with leather sneakers (e.g. Nike Air Force 1, Jordan 1, New Balance 1906R ).
How to do it?
- Put on thick socks and shoes
- Set the dryer to warm air and heat the areas that are most sensitive to pressure (e.g. around the toes) for 20-30 seconds
- Walk in the shoes until they cool down – then the material will adapt better to the foot
Note: Do not overheat the shoes! Too high a temperature can damage the glue or the structure of the material.
Stuff your shoes with newspapers or special shoe trees.
If your sneakers are tight, you can stretch them mechanically .
How to do it?
- Stuff the shoes with damp newspapers and leave them overnight.
- You can also use shoe trees to gradually widen the upper
- There are leather stretching sprays available in shoe stores that can speed up the process.
Protect areas prone to abrasions
If you have sensitive feet or your sneakers rub in one place, it's worth taking preventive measures.
What helps?
- Protective patches – stick them on your heels and toes before putting on your shoes for the first time
- Talcum powder or baby powder – reduces friction inside the shoe
- Vaseline or moisturizing cream – protects the skin from abrasions
Check the insoles and laces
Sometimes the problem is not the shoe itself, but a too hard insole or too tight laces .
How to improve this?
- If your sneakers have a hard insole, replace it with a softer one (e.g. gel or foam ).
- If you feel pressure on the top of your foot, loosen the laces on the first eyelets to allow for more freedom.
Use shoe care products
Some sneakers are made of hard leather or materials that require “softening.” Products like Jason Markk Repel Spray can help protect your shoes and improve their flexibility.
At N-Hype you will find professional sneaker care products that will help keep them in perfect condition!
To sum up – How to avoid chafing in new sneakers?
Wear your shoes around the house before going out for the first time
Put on thick socks and "break in" your shoes
Heat the shoe with a hair dryer to adjust the material
Use shoe trees or newspapers to widen the upper
Protect your skin with plasters and talcum powder
Check the insoles and laces - they can cause discomfort
Use care to make your sneakers more flexible
The best sneakers and professional care products can be found on N-Hype.com and in the showroom in Łódź!
