ActiveRunningWhat’s the best way to break in running shoes?Slowly breaking your new running shoes in can avoid possible pain and discomfort, as well as ensure they last longer: here is howWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ActiveRunningWhat’s the best way to break in running shoes?Slowly breaking your new running shoes in can avoid possible pain and discomfort, as well as ensure they last longer: here is howWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Slowly breaking your new running shoes in can avoid possible pain and discomfort, as well as ensure they last longer: here is how
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Hoka One One)
(Image credit: Hoka One One)
Running shoes are the runner’s best friend. That’s why you should know how to break in your new running shoes properly. It can help you avoid pains early on and might even prolong the life of your favourite trainer; that’s all the inspiration you should need to start treating your trainers properly!
I know I’m not the only runner who would seriously sleep with my favourite trainers on my pillow if only I could get the mud off them. Sometimes it almost feels painful trying out new shoes, when they look so lovely in the box. We buy them though to run in, not to look at, so how do we get the most out of them, especially in those early miles?
Looking for new running shoes? Check out T3’sbest running shoes,best women’s running shoesandbest Nike running shoesguides for inspiration.
Also, check out these 10running motivation tipsto help you get started, the 9best strength training exercises for runnersand find out what’s the difference betweenrunning vs rowing.
How to break in running shoes: Try before you buy
When you’re buying new running shoes, what is the best ways to make sure that they are going to work for you, the specific shape of your foot and your own personal running style, known as your gait?
The answer: A visit to a local specialist running shop.
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If you try on a pair of suggested trainers and they don’t feel right, try others until you find a better fit. Getting a proper fit must be number one on your list; most runners will also go up at least a half size, if not full size, from their normal shoes to give your feet the chance to expand when they get hot.
Get used to the feel
When you’ve purchased your new shoes, rather than racing home to see whether they will give you a 10K PB, put them on and walk around the house as you go about your day. Do this for one or two days, giving your feet the chance to get used to them.
This not only helps you get a feel of what they’re like, but which socks work best for the shoes. Shoes with low heel collars tend to ‘eat’ trainer socks, and it’s always better to find this out before you run.
If it’s an option, do your first run on atreadmill, so that the new shoes don’t get dirty. This should help if you decide to return them to a shop or online store, though most brands are happy to give you anywhere up to several months to decide if their shoes are right for you.
Walking around in your new trainers also gives a good feel of any potential hot spots, such as on the inner and outer metatarsals on the wide-area of the balls of your feet. Wear your new shoes at different times of the day as they may swell as they get warmer.
(Image credit: Puma)
(Image credit: Puma)
Easy miles
When you’re ready, start out with a gentle jog rather than a speed session and make sure you haven’t planned in a longer run. Don’t go further than 5K for the first few runs, or until you’re 100 per cent you’ve completely broken them in. This will help avoid sudden issues like a blister, and if you do get one you can walk home easily.
Avoid planning an hour drive to your local forest for a weekend trail run until you’re sure your new shoes suit your feet.
Keep your old shoes so that you can rotate them with the new ones over the first few weeks. You’re giving your feet a better chance to adapt to the new shoes without problems, as well as keeping them fresh for longer. Rotating shoes helps reduce injury too, as different shaped shoes distribute more evenly the impact forces you feel every time your feet hit the ground.
Technicalrunning sockswill also make your feet happier when you’re breaking in shoes. Wearing slightly thicker socks for the first few runs can help prevent hotspots. Make sure your socks have padded areas in the toes and heels. If you’ve tried all these options and the fit is still niggling at you, consider changing the laces or adding an insole.
Classic expo excitement
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is buying your new shoes at the expo of your race, and then running in them the next day. The potential for misery is worse in longer races, such as marathons, but your feet will not feel great even after running a 5 or 10K race.
You have no guarantee that your feet are completely comfortable in these new shoes, even if they look incredible. It could lead to a lot of blood and pain, so hold back for another race when you’ve already broken them in.
(Image credit: Craft)
(Image credit: Craft)
Find your favourites
There are brands that will naturally suit your feet more and when you’ve worked out which ones these are, you’ll find you can go for a run in them straight from the box. You may even find you become so accustomed to a certain model that you can confidently run longer in them brand new – for me, I can do this with several differentHokamodels. such as the amazing Hoka Mach 4, as the fit and cushioning feel like it’s made just for me.
Obviously, this is going to be different for every runner, but in time you’ll find the shoes that seem to fit you like a slipper.
Shoes that offer plush models, such asBrooksandSaucony, may be much easier to run in for those first few miles than minimalist racing shoes that are stripped back and offer little support or padding in the upper. Shoes that provide a more ‘luxurious’ ride will probably create fewer issues.
This is something you need to work out for yourself, as every runner is so different. One person’s dream shoes are another runner’s nightmare! It’s so individual and if you’re investing a lot of money in only one item of your running wardrobe, you have to get what’s right for you, not what looks best on Instagram.
There’s no doubt that carbon plates, minimalist shoes and barefoot shoes all need a lot longer to break in. If you’ve opted for one of these types of trainers try to run in them for short bursts of easy running for the first few weeks, to allow your feet, Achilles, and calves to adapt to a new way of moving.
The best solution to all these possible issues? Find your dream shoe and keep buying it. The chances are if you’ve found a trainer your feet love, it will be easier to break them in within a couple of runs than an unknown brand.
This feature is part of T3’sGet Fit 2022campaign. We’ll be bringing you a wealth of guides, features, deals and news to help you get healthy, fit and ready for anything the new year can throw at you. Whether you’re a newcomer to fitness or someone with a passion for it, we’ll bring you all the best workouts, diet advice and gear to set you on the right track.
This feature is part of T3’sGet Fit 2022campaign. We’ll be bringing you a wealth of guides, features, deals and news to help you get healthy, fit and ready for anything the new year can throw at you. Whether you’re a newcomer to fitness or someone with a passion for it, we’ll bring you all the best workouts, diet advice and gear to set you on the right track.
This feature is part of T3’sGet Fit 2022campaign. We’ll be bringing you a wealth of guides, features, deals and news to help you get healthy, fit and ready for anything the new year can throw at you. Whether you’re a newcomer to fitness or someone with a passion for it, we’ll bring you all the best workouts, diet advice and gear to set you on the right track.
This feature is part of T3’sGet Fit 2022campaign. We’ll be bringing you a wealth of guides, features, deals and news to help you get healthy, fit and ready for anything the new year can throw at you. Whether you’re a newcomer to fitness or someone with a passion for it, we’ll bring you all the best workouts, diet advice and gear to set you on the right track.
This feature is part of T3’sGet Fit 2022campaign. We’ll be bringing you a wealth of guides, features, deals and news to help you get healthy, fit and ready for anything the new year can throw at you. Whether you’re a newcomer to fitness or someone with a passion for it, we’ll bring you all the best workouts, diet advice and gear to set you on the right track.
This feature is part of T3’sGet Fit 2022campaign. We’ll be bringing you a wealth of guides, features, deals and news to help you get healthy, fit and ready for anything the new year can throw at you. Whether you’re a newcomer to fitness or someone with a passion for it, we’ll bring you all the best workouts, diet advice and gear to set you on the right track.
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Today’s best Women’s Athletic Shoes dealsAsics Women’s Trail Scout 2 Running$39.95ViewSee all pricesMerrell Women’s Moab 3 Hiking Shoe$120$60.39ViewSee all pricesNike Women’s Revolution 6 Next Nature$87.08$67.65ViewSee all pricesASICS GEL-Trabuco 10$130$68.07ViewSee all pricesAdidas Women’s TERREX AX4 Gore-Tex$90$69.90ViewSee all pricesInov-8 Women’s Parkclaw G 280$63.99ViewSee all pricesLow StockTeva Women’s Trailwinder Low$82.95$52.95ViewSee all pricesBirkenstock Boston Clogs$69.99ViewSee all pricesKeen Women’s NXIS Evo Waterproof Hiking$74.31ViewSee all pricesAdidas Women’s Terrex Soulstride Trail$80ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Women’s Athletic Shoes dealsAsics Women’s Trail Scout 2 Running$39.95ViewSee all pricesMerrell Women’s Moab 3 Hiking Shoe$120$60.39ViewSee all pricesNike Women’s Revolution 6 Next Nature$87.08$67.65ViewSee all pricesASICS GEL-Trabuco 10$130$68.07ViewSee all pricesAdidas Women’s TERREX AX4 Gore-Tex$90$69.90ViewSee all pricesInov-8 Women’s Parkclaw G 280$63.99ViewSee all pricesLow StockTeva Women’s Trailwinder Low$82.95$52.95ViewSee all pricesBirkenstock Boston Clogs$69.99ViewSee all pricesKeen Women’s NXIS Evo Waterproof Hiking$74.31ViewSee all pricesAdidas Women’s Terrex Soulstride Trail$80ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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Asics Women’s Trail Scout 2 Running$39.95ViewSee all prices
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Asics Women’s Trail Scout 2 Running
Asics Women’s Trail Scout 2 Running
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We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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Today’s best Men’s Athletic Shoes dealsMerrell Hydro Moc$59.95$31.46ViewSee all pricesAdidas Adistar$48.88ViewSee all pricesOn Cloudflash$57.82ViewSee all pricesAdidas Men’s Terrex Soulstride Trail$58ViewSee all pricesMerrell Men’s Moab 3 Hiking Shoe$120$60.34ViewSee all pricesPuma Magnify Nitro$59.95ViewSee all pricesAdidas Adizero Adios 6$57.79ViewSee all pricesDynafit Alpine men’s running shoe$67.48ViewSee all pricesSaucony Endorphin Edge$200$69.99ViewSee all pricesAdidas PureBOOST$120$69.90ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Men’s Athletic Shoes dealsMerrell Hydro Moc$59.95$31.46ViewSee all pricesAdidas Adistar$48.88ViewSee all pricesOn Cloudflash$57.82ViewSee all pricesAdidas Men’s Terrex Soulstride Trail$58ViewSee all pricesMerrell Men’s Moab 3 Hiking Shoe$120$60.34ViewSee all pricesPuma Magnify Nitro$59.95ViewSee all pricesAdidas Adizero Adios 6$57.79ViewSee all pricesDynafit Alpine men’s running shoe$67.48ViewSee all pricesSaucony Endorphin Edge$200$69.99ViewSee all pricesAdidas PureBOOST$120$69.90ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Men’s Athletic Shoes deals
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We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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