It can be tough to break in new basketball shoes. They often feel stiff and uncomfortable, making it challenging to move around the court. In this article, we’ll share a few methods that will help you how to break in basketball shoes more quickly and easily. Let’s get started!
Break in a shoe can be a rite of passage for any basketball player who’s serious about the sport. However, how you break in your shoes can affect the way they feel on your feet and even how well you play. That’s why it’s essential to put some thought into how you break in basketball shoes, instead of just forcing yourself to wear them until they feel better.
Why Do Basketball Shoes Need Break-in?
Break-in periods are essential to loosen up the stiff materials that make up your basketball shoes. This will increase comfort and performance when playing basketball.
Different types of shoes require different amounts of breaking in. Shoes like boots, hiking, or outdoor shoes may require more extended periods of breaking in than regular runners since they have more protection for particular needs. On the other hand, Sneakers can be broken into easily, but it all depends on what materials they’re made out of. How long the break-in period takes depends on the material of your basketball shoes.
Typically, mesh and suede materials can be broken into easier than leather or synthetic leather shoes since they’re more flexible and less stiff. There are many different methods that you can try. Generally, breaking into basketball shoes is to wear them comfortably or make them more flexible for playing basketball.
A Detailed Guide on How to Break in Basketball Shoes
Method 1: Wearing Around the House
This method is probably the easiest and most common way people choose to break in basketball shoes.
Put on your new pair of basketball shoes and go about your usual business, whether relaxing around the house, playing video games, watching TV, etc. You can wear thick socks with this method or thin socks (if you prefer), but I would recommend wearing thin socks instead of thick ones since you want the material inside the shoe to retain its form after taking them off.
How long you should wear depends on how much time you have and how patient you are. If you’re not in a rush, just wear them around until they start feeling comfortable and completely broken in – which could take anywhere from a day to a couple of weeks.
Method 2: Wetting the Shoes and Wearing them Around
I’ve tried this method myself and found it one of the most effective ways to break in basketball shoes.
You’ll want to wet your new pair of shoes (on the outside only) using a spray bottle or hose (if outdoors). How much water you will need depends on how big your shoes are. You want them moist but not drenched – just enough to be damp-looking. Next, put them on casually until they become dry again.
How long this takes depends on where you were when you sprayed water onto them because if it’s hot out, then the material underneath will dry faster than if it was cool/cold outside. As often as you need to, go through this process until you feel your shoes are broken in enough. Baseball players use this method too after buying new cleats.
Method 3: Putting Shoe Trees in Your Shoes
Shoe trees can be placed into a new pair of basketball shoes after wearing them for a while (when they’re already broken in) or beforehand when the boots are still stiff and need to be softened up – which would make each step more comfortable for your feet/legs when walking or running. How long you should wear them depends on the type of shoe tree you have, where you got it from, how much time you have, etc.
How many different pairs of shoe trees should be used also depends on all these factors, but I would say that 2 or 3 other pairs should be sufficient for most people. How long you will need to wear the shoes depends on how many shoe trees you’re using, varying from person to person.
Method 4: Baking Your Shoes in an Oven
I’ve never personally tried this method before, but it has been known to work for some people (especially if the material is leather). How it works is pretty simple; put your new pair of basketball shoes in an oven at around 150 degrees Fahrenheit until they become pliable – about 30 minutes should do the trick.
How long you should wear them depends on how much time and patience you have/require, plus the necessary amount of baking to get them broken in properly. How many different pairs of shoe trees should be used also depends on how many times you need to put your shoes in the oven.
How long it takes to wear them will most likely depend on whether or not you’re wearing socks, plus how comfortable/uncomfortable the material is against your skin.
Method 5: Freezing Shoes
Another method that has been known to work for some people, especially with leather. It is simple; put your new pair of basketball shoes in the freezer (on their own) until they become pliable – usually, about 2 hours should do the trick depending on how big or small your sneakers are.
How long you need to wear them depends on how long it takes for them to get flexible enough to feel comfortable when walking around, plus how many times you need to repeat this process until they feel right.
How many different pairs of shoe trees should be used also depends on how many times you need to put your shoes in the freezer and how often you need to take breaks before getting back into wearing again.
Method 6: Using a Hair Dryer
This method is quite similar to the wetting option in this How To Break In Basketball shoe guide. How it works is pretty simple; get an ordinary hair dryer (no fancy settings, etc.) and turn it up to its hottest setting. Then, point the hairdryer at your new shoes until you feel them warm up – usually about 5 minutes should do the trick.
How long you need to wear them depends on how quickly they heat up, plus how many times you need to repeat this process until they feel right. How many different pairs of shoe trees should be used also depends on how often you need breaks before wearing them again.
Finally, how long it takes before wearing it will depend on whether or not you’re wearing socks and how much time you have/want to spend.
Method 7: Wearing Them and Using Grips/Tape
This method is pretty simple; use grips and tape to break in your new basketball shoes until they feel comfortable when playing. How long it takes will depend on the amount of time you can dedicate before buying new ones, as well as how many times you need to repeat this process until your sneakers feel right.
How many different pairs of shoe trees should be used also depends on how often you’ll be wearing them again and whether or not they become too sweaty after always wearing them without socks (which would make sense if they’re leather). Likewise, how long it takes before wearing it will depend on whether or not you’re wearing socks and how much time you have/want to spend.
You Can Check It Out to Make Loud Shoes Quiet
Method 8: Going Sockless
Going sockless is the last How To Break In Basketball shoe method on this How To Break In Basketball Shoes Guide, which can be done in various ways depending on your preference. How long it takes to wear them depends on how quickly they get comfortable when walking around without socks, plus how many times you need to repeat this process until they feel right.
How many different pairs of shoe trees should be used also depends on how often you’ll be wearing them again and whether or not they become too sweaty after always wearing them without socks (which would make sense if they’re leather).
How long it takes before wearing it will depend on whether or not you’re wearing socks and how much time you have/want to spend. Again, how long it takes before wearing it will depend on whether or not you’re wearing socks and how much time you have/want to spend.
We can Check to Attach Spd Cleats to Shoes
Conclusion
There are a few different methods for how to break in basketball shoes. The method you choose will depend on how often and intensely you play. If you’re an avid player, the best way to break in your shoes is by wearing them as much as possible outside of games or practices (or maybe even during).
You can also soak them with water, wear socks over the top of them, and walk around until they dry out – this will help soften up the shoe’s leather surfaces to conform better to your feet. Try using grip tape on both sides of each shoe before playing again for less frequent players who want to get some use out of their new kicks without beating them up too severely between games or practices.
