How to Break In New Shoes Without the Pain

There’s nothing quite like the feel of new shoes—until they start to rub. Whether you’re easing into a new pair of boots, breaking in your favourite summer sandals, or adjusting to sleek new sneakers, comfort matters. This guide walks you through how to break in new shoes with ease—while also sharing why FitFlop footwear is designed to reduce that “breaking-in” phase altogether.     ### Why Breaking In Shoes Matters     Breaking in shoes simply means allowing them to soften and adjust to your unique foot shape. New footwear—especially styles made from structured or natural materials like leather—can feel stiff at first. Common issues like heel rubbing, tight toe boxes or blisters can occur if the fit hasn’t had time to settle.    ### ### How Long Does It Take to Break in New Shoes?     It depends. A soft canvas trainer might only take a day or two to adapt, while leather boots could take a week or more of wear. Material, construction and shoe type all play a role.     At FitFlop, we design every shoe with ergonomic footbeds, soft uppers and biomechanical support—meaning many of our customers report little to no break-in period at all. Whether you're sliding into sandals or zipping up boots, our goal is comfort from the first step.    ### 7 Tried & Tested Tips to Break in New Shoes Gently    **Wear Them in Short Bursts at First** Start slow. Wear your new shoes around the house in short intervals. This gives the material time to soften and mould to your feet without causing discomfort.     **Use Thick Socks to Prevent Rubbing** Thick socks act as a buffer, minimising friction and helping gently stretch snug areas. Especially useful for boots or closed shoes.     **Flex the Shoes by Hand Before Wearing** Loosen up stiff soles or uppers by gently bending and twisting the shoe with your hands. Just enough to ease the material, not to damage it.    **Use a Shoe Stretcher or Spray (Where Appropriate)** A shoe stretcher can target tight spots, especially in leather shoes. Sprays made for this purpose help materials stretch more easily without causing cracks or distortion.     **Try the Heat Method — Carefully** Wearing thick socks, use a warm (not hot) hairdryer to soften specific areas. Ideal for leather but avoid on delicate materials like suede or synthetics.     **Add Cushioned Insoles or Heel Pads** Supportive insoles or heel grips add comfort and prevent blister-causing friction—especially during early wear.     **Apply a Barrier Balm or Petroleum Jelly** Use on pressure points like heels or toes to reduce friction and prevent rubbing. Always patch-test with shoes to avoid staining delicate materials, such as suede.     ### Breaking in Different Materials: What to Expect     Different shoes behave differently:    • **Leather**: Durable and premium, but often stiff at first. FitFlop uses soft, supple leather uppers to minimise this. • **Canvas**: Naturally more flexible and breathable. A quicker break-in. • **Suede**: Soft but delicate—requires gentle care and protection sprays.     FitFlop styles often feature breathable textile linings and padded construction, so even structured designs feel forgiving, for example our [Delicato Leather Mary Janes](https://www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/womens-ballerinas-uk), or [Rally Leather Trainers](https://www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/rally-sneakers-all-uk).     ### How to Stop New Shoes Rubbing Your Heel     Heel rubbing is one of the most common footwear frustrations. The fix? Try heel grips, cushioned pads or anti-friction balms.     At FitFlop, we take a smarter approach. Seamless linings, contoured footbeds and anatomical shaping all work to eliminate hotspots and friction points. It’s why so many podiatrists recommend us—and why you can learn more about our comfort technology here: [Our Footbed Technology](https://www.fitflop.com/uk/en/our-footbed-technology).     ### How to Break In FitFlop Shoes, Sandals and Boots     Truthfully? You might not need to. Our ergonomic midsoles and soft materials are designed for immediate comfort. But here’s how to make that first wear even better:     • Sandals: Adjust straps gradually for a perfect personalised fit.   • Boots: Wear indoors with socks to allow the structure to warm up and soften.   • Shoes: Give them a gentle flex in your hands before your first walk.   *“Very comfortable! Used them from day one and didn’t even have to break them in.” — Ruth Stewart 5-star review*   ### When to Seek a Better Fit Instead    If shoes still pinch or rub after several wears, it might not be about breaking them in—it could just be the wrong fit. At FitFlop, we offer wide-fit styles, and our easy 28-day returns make it simple to find your perfect pair.     Explore our size guide and fit tips here: [Find Your Fit](https://www.fitflop.com/uk/en/find-your-fit)     *“Not quite sure about your size? Go ahead and choose the next size up! Your feet naturally expand throughout the day, and we want you to stay comfortable.”*    ### Find Comfortable Footwear That Needs Less Breaking In      Smart footwear shouldn’t demand patience. With FitFlop’s biomechanical cushioning, anatomical support and flexible design, you’ll feel the difference from your very first step.      Browse our comfort-first collections:     •[ Women’s Boots](https://www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/womens-boots-uk) • [Women’s Sandals](https://www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/womens-sandals-uk) •[ Women’s Shoes](https://www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/womens-shoes-uk)    *If you're still having issues, please contact our Customer Service at* [*info.uk@fitflop.com*](mailto:info.uk@fitflop.com) ###