New Shoes, New Game: How to Break In Tennis Shoes

Playing tennis is a great way to stay active and have fun. But if you’re not wearing the right shoes, it can be painful and even dangerous. That’s why it’s important to know how to break in tennis shoes before stepping onto the court.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to break in your brand-new pair of tennis shoes so that they are comfortable and supportive during play. We’ll cover everything from stretching out the material to finding the best lacing technique for maximum comfort. By following these steps, you will ensure that your feet are well-supported while playing your favorite sport!

How to Break In Tennis Shoes Quick Guide

Knowing exactly how to break in tennis shoes can be a difficult task, but a rewarding process. Here are the steps to help you break in your tennis shoes quickly and comfortably. Continue reading below for more details.

  1. Wear them
  2. Use ice bags
  3. Use thick socks
  4. Use a hairdryer
  5. Shoe stretchers 

How to Break In Tennis Shoes Steps

Following these steps will help ensure that your new tennis shoes are broken in quickly, comfortably, and safely!

Step 1: Wear them

how to break in tennis shoes: wear themPin

Start by wearing the shoes around your house. Then put on two pairs of socks and go walking or jogging. You can also stuff tissue paper inside your shoes to help them form to your feet.

If you have access to a treadmill, try walking on it for about 15 minutes in your new shoes each day for the first week. This will help break in the soles and get them ready for outdoor use.

It is recommended that you test the shoes on the tennis court for either 20 or 60 minutes during gameplay. This will provide an initial assessment of their comfort, stability, and flexibility. Initially, you may not notice any significant differences unless the shoes are too tight in the forefoot area.

Step 2: Use ice bags

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If your shoes still feel too tight or cause discomfort, you can try using ice bags. Fill two bags with hot water and seal them securely to prevent leaks. Place the bags inside your shoes without overstretching them, and then put everything in the freezer for 3 to 4 hours. The water will expand as it freezes, which should slightly widen your shoes.

Step 3: Use thick socks

how to break in tennis shoes: use thick socksPin

During the break-in process, make sure to wear socks that fit properly and are made of a breathable material like cotton or wool. This will help reduce friction when wearing the shoes and increase the comfort level.

Make sure that you don’t go too far or too fast, as this could lead to blisters and discomfort.

Step 4: Use a hairdryer

how to break in tennis shoes: use a hairdryerPin

Use a hairdryer to heat up the areas that are still stiff and rub some leather conditioner into them for extra comfort. Take a break after every few days to give your feet and shoes time to adjust and rest.

Step 5: Shoe stretchers 

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You should purchase a shoe stretcher and use it to flex the inside of your shoes carefully, so as not to harm their shape. Afterward, you may consider using a stretching spray to soften the materials and make stretching easier.

Recommended Tools To Break in Tennis Shoes


EBMORE Men Merino Wool Socks Super Thick

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The EBMORE Men Merino Wool Socks are perfect for keeping your feet warm and comfortable. Made from a blend of premium cashmere, merino wool, cotton, and spandex, these socks are heavy yet soft to the touch.

With a stretchy pull-on closure and hand-washable fabric, they provide maximum comfort and durability.

The pack includes five pairs of socks in a standard US size that fits men’s shoe sizes 6-12 – so you can enjoy fashionable color variations while preventing your feet from getting too chilly! Thanks to their thick texture these also make a great pair of socks to break in tennis shoes.


eachway Shoe Stretcher Shoe Trees

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The Eachway Shoe Stretcher is designed to help you break in your favorite shoes, whether they’re flats, sandals, loafers, oxfords, or tennis shoes.

Constructed with a premium ABS plastic material and strong steel shafts for lasting durability, these stretchers provide 4-way stretching of width and length to widen and increase shoe size while reducing discomfort from bunions, calluses, or other foot issues.

Each pair comes with its own protective canvas shoe bag so your footwear can stay dust-free and safe from moisture. With the Eachway Shoe Stretcher set you’ll be able to adjust your new shoes quickly for the perfect fit.


EZR Shoe Stretch Spray

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EZR Shoe Stretch Spray is the ultimate solution for how to break in tennis shoes. It instantly softens materials so that your feet can fit comfortably into shoes that were too tight before.

The special technology used in this spray helps reduce blisters and calluses by stretching the material of your shoes, creating a customized fit. This shoe stretcher is safe to use on leather and suede footwear with no risk of discoloration.

In addition, it’s also effective on many other fabrics such as patent leather, vinyl, synthetics, linens, nubuck, or canvas items like gloves!

A simple spray inside and outside will help you increase comfort when wearing any kind of shoe without damaging the material. Get rid of foot pain from tight-fitting shoes with EZR Shoe Stretch Spray.


Common Questions About How to Break In Tennis Shoes

Why you should know how to break in tennis shoes?

Mastering the art of breaking into running shoes is a unique challenge. Whether you choose to run on a treadmill, on the pavement, or on a trail, it is extremely important to properly break in your running shoes to ensure comfort and prevent problems such as blisters and numbness.

If you don’t properly break in your running shoes, you increase your risk of getting injuries like blisters, corns, calluses, heat rash, and swelling. This applies to all types of shoes, including trail running, hiking boots, tennis shoes, and more. Take the time to break in your shoes properly.

How long will it take to break in tennis shoes?

It takes time to break in new running shoes, and the length of time depends on factors such as the wearer, the shoes, frequency of use, and how consistently the breaking-in process is followed. Generally, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a month. Keep this timeframe in mind if you plan to break in shoes before a match.

Will freezing your shoes also help stretch them?

  • One way to quickly break in your shoes is to use a cooling technique. First, fill two sealable bags with water. Next, place one bag inside each shoe.
  • Then, put the shoes in your freezer and leave them there for 3-12 hours. When the water inside the bag freezes, it will slightly expand and stretch out your shoes.
  • After taking the shoes out of the freezer, wait for about 10 minutes. Now remove the bags of ice and wear your shoes around your house for 10-20 minutes.

Video How To Break In Tennis Shoes Fast! A quick tutorial on how to break in tennis shoes out of the box

Are you looking for the best way to break in a new pair of tennis shoes? Look no further! In this video, you’ll discover some of the top tips for how to break in tennis shoes quickly and easily. Plus, learn how to make sure your shoes are comfortable and ready to go when it’s time to hit the court.

Final Thoughts

Wondering how to break in tennis shoes is a thing of the past. It doesn’t have to be an uncomfortable and painful process. By following the steps outlined above, you can quickly break in your shoes without sacrificing comfort or performance.

You should always remember that it takes time for any shoe to properly form fit around your foot; however, with the right techniques, you can make sure that your feet are comfortable and ready for play sooner rather than later.

Give these tips a try during your next shoe-shopping experience and enjoy all the benefits of having perfectly broken-in tennis shoes and stop asking yourself how to break in tennis shoes.

Author

Photo of author
David Anderson is a tennis expert from Los Angeles, California, who has had a lifelong passion for the game. He studied journalism at UCLA before focusing full-time on researching and writing about all aspects of tennis. His experience playing the sport since he was a kid, combined with countless hours spent researching, interviewing professional players, and analyzing their performances from courtside, gives him unparalleled expertise in the game.
Photo of author
David Anderson is a tennis expert from Los Angeles, California, who has had a lifelong passion for the game. He studied journalism at UCLA before focusing full-time on researching and writing about all aspects of tennis. His experience playing the sport since he was a kid, combined with countless hours spent researching, interviewing professional players, and analyzing their performances from courtside, gives him unparalleled expertise in the game.