How Many Times Do You Need to Wear Shoes to Break Them In?

Breaking in new shoes is a crucial step to ensuring comfort, preventing blisters, and extending the life of your footwear.

Breaking in new shoes is a crucial step to ensuring comfort, preventing blisters, and extending the life of your footwear. The break-in period varies significantly depending on the type of shoe, its materials, and your personal wear habits. Below is an expert breakdown of how many times—or how many hours—you typically need to wear different types of shoes before they feel truly comfortable.

Average Break-In Times by Shoe Type

Shoe Type	Break-In Duration	Typical Number of Wears/Hours
Leather Shoes	2–4 weeks	80–120 hours
Boots	2–3 weeks	80–120 hours
Running Shoes	2–3 weeks	5–10 miles / 3–5 wears
Heels	1–2 weeks	3–5 wears
Canvas/Fabric	1–2 weeks	3–5 wears
Cheap/Synthetic	3–4 wears	3–4 wears

1. Leather Shoes and Dress Shoes

Break-in Duration: 2–4 weeks of regular wear, or about 80–120 hours of active use.
Typical Sessions: Start with short stints (10–30 minutes at a time) around the house, gradually increasing duration as comfort improves.
Why: High-quality leather is stiff at first but softens and molds to your feet over time. Thicker leathers take longer than thin or supple ones.
Tips: Wear with thick socks, use a leather conditioner, and consider a shoe stretcher for tight spots.

2. Boots (Work, Hiking, Leather Boots)

Break-in Duration: 2–3 weeks of regular use, or 80–120 hours of wear.
Typical Sessions: Begin with a few hours each day, ideally at home. Increase as the boots start to flex and feel less stiff.
Why: Boots use thicker, more rigid materials for durability, which need more time to soften and conform to your feet.
Tips: Wear thick socks, flex the boots gently, and alternate with other footwear to avoid blisters.

3. Running Shoes and Sneakers

Break-in Duration: 2–3 weeks of regular use, or about 5–10 miles of running (for most people, this is 3–5 runs).
Typical Sessions: Start with short walks or runs (20–30 minutes), gradually increasing duration and intensity.
Why: Running shoes are often made from synthetic mesh and foam, which adapt quickly but still benefit from a gradual break-in to allow the midsole and upper to adjust to your stride and foot shape.
Tips: Alternate new shoes with your old pair during initial workouts to minimize injury risk.

4. Heels and Dress Pumps

Break-in Duration: 1–2 weeks, or around 3–5 wears for most brands.
Typical Sessions: Wear at home with thick socks for short periods; bend and flex the shoe gently to soften the material.
Why: Heels often have rigid backs and less forgiving materials, making them prone to causing blisters if worn for extended periods right away.
Tips: Use moleskin patches on high-friction areas and flex the shoes before wearing out.

5. Canvas and Fabric Shoes

Break-in Duration: 1–2 weeks, or 3–5 wears.
Typical Sessions: Wear with thick socks around the house, lacing up as you would for normal wear.
Why: Canvas and fabric are more flexible than leather and typically break in faster, but may still cause rubbing initially.
Tips: Dampen tight areas with a cloth to soften the fabric, or use the thick sock method for a gentle stretch.

6. Cheap or Synthetic Shoes

Break-in Duration: 3–4 wears for budget brands; if not comfortable after that, they may never be.
Why: Lower-quality materials may not soften or mold well to your feet, so discomfort after a few wears is a red flag.

General Tips for Breaking In Shoes

Start slow: Wear new shoes for short periods at first, increasing gradually.
Use thick socks: This helps stretch tight spots and protects against blisters.
Alternate pairs: Don’t wear new shoes all day until they’re comfortable; switch with older, broken-in pairs.
Protect hot spots: Use moleskin, gel pads, or blister patches on areas prone to rubbing.
Condition and flex: For leather, use conditioners and gently flex the shoes to speed up softening.
Proper fit matters: Shoes that are too small or too large will never break in comfortably—fit is key from the start.

When to Give Up

If a shoe is still causing significant discomfort after the typical break-in period for its type, it’s likely not the right fit or style for your foot. Don’t risk long-term pain or injury—sometimes, it’s best to move on.

Breaking in shoes is a blend of patience and strategy. With the right approach tailored to your shoe type, you’ll ensure comfort, prevent blisters, and get the most out of your footwear investment.