Have you ever felt uncomfy on the court because you are wearing a new pair of shoes? Luckily, we know many ways to ensure your basketball shoes fit just right. In this blog post, we’ll share some helpful tips on how to break in basketball shoes.

Breaking in basketball shoes is a technique that helps you feel comfortable and secure while playing, thus limiting your risks of injury. The rest of the blog will teach you how to ensure your feet stay happy and healthy in the intense world of basketball.

So, get ready to hit the court with confidence!

Do You Really Need to Break in Basketball Shoes?

When you buy a new pair of basketball shoes, you might wonder if you need to break them in. The short answer is yes! By the way, what does breaking in shoes mean? It is a way to make your newly bought shoes fit your size gradually.

The direct reason you need to make your feet gradually get used to your new shoes is to have a lighter and more natural feel while wearing them. It is a way to help you stay comfortable on the court. The points below will narrow down the key reasons.

• You have to break in shoes for comfort.

As a basketball player, you already know that wearing shoes almost always makes you vulnerable to blisters. It is a no-brainer that a new pair of shoes is the culprit behind every player’s blisters.

Wearing your shoes is a great way to make your feet conform to the shape of your feet. As a result, it prevents blisters and even injuries. It might take some time, but it is worth the effort.

• You have to break in shoes for better performance.

Breaking in basketball shoes is not just about preventing blisters; it goes beyond that. New shoes are known to be stiff, affecting your ability to perform at your best on the court. Hence, doing such a technique will allow you to move comfortably and have better plays at some point.

It also gives you more flexibility and a better range of motion. New shoes can have slippery soles, making it hard to stop and turn quickly on the court. 

This technique also creates better traction for your newly purchased shoes. With all that being said, you perform better when you are comfortable with your shoes.

• It trains your shoes to conform to your unique foot size and shape.

Some people believe that breaking in shoes is unnecessary since modern shoe technology has advanced features that can adapt to every shoe size. Nonetheless, every player has a unique foot shape.

Although some shoes are more comfortable out of the box, they will not cost much to wear. Remember, every player’s feet are different, and shoes must be worn to fit each person’s unique foot shape. 

Again, not doing such a thing can lead to discomfort, resulting in poor performance or, worse, injury.

In conclusion, wearing new basketball shoes before playing in them is crucial. The abovementioned reasons are enough to prove that doing such brings more good, so why don’t you give it a try?

At the end of the day, you will not lose anything if you do it. Plus, you will be guaranteed a better play while having the confidence not to get injured on the court.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Basketball Shoe

Choosing the right basketball shoe is essential for basketball players, and even those who do not play sports, to ensure comfort, support, and prevent injuries. Wearing the wrong size of shoes, either too big or too small, will result in blisters, pain, and even stress fractures.

Based on a study by the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, 66% of men wear shoes too huge for their shoe size. Not only are you prone to discomfort and pain when doing so, but you also risk your career when you wear the wrong size on the court.

Right Basketball Shoe Size

How tight should basketball shoes be? The right basketball shoe size has a thumb’s width of space between the tip of the inside of the shoe and your longest toe. Most of all, it should feel fit comfortably around the midfoot and heel.

Let’s say your shoe size is 10. The best shoe for you has an allowance that measures one thumb width. This way, you can perform quickly and ensure safety while playing basketball.

Right Basketball Shoe Type 

Aside from size, the type of shoes should match the court’s surface you are playing on. In short, different shoes for different occasions are designed to adapt to different conditions.

• Indoor Shoes

They have a softer sole and are designed for better traction on polished floors.

• High-top shoes 

They provide more ankle support and are best for players who need extra stability.

• Mid-top shoes 

They provide a balance between ankle support and mobility.

• Low-top shoes 

They are more lightweight and provide greater mobility but offer less ankle support.

• Outdoor shoes 

They are designed with a more durable sole to withstand wear and tear on outdoor surfaces.

How Long Does it Take to Break in New Basketball Shoes?

How long does it take to break in basketball shoes? The length of breaking in new basketball shoes depends on different conditions, like the materials used, but it can take a few days or weeks. Another thing is that the brand and how frequently or intensely you use the shoes matter.

In particular, shoes with leather uppers may be more challenging to break than those made with synthetic materials. The reason is that the harder the material, the more time it takes to adapt to your shoe size since it is not easily stretched and worn out.

Therefore, you must constantly use your new pair of shoes to achieve your desired level. Remember, breaking in shoes is vital to make you more comfortable on the court while preventing injuries.

How to Break in Basketball Shoes: 3 Steps

You may be wondering how NBA players break in their shoes. Well, the answer is simple. It needs a combination of technical and easy-to-perform routines. Check out the tips below to learn how to break into basketball shoes.

1. Wear the shoes for short periods at first.

It is essential to leave a gradual pressure and impact on the shoes not to hurt your feet. New shoes have a more rigid feel, so using them for strenuous activities is not great because they will cause pain and discomfort.

Wearing them for shorter periods at first helps soften the shoes and mold them to your foot shape without hurting your feet.

2. Increase the wear time gradually.

As you feel more comfortable with the shoes, you can gradually increase the wear time to give the shoe a lighter and better feel. In this case, you are allowing the shoes to adjust to your feet without causing risks of injury.

3. Insert shoe stretcher if necessary.

If you ever bought a shoe that does not fit perfectly, you can use a shoe stretcher while it still feels too tight. In this case, you do not need to wear the shoes and adjust the tight spot simultaneously.

By following these tips, you will see better results and might reduce the chance of getting hurt while trying to break into your basketball shoes. Always remember, there is no such thing as an immediate success. Enjoy the process of adjusting the shoe size.

How to Break into Basketball Shoes Quickly

If you want to see the result faster, you can do a few things. However, these steps are not advisable because they might be bad for your shoes. One of the things you can do is use a hairdryer.

The materials will soften and be pliable by heating up the shoes with a hairdryer. Hence, they can quickly adapt to the size and shape of your fit, making you feel more comfortable wearing them the next time.

You can also use some equipment to speed up the process. For example, you use leather softener oil to stretch the leather material of the shoes. Another thing is by using a stretcher, but it can damage your shoes.

Wrapping Things Up: How to Break in Basketball Shoes

Achieving an outstanding performance in basketball is not just about skills but also about the equipment you use. Hence, it is crucial to have great equipment like shoes to work at your optimum quality. So, basketball players break in their shoes if it is not the correct size.

How do you break in basketball shoes, then? Simple. Condition the shoes by wearing them gradually to make them conform to the size and shape of your feet. You can also insert stretchers or leather softening oil to speed up stretching the shoe materials.

We hope you enjoyed this post! If you did, be sure to check out our other basketball FAQ articles here.