Do you need to break in new Basketball shoes?

When you join a new basketball team, it is not unusual to have to buy new basketball shoes that match the rest of the team.

Teams often get discounts on buying shoes when the coaches buy uniforms so players are sometimes required to wear them.

So, do you need to break in new basketball shoes?

It is best to break in new basketball shoes to get your feet accustomed to them before you put them into action in practice or game use.

Here are some of the best ways to break in basketball Shoes:

Ways to Break In Basketball Shoes
Wear them around the House
Walk around the Neighborhood
Wear Basketball Socks
Do some light jogging in them
Test them out in drills
Scrimmage in them
Play with them in a Game

Read on below on some of the best ways to break in basketball shoes.

6 ways to break in basketball shoes:

1. Wear them around the house

There is no better way to get basketball shoes broken in then wearing them throughout the day to help mold the shoes to your feet.

When you are doing chores around the house or going out to do errands, slip on those basketball shoes and try and get some steps in them each day.

Shoes that come directly out of the shoe box are sometimes stiff as the rubber and plastics haven’t developed any pliability yet.

By walking in basketball shoes the stiffness in the shoes will start to give and make the chances of you getting a blister when you wear them for practice unlikely.

2. Walk around the neighborhood

Another great way to get your shoes broken in is to take a stroll through your neighborhood. You will get the chance to get them worn in gradually while trying out different surfaces and terrain. This will make sure that you are prepared for any type of practice or game.

Walking also has the added benefit of helping you get in some extra exercise, which can be healthy for both your mental and physical health.

3. Purchase in advance

It takes a while to break in new basketball shoes, so you want to be sure to break in your basketball shoes in plenty of time before you will need them for high-intensity game action.

The last thing you want is to get a new pair of shoes and wear them for the first time in-game or high-intensity practice action.

Try to get your shoes a few weeks out before a season starts to get your feet accustomed to the shape and mold of the shoe.

4. Go on some jogs

Before hopping into high-intensity basketball action and after you get walks in your shoes, the next thing to do is to go on some light jogs in your new basketball shoes.

Jogging will get your shoes even more pliable to prepare you for game action when you start your season. You don’t have to go out and run a marathon, but try jogging at least a mile in your shoes several times before testing them out on the hard court.

5. Invest in good socks

One thing people often overlook when trying to break in basketball shoes is the importance of high-quality socks.

Ankle socks or thin general-purpose socks are not a good idea to try out with new basketball shoes since your feet will be trying to get accustomed to the new mold.

Basketball socks are a tad bit softer than regular socks and will help keep the bottom of your foot and toes from getting blisters when you are trying to break in your basketball shoes.

6. Test them out in a basketball gym

Before wearing your new basketball shoes in a real game or practice and after you have followed the steps above, try running through some light basketball drills to get your feet accustomed to them.

Shoot around in them or perhaps do some layup drills to get them accustomed to playing on the same surface you will be playing in when the season starts.

If they still feel comfortable at this point, you are probably good to go ahead with using your new basketball shoes in a pickup basketball game to get some high intensity action in them.

There is no better way to break in your new basketball shoes then by testing them out in actual game action.

When was the first basketball shoe invented?

Basketball shoes first began being used in the early 1900s and were the original Chuck Taylor’s made by Converse

Converse dominated the basketball shoe market until the mid-1960s when Nike and Puma got into the basketball shoe game.

Chuck Taylor was an actual person and was credited with the design behind the Chuck Taylor shoes.

What was the first $100 basketball shoe?

The first $100 basketball shoe was the Air Jodan 2 by Nike.

This shoe pushed the dollar figure higher for premium basketball shoes and they have continued to gradually rise over time.

Check out this article on the history of all of the different Jordan shoes and the price increases over time. 

Basketball socks vs regular socks?

Basketball socks are thicker than regular socks which allow for moisture management as well as help prevent blistering.

Basketball sock designs have come a long way over time and there are many different styles and lengths that you can choose from now.

Why do basketball players wear long socks?

Most basketball players wear long socks due to personal preference but there is an element of comfort that long socks also provide.

Ankle socks don’t give players much of an option to provide additional coverage if a sock moves during a game on a player’s foot.

With longer socks, the socks can move during the course of the game and the player won’t have to worry about the sock not providing coverage on a player’s foot or ankle. 

If you have ever had a sock move during the course of exercise you know how annoying it can be to have part of your barefoot exposed to the shoe.

How do you break in new basketball shoes fast?

The best way to break in new basketball shoes fast is to wear them everywhere you go and do some light jogging in them.

If you do this for a couple of days straight, the shoes should begin to get some elasticity to them which will make them more comfortable to wear in the course of a game.

Does it hurt to break in basketball shoes?

It can hurt only if you aren’t wearing the right socks or if you do not have the proper basketball shoe size.

You want to make sure you are familiar with the sizing of the shoes you order to ensure that you get a good fit.

With online ordering becoming the norm, it can be easy to make a mistake and order the wrong size shoe without getting a chance to try them on in person.

When possible, buy basketball shoes in person so you can try them on and walk around in the store in them to help make sure you got the proper fit.

Are basketball shoes supposed to be tight?

Basketball shoes should not be tight but they should provide a nice snug fit that doesn’t allow your foot to slide in them during the course of a game.

That is why trying basketball shoes on in person so you can make sure they fit properly is so important. 

Each shoe manufacturer has a slightly different fit to them which is why most people tend to stick with one brand so they can have some idea of how the shoes they are buying will fit.

Is breaking in shoes necessary?

It is not necessary, but it is a great idea if you want to avoid headaches that come with foot blisters.

Because your feet are always being used, blisters take some time to heal since you are always on your feet.

Breaking in your shoes takes very little effort and can help save you big headaches down the line.

Conclusion

The best way to break in your new basketball shoes it to wear them before you get into a competitive game situation.

We hope this guide gave you some ideas to get your new kicks as comfy for you as possible and allows you to focus on mastering your skills on the hardwood!

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