How to Break in a New Pair of Tennis Shoes

Co-authored by Moe Draper

Last Updated: February 15, 2022

As with most shoes, a pair of tennis shoes needs to be broken in before it will prove comfortable to play in. The approaches suggested here to breaking in either leather or canvas tennis shoes will have them ready for play in no time, resulting in comfortable and easy-to-wear shoes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Leather tennis shoes fix

Use this method solely for leather tennis shoes; it will ruin the canvas variety.

1
Purchase a small can of mink oil. This can be found at any retailer that sells shoes or any discount retailer. A can costs about US$3-5.00.
2
Rub the mink oil into the shoes very liberally. Leave a residue on the shoes, this is okay to do. Use more oil than what you think you will need, as it soaks into the shoe.
- Be certain the put a lot of mink oil on the shoes.
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3
Place the shoes in the sun directly. Place them outside and in a temperature of at least 90 degrees or above. Above 90 degrees is preferred. Leave the shoes out in the sun for at least 6 hours.
4
Wipe off the excess mink oil. However, leave on the shoes and rub in the remainder.
5
Try on the shoes.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Moe Draper
Shoe Care & Repair Specialist
Expert Interview. 5 April 2021.} You will be amazed how soft the tennis shoes are and are ready to wear. The stiffest tennis shoes will become soft and wearable immediately.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Canvas tennis shoes fix

1
Hold one canvas tennis shoe. Bend the toe end back and forth a little. Repeat for the other shoe.
2
Stuff scrunched up newspaper or sock balls into the tennis shoes for a few hours. This will slightly stretch the shoes.
- Be careful of newspaper print transferring to the canvas. You can use butcher's paper or some other plain paper and scrunch it into balls instead.
3
Put the tennis shoes on. Wear them around the house for a few hours. They should start to feel comfortable quickly.
- If you can, wear the tennis shoes with thick socks, to increase the stretching.
- In order to get a good stretch, you should stretch them for at least 3 days, and you should wear them the remainder of the day to ensure that the stretch lasts.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Moe Draper
  Shoe Care & Repair Specialist
  Expert Interview. 5 April 2021.}
4
Wear them for a game. Bring along an old pair just in case the new pair starts to hurt. However, by the end of the game, the new canvas tennis shoes should be comfortable and broken in.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you stretch plastic shoes wider?

Moe Draper
Shoe Care & Repair Specialist
Moe Draper is a Shoe Care and Repair Specialist and the Owner of Detroit Shoe Shine and Shoe Repair. With over 20 years of personal experience, Moe specializes in shoe shining, cosmetic restorations for quality leather goods, and minor/major shoe repair services. Moe and his staff at Detroit Shoe Shine and Repair have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge.

Moe Draper

Shoe Care & Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

Unfortunately, plastic shoes can not be stretched very much because they are plastic. If you stretch them too much, you risk ruining (tears/holes) your shoe. If you are willing to take the risk, you may purchase your own wooden shoe stretcher and hand crank them to the appropriate tension to stretch them.
Question

How can someone stretch their leather shoes at home without ruining them?

Moe Draper
Shoe Care & Repair Specialist
Moe Draper is a Shoe Care and Repair Specialist and the Owner of Detroit Shoe Shine and Shoe Repair. With over 20 years of personal experience, Moe specializes in shoe shining, cosmetic restorations for quality leather goods, and minor/major shoe repair services. Moe and his staff at Detroit Shoe Shine and Repair have over 30 years of combined experience and knowledge.

Moe Draper

Shoe Care & Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

To stretch out leather shoes that are too tight, you can purchase your own wooden shoe stretcher and hand crank them to the appropriate tension to stretch them. If this is too difficult, you can always google your local shoe repair or shoe cobbler and take them in to have them professionally stretched. In order to get a good stretch, you should stretch them for at least 3 days, and you should wear them the remainder of the day to ensure that the stretch lasts.