Fast Running Blog

We all talk about breaking-in shoes. But has anybody mentioned when a shoe is broken in? After a run? A couple of run? certain amount of miles? After when would 'new' shoes be used for races?

What is your idea?

I usually wear shoes for a whole day inside the house before running in them.  I will then run a short run in them.  Then I run a longer run in them.  If I have no short runs in my horizon, I'll wear them indoors for two days, then have my first run be 10 miles, and I've had no problem with that approach.  It probably also depends on how sensitive your feet are and how prone you are to blisters/hot spots. 

With the race, I would make sure you have run at least the equivalent distance in them once (like a long run if its for a 1/2 marathon or marathon), or have at least 25 miles on the shoes.

i agree with Michelle. Once back in the 80s my dad stopped on the way to a 1/2 marathon and picked up a new box of Adidas Marathon trainers and laced them up just for the race.. big problem. Long story short by the end almost all his toes were gushing blood. Diehard or just a little dumb? :-P you decide.

I follow Michelle's Approach wearing them inside at least 1-2 days.

I've never had a problem with unbroken shoes. I just put then on and go.

Wonder if shoes nowadays are like cars. Before, you needed to warm up cars before rolling into the street, now its not necessary. Maybe new shoes are something like that.
New shoes feel exactly the same 1st time & two months beyond that...

i've done a half-marathon with new shoes straight from the box, as well as the DesNews marathon in racing flats that i had only run in one time two days before the race. it all depends on the person, i guess. i don't have the patience to "break-in" new shoes before running in them. if i am going to spend the money, i want my feet to enjoy running in them ASAP!!

I'm with those who put on a new pair and head out for a long run.  If you wearing the right shoes for your foot, they should be good to go right out of the box.  That being said, I usually try and put about 20 miles on a new pair right before a goal race.

Just got another pair of Brooks Addictions. Wore them around the house for about an hour or two. You can definitely tell the difference between a new pair and one that has 400+ miles. SO much more support in the new ones. Might try running in them tomorrow or next day.

Bought a new pair of Asics Cumulus 10, and did my 20 mile long run in them a few weeks ago. No problem what so ever, no blisters, no NADA.
Todays shoes are ready to run.

I never break in shoes and never have a problem with them, I wore bran spakin new shoes in St. George marathon and have done that several times.  But everyone is different.

As long as they are the same make/model of shoes I have worn before, I just hop in the new ones and go.  Works for me.

I tend to follow the same plan as Michelle. I wear them around for a day and then I'm off. It also depends on the shoe. My lighter weight Mizunos are easier to run in right from the start than my asics. As long as I have a good pair of socks then I generally have no problems.

Never bothered breaking in shoes. They always feel great the first time out.