Vans sneakers are tough and durable.
While they can last a long time, they can feel unpleasant straight out of the box. So much so, that many come to us looking for ways to soften them.
Here’s what we found to be the best way on how to break into Vans shoes:
The quickest and easiest way to break into your new Vans is to bend them. Hold the toe of the shoe on one hand and hold the heel of the shoe in the other. Slowly bend the shoe inwards to make your Vans less stiff and more conforming to your foot.
Repeat the steps for the other shoe.
Moreover, wearing your Vans a little and often can help soften them faster.
Oh, and did you know about the hairdryer method? In this post, we will share with you three of the best tips on how to break into your new Vans as quickly as possible. Let’s get into it.
How Long Do Vans Take to Break In?
Vans shoes are made with tough vulcanized rubber soles, designed to withstand the harsh wear and tear of the skate park. Unfortunately, they also need a “break-in” period.
So, how long does it take to break into Vans?
It may take between 2 to 4 weeks of regular use to stretch your Vans and break into them. Because Vans have flat rubber soles, you may need up to one month to get used to them, especially if you are used to wearing cushioned sneakers with arch support.
Fortunately, there are some tricks on how to break into your Vans quickly.
PRO TIP: Be sure that your Vans are the correct size. If your Vans aren’t the right size, then making the effort to break them in will be somewhat useless, as skate shoes that are too tight or too loose will continue to cause discomfort on a long-term basis.
How to Break Into New Vans Shoes Quickly
While it can take up to a month to find comfort in your Vans, there are some ways to speed up the process. Here are three methods on how to break into your new Vans shoes:
1. Wear Your Vans For Short Periods, But Often
Before heading out in your new pair of Vans for a full day, it’s important to wear them for short periods of time first to help with the process of breaking them in.
Wear your Vans around the house before going outside so that you can take them off if your feet start to ache or the shoes start to rub.
As soon as you feel any discomfort, remove them.
Based on our experience of wearing many Vans shoes, this easy tip goes a long way. While it is very simple, it really helps speed up the process of breaking into a new pair of Vans.
It requires no complex techniques and effort, yet it brings the best results.
Additionally, always wear thick socks to help stretch the shoes and prevent rubbing. Hopefully, after a month of regular use, your Vans become more pleasant on your feet.
Remember, the more you wear your Vans, the better they get.
2. Use a Hairdryer to Expand the Shoes
This tip requires a bit of effort and a hairdryer. The idea for this method of breaking them in is to blast your Vans shoes with a low to moderate amount of heat so they expand.
This method is perfect for all types of Vans, especially the leather collection because they can become more supple as the material expands. Here are the steps for the hairdryer method:
- Wear a thick pair of socks to protect your feet from the heat. While you won’t get serious burns from a hairdryer, the heat can cause discomfort so there’s no harm in taking precautions.
- Put on your Vans but tie them loosely. Remember that you want the Vans to expand so tie them normally, not tightly, to give each shoe the opportunity to expand and conform to the shape of your feet.
- Turn on the hairdryer to medium heat and aim the nozzle at your Vans shoes. Target the spots that are prone to rubbing like the heels and ankle lines. Continue blasting each part of the shoe until it becomes soft and warm.
- Walk around in your warm Vans until they cool off. A little bit of running and jumping, combined with wiggles and shakes, can help loosen the shoes much quicker.
If your Vans shoes still feel tight, you can always heat up the shoes again with a hairdryer and walk around until they cool off. Doing this trick 3 times can dramatically soften them.
You can also repeat the hairdryer method for several days to achieve the best results.
3. Bending Your Vans to Break Them Quickly
Vans shoes are tough as nails because they are made with vulcanized rubber soles, so don’t be afraid to “discipline” them by bending them.
To bend your Vans, hold the toe of the shoe in one hand, and the heel of the shoe in the other. Slowly bend the shoe inwards until it almost forms a “U” shape.
This process will help the Vans shoes to quickly adjust to the arches of your feet.
Repeat the process for the other shoe.
You can bend your Vans several times a day, preferably before wearing them. By bending and wearing them often, you should break into your new Vans quickly.
Don’t be afraid of creases on your Vans, as they are normal and part of any shoe’s life. Thankfully, Vans shoes are stiffer and more resistant to wearing down.
Remember, all three methods can be used together. So before wearing your Vans all day, take 10 to 15 minutes to perform the simple tips we’ve mentioned above. And before you know it, your Vans sneakers have become much more supple and comfortable.
Store Vans Properly With Shoe Trees
In addition to the three simple tricks above, it’s always a good idea to store your beloved Vans shoes properly by using shoe trees.
A shoe tree is a device that resembles the shape of a foot, placed inside a shoe to preserve its shape and maintain its structural integrity.
In fact, top-quality shoe trees, like the ones above, are made of cedarwood, which is known to help absorb and eliminate odors from your shoes. After all, Vans shoes are notorious for being smelly because the canvas and suede are not very breathable.
Inserting shoe trees while storing your Vans can not only make them last longer but will also allow you to break into them quickly since the materials are constantly “stretched”.
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Final Words
And there you go, our best tips on how to break into new Vans shoes quickly.
As tough as Vans shoes are, they can be unfriendly to your feet in the beginning. But by applying the simple tips we have shared above, you should be able to break into your Vans sneakers and make them more comfortable much sooner rather than later!