I was 9 years old when I got my first soccer cleats as a birthday gift from my dad. He gifted me the famous Adidas F50 Adizero shoes. I was so excited to wear and play with them for hours and hours on the ground.

But, this sweet memory came with some bitter moments. I got severe foot pain, itching, and blisters on my soles after using those bad boys for the first time. Being a soccer enthusiast, my dad helped me resolve this issue. He taught me how to break into new soccer cleats easily to avoid that thorn-itching pain in the heel.

I know how many newbies may experience such issues. At times, you may not know how to correct this though. As an experienced soccer player, I feel, it is my duty to help you guys out! In this detailed guide, I will share my secret tips to break in those kicks without compromising your comfort. (But, if you are in a rush, this infographic will help you with the process highlights).

Top 7 ways to break into your soccer cleats

When I got my first pair of soccer cleats, I had to spend three weeks straight playing in these hard shoes that would cut the skin like a thorn. However, fortunately, I took my lessons and figured out ways that work just fine to break in soccer cleats, and, I’m sharing those here.

1. Walk with them

Wear your new cleats and walk indoors or outdoors for the first few days. Avoid running while wearing them. 

Start slow, walk for 10-15 minutes initially on carpeted floors, backyards, grass, etc. 

Later, you can increase the time from 15-20 min to one hour. This helps the shoes to loosen up naturally and avoid foot pain.

Pro Tip- Wear the socks that you will use on the ground for playing. Remember to wear good-quality, thick, sweat-absorbing, full-length, soft socks on the field.

2. Soak in warm water

I call it the ‘Grandma’s method.’ Mostly, I soak my new cleats in warm water (hot enough so you can place your hand in the bucket, but not so hot that your hand burns) for 20-30 minutes. I prefer to do this because warm water makes the shoe material stretchy. It allows my feet to mold into the shoes comfortably.

This trick is useful for leather cleats. My soccer friend Harry found the right leather cleats for himself, but they were not absolutely perfect for his feet, because, one shoe can not fit everybody. To make them a perfect fit, he started taking warm showers while wearing his new cleats. He just needed the shoes to fit slightly better around his toes, as he has wider toes. These warm showers solved this problem for him.

Sometimes I like to directly immerse my feet in a bowl of warm water while I have my cleats on when I am watching TV. Warm water softens the leather and helps to fit to your shoe.

Pro tip- Make sure not to use too hot water or submerge them for a longer time. Always air dry them and wear them to walk on the ground.

Here’s a video demonstrating how you can soak your kicks in warm water and break them in.

3. Dry them properly

Drying your cleats is as important as soaking them in warm water. I use a soft and clean microfibre cloth to wipe them thoroughly from inside and outside. Wearing wet or semi-dried cleats can cause blisters on your feet, so, you must dry them properly before wearing them for a game or for longer durations. If you do not dry soaked leather cleats properly, they may crack or harden their uppers and soles.

Air drying can also be helpful, or you can stuff old newspaper or thick tissue paper inside your cleats and leave them in the open and airy space. I advise not keeping them in direct sunlight to avoid cracking.

Many people make the mistake of using a hair dryer or blower to dry the cleats. Doing this can damage shoe materials and reduce their durability.

Pro Tip: I remove the laces to allow the air to flow through the eyelets. This avoids material damage due to wet laces and increases the longevity of laces and lace holes.

4. Practice for a short time

Once you get comfortable walking indoors with your shoes, you can start going outside and practice playing soccer with them. I like to start with basic soccer drills like dribbling, passing, kicking, etc. when I wear such new shoes.

Also, wear the same socks you selected while trying these shoes indoors. These socks give your soles proper cushioning and comfort while running on the ground. They also reduce friction on the sole, arch, and insteps.

5. Stuff newspaper in the shoes

Apart from air drying, newspapers can be useful to make your experience of wearing cleats pleasant. You can roll up and stuff the newspaper into the upper area. Do not leave any bumps to avoid discomfort. 

I use ZOMAKE metal shoehorns inside the cavity of the soccer cleats. I have wide feet and these shoehorns stretch the inner area of my cleats. It helps to enlarge the shoe cavity and keep the foot comfortable.

6. Apply lubricant on them

When I was a little boy, I got a pricking bruise on my ankle while removing tight cleats. My mother advised me to use lubricant on my new shoes. I applied a small portion of Petroleum jelly aka Vaseline inside of my leather cleats. This softened the hard areas on the cleats. Ironically, I used a little petroleum jelly on my bruise too to let go of the pain and roughness in the skin.

7. Use leather conditioner to soften them

This can be a good replacement for petroleum jelly. I regularly use Renapur Leather Balsam and Lexol All Leather Conditioner for my current pairs of cleats.

Such conditioners get quickly absorbed in the leather and restore its flexibility, also giving a soft and supple feel without adding any oily greasiness to the shoe.

Apart from these valuable tips, you can watch the following video to understand how to break into the cleats in a better way:

Tips to remember:

Apart from the above points, I am sharing these pro tips to save you from unnecessary foot pain and bruises while breaking in the soccer cleats. 

• Apply good quality, lightweight, non-sticky, hydrating moisturizer on foot and soles, especially if you have dry skin. It avoids blisters and cracks in the skin.
• Use athlete’s foot powder to absorb moistness and reduce friction. I use Dr. Scholl’s ultra sweat-absorbing powder when I play soccer at clubs.
• Always consult an experienced podiatrist if you suffer from unbearable foot pain or excessive blisters when you wear cleats for the first time.
• Use new and old cleats alternatively so that your foot adjusts to all of them properly.
• Always trim your toenails to avoid pain when you wear cleats.

Marty’s two cents

From my 16 years of soccer experience, I have learned that the amount of time required to break into cleats can vary from person to person. To some, it may take a week, and to others, even two to three months may not suffice. However, the right techniques can do the trick for you. On that note, which of the above methods would you like to try first? Do you need any further help with that? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

FAQs

Now, let’s move on to some of the common questions and answers that can help you better understand your cleats.

1. How long does it take to break in new soccer cleats?

It usually takes a few days to a week, depending on how often you wear them and the material of the cleats.

2. Can I use my new cleats for a match immediately after breaking them in?

It’s best to use them for training sessions first. Once they’re fully broken in and comfortable, you can use them in matches.

3. What should I do if my cleats are still uncomfortable after breaking them in?

Consider using additional padding or visiting a foot specialist for advice.

4. Are there any quick fixes for blisters caused by new cleats?

Apply blister bandages or moleskin to affected areas and keep your feet dry and well-moisturized.

5. Do soccer cleats need to be broken in?

If you do not break in these shoes, you may experience discomfort and foot pain, or even get blisters, cramps, and face imbalance of blood circulation in the feet area.

6. What ruins soccer cleats?

Extreme heat can dissolve the glue on the soles of the cleats. That’s why experts suggest to avoid soaking soccer cleats in water for too long.

7. Can I play soccer without cleats?

Yes. You can play without them for recreational, indoor, or casual games. But, in professional outdoor play, all pro players prefer wearing cleats to get a firm grip and maintain stability while running. These shoes also help avoid slipping and sliding on the grass or mud during rainy days.