How to Break in Cleats

Knowing how to properly break in your new cleats helps to ensure that they fit you correctly and don't cause you pain during an actual game. Many people believe that "new" usually means "better," but for cleats, new means tight and rigid. Wearing new cleats during a tryout or a game can be a disadvantage to your abilities that can cause you to lose the game or even a spot on the team. This is why it is so important to break in your cleats before wearing them when it really matters.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 pairs of socks
  • Leather protector
  • Newspaper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put on an extra pair of socks. This adds extra cushion to your foot, but most importantly, helps stretch the leather of the cleats faster. Grab the cleat and bend the bottoms down with firm, even pressure. All you are looking to do is flex them just a bit.

    • 2

      Apply a coat of leather protector to the cleats according to the directions on the can. Put the cleats on and soak your feet in warm water, then walk around with them on. The water helps accelerate the break-in process. Let the cleats air-dry naturally. Stuff the shoes with newspaper after you wear them while they are air-drying.

    • 3

      Wear your cleats while practicing on a grass field. Wearing the cleats and flexing your foot for game-time situations puts the cleats in the positions they need to be in order to naturally flex for comfortable movement. The more you move the ridged materials of the cleats, the sooner the materials will stop resisting and conform to your needs.