# How to Break In New Sandals (the Painless Way)

**By Sole Mate** · 2026-06-02

New sandals can feel stiff for the first wear or two. A gentle break-in stops rubbing and gets them comfortable fast. Here's how.

## Do sandals need breaking in?

Most do, a little — straps soften and the footbed settles to your foot over the first few wears. Quality footbeds like memory foam need less breaking in because they mould to you quickly.

## How to break in sandals

-   **Start short.** Wear them around the house for 20–30 minutes at a time.
-   **Protect hot spots.** A blister plaster or a little balm where a strap sits prevents rubbing while they soften. [More on preventing blisters](/blogs/news/how-to-stop-sandal-blisters).
-   **Build up gradually** over a few days before a long day out.

## Less breaking in by design

A memory-foam footbed contours to your foot from the first wear, so there's far less to break in. [See the bases](/collections/base-mates) or [build your set](/pages/build-your-set).

## FAQ

**How long does it take?** Usually a few short wears over a few days.

**Can I speed it up?** Short, frequent wears beat one long, painful day.

**Tags:** comfort, how to

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> Source: [Sole Mate](solemate.ae/blogs/news/how-to-break-in-sandals)