How to Break In Your KURUs

Three Steps to Your Perfect Fit

So you’ve got your KURUs in the mail. Woot! Since KURU tech offers unique and superior support, they might feel different at first—even a little achy. Our tech molds to your feet over time, which means there’s a bit of a break-in period. Here’s how it works.

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Step 1

Get the Right Size

Have the correct size? Here’s how KURUs should fit:
Length icon
Length

There should be one finger-length of space between the edge of your longest toe and the tip of the shoe’s toe box.

Width icon
Width

The shoe should feel snug, but not tight. If you feel pinching or squeezing, consider exchanging for a half size up or a wide width.

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Step 2

Break Them in At Home

Your first step in your KURUs won’t be your best step.

Wear your KURUs for 1–2 hours a day for about a week to let your feet and our tech get used to each other.

That superior support won’t be what your arches are used to!

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Step 3

You’re All Set

Feel pain relief? We hope so!

By now, your KURUs have had a chance to mold to your feet and you’re ready for personalized pain relief.

Please contact our KURU GURUs at gurus@footwear.com with any questions or concerns.

Our Customers Say it Best

"I struggled with pain from plantar fasciitis & resulting heel spurs until finding KURU in 2016. This shoe supports my high arch & cradles/cushions my heel. Pain free for six years & counting."
Tamara W.

39,645 ratings

Best shoes ever

This is my second pair. 10 out of 10 recommended. I struggle with plantar fasciitis and these are a life saver. I don’t wear any other shoes now.

Nina H.

Play without pain

Wore these for pickle ball. Played two hours without the usual foot pain. But, take time to break them in and get used to them . So far, I love them .

Deb307

Best work shoes.

I work as a Massage Therapist and I'm on my feet most of the day, not only do these shoes help with my foot fatigue, they've cut my chronic low back and hip pain significantly, I recommend them to anyone who spends a lot of time on their feet.

Amy S.

Recommended by spinal specialist

Great shoes, helped with plantar fasciitis, took about a week to get broke in and comfortable, but they are great.

Jim R.

Amazing

I can’t talk up these shoes enough. They saved my feet working retail. You do need to break them in . If you wear them too long the first couple of times you will think they are not going to work. Once you do break them in they are lifesavers. I do wish there was more color options for the Atom.

Ashley S.

Love them!

I've been doing security work for eight years and these are by FAR the most comfortable work shoes I have ever worn. I've worn them for three weeks now and I feel as though I could ware them and work another five to seven years and I'm 67 years old. Thanks KURU.

Randall A.

These shoes are A DREAM COME TRUE!

I love these shoes !!!! For 3 years I endured the pain and suffering of plantar fasciitis, I went through physical therapy, custom insoles, cortisone shots, reflexology, and spent hundreds of dollars for shoes to relieve my pain…One month later my Plantar is GONE !!! It's like a miracle to me!!... Do not hesitate to buy these shoes. It will be a life changing experience.

Denise

Third pair

Every time I order a new pair of Kuru, I can’t wait to break them in and start wearing them full-time

Theresa Marie H.

Worth their weight in gold!

Kuru is the bomb ! I've had horrid feet for years with plantar fasciitis and arthritis and now Achilles problems. This is not a "cure all" but Kuru definitely has made a significant difference in my ability to stay on my feet all day.

Lori G.

Different By Design

You might notice KURUs feel different than anything you’ve felt before—and that’s exactly what we hope.

With more intentional support in all the right places, your KURUs might take some getting used to—but oh, is the pain relief worth it in the end.

Freedom from Foot Pain
Inside The Shoe
Inside The Shoe Inside The Shoe Mobile

Built For Pain Relief

At KURU, we’re on a mission to eliminate foot pain—and we want you to be next.

All KURU shoes (yes, even our flip-flops!) are engineered with a unique system of triple-layer support.

This fresh approach supports the foot in all the right places, helping to relieve pain and get you back to the life you love.

  • KURUSOLE: Patented, responsive technology dynamically flexes to hug and protect your heels.
  • KURUCLOUD: Lightweight EVA foam delivers shock-absorbing cushion with each step.
  • ULTIMATE INSOLE: Contoured, dual-density foam provides superior arch support.

Here’s What You Can Expect With:

  • Plantar fasciitis

    Plantar fasciitis often starts as an achy, stabbing pain near the heel and can radiate through the arches. Though PF can be tricky to treat, supportive footwear can help!

       

    Our patented KURUSOLE technology and superior arch support gets to the heart of the issue, helping to relieve heel pain with every step.

    Plantar fasciitis
  • High arches

    High arches can result in a diminished ability to absorb shock and lead to supination—or the excessive leaning on the outer edge of the foot while walking.

    KURU shoes feature superior, dual-density arch support and shock-absorbing cushion to create a supportive structure under your arches.

    High arches
  • Flat feet

    Flat feet, or “fallen arches” can lead to over-pronation—or the ankle leaning excessively inward—resulting in poor alignment of the joints and pain in the feet and other joints.

    Our footwear provides support from the group up, helping to lift fallen arches and encourage healthy alignment.

    Flat feet
  • Bunions

    Contrary to how they might appear, bunions are not a separate “bump” or growth on your joint. A bunion develops when excessive pressure gets continually placed on the big toe or pinky toe joints, forcing them to push outward in unnatural—often painful—ways.

    KURUs feature wide toe boxes and flexible uppers, giving bunions the room they need to lay naturally flat.

    Bunions

How to Care For Your Feet

If you do nothing else for your feet, let these three things be it.

  • Foot rolling
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    Use a tennis ball or lacrosse ball (or a specialized ball for feet) to perform this exercise. 

    Simply place the ball under your foot, and then roll it back and forth to help loosen the fascia and foot muscles. 

    Try for 2–5 minutes on each side per day.

  • Foot & calf stretches
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    Stretching your calves, Achilles tendons, and plantar fascia regularly can help your feet stay flexible and healthy.

    View our blog to learn three stretching exercises to help relieve plantar fasciitis pain.

    Always hold stretches for at least 30 seconds for maximum benefit.

  • Supportive footwear
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    It’s nearly impossible to keep foot pain at bay without proper supportive footwear.

    Look for shoes with superior arch support, shock-absorbing cushion, and responsive foams—like KURU shoes.

    Your feet will thank you!

Shoe Care Tips

Help your shoes stay looking good and feeling fresh.

  • Allow Shoes to Air Dry

    Always allow your shoes to air dry, and store them in a dry, cool environment—free of direct sunlight. If your shoes get wet, make sure to remove the insole to make sure the interior of the shoe fully dries.

    Allow Shoes to Air Dry
  • Use a Gel-Based Cleaner

    To clean your shoes, choose a shoe cleaning gel that is suitable for both fabric and leather.

    We recommend our KURU Ultimate Care Kit, which includes a basic shoe cleaning kit with all the tools you need for regular shoe maintenance.

    Always remember to spot-test the cleaner, as sometimes it can alter the color of the materials.

    Use a Gel-Based Cleaner
  • Or Use Water + Soft Bristle Brush

    Don’t have a cleaning solution? That’s ok. You can also clean your shoes using a moist (with water), lint-free cloth, and/or a soft-bristled brush.

    When cleaning mud or other debris, allow the mud to fully dry, then with a soft-bristled brush, lightly remove the dirt.

    Or Use Water + Soft Bristle Brush
  • Finish With Shoe Protector Spray

    To improve the stain and water resistance of KURU shoes, we recommend using our exclusive KURU Shield Shoe Protector Spray, which is optimized for leather and textiles.

    This can help keep your shoes protected from water, stains, and other chemicals and oils.

    Finish With Shoe Protector Spray

FAQs

  • How long does it take to break in my KURUs?

    We recommend wearing your KURUs around the house for 1–2 hours per day for the first week to break them in.

    Since KURU tech offers unique and superior support, they might feel different at first—even a little achy. With more intentional support in all the right places, your KURUs might take some getting used to—but oh, is the pain relief worth it in the end.

    Need a better fit? We offer 45-day risk-free exchanges and returns.

  • Sore feet with new KURUs? Why is that?

    While it’s not common, some customers experience tenderness when they first start wearing a new pair of KURUs. You’re more likely to experience this initial pain or tenderness if you’ve never worn custom orthotics before.

    Your body may need time to adjust to the new levels of anatomical support you experience with our patented KURUSOLE technology, and we suggest you follow the break-in procedure even if this isn’t your first pair of KURUs.

    Here are a few suggestions that have helped other customers:

    1. Let your feet adapt to the support and natural re-alignment


    As with any high-quality orthotic, letting your feet adjust to the support of the KURUSOLE technology is necessary. This may result in soreness or tenderness for the first few weeks of wear.

    KURU is designed to support your feet as the foundation of your body, which includes proper alignment. Sometimes, re-aligning your body by modifying the way you stand and walk can cause discomfort until your body becomes used to the improved position.

    2. Break them in slowly


    For the first two weeks, wear the shoes for 2 to 3 hours each day and then switch to another pair of shoes.

    For the next two weeks, wear them for 3 to 5 hours each day, once again switching to another pair of shoes afterward. This will allow your body to make a healthy transition to the new levels of support.

    3. The space-age foams take time to mold to you


    Over time, our ULTIMATE INSOLES will soften and mold to your feet. Our insoles use advanced foams that react to your body heat and mold to the unique contours of your feet.

    Your new KURUs may initially feel slightly stiff or awkward. The recommended break-in time above allows the ULTIMATE INSOLES to mold to your needs. This is especially true if you wear the shoes while standing for long hours.

    4. KURU activates your muscles


    KURU offers incredible heel support, with a naturally shaped forefoot. This unique design may activate different muscle groups, which can create some soreness. Give your body a little time to adapt to this natural, flexible forefoot design.

    We've shared this advice with numerous customers, and here are some of their responses:

    "Since I last emailed you and after reading your suggestion to keep wearing them, my feet have grown accustomed to them very nicely. I have been wearing them all day with no further discomfort. I would suggest that you add a note somewhere in your advertisements that if you don't wear orthotics that there may me a short adjustment period to your shoes. Other than that I am very pleased so far and although I haven't tested them on vacation they seem to be a very nice investment."

    -Ron

    "I was very unhappy with my shoes when first purchased, but after wearing them for several weeks, I am recommending them frequently. Thanks!"

    -Leanna H., M.D.

  • Can I wear orthotics with KURUs?

    Due to the anatomical shape of the KURUSOLE, custom orthotics with a rounded heel fit best inside our shoes. If the underside of the custom orthotic (the part that sits on the footbed) is squared off, then it may not fit into our deep heel cup—which is rounded like your foot.

    That said, many of our customers tell us the KURUSOLE technology offers better support and stability than they expected, and that they don't need to wear their custom orthotics with KURU shoes.

  • What makes KURU different?

    Every KURU shoe comes with three layers of support, including our patented KURUSOLE tech—a foot health game changer. This revolutionary, adaptive technology dynamically flexes with each step to hug and protect your heels. 

    With over 20K 5-star reviews, our customers prove that KURU delivers pain relief. In fact, over 7 in 10 customers report improved pain symptoms, and of those customers, 97% experience improvement in less than 4 weeks. Talk about Pain Relief Beyond Belief.

  • Are KURUs machine washable?

    KURU shoes are not machine washable. They can be cleaned with our specialized KURU Ultimate Care Kit or with water and a washcloth or soft-bristle brush. See the below FAQ for more cleaning tips!

  • How do I clean my KURUs?

    Because we use high-quality, high-performance materials in our shoes, it's important to properly care for them to extend the life of the shoes. Here are a few care instructions for KURU shoes:

    • Always allow your shoes to air dry, and store them in a dry, cool environment—free of direct sunlight. If your shoes get wet, make sure to remove the insole to make sure the interior of the shoe fully dries.

    • If you need to clean your shoes, choose a shoe cleaning gel that is suitable for both fabric and leather. We recommend our KURU Ultimate Care Kit, which includes a basic shoe cleaning kit with all the tools you need for regular shoe maintenance. Always remember to spot-test the cleaner, as sometimes it can alter the color of the materials. 

    • You can also clean your shoes using a moist (with water), lint-free cloth, and/or a soft-bristled brush. When cleaning mud or other debris, allow the mud to fully dry, then with a soft-bristled brush, lightly remove the dirt.

    • To improve the stain and water resistance of KURU shoes, we recommend using our exclusive KURU Shield Shoe Protector Spray, which is optimized for leather and textiles. This can help keep your shoes protected from water, stains, and other chemicals and oils.

    Any damage due to failing to follow the above care instructions will void the warranty against defects on the shoe.

  • Are KURUs waterproof?

    Some KURUs are waterproof! Both the CURRENT and TREAD active sandals are made with waterproof materials. We also have several shoes with water-resistant leather, including the LUNA, TEMPO, KIVI, CHICANE, and QUEST.

  • How do I return/exchange my KURUs?

    At KURU, we want to give you Pain Relief Beyond Belief. If you’re not fully satisfied—or need a different size or style—we offer free, 45-day returns and exchanges. For more information on our policy or to start a return or exchange, click here.