My hoop shoe journey + How do you break shoes in without wearing them outdoors?

I have a tournament coming up and participating in this tournament over the past couple years has awoken the hoop shoe fanatic in me. I've always been into basketball, since I was like 6, but I never really got into the tech and everything. I would always hoop in my casual everyday shoes and never felt the need to buy dedicated hoop shoes until a couple years ago when I played my first indoor tournament.

My first official hoop shoe was the KD 16's. I bought it like a couple days before the tournament so they were brand new when I stepped on the court. The result was an ultra sore midfoot and achilles + calves. It felt like I was constantly on my tippy toes and the court feel was not good. I could barely feel the steps I was taking. Probably 10 months after the tournament I decided to wear them outdoors during my weekly sessions with a group of people. I used them while preparing for the next tournament. The court feel was better this time and I didn't really have any problems using it atp besides the midfoot soreness and a slight tippy toe feeling. A 4/10 experience.

My next hoop shoe was the AE 1 Low's. I made the decision to break them in I think 2 weeks before the tournament by wearing them in the gym. Ngl it was pretty ineffective because those shoes remained stiff and still like new. During the tournament, there was no midfoot soreness or tippy toe feeling, there was also really decent court feel. But the shoe in general was just too stiff for me. I ended up messing my toes up because they constantly jammed into the front no matter how much I adjusted the lacing. A 2.5/10 experience.

In between this upcoming tournament and the last tournament I bought two shoes for my outdoor runs. The KD 18s, then the Anta Kai 1 Speeds. I really enjoyed hooping in the KD 18s and they were way better than the 16s. Traction was great, no problems with it. They were very comfy and court feel was alright. I only stopped wearing them because the soles were too high for comfort since I have a history of tweaking my ankle (I had a nasty sprain right before the last tournament). I know the Anta Kai 1 Speeds are not an outdoor shoe, but outdoor is the only place where I can hoop unfortunately. These are by far my favorite shoe despite it not lasting a long time. Traction was amazing, I feel like I play better defense with them because I am able to shift and move laterally so quickly. The court feel is great and it fit my style of play perfectly. I did not feel the need to be careful with them and I could play freely and shifty. KD 18 experience was an 8/10 while the Anta Kai 1 Speeds are a 9/10. I still wear the Anta Kai 1 Speeds but I notice the traction smoothing out directly under the pinky toe and the insoles have been thinning out in the toe area. I have been wearing them for slightly more than half a year.

I currently have two shoes in my collection that I am saving up for the tournament. They are two drastically different shoes imo. I haven't worn them because I don't wanna ruin them outdoors but I'm considering trying to break them in at the gym.

They are the EQLZ 360 and the Way of Wade 808 5 Ultra V2.

If I had access to an indoor court I would for sure wear it indoors. Do you guys have certain methods for breaking shoes in without having to wear them outdoors? Also if you guys have any info to tell me about the EQLZ 360 and Way of Wade 808 5 Ultra V2, I would appreciate it. I love talking about shoes now so ask questions and provide me some facts.