Dear Rov. I have a new pair of tennis shoes that I bought some months ago, but never used, (the old ones had to be discarded). Can I use them during Tisha Beav? Is it better to put them on during the Nine Days so they will not be new for Tisha Beav, or it does not matter since as is, new clothes are also no to be used during the Nine days. What is correct?

Kovetz Halochos and other Poskim rule that it is permitted when needed to wear new tennis shoes or similar permitted footwear, during Tisha Beav itself. In our case, Horav Yaakov Hirschman, Horav Dovid Pam and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a are ot the opinion that it is better to wear them first on the days before Shabbos Chazon.