How to Make Shoes More Comfortable

Painful shoes can spoil your day, ruin an otherwise awesome outfit (there’s nothing remotely stylish about someone hobbling along in shoes they can’t walk in), and, most importantly, cause serious health issues. Prevention is always better than cure, so if your shoes are causing you pain, the most sensible thing to do is ditch them in favour of a more comfortable pair. If you can’t quite bring yourself to do that, however, here are a few quick  ways to make your shoes more comfortable:

how to make shoes more comfortable

TAPE YOUR TOES TOGETHER

I haven’t tried it myself, but apparently taping your 3rd and 4th toes together will make heels more comfortable be relieving pressure on the ball of the foot, and preventing the toes from pinching. If you try it, let me know if it works!

STRETCH YOUR SHOES

If your shoes are too-tight, a shoe stretcher will do exactly as the name suggests, and make them a little roomier. If you don’t have a stretcher, fill two baggies with water, place them in the toes, then put your shoes in the freezer – yes, really.

REDUCE THE HEEL HEIGHT

Heels too high to walk in? A good cobbler should be able to shave a bit off the end of stilettos, making them more comfortable, but still retaining the appearance of height.

USE GEL DEODORANT OR BABY POWDER TO PREVENT BLISTERS

Er, you’ll want to use this on your feet, not under your arms, obviously…

BLOW DRY YOUR SHOES

New shoes need wearing-in fast? Blast them with a hairdryer for a couple of minutes, then wear them around the house with thick socks – the heat will allow the leather to soften and expand, while the socks will stretch it out.

TRY FOOT PETALS

Foot Petals are gel insoles, available for every part of your foot/shoe. Use them to add grip to heels, pad out soles, or prevent shoes from rubbing: if they’re not available in your country, ask your shoe seller or cobbler for another brand.

OR MOLESKIN

Not made from actual moles, moleskin is a soft, self-adhesive fabric that you can stick to your foot or shoe anywhere you’re experiencing pain or rubbing: it’ll protect painful skin and cushion your feet from further damage.

Anyone got any other tips on how to make shoes more comfortable?

1 Comment

  • I came across your blog the other day and have now gone through all your back posts like a super creep – but I love your style! Do you buy your shoes a half size up? I never have, but I’ve heard a lot of people do this and it was always given to me as a piece of advice. Lately, I’ve occasionally gotten wides when available to I can fit more of a cushion on/around the ball of the foot.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *