
Noteworthy, Effective Ways to Make Your Shoes More Comfortable
Noteworthy, Effective Ways to Make Your Shoes More Comfortable:
Imagine the surge of happiness when you finally get your hands on the most awaited pair of shoes that you have been browsing for months. It can be a pair of fantastic stiletto heels, decent loafers for your office, or anything that looks great and fits flawlessly with any outfit and is on sale. However, once you receive it at your doorstep and you find to wear it somewhere for a few hours, you notice that they are way too uncomfortable.
There are downsides to buying attractive and pricey shoes. Something as minor as a misplaced shoe strap can cause blisters, an excruciating backache, and a fortnight of aching foot pain. All these drawbacks of ill-fitting shoes can be extremely disheartening and dissuade you from wearing it ever again.
You should not let your pricey, good-looking, and desirable shoes lie in your closet space when you have spent so much money. Worry not, as some useful tips can be used to make your shoes a bit more comfortable for you.
Ways to Fix Painful Shoes and Make Your Shoes More Comfortable
Some shoes can be incredibly to wear for long durations, and sometimes even short durations. It is no use subjecting yourself to the torturous chaffing, blisters, and awful feet or backaches. You can try some useful tricks and tips that can help to fix painful shoes.
It is essential to keep in mind that some shoes are unfixable because they are poorly structured or lack support. To learn how to fix your dreadfully painful shoes and make it more bearable, read this article.
1. Use materials like insoles, moleskins, and inserts.
You can prevent chafing and blisters to a great extent by purchasing essential shoe materials like moleskins, inserts, and insoles. Simply cut the moleskin in pieces and place it inside the shoe. One sheet of moleskin will be enough for this. Place this sheet under the problem-causing heel or strap and then sketch it with a pencil. After that, cut the sketched drawing and peel it off. Then stick this moleskin on the heel or strap where it hurts.
Note that this only works on places that can lead to chafing. If the inner area of your shoe bothers you, place an oval or circle shaped moleskin that is a bit larger than the spot where your skin gets chafed. Then peel off the layer and insert the moleskin in this particular spot. You can even add the moleskin over your foot directly and then peel it off.
2. Avert blisters and friction by using anti-friction materials on your feet.
An anti-friction stick can easily be bought from a drugstore. Apply this balm to your skin on the probable areas of blistering and chafing. This anti-friction stick should not be applied to already existing blisters. If you have already gotten a blister, then purchase a blister ointment.
They are in the form of oval-shaped band-aids that are directly applied to the blister. This covers and protects the blister from getting worse. Keep it clean to prevent it from getting infectious.
3. Use an antiperspirant to avoid sweating.
Wearing closed shoes or wearing them for long hours leads to excessive moisture and sweat to build up. This leads to chafing and blisters. The antiperspirant decreases the sweat and humidity, which reduces the chance of getting blisters.
4. Use an insole.
If your feet keep slipping sideways, you can get major blisters at the back and front of your foot. All the parts where the material of the shoe tends to rub against the skin are contributors of blisters and chafing. For this, you should insert a padded or gel insole to keep your feet intact.
5. Use silicone-based heel cups or insoles with arch support.
The aching of heels is the worst and usually occurs when the heel or back area is too hard. Sometimes the shoe does not provide the feel ample arch support. Using an arch support insole of a silicone-based heel cup will be useful.
6. Avoid wearing an ill-fitted shoe.
Shoes that differ from your own size can hurt all the same. A large shoe does not offer the same support and causes your feet to shift from place to place, thus leading to scrunched toes and chafing. Whereas a smaller sized shoe can cramp your feet and result in lousy aching. An ill-fitted shoe can be stretched if it is too tight or filled in if it is too loose.
7. Use heel grips if the shoe is large and causes unnecessary movement,
This oval-designed heel grip comes with an adhesive at one side that comprises foam or gel and guarded with moleskin. Just peel the back and place it within the heel area of the show. This saves your heel from chafing.
8. Fill large shoes with lamb wool.
If you went for a large-sized shoe, then fill out the toe area with lamb wool. This prevents your toe from getting scrunched and sliding here and there. Lamb wool is airy and breathable. Hence, it provides more comfort than any other material. Another substitute would be to use cotton balls.
9. Purchase special socks.
Sometimes the right kind of sock is the only thing needed to cure the problem of painful shoes. These unique socks are designed to lessen blisters and chafes, support your feet, keep the moisture away.
· Athletic socks are relatively tight around the arch areas and offer support for your arch. These socks are highly recommended for running and athletic shoes.
· Moisture absorbent socks are designed to absorb the sweat, thus keeping them dry and blister-free.
· Running socks come up with additional underside pads that wick the impact your feet make during running.
· Toe socks are designed like gloves but are actually for the feet. Toe socks wrap the toes individually to prevent your toes from getting blisters.
· Some sock materials absorb sweat very quickly. Cotton socks wick sweat instantly and cause blisters. Contrariwise, polyester, acrylic, or polypropylene material eradicates sweat and allows your feet to stay dry.
Ways to Make Different Type of Shoes Comfortable
Keep in mind that different types of shoe and shoe material affect your feet differently. There is no one-fit-for-all technique on making your shoes comfortable. This section of the article will shed light on how to make different kinds of shoes more comfortable. Before you know it, you will see yourself walking miles in what once brought discomfort.
1. High Heels
Whether your high heels are of great height or the foot-arch is too harsh, wearing high heels for extended periods can lead to that crippling sensation that awfully lasts for hours. As good as a pair of stunning heels look, they can be very discomforting if you buy heels that are not comfortable.
There are times when you feel like tossing off your heels as far away from you as you can. Sometimes even the most comfortable heels that because major cramps can only be assuaged with an ice-water bath or a relaxing foot rub.
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Stick tape around the third and fourth toes.
The trick to making those chic high heels a tad bearable is to tape your toes together. There is a whole science behind this trick, so regardless of whatever kind of heels you are rocking, they tend to apply excessive pressure at the ball of your feet. The foot of the ball comprises a string of nerves that can be negatively affected by continuously applying pressure.
This is what happens when people wear heels for many hours or the entire day. The most irritable nerves are located somewhere amidst the third and fourth toe. By taping these two toes together, a lot of your tension and irritation can be relieved.
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Use protective pads.
Another trick is to elevate your toes by placing felt metatarsal or gel pads. These pads take the majority of the pressure away from the ball of the foot. Even though your toes can feel like they are being squashed, you will be able to stand longer in heels using this trick. Cotton balls also do the same job.
2. Boots
A striking pair of traveling boots work best in bridging the gap between style and gap. This multi-tasking footwear looks stylish and trendy with all kinds of clothing. However, what should you do when your boots start to rub against your calves and cause superfluous blister or chafing?
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Protect your feet and legs from moisture and sweat.
Having chafed legs can be a severe issue if you are looking forward to the day. These chafed legs feel as bad as they are on drier days, but when the humidity rises, they can get even more awful. It has also been reported by Healthline that chafing can get worse during hot and humid weather.
To show off a pair of your fashionable riding boots, wear moisture-absorbing socks and rub some powder or petroleum jelly on top of any area prone to chafing. These few tricks will save your legs from chafing.
3. Sneakers
From all the different kinds of footwear that exist, sneakers are bound to be the most comfortable. But coming across a set of uncomfortable sneakers seems shocking enough to sound like an oxymoron.
Sneakers are the kind of footwear you opt for when the day requires long hours of walking. They are the most preferable pair of shoes for big races as they mold your feet accordingly. But sometimes it takes more time than usual to adjust to your gym kicks. This process can be expedited via using a blow dryer.
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Use a blow-dryer to expand tight areas.
The use of a blow dryer is a withstanding ancient hack that has stood the test the time. It has been reported that heat tends to loosen up the tighter areas of the shoe in many instances. So, whichever corner of the sneaker feels too snug, simply blast it with hot air to expand the tightened areas. After this, you should wear it and walk around a bit until it feels cool. Now your sneakers are cozy and ready to be rocked.
4. Running Shoes
For most runners, the speed and distance of running is a secondary concern. What matters the most is how comfortably you can run in your pair of running shoes. Choosing a pair of running shoes require more time and effort.
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Use a shock-absorbent insole.
Running is an active sport that has a significant impact on your joints. Always opt for a pair pf shock absorbent running shoes as well as include additional paddings like personalized shock-absorbent soles.
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Take care of the arch.
If your running shoe fits you perfectly, then you need to give some importance to the arches of your feet. If you feel any sort of tenderness in your arch after running, you need arch support for your running shoes.
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Heel support.
A lot of runners are prone to issues like getting their Achilles heel injured. Heel support is essential to escape the awful Achilles heel blisters. An excellent quality heel support gives comfort and does not allow the foot to move unnecessarily, no matter how much you strike.
5. Flats
Having painful blisters around the ankle or heel can be much more awful than it actually sounds. In fact, it can be extremely debilitating. Luckily, there are many hacks and home remedies that can reduce the pain.
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Place your shoe in the freezer.
One way to make your flats more comfortable is to fill to bags of water, stuff it inside the shoes, and place them into the freezer. Once the water freezes overnight, the bag will expand and create room for your flats.
This process helps in stretching your flats to make them less tight and more comfortable. Though this trick can be useful for non-leather shoes only, Footwear News suggests that you can also freeze your leather shoes.
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Keep your feet dry.
Another hack of preventing blisters is to keep your feet dry. Blisters mostly occur over sweaty or moist feet. Even though there is no definite way of maintaining your feet' moisture, it is advisable to coat them with aluminum chloride or baby powder. This will reduce sweating and prevent blisters.
6. Flip Flops
This is a common perception that flip flops are pain-free because they do not have as much material as other shoe wear. Flip flops lack the support and structure of other footwear; they can also be the biggest reason for a bad blister. The toe thong of the flip flops is the primary cause of it.
Wearing flip flops for long hours can seem very comfortable but are not. When the summer season hits, these flip flops are next to unavoidable. However, there are some ways you can prevent the blisters from coming and enjoy summers in flip flops.
Try to keep your flip flops dry because constant moisture and sweat can result in blisters. Also, carry an additional pair of shoes before heading to the beach. Flip flops are basically without any support and are certainly not ideal for dancing or walking along with your favorite beachfront restaurant.
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Use inserts.
You can use flip-flop inserts, which are cushioned pads shaped in the form of the foot of the ball. The tiny cylinder like thing stands on the thong part. This insert should be placed in the front, and the thong area should be slipped into the cylinder. The cylinder does not let the thong rub against and between your toes.
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Add moleskin on the thong part.
Secondly, you can insert a piece of moleskin on the thong part. This is highly useful for rubber and plastic flip-flops as they guard your feet against sharp edges.
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Use fabric cloth on the thong area.
Lastly, you can cover the thong with fabric cloth. Make your flip-flops even more stylish and pretty, use colorful fabric, and keep wrapping it for a customized look. Both ends of the fabric should be tied to the shoe and secured with glue.
Some Other Hacks to Make Your Shoes More Comfortable
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Use sandpaper on the unworn shoe soles for a better grip.
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Ease your blisters by using a clear gel deodorant,
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Revert to a cobbler who can stretch your shoes more professionally.
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Expand the shaft of your work boots by using a newspaper and leather stretching spray.
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Use tea bags (unused) to remove the bad odor from your shoes.
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Incorporate shoes with shorter heels for more relief.
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Use denim to fix your ragged and worn out heel linings.
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Change the shoelace pattern of your sneakers accordingly to what is comfortable for you.
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Your feet can swell half times more towards the end of the day, so is it is best to try your shoes in the afternoon.
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Dip blistered feet in green tea as it contains anti-inflammatory ingredients that can soothe tired feet and blisters.