Bad Fitting Shoes...?

Working in a shoe store, I see many customers, try on shoes and not know their size. It is very common these days, for people to be walking around in poorly fitted shoes.

If you have a shoe that does not fit you properly, it can cause blisters, corns, calluses and other foot ailments.

I thought I would share some of my tips for making a shoe fit better:

If a shoe is too big:

You can always add fitting aids to your shoes to make them fit a bit more snug.

1. Gel cushions are a common and simple solution for shoes that are too big. The gel cushions provide comfort and support under the balls of your feet, while taking up some of the space in the top of the shoes. The gel cushions also stop the foot from sliding too far forward in the shoes.

2. To prevent the shoe from slipping of your foot, you can add a heel grip. This sticks into the back of the shoes and holds your heels in place. You will have no more awkward moments when you leave your shoes behind!

3.  A full insole. You can buy these from department stores, chemists and shoe stores. You can also choose insoles with different thicknesses. This is a great way to take up unnecessary space in the shoes and make your feet more secure and supported in the shoes.

4. Everyone loves a good sling back, however once that little strap stretches, they loose there appeal. You can buy gel strips that stick onto the inside of the strap. This will stop the slingback strap from slipping off your feet.

Sometimes a shoe can be so stretched that no amount of fitting aids can make them fit you properly. If this is the case, throw them out or give them to someone with bigger feet! You don't want to walk around in bad fitting shoes for two reasons. One, it looks ridiculous and two, you will end up with blisters and that is never pleasant.

If a shoe is too small:

Personally, I would rather a shoe that is a little bit too small. If it is a good quality leather upper, I know the shoes will soften eventually, so I always persevere. I also have a high threshold for shoe pain!

Before buying your shoes, make sure you know what material they are made out of. Some materials have much more give in them and will stretch more than others.

If you are buying a leather or suede shoe, these are guaranteed to soften and stretch with a little bit of wear. Suede is extremely porous and will soften more than a leather shoe. A patent leather shoe will also soften with wear but the plastic coating will prevent it from stretching a lot.

Satin, fabric or synthetic shoes will not give very much at all, so make sure you get one that already fits comfortably.

Here are some of my tips for "stretching" your shoes, to make them fit better:

1. Take them to a boot maker. They have the necessary tools to stretch your shoes, without causing you any pain! Quick, simple, cheap and no pain... this is the best and easiest option!

2. If it is a leather or patent shoe, you can use a leather conditioner on them. The conditioner will start to soften the leather, making it more prone to stretching. The leather conditioner will also keep the shoes supple so they will not loose their shape.

3. Walk around the house with a pair of thick socks on and your new shoes! This looks absolutely ridiculous, but I have found it, incredibly effective. The extra thickness with the sock, adds more pressure to the shoes, making them stretch a lot quicker. It is a great way to break in your new shoes, plus everyone has chores to do at home... two birds, one stone!

4. When you are not wearing your shoes, roll up some tissue paper and stuff it into the top of the shoe, make sure it is nice and firm otherwise it won't do anything! The shoes will begin to stretch around the tissue paper, without you even wearing them. It is also a great way for the shoes to keep their shape.

If you are incredibility unlucky and struggle to find shoes, that fit you properly, there are some great shoe makers, that custom make shoes. They will measure both your feet and make shoes, purely designed for you. From what I have researched, it doesn't take too long to do and it is reasonably priced. Not to mention, you get your own design input...Every shoe lovers dream!