Is there anything worse than uncomfortable (yet stylish) shoes? Footwear shouldn’t hurt—period—even in the name of fashion. And it shouldn’t cause persistent discomfort either, as this often leads to pain.
Do you currently own a pair of cute or dapper shoes you’d love to rock if only they were comfier? Buying fashionable footwear that disagrees with your feet is something most people have done at some point because sometimes it feels like there aren’t comfortable shoes for women and men that are also stylish. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to address the problem. Read on for helpful hacks and tips on how to make shoes more comfortable.
1. Make Sure You’re Wearing the Right Size and Width
The best way to ensure your shoes feel good on your feet is to get the proper size and width. This should go without saying, and yet here we are. You may think you know your size, but research indicates that more than half of adults wear shoes in either the wrong length or width.¹
It’s worth measuring your feet to determine your correct size. Even if you’ve done this in the past, you may want to check again, as feet can expand over the years for various reasons. If you aren’t sure if you have the right shoe size, check out our blog on how to measure shoe size. Below, you can find what your Vionic shoe size is based on the inches of your foot. At Vionic, we understand the importance of finding the right fit, which is why we offer a wide selection of wide shoes for women.
2. Wear Moisture-Wicking Socks
Wondering how to make shoes comfortable when you’re working out or spending time in hot, humid climates? Moisture-wicking socks can make a big difference. Cotton and wool socks absorb sweat and moisture, so they tend to stay wet inside your shoes.²
Moisture-wicking socks, on the other hand, are made of synthetic materials, which help transfer wetness to the outer layers. Some pairs are even treated to fight odor-causing bacteria.
3. Try Deodorant
How do you turn an uncomfortable shoe into a comfortable shoe? Another thing you can try is deodorant—yes, on your feet. Antiperspirants block sweat ducts, soak up moisture, and, of course, reduce body odors. Applying underarm deodorant to your feet can prevent slippage and chafing, which ultimately helps you avoid blisters and other uncomfortable conditions.
Powdered formulas tend to be more effective than gel deodorants. Baby powder can also work! Dust it around the entire surface of your foot before slipping into your shoes to absorb moisture and minimize rubbing.
4. Be Mindful About Breaking Them In
When you buy new shoes, take your time breaking them in. Yes, even the comfortable podiatrist-designed orthotic footwear like the styles from Vionic. While you might be tempted to wear them to the office, a fancy event, or site-seeing on vacation right off the bat, we recommend wearing them for only a few hours the first time.
If you purchased wedding shoes or a pair for another special occasion and want them to be fresh for the event, try wearing them around your home to break them in. If you’re wondering how to break in shoes quickly, a pair of thick socks can help move things along.
Wearing stiff or tight shoes to work? Pack an additional pair to change into halfway through to avoid sore feet at the end of the day.
5. Consider Shoe Stretchers
Shoe stretchers can also work for breaking in footwear. If your flats, loafers, dress shoes, pumps, or leather sneakers feel a little tight, these handy gadgets will help expand the material. Bear in mind that shoes are best broken in by the natural shape of your foot, though this solution can give you a head start.
6. Break Them In with a Blow Dryer
One of the fastest ways to break in new leather shoes or boots is with a blow dryer. Just slip them on and turn on the hairdryer, holding it 8 to 10 inches away from the material. Point the hot air in the direction of your shoes, focusing on areas that feel particularly tight, stiff, or uncomfortable.
Blast your shoes for a few minutes each. Then walk around your home and wear them standing up for a little while. The idea is that the heat softens the leather, allowing it to conform to the shape of your feet in very little time.
The blow-dry method works on full-grain leather, suede, and patent leather shoes.³ It can make your shoes more comfortable the first time you wear them out and about, and it’s super convenient when you’re in a pinch.
7. Tape Your Toes
If you want to know how to make shoes more comfortable for standing, try taping your toes. This might sound strange but bear with us. High heels and heeled booties for women can put pressure on the ball of your foot.
There are a ton of nerves connected to the ball of your foot, and they can become inflamed when standing and walking around in certain types of footwear. Much of this irritation crops up between your second and third toes. Taping them together can be helpful in alleviating some of the tension. Almost any type of tape can work, but masking tape or athletic tape are your best bets.
8. Get Orthotic Inserts
Footbeds have a lot to do with your overall comfort when standing, walking around, and exercising. Closed-toe shoes typically have removable insoles (AKA footbeds). If yours are notably flimsy, flat, or just plain uncomfortable, you should definitely look into getting orthotic shoe inserts.
You can get custom orthotics from a podiatrist, but they’re also available over the counter, like the options we carry at Vionic. Our insoles can be placed in virtually any shoe—pumps, dress shoes, sneakers, flat shoes, boots, you name it—and have the same comfort-focused technology as our orthotic footwear.
Vionic’s Active Series insoles are designed to support your stride in athletic sneakers, walking shoes, or running shoes. Our Relief Series is engineered to alleviate discomfort in casual, professional, and fancy footwear.
We carry full-length orthotics and ¾-length options for men and women. No matter which shoe insoles you choose, your feet will be supported, cushioned, and ready to take on what’s ahead. Order a pair today!
9. Try Heel Grips
Heel grips are a type of shoe insert, but instead of going in the footbeds, they stick into the back of the heel (where your Achilles tendon meets the material). They’re often made of moleskin, gel, or another type of thin cushioning. If you’re wondering how to make shoes not hurt the heels of your feet, heel grips are a great solution.
Some shoes are designed with cushioned heels, but many leave your feet hanging, which can cause discomfort, blisters, calluses, and heel pain. The right pair of heel grips can make a world of difference.
10. Invest in Proper Footwear
There are lots of ways to make shoes more comfortable. And if you have a pair of trendy (albeit uncomfortable) kicks in your closet you’re dying to wear, these methods are definitely worth trying. That being said, you can avoid all the fuss by investing in proper footwear.
We’re talking about orthotic designs with built-in arch support, deep heel cups, cushioned footbeds, generous toe boxes, and stable outsoles with shock absorption like those we carry at Vionic. If you think this means they can’t possibly be fashionable, think again. Our comfortable shoes for men and women come in tons of contemporary, fashion-forward styles and classically versatile silhouettes.
Stylish Orthotic Shoes for Men and Women
Vionic was founded by renowned podiatrist Phillip Vasyli, a pioneer of footwear innovation. Our men’s and women’s shoes are biomechanically engineered for optimal comfort and all-day support, no matter where you’re going or what you’re doing. They also promote your natural alignment, alleviate foot pain and discomfort, and help prevent various injuries and conditions like plantar fasciitis.
Many of our up-to-date styles are certified by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). This means they benefit foot health and have effectively demonstrated to provide adequate support. Also, a peer-reviewed study revealed that Vionic’s contoured sandals offer just as much relief from heel pain as our best-selling orthotic insoles.
Experience A New Level of Comfort
When it comes down to it, our comfortable shoes speak for themselves. You’ll instantly feel the difference when you slip into your first pair. As we mentioned, wearing Vionic footwear for a few hours the first time will help the material mold to your feet. It’ll also give you time to adjust to the orthotics and ultimately provide you with the greatest comfort throughout the lifespan of your shoes. Within a week or two, you’ll reach a whole new level of foot comfort.
Shop our men’s and women’s collections today!
Sources:
1. Buldt, Andrew K, and Hylton B Menz. “Incorrectly fitted footwear, foot pain and foot disorders: a systematic search and narrative review of the literature.” Journal of foot and ankle research vol. 11 43. 28 Jul. 2018, doi:10.1186/s13047-018-0284-z
2. Dobrina Zhekova. “6 Sneaky Ways to Make Your Shoes More Comfortable, According to Podiatrists”. Travel and Leisure. Updated July 06, 2021, https://www.travelandleisure.com/style/shoes/how-to-make-travel-shoes-more-comfortable
3. Kelsey Mulvey. “Your Definitive Guide to Making Any Type of Shoe Comfortable”. Real Simple. Updated Mar13, 2020, https://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/aches-pains/how-to-make-shoes-more-comfortable
4. Samantha Peters. “5 Must-Know Tricks to Make Your Boots More Comfortable This Fall”. Footwear News. Sep 3, 2018, https://footwearnews.com/2018/shop/boots/how-to-make-boots-more-comfortable-1202669041/
Leave a Reply