How to Make Your Shoes More Comfortable
So many of the AWSL readers (and myself!) suffer from various foot conditions like bunions, fallen arches, corns or calluses, hammertoes, and/or plantar fasciitis. Unfortunately, even when you comb through the shoe store or the internet for the most supportive, high-quality shoe on the market, you may still feel some discomfort. This is especially true if you live an active lifestyle and spend many hours on your feet! We have many new readers, so I’m updating this post with some new ideas.
After years of looking for ways to keep my feet happy and healthy, I’ve discovered a few tools to help make your shoes more comfortable. Since I know that I’m not the only one struggling with this issue, I thought AWSL readers might benefit from my sharing the tips, tricks, and products I use to keep my shoes from causing my achy feet additional pain.
These tips and tricks are even more beneficial when paired with a comfortable and supportive shoe, like my new Naot Pixie sandals. Be sure to check out these posts if you’re shopping for a new pair of sneakers, sandals, dress shoes, or boots.
- Best and Most Comfortable Walking Sandals
- Best Women’s Walking Shoes for Travel
- Best Sneakers and Walking Shoes for Mature Feet
- Best Water Shoes for Women
- Shoes for Spring from Easy Spirit
- Most Comfortable Spring Shoe Trends To Try
How to Make Your Shoes More Comfortable
Whether you’re trying to fix an uncomfortable pair of shoes that rub and irritate your feet or trying to counteract the symptoms of a foot condition, there are tons of great products that can help. Here are some of my favorites, plus ones I’ve found that I think are worth a try!
#1 Add a Specialized Insole or Insert
Dr. Scholl’s Plantar Fasciitis Insole
Cushion and protect your foot from annoying Plantar Fasciitis pain as you stand and walk by using these insoles from Dr. Scholl’s.
Vionic Orthotic Insole
Vionic shoes are a fan favorite among AWSL readers. Did you know you can replace your shoe’s entire footbed with their premium foam insole with heel stability and arch support? I just ordered these and will keep you posted!
#2 Protect or Pad Problem Areas
Bunion Cushions
I’ve suffered from bunions for years. Some shoes pinch and rub that area, no matter how wide they are. These thin and flexible bunion cushions from Dr. Scholl’s help to reduce friction and pressure.
Foot Petals
Keep your foot from sliding forward in your shoes while adding additional cushion to the balls of your feet using these foot petals. This even happens to me in low and flat shoes, so I use these to keep my foot in the proper place in my shoe. You can utilize these in any pair of shoes, but they are especially helpful when wearing heels or slide sandals.
U-Shaped Felt Callus Pads
These U-shaped callus pads protect sensitive areas on your feet to prevent blisters and calluses from forming. The felt pad would also be great for protecting bony areas of your feet.
Soft Gel Toe Protectors
Friction from closed-toe shoes can cause pain and irritation, especially if you suffer from ingrown toenails, corns, calluses, or blisters. These thin protectors are made from medical-grade silicone and cushion painful areas. You can also wear them preventatively before a big day of walking, running, or hiking plus, they’ll protect your shoes if you put medicine on your ingrown toenails.
Foot Glide Anti Blister Balm
I would compare this product to a roll-on band-aid! Apply it to areas where you are worried your shoes will cause irritation or chafing, and it will help protect you from blisters and raw skin. With over 11,000 positive reviews, this balm seems like a game changer for new shoes, etc.
#3. Stretch Your Shoes
Four Way Shoe Stretcher
If you have a pair of shoes you love that are too tight or narrow, you can stretch them using this shoe stretcher. I like to stretch my shoes in the toe box so they are less painful on my bunion, but this stretcher can also stretch the width, length, and instep area. I simply spray the inside of my shoe with this shoe stretch spray, then insert the four-way shoe stretcher until they dry.
#4 Wear Comfortable Socks
Gonii No Shoe Athletic Socks
These no-show socks don’t fall or ride down. Plus, they have arch compression and a breathable mesh design that wicks moisture! Mine showed up, and I love them!!
Here are some more items to consider to make your shoes better:
- Eliminate smells in your shoes using these shoe deodorizers.
- I always recommend this gel toe stretcher for instant pain relief for bunions, hammer toes, and chronic foot pain.
- If you have a pair of shoes without traction, add an anti-slip sole grip.
- These heel grips are great if you have a pair of shoes that are too big!
Shop More Items to Make Your Shoes More Comfortable:
Do you have any tips and tools? I’d love to hear what you use to make your shoes more comfortable.
Hi Jennifer…I have your twin feet! I wear 6 W or 6 1/2 medium with Narrow heel and broad metatarsal which I deal with by avoiding any pointy shoes or those which come across big toe joint. I call my feet “duck feet” 🤣 I find that soft leather stretches best and helps your feet “breathe”to avoid dreaded sweat and stiffness. Rounded toe shoes like ECCO and NAOT and Steve Madden and UGG AND sketchers are all faves of mine as well as a pair of Clark’s leather loafers. I don’t tempt feet to hurt with high heels and slide on low shows do require the petals. I love your blog to death!🥰
Sandra Winfield
“Edited”
Mine are looking more blocky every year! 😂
While I love pointed toes for their sleek look, they’re virtually impossible for my feet to deal with.
Thanks for sharing!
I found that rubbing my feet with Aspercreme can give me an extra hour or two of comfort on special occasions when “party shoes” are called for! Love your blog, Jennifer!
That’s a great idea Joyce!
You have giving me such wonderful foot advice. The gel toe spreaders really help with leg cramps and awful planter problems.
Thank you for your great wisdom.
I’m glad you like them too Lin
Great suggestions from everyone! Pinning this to keep!
Another Naot Pixie lover here–I have 3 pair and love them all! Naot is a fav brand for me, and that Pixie footbed, comfort and style are so perfect. Glad to see all the footy products, as I try to baby mine as best I can.
This post came just in the nick of time. I was about to return the Jack Rogers animal print shoes you featured recently because they were too tight. I love them, but knew there was no way I could wear them as is. And now I have a solution — the shoe stretchers arrive tomorrow! This is a boon for me — my aging feet have widened, but the number of stylish shoes available in a wide width has narrowed. I’m excited to go shoe shopping again! Thank you, Jennifer, for such a timely post. You’re the best!
Yay! I’ve used shoe stretchers for years. I’m between a medium and wide so mediums can be too snug.
I purchased those Gonii no show socks and love that they are fluffy and soft and do look scary small coming out of the dryer, but stretch right out and feel comfy again! Cheap too! Sketchers still fit me the best and feel the most comfortable. I have six pair now in difference colors and styles. Love them! I so appreciate your tips on products! Thank you for all of the advice and work that you do for all of us.
I’m so glad you’re finding these helpful, Sydney.
Super list, Jennifer however so far (touch wood) with the exception of finding my feet a little more tender then in the past when switching over to different styles, I don’t have any real issues. That being said though; I do have a problem with ‘synthetic/poly vinyl’ sole footwear as ‘some’ have very little tread that can prove very unstable under different conditions and/or being so rigid, lack flexibility making them noisy (clack-clack-clack) on different surfaces (like hardwood or laminate h/w flooring for example as well as ceramic tiling). -Brenda-
I’m not fond of those soles either. The last thing I want is too slip and fall.