Wondering how you’re ever going to stop your shoes from rubbing? Look no further! We all know how painful your ankles, heels and toes can get when your shoes just aren’t comfortable enough- thankfully, there are easy tricks you can follow to solve this.
From making sure you find the right fit during the buying process to protecting your feet before putting your shoes on, these tips and tricks are sure to help you with how to stop shoes rubbing.
Get the right size
A fool proof method for avoiding shoes that rub is to buy the right size shoe in the first place!
Your feet expand throughout the day, so it’s a good idea to go for a new shoe fitting later on in the day to ensure that they will always fit.
If you’re not sure on the right size for you, use our handy guide to learn how to accurately measure your shoe size and if you’re struggling to measure your own feet, you can always pop down to your closest store to have one our fit experts help you.
Top tip: Remember to try on shoes with the style of socks you plan to wear with them, this will help you decide if your feet will feel comfortable!
Socks
Now you’ve got your shoes, it’s time to protect your heels and toes from rubbing. A good pair of socks is one of the best ways to reduce the friction against your skin.
For those shoes requiring a bit of wearing in, thick socks function as a fantastic barrier. Doubling up on socks is also a great way to stretch your shoes, check out our instructions here if you think this could help.
Plasters
Plasters are a great go-to for protecting the most vulnerable and exposed points of your feet. They help to prevent blisters by reducing the contact between your feet and the material of the shoe.
If you’re too late and a blister has already occurred, our blisters guide has lots of great top tips for preventing and treating abrasions on your feet.
Top tip: Always take spare plasters with you in case they come off or any other spots start to hurt.
Insoles
To avoid the back of your heel rubbing, try adding an insole to your shoe. They are brilliant at lifting your foot to reduce the surface area between your heel and the back of your shoe or boot. This helps to reduce friction and will make the shoe more comfortable overall.
We also have a handy insoles guide to help you choose the right ones for you!
Heel grips
To stop the back of your heel being rubbed red raw, heel grips and gel pads are great options. Grips will stop your heel from moving around and will reduce the friction between your heel and the material of your shoe. Gel pads offer additional support, particularly for new shoes requiring some softening. Heel grips work particularly well when trying to stop boots from rubbing, as they keep the foot in position and will reduce any slipping and sliding within the boot.
Moleskin
Wondering how to stop shoes rubbing the back of your ankle? Easy to find in most shops, moleskin is an excellent go-to for a shoe insert! Covering the inside heel of your shoe with moleskin will stop your shoe from rubbing and prevent any abrasions on your ankle.
Tongue pads
If your shoes are rubbing the top of your foot, insert tongue pads for a layer of protection. Usually made from a soft foam material, these handy inserts stick to the underside of the tongue of your shoe and protect that area of your foot from any additional friction and rubbing.
Vaseline
If you’ve been unsuccessful in stopping your shoes from rubbing, then applying Vaseline to any sore points will help reduce friction and soften any skin breakages.
Reduce moisture
A great way to stop your shoes from rubbing is to reduce the amount of moisture that builds around your feet. Foot powder or a quality pair of socks can help to absorb excess moisture and will stop your shoes from rubbing. This tip is particularly helpful if you’re wondering how to stop sandals or trainers from rubbing.
Reducing moisture will also help to keep your feet fresh and clean!
Stretch your shoe
Shoes that are too small are a prime offender when it comes to causing rubbing. If you want to try stretching them at home, pick up a shoe stretching kit or stuff your shoes with newspaper whilst you aren’t wearing them. If you struggle with this, pop to your local cobbler for further help and advice, or head over to our how to stretch shoes guide for more great tips and tricks.
There we have it, our round up of the best top tips for how to stop your shoes rubbing. For more helpful advice head over to our blog, or to browse our socks and insoles, head over to our footwear accessories.
