11 Shoes Hacks That Can Make You Forget About Foot Pain

Historically, men were the first ones to start wearing heels. From as early as the 10th-century, horse riders began wearing boots with heels because they allowed them to have a firmer grip in the stirrups. Yet nowadays, all of us, no matter men or women, suffer from blisters, calluses, uncomfortable shoes, heels, and bad footwear. Luckily, the situation has improved a lot over the last 11 centuries.

We at Bright Side know that walking in your own shoes can sometimes be much more difficult than trying on someone else’s. Here are 11 tips that will help you forget about foot pain.

1. Tape your middle and fourth toes together.

There is a nerve between these 2 toes that gets really disturbed when you’re wearing high heels. To make its (and your own) life easier, tape the toes together using tape. It will relieve the pressure and will make walking more comfortable. If you don’t have any kind of tape at hand, you can also try putting some cotton between the toes.

2. Use fabric to prevent rubbing.

Rubber flip-flops are a very popular type of shoewear. But thin rubber stripes often rub your toes. Given the fact that we usually wear them in hot weather, our feet sweat more and the rubbing gets worse. To prevent this, either buy flip-flops with straps that are already covered in fabric or do it yourself at home. The cool thing is that you can change the fabric as often as you want and match it with your outfits!

3. Apply lip balm to blister-prone areas.

Lip balm will make these areas softer and more slippery, plus it’s a thing you most likely always have in your bag and can reapply when needed. Just use a transparent one to avoid spots inside the shoes. And make sure to use separate balms for your feet and your lips!

4. Try dry shampoo to avoid slipping.

Some brands have special foot powder that absorbs sweat and prevents your feet from slipping. But we can also use dry shampoo for this same purpose. Spray the product on your feet to prevent them from slipping (especially when wearing heels). And don’t forget to wash it off once you get home.

5. Absorb the sweat during the day.

Feet sweat — that’s pretty normal and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. But try using panty liners to absorb that sweat during the day. It may look a bit strange, but if you know you aren’t going to take your shoes off in a public place, then you have nothing to worry about!

6. Get rid of the bad smell and stop bacteria growth.

Sweaty feet and wet shoe insides are a perfect environment for bacteria to grow and cause you some trouble with fungus. It’s going to be painful to walk when your toes are irritated and itchy.

To avoid this, there are several things to try:

• Mix water and vinegar in equal proportions and use this solution to spray inside your shoes;
• Mix strong alcohol, apple cider vinegar, and a couple of tea tree oil drops instead;
• Fill coffee filters with baking soda, put them into the shoes, and leave them in the shoes overnight;
• Try placing unused teabags inside the shoes for the night.

7. Go shoe shopping in the evening.

If you’re looking for a pair of shoes that you’ll be wearing all day long, it makes sense to try them on in the evening. During the day, our feet swell and become a bit larger in size as a result. So trying new shoes on when your feet are at their largest can make a big difference. The last thing you want is to get a pair of shoes that fit perfectly well in the morning but become incredibly uncomfortable later in the day.

8. Bend the toe box.

When choosing a pair of fancy heels, make sure to try and bend the toe box. The toe box is that part of the shoe that touches the floor and that’s the area where you put most of your weight. If it can be bent, then it’s a good sign.

Shoes that are too stiff and won’t bend will be a real “stone in the shoe.” You’ll end up with an unnatural walk during the day and pain in the evening.

9. Go for an uplifted shoe-nose.

Another thing to pay attention to is if the toe box is slightly raised. That can also make the shoes more comfortable as it helps eliminate the difference in height. If your feet are raised 2 in above the ground, walking can become less painful.

10. Choose a steady heel.

In terms of the heels themselves, it’s “the chunkier, the better.” And safer too! High unstable pointy stilettos look expensive and fancy but they can cause lots of health problems. When walking, you need support and good balance, so the heels should have a larger surface area. That will also ensure that the heel won’t get stuck.

11. Get orthopedic insoles.

They can be of 2 types: regular and custom-made. What they do is they realign your feet in the shoes, provide support, and absorb the shock of contact with the ground while walking. Insoles usually have a sticky back part for a firmer grip, so invest in several pairs for each pair of shoes that you know need more comfort.

Have you tried any of the hacks? Can you recommend some useful advice when it comes to being comfortable in your own shoes? Share in the comments!