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.
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.
I love this post! I have a clear gel toe separator (just one) and I love it and had forgotten where I got it. Just ordered some from Amazon, thanks to you.
My husband, who is a runner recently introduced me to athletic socks called Fleet Feet. They are great with sneakers and so comfortable. That may have been the name of the (running) store too; not sure, but I believe Athleta also sells the Fleet Feet socks.
Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll look for them.
Jennifer – thanks for the post! I’ve been wearing Vionic (formel,y Orthaheel) inserts in my Nikes for almost 20 years! They work wonders for those of us with flat feet. Do you think the heel inserts you show would work if you have a narrow heel? In the old days (LOL), you get get shoes in a AA width with a AAAA (quad) heel. Alas, manufacturers no longer off that option, but I do walk out the heel on most non tie shoes. I read your posts everyday.
I think they might be a great option for a narrow heel. Please let me know if it does help.
Those Naot sandals are the best. I have 5 pairs and wear them frequently when going out to dinner or a daytime event!
I agree. So comfy
This is a very helpful article and I’ll definitely be ordering that foot balm. Your feet look great in the Naot sandals, and I really like your nail color!
The only thing that I would add to your list is socks for people with sensitive toes. I use the Buster Brown all cotton socks and the Falke socks because they do not have seams in the toe area and they are soft. I haven’t been successful in finding no show ankle socks that are seamless and comfortable, but the search continues!
Thank you for always providing such great information!
That’s a great point about the seams! They’re often annoying and uncomfortable.
Alexis, I’m the same way. Here’s what I’ve found — I wear my socks inside out. Problem solved! I just had to train my husband not to turn them back after laundry, LOL.
Bette, thanks for the suggestion!
Try Bombas. Love them
Very cute shoes— and helpful products for foot issues— thank you!
Do you have recommendations for more budget friendly shoes similar to the tennis shoes you featured today?
Thanks!
These ones look very similar and are very popular.
i ordered the Gonii no show socks at your suggestion. I really like them. Other brands squeeze my feet and cause pain. The Gonii do not. Even though they look like they shrunk after taking them out of the dryer, they did not and passed the comfort test after washing and drying. I plan to order more to replace the uncomfortable ones. I love how you so often read my mind. It is like we are on the same wave length.
Lol, we are all in this together! Have a great day, Linda
Thanks for this great post! I have used many of these products and they really do help. I had bunion surgery years ago so that seems to be the only problem I don’t have, lol. I partially dislocated a toe from walking and golfing so now I have to tape it down and that does work. My podiatrist said as we age our feet spread so should buy a half size bigger shoe.
I can believe that. I used to wear an 8-8.5 and am now a solid 9.5
I use my shoe stretcher all the time . I also like gel stickers to put inside shoes., where it is uncomfortable. I want to try the toe spacer I see here. My big toe is leaning toward the second toe. You have a lot of great choices to help our feet, thanks.
Thanks for all the great tips for my aching, aging feet. I did not realize how many helpful items are available to give me comfort.
Here’s something I love — a soft wool insole. I do not wear socks with my loafers or ballet flats, but don’t like the feeling of my feet sweating or moving around inside the shoes. These insoles are fantastic — you can trim them to fit your exact shoe, and while available in a cotton version, the wool provides the perfect softness, absorption, and comfort.
https://www.amazon.com/Sockless-Comfortable-Sweat-Absorbent-Non-Slip-Narrow-Cut/dp/B01LZOYXAY/ref=sr_1_7?th=1
Those look wonderful, Thanks Bette
I bought the Yoga Toe Gems after you mentioned them in an earlier post. They feel terrible on. Rubbery! Yuck! I wish they made them in a different material. If you come across any toe separators that are not sticky rubber, I would be very interested.
Oh no! I’ll keep my eye out but they usually use rubber or silicone
Joanna, I like the toe separator socks. Don’t walk in them — just use them when you’re relaxing on the couch. They’ve made a huge difference for me.
https://www.amazon.com/Separator-Socks%EF%BC%8CYoga-Alignment-Improves-Circulation/dp/B07HKL2WXC/ref=sr_1_5
These look like a fabulous solution! Thanks, Bette
Jennifer, Thank you so much for today’s post. I am currently suffering with corns between my toes. The podiatrist sent me home with the gel toe protectors, they do help. She is trying to treat them conservatively. You did such a great job of covering so many issues today. My Dr. told me , that as we age our feet change dramatically.
We loose the fat on our feet, so we sometimes end up with bone on bone rubbing.
Again, thank you for all of your great posts.
I’m loosing the padding in the bottom which makes me feet so fatigued.
Oh my, I needed to know this yesterday. I could have used the foot glide! I had an event to attend and knew I was going to be on my feet for a good part of it but that didn’t stop me from wearing my so-very-cute open toed shoes. Well, by the end of the event I had a blister on my big toe. OUCH! I’m putting that on my list right now! Jennifer, thank you for always sharing such practical, useful posts.
Ouch. I’ve been there. It seems each spring my feet and toes need to get toughened up for sandals and open shoes.
Hello! Are those your little toes in the Pixie Naot sandals? I love the nail color! Will you share your color, if that is your foot?
Thank you!
Hi Peggy. Those are my toes. I’m wearing The Essie in Preshow Jitters.
Not exactly for foot comfort, but I went to shoe repair shop to get sole traction on shoes to wear at wedding. He had stick on pads that have a little bit of rough surface that did the trick.
Slippery shoes are dangerous!
This is wonderful information for my bad feet! Thank you very much for sharing!
Very few shoes are available in narrow – there are so many cute shoes in medium width – what do you suggest to make a medium width shoe “work” with narrow feet? Thanks.
I don’t have that issue but it might help to add padded insoles.
I have narrow feet too. It is getting harder to find narrow shoes. I’ve learned my lesson on buying medium width because they are so darn cute. They never fit well and end up sitting in my closet. Naturalizer carries some narrow shoes.
Thank you for this post. I will try several of these.
Jennifer, wish all the products you featured were around when I was full time and on my feet most of the day. I was a dietitian and worked in a hospital seeing patients all day. My feet suffered much pain, had bunion surgery which made a big difference, but as I aged, other foot problems arose. Now I go for comfort & stylish shoes. I did ordered Sheec Socks, what a game changer, my feet feel so good in closed shoes & sneakers! Thanks for recommending them. Have a good day
We’ve all been so hard on our feet. Comfort is so important now. Happy Thursday Pat.
Great list of helpful hints. In a pinch you can use stick deodorant on your feet to prevent rubbing. My best shoe comfort aid is the sheec low socks that I wear all year round with my ballet flats and loafers. They are comfortable no show socks that prevent blisters and keep my feet from sweating.
Great idea!
Thanks! Sadly, this is a very timely post for me as I deal with my aging feet.
Me too. I hope some of them help