How To Stop Shoes Rubbing Top Of Toes
Are your beloved shoes causing your toes to cry out in painful rebellion? have no fear, for we come armed with a trove of solutions to liberate your poor piggies from the clutches of shoe-induced torment! Whether you’re a fashionista, an active athlete, or just someone in constant motion, this article is your lifeline to the land of blister-free joy. Bid farewell to those pesky shoe-related woes as we unveil the secrets of how to stop shoes from rubbing the top of your toes. Get ready to slip into a world of comfort and style, where you can dance through life without a hint of pain. So, lace up your reading shoes and let’s embark on this blissful journey together!
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.
1. “Stepping Towards Comfort: Unveiling the Secrets to Banish Toe Rubbing Woes!”
Are your poor toes constantly being subjected to the torment of friction? Fear not, for we have uncovered the secrets to liberating your feet from the dreaded toe rubbing woes! No longer will you have to endure discomfort while strutting around in your favorite pair of shoes. It’s time to pamper your feet and put an end to this annoyance once and for all.
1. Find the Perfect Fit: The foundation of toe-rubbing prevention lies in finding the right shoes. Ensure your shoes are neither too loose nor too tight, allowing ample wiggle room for your toes without creating unnecessary friction.
2. Cushion and Protect: Give your toes some TLC by using specialized inserts or foot pads, providing an extra layer of cushioning and a barrier against rubbing. Explore gel pads, toe separators, or moleskin to find the perfect solution for your specific needs.
3. Break-In with Care: New shoes can be a common culprit for toe rubbing. To battle this, gradually break-in your shoes by wearing
2. “Tackling Toe Troubles: Expert Tips to Bid Adieu to Shoe-induced Rubbing on Your Toes
The simplest way to prevent shoe bites is to purchase shoes that fit properly. If you have shoes that are causing shoe bites, consider not wearing them.
That said, if you really like a pair of shoes that are causing shoe bites, here are some solutions that might help.
Reduce the friction
The first step is to reduce the friction that’s occurring between your shoes and your feet. Try these hacks:
- Wear socks. They can act as a cushion between your foot and the shoe.
- Use toe protectors or toe caps. They can cushion toes from the shoe and prevent friction.
- Insert shoe pads or insoles. These can help prevent abrasion in areas such as your heels.
- Apply paper tape. In a 2016 study, ultramarathon runners found paper tape to be an effective blister prevention measure. Try applying a smooth, single layer of mildly adhesive paper tape, also called surgical tape, over the blistered or painful area.
You can find toe protectors and toe caps as well as shoe pads and insoles online.
Make your shoes more comfortable
The second step is to try to make your shoes more comfortable. Your shoes could be causing your foot pain because they’re new. Some shoes need to be worn a few times to break in their initial stiffness.
Based on anecdotal claims (not proven by science), here are some recommendations for breaking in new shoes and making them more comfortable:
- Stretch them. Use a wooden or plastic shoe shaper overnight to gently stretch the problem shoes. You can find shoe shapers online.
- Oil them. Massage oil, such as neatsfoot oil, mink oil, coconut oil, or olive oil, into the edges of leather shoes that are hurting your feet. After a few days, the shoes should be softer and less abrasive. If you’re concerned about the effects of certain oils on the color or durability of the shoe, consider using a leather conditioner instead of oil.
- Warm them up. Wear thick socks with your shoes. Then, use your hair-dryer to heat up the tight spots for about 30 seconds. Walk around while the shoe material is still warm and flexible. Once you think they’re ready, take off your socks and try them on.
- Mold them. This method works well for strappy sandals. Put on your sandals and dunk your feet into a bucket of water. Towel them off — but leave them damp — and then walk around in them for a couple of hours. Before you fully dunk the sandals, you might want to test a small area with water first.
Don’t wear shoes that rub
If your shoe bite is in the form of a blister, it’ll most likely heal on its own. However, you should keep it away from the source of the friction. In other words, don’t wear the shoes that caused the damage until your blister is healed.
Although the skin over the blister will help protect it from infection, consider applying a bandage to the area to keep it clean.
Home remedies for relief and healing
Here are some home remedies for treating a blister or sore spot from a shoe bite:
- Dab some honey on the affected area. According to a 2017 studyTrusted Source, honey has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Apply aloe vera gel to the affected area. According to a 2008 studyTrusted Source, aloe has healing and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Gently rub some petroleum jelly on the affected area. According to a 2016 studyTrusted Source, petroleum jelly has barrier repair and antimicrobial properties.
An area of your foot that’s painful or blistered because of rubbing against your shoe is often referred to as a shoe bite. The simplest answer to your problem is to buy shoes that fit properly or to wear socks.
However, if you love the shoes that caused the bite, you can try other alternatives, such as stretching or softening the material to better conform to your foot.
Preventing and treating shoe bites usually involves putting some sort of protection on your foot, such as toe protectors or toe caps, or in your shoes, such as insoles, to protect your skin from friction.
If you have recurring sores or blisters on your feet that don’t respond to at-home treatment and preventive measures, talk with a doctor or a podiatrist. They can diagnose the issue and recommend treatment options.
