Simple Solutions To The 5 Biggest Shoe Problems

Shoes that feel as cozy as slippers in the store can become just the opposite after attending an event or a couple weeks of wear. And few stores allow customers to return worn shoes. The shoe’s material and construction could be the problem, or it could be fit. Rather than burying the pair in the back of your closet, check out these 5 fixes for the most common isshoes.

1. Blisters

These are most likely to crop up on the bottoms of feet because of friction between your feet’s soles and the shoe’s. To avoid blisters, line each shoe with moleskin foam, which creates a cushion. The padding absorbs friction with a layer of cotton over the foam. “Adhere it to the inside of each shoe before the first time you wear them,” suggests Cleary.

2. Wobbly Heels
You’re walking around when BAM—your heel detaches from the sole. How embarrassing. Not all shoes have a sturdy metal shank that connects the inner sole to the heel. So before you buy, walk around the store to make sure the heels aren’t wobbling. If heels do detach, a cobbler can reattach them for about N1,000 which may or may not be worth it depending on the original shoe cost.

3. Heels Sinking Into Grass
Attending a dressy outdoor wedding? Rethink the stilettos. Many types of heels sink into the ground and even thick carpet, making maneuvering tricky and dancing next to impossible. If you must wear skinny heels, tack on a heel cap that adds surface area to the bottom of your heel, lowering your chances of getting stuck in the ground. Otherwise, stick to wedges, which elongate legs like heels do, but are more comfortable outdoors.

4. Scuffed Leather
A single visible scratch can make nice, new shoes look like old, poorly made ones. While there’s no way to completely avoid scratching leather shoes, polishing shoes you wear often can help. The more you polish, the less likely scratches are to form. For best results, once a month, wash the shoe before polishing; then, use a cream-based polish and buff with a soft cloth. Keep in mind that patent leather is more prone to deep scratching,

5. Sweaty Feet
Too-small shoes can heat up your tootsies and cause blisters. To get a better fit, only buy shoes at the end of the day when your feet may be swollen and tired. Even if the shoe fits, the material may turn up the temperature. Save patent leather and rubber for colder times of year, and opt for breathable canvas and natural leather in warmer weather. One more trick: Sprinkling baby or shoe deodorizing powder in shoes before wearing them to soak up moisture while they’re on your feet.