Tired of the back of your heels and ankles causing you pain, blisters, and grief? We've all been there. Friction from your shoes causing blisters on the back of your heel can be very painful and annoying, and can prevent you from doing what you need to do for the day.
As leaders in the custom footwear industry, the team at FitMyFoot has spent countless hours researching foot pain and shoe comfort. These are some hacks to help you find relief in all of your shoes. Note – different shoes may require different techniques.
1. Get proper fit with insoles.
Insoles will add a slight lift to your foot, decreasing the surface area in contact with the back of your heel. Insoles provide a slightly tighter fit which can also reduce movement between the shoe and the skin, lowering the chance of blisters forming.
Learn more about how to select the right insoles for your feet in our Ultimate Insole Buying Guide.
But what if your shoes are new and they don’t fit that well yet? How to soften the back of new shoes? Custom insoles not only soften the impact and reduce friction, but they also make your overall shoe more comfortable and supportive – bonus!
2. Double socks.
Try wearing your normal socks over a thinner pair of socks or nylons. The two socks will slide across one another and can reduce the amount of friction that occurs directly onto the skin of your heel.
3. Use moleskin.
Moleskin is a durable, adhesive cotton fabric that you can purchase in most drugstores. Cut a piece of the moleskin to size and adhere it to the heel of your shoe to improve fit and reduce rubbing.
4. Visit the cobbler.
If you’d rather put your favorite shoes in the hands of a professional, visit a local cobbler or shoe repair shop and have your shoes stretched. This works best with leather shoes.
5. Use heat.
Another way that you can soften the back of your new shoe—by using heat! Put on a pair of thick socks and your shoes. Using a hair dryer on medium, heat the back of your shoes until they become slightly malleable. As you move your feet and walk around, the warmed material will mold slightly to better fit the shape of your heel. This works best with leather, suede, or cloth materials. Be careful not to hold the dryer too close to your shoe for too long so as not to burn or melt your shoes!
6. Use duct tape.
Need something that will last even your hardest hikes or runs? Try prepping your heels with duct tape to reduce friction and rubbing. It fixes everything, right? Note: avoid this technique if blisters are already forming.
7. Use Custom Made Insoles for Better Fit and Comfort
Get custom comfort that’s made just for your feet with FitMyFoot Custom Insoles and Sandals to protect your feet from blisters and calluses. No two feet are the same—even people with the same foot size are not exactly the same, and even your left and right feet are not exactly the same. That’s why you need custom designed insoles and sandals to help protect your feet and stay comfortable longer. You can rely on our scientifically-proven, comfortable, and affordable custom insoles that cost hundreds less than medical-grade orthotics by visiting Get Custom Made Insoles and Sandals.
