Fussy feet and breaking in new shoes...

Cilleena

I definitely have fussy feet. I only discovered that since YLF and trying to wear more stylish shoes than sneakers and "comfort soled" shoes. I recently got in a slew of flats to try out. Some are definitely more comfortable than others, but of even the most comfortable pair, I still feel tightness in areas and a little digging in at the heel on others. These are all nice quality flats, so I'm wondering if they just need a little "breaking in" or that my soft, winter time feet need to toughen up a bit.

They don't really hurt, persay, but I'm terrified of damaging my feet. If you have fussy feet, do you find that shoes, especially ones worn without socks, need breaking in? Or maybe I'm deluding myself and these flats just don't work for my feet.

14 years ago

Dressing

10 replies

Latest reply was from Cilleena

HeleenH

Veteran

I try not to buy shoes that are not comfortable when fitting. But I still need to break them in a little, like wearing them an hour at home, or just for the school run. What I did with my boots was spray them with something the shoe shop advised and worn them till the leather had dried and after that they weren't tight anymore.

14 years ago

Louise

Veteran

I think it just depends on the shoe I can never tell till I've worn them for a few hours. I have Clarks wedges (felt comfy at 1st try on) which still squeeze my little toes after several weeks of wear though it's getting less. I also had a pair of Reiker shoes which I wore straight out of the box for 8 hours straight and had no soreness x

14 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Like Louise, I unfortunately can't always tell either until I've worn them for a few hours... I do not buy anything that is obviously uncomfortable in the store, and I have learned to avoid certain types of features which always hurt. I buy almost exclusively leather shoes, which helps as they stretch more than pleather, etc. A little tightness will probably stretch out of leather unless it's a location with a (non-stretchable) fabric binding. If the heel is digging, that's trickier because it may be that the heel comes up too high on your ankle, which you can't fix. You could try some moleskin (you are supposed to put it on your feet, but I often stick it to the inside of my shoes) or a heel pad.

And I hate to tell you this, but I think some people (like me) just cannot wear closed toe shoes without socks. I've pretty much stopped trying... No matter how comfy they are otherwise, by the end of the day my feet have sweated and stick/rub on the inside of the shoe.

14 years ago

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I have had problems with every single pair of shoes and boots that I can remember, with the exception of SAS Whisper and Free Time Oxfords in nubuck. I wore them for sooo long Im sick of it and have been in a hair-pulling, muttering swear words, foot stomping, tearful, totally frustrated -and expensive- migraine inducing rut trying to find something I can run around in that *doesnt* hurt and doesnt make me gag looking at them! Wish you the best of luck....

14 years ago

Cilleena

Veteran

Thanks eveyone. Glad I'm not alone in shoe fitting frustration. On most days, I long for my comfy sneaker, but hate the look. Love the look of my cute flats, but get irritated at the feeling.

14 years ago

rosee

Veteran

I deal with this all the time, and many shoes have gone back to the store for a refund. My "rules" are simple:
- if it hurts in the store (and I spend about 15 to 30 minutes in the store with a pair of shoes if I can), I DON'T buy it.
- I wear the shoe around the house for a few days before venturing outside with them -- I wear them usually barefoot first, sometimes with a sock (even if I won't afterward), to determine the fit. If I can wear them a few hours discomfort-free, then they are usually a keeper.

The only pair of shoes I've had to really break in is a bronze pair of slingback heels that I wear for evenings /formal only; that took several days of wearing first barefoot then with thick socks to stretch them out and now I can wear them for quite a few hours comfortably. With flats, I know within the first hour or so and I am pretty ruthless about fit.

To stretch shoes, try this (after you are sure you are keeping them): soak a rag with vinegar-water mix and "polish" the shoes with it (to dampen them a little) and then wear with a thick pair of socks around the house. They should break in quite nicely.

14 years ago

Jonesy

Veteran

Yes, I think what you're describing is very common! I always wear shoes around the house a lot before venturing out, then usually at the beginning only for limited jaunts. I don't wear ballet flats (they never stay on my feet, they aren't comfortable, and I don't care for how they look on me) but I've experienced discomfort from them in the past, for sure.

14 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The shoes must be comfy before purchase. No rubbing preferably.

Break them in at home a little. Doctor shoes accordingly (insoles, some stretching perhaps, moleskin).

If they pass that test, take them on short jaunts first. Re-doctor if necessary.

(I so get fussy feet. I do find soft ballet flats very comfortable though).

Boots take a little longer to break in - but you can wear socks, which to me is a blessing.

Sandals are the worst for my feet - sensitive skin, which makes straps a mare.

14 years ago

sarah

Veteran

Because of the way my foot is shaped, I often get discomfort at the back of the heel with ballet flats (which I wear frequently). I buy those little "pillows" from Hue that stick in the heel where they rub. They've saved me. I buy them in the hosiery dept at Macy's or Herberger's.

14 years ago

Cilleena

Veteran

Hmmm, it's sounding like I probably can't wear any of these flats I bought. As cute as they are, they either rubbing my heels or the shoe cuts across the "knuckle" of my big toe. I think I have a thick foot and chubby toes. The toe box is too small on most of the flats I've tried. Darn.

Interesting, Angie, that you find sandals the worst. Maybe, I've just had good luck, but sandals seem the easiest for me to break in, next to sneakers, obviously.

14 years ago

Category