Shoes and Comfort - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Shoes and Comfort

Anonymous

Angie said: I've found that although shoes need to be comfortable from the get go - THEY REALLY DO - they still need breaking in. And it is unfair to judge them after the first day of wear if they rub a little in one area. Most of the time that is sorted after a couple of daily wears.

I desperately want to believe Angie, but in my experience, if a shoe is not comfortable from the get go, they rarely are ever comfortable.

My shoes do not break in. Rockport is supposed to be a great shoe and I have four pair. Only one pair is comfortable enough to walk long distances. I just recently bought a pair of ballet slippers and one of them was tight across top of my foot. Would they break in? Or would I end up with another pair of shoes that are uncomfortable. I returned them rather than chance it.

If I am doing something wrong, tell me. Different brand? Only buy wide widths?

Dressing

33 replies

Latest reply was from Tania

Gennifyr

You could always try a shoe horn. I just bought a blister block stick to see if that helps on some of my more uncomfortable shoes.

crutcher

Veteran

I have fussy feet, too...I understand the idea behind Angie's words of giving the shoe a chance...When I have shoes that are not comfortable, I am careful to wear them on the carpet so that I can break them in...If the shoe is really uncomfortable, I just return it...buying your idea that they don't always get better..Hope this helps...

Joyce B

Veteran

It's hard to find the right fit in shoes. I try to buy wide width but many shoes do not come in wide and many wide width shoes are just disproportionately big so that doesn't always work.
A nice brand that works for me in several styles is Paul Green. I keep an eye on price matches for those.
With a new shoe you need to wear it a little bit at home so that the leather molds to your feet. I agree with you that if you know that they are uncomfortable at first they will always give you a problem.
These days I return shoes a lot easier than I used to.
I hope you will find something that works well for you. Keep us posted.

Anonymous

I'll look into Paul Green. Thanks Joyce.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think I get Angie's point -- that comment struck me too. My feet are relatively tolerant, but they're getting a bit fussier in the last year or so. I'm not wearing my higher heels for day-long wear anymore.

My feet are low-volume and it seems that any stiff parts that rub on certain sensitive spots can really put me off, and sometimes that doesn't manifest itself until I'm halfway through the first wear, and of course by then the shoes have been worn outside, etc. Wearing around the house in a controlled, carpeted environment only tests them out so much, you know?

But there are some times when that rubbing issue can be solved with just a little preventative swipe of Body Glide. I wore a pair of peep-toe open shoes out last night for dinner that rub the top of my big toe, and I used the Body Glide with excellent results. I didn't walk very much in them, but what I did was comfortable enough.

Now, there is a pair of shoes I've just ordered that I need to evaluate for comfort (I had a credit with an online retailer that is going to expire in a couple of months, so I went on a little ordering frenzy with them!). They are slide-style sandals, and the highest part of the vamp feels just a little stiff on the top of my foot, and I *think* that will work itself out, but it's hard to be sure. So I'm taking Angie's words to heart as I evaluate these shoes. I like how they fit and how they look, but I don't want to get stuck with something that is painful to wear. I also realize that it's early in sandal season and my feet are still accustomed to being swaddled in soft socks and protective boots, so everything feels a bit more sensitive now than it will in a month when my feet toughen up in sandal weather.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think this probably depends a lot on individual pain tolerance and individual feet. What kind of discomfort are we talking about?

I relate to Angie's point in the following way -- there is not a close-heeled shoe in the world that won't give me blisters on my first wearing. Well, okay, that might be a tiny exaggeration, but only a tiny one. It's just the way my feet are made -- shoes always move up and down on my narrow heels, and even with socks or body glide, blisters are going to happen. Typically, once I've worn the shoe a few times it softens or adjusts enough so this doesn't occur any more. I have better luck with sandals and/ or booties -- but even those can give me heel blisters at times.

My usual trick is blister block or a prophylactic bandage. But even that sometimes fails.

This is one reason that I go for shoe variety. While I'm healing the blisters on my heels, I can be making them on some other part of my foot.

Aziraphale

Veteran

In my experience, leather shoes really do break in. Shoes made of any other kind of material do not. I was going to say 'high-quality leather shoes' only, and it's true that these do break in faster, but then I remembered about the Doc Martens I used to wear in the 90s and how badly they killed my feet for a couple of weeks -- and they always became super-comfortable after that!

Maybe it has something to do with your feet. Or maybe you're not buying leather shoes? Or maybe you just need a different width?

Diana

Veteran

For me, it depends a lot on what type of discomfort we are talking about. If its something like a little tightness on soft leather with no seam involved, yes it will generally stretch out. But I have learned to tell when the issue is structural (I.e. the structure of the shoe doesn't agree with the structure of my foot), which is a big " DO NOT BUY" red flag. An example would be a shoe that rubs my heel because the heel cup is too deep for my shallow heels even with an insert. In that case, that problem will never go away.

Blisters tend to scare me off though, even if the problem might be temporary.

K.M.

Veteran

I completely relate. For me, even when shoes stretch after use, they don't stretch enough to become comfortable. (Some stretch enough to begin falling off my feet while incredibly at the same time still giving me blisters or pinching at spots.) However, there is the random pair that does stretch enough to become not simply comfortable, but perfect and almost "made for me." As others have pointed out, this happens with leather shoes, though not with all of them. And how do I know when this will happen?... Luck of the draw, though I have sometimes followed online reviews of people saying their shoe stretched, and this has been a good indicator.
I used to apply those leather-stretching sprays in the past. I also heard that a cobbler can get some shoes stretched for you.

Jules

Veteran

I'm not sure either. In my experience, a little rubbing can very quickly escalate into such pain and bleeding that I'm very unlikely to ever wear them in enough to be comfortable. I find it difficult to gauge with only at-home wear because I am not walking enough at home. Whether it's a time or patience issue, there's only so much effort I am willing to put into testing/breaking in shoes to see if they might work. Frankly, I still need to live in my home, dealing with kiddie spills, short trips outside with garbage or to check on kids, whatever, and can't be fussed very long with wearing shoes that need to be kept in new condition.
I think I have gotten better about figuring it out up front over the years and I have far fewer bleeding blisters and unworn shoes. It's possible I am rejecting some potentially good shoes too early but it's a risk I'm willing to take.

always trying

Veteran

I am convinced it is al random and luck!!!!!! it has nothing to do with material, brand or price these days. Shoes and jeans have become difficult to buy.

Elle

Veteran

I'm like you - if they don't feel extremely comfortable in the store, they almost never will. I have given up on the idea of breaking in shoes.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sterling, I did not make myself clear. Sorry about the confusion.

I echo Janet, Suz, Arirapahle and Diana.

A shoe has to be comfortable from the get go. I support that 100%. And for feet like mine - there is no other way. (I'm Queen Fussy Feet, after all). My point was that upon wearing these comfortable shoes for a day after you purchased them - they might actually rub a little perhaps on the pinky toe or heel - THAT can usually be solved by breaking them in if they are soft leather (and use Body Glide). But they shouldn't rub while you are still testing them before purchase. Hope that makes more sense.

I've met many uncomfortable Rockports. You have to take it one style at a time.

Anonymous

Suz -- the pain is "pressure pain." I don't know how to describe it any way other than that. And I do believe I am buying leather uppers. At least, I am paying for leather.

K.M. -- I had my Rockports stretched. They are much better, but I still can't wear them comfortably and consider that good money thrown after bad.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Sterling - may I ask when you describe it as pain pressure, is that pain in the top of your foot? If so, is it possible you have high volume feet? I have high volume feet that border on wide and so I know the frustration of finding comfortable foot wear. If I feel any sort of pressure or snugness that doesn't allow my foot space, that shoe does not come home with me. As someone with high volume feet, I do not personally find Rockport comfortable AT ALL. They just don't work for my feet.

I do understand what Angie is saying about a breaking in period though. I purchased a pair of laser cut cream oxfords a few summers back and although an absolutely perfect fit, I found them quite uncomfortable for my first day of wearing - which was 10 hours and a huge mistake. I have now learned to not wear new shoes for a long day the first time. I find shoes need to conform to my feet somewhat even when they are a perfect fit. And that can take a few wearings. As others have mentioned, soft leather will "relax" after a couple of wearings provided they are the right fit to begin with - i.e. arch in the right place, proper support, etc. I have also found Angie's "wet foot" technique extremely useful.

By the way, it has been experience that there is very little give with patent leather so if that isn't perfectly comfy from the get go, I walk away. They aren't going to soften up and mold to my feet due to the patent coating.

Author Linda

Veteran

I'll join the Fussy Feet club! I also have bad knees so... the shoes have to be comfy on first wear. My body lets me know that right away. If they pinch, bite, press or make my knees say "No", they go right back. But what Angie says is also true. A pair of silver dress sandals comes to mind. They fit wonderfully right out of the box and during my test wear around the house. They even felt perfect for five hours the day I wore them to a wedding. But I guess my feet swelled a bit later and the big toe on my left foot started to rub during the dancing and... pain, blood and a blister. It was bad. I've worn the shoes since while using a little protection for that toe and they've been well-behaved. Sometimes a problem doesn't show up right away!

For what it's worth, I find ballet shoes and other flat shoes give my feet the most problems. The more arch support, the better the shoes seem to conform to my heel and/or toes. I use arch supports in flat shoes that feel less than perfectly comfy for my knees and usually that relieves problems with heel rubbing as well.

I'll also throw in a second for Paul Green shoes and boots. Never a single rub or problem with any of the five pair I own. That brand is an autobuy for me if they have the style/color I need. I could (and have) walked in them all day. That's not to say they'll be as good for everyone, but they're worth looking into.

Kirstjen

Veteran

I have fussy feet as well. I have never worn Rockports, but I have had good luck with Merrells (ugly but comfy), Borns, Clarks, Think!, ecco, Arche (this brand always feels like a cloud to me!), Cole Haan, Josef Seibel. I recently bought a pair of Eileen Fisher shoes & was surprised at how comfortable they were. I've had good experiences with Sesto Meucci loafers & Donald Pliner shoes.
Our feet do widen & flatten as we age. Sometimes it helps to actually go to a shoe shop where they still measure your feet. You might be surprised at what those measurements show.

Karie

(website)

Veteran

If Angie is the queen of The Fussy Foot Club, I am the princess. Super fussy feet here! Not only are they narrow in width, but one foot is a half size shorter than the other! I simply cannot tolerate foot pain at all, nor can I tolerate shoes flopping around on my feet. I can't say that any one brand fits me better than any other - I have expensive, narrow width shoes that fit and less expensive regular width shoes that fit too. It all depends on the shoe itself. But any pain, rubbing, or heel flopping when I first try on the shoe means it stays in the store. When I get home, I wear them around the house before making any final decisions. New shoes will sometimes give me a blister but that is because the material is still stiff, and once broken in they are usually very comfortable.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

My experience is similar to Angie's, in that minor rubbing often fades after the first couple of wears and the leather has a chance to soften a bit and conform to my foot. But Sterling, it doesn't sound like that's the minor kind of thing you're experiencing - it sounds like your shoes just don't fit well enough.

My dad had constant issues with bunions last year and thought he'd have to have foot surgery. Then he went to a specialty shoe store and had his foot measured by someone who didn't know his current size, and found out he was wearing shoes one full size too small. Presumably his feet had just grown/spread as he got older but he'd just kept buying the same size, and then causing the foot issues. Since he's sized up all of his foot issues have gone away.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Can I just add that this time of year I think many of us experience more foot discomfort due to the change-over in footwear? We're used to the additional cushion factor of socks, with supportive boots, and all of a sudden we're subjecting our tender skin to the rubbing of sockless shoes. I had this happen when I was about to leave for Cuba. I wore a pair of slip-on sneakers (no socks of course) in Miami for one day before the flight to Havana, and boy am I glad I did. Those shoes were perfectly comfortable last summer, but they gave me blisters on my heels within a couple of hours this year because my feet were not ready. Good thing I discovered it before I got to Havana, because moleskin and Body Glide are impossible to find in Cuba (heck, dental floss is impossible to find there!). And good thing I had taken along another pair of slip-on shoes that were totally comfortable for 10 days of heavy duty walking!

So I think there is something to giving shoes a bit of time when it comes to slight rubbing issues. Our feet do need to adjust.

Gaylene

Veteran

I think there needs to be more of a distinction between a shoe that fits and what a breaking-in period can do for you. If you feel pressure points, or the arch isn't in the right place, or your heel is slipping, or you have any similar concerns that is a strong signal that the shoe is probably not for you. And, yes, some people will tell you stories of shoes that magically ended up fitting perfectly even though they needed to be stretched, required inserts, or were "broken-in" after a few weeks of blisters and discomfort. In my mind, buying a shoe like that means being willing to take the risk the shoe could end up being a write-off. If the shoe is pricey for my budget, I'd probably walk away under those circumstances.

The breaking-in period is a totally different thing in my books. Even a comfortable shoe may not perfectly conform to every nook and cranny of your foot right out of the box. In addition, your feet change shape during the day especially if you walk or stand a lot. A "broken-in" shoe accepts these minor variations without causing discomfort.

ETA. And, by the way, I've never found Rockport shoes to be comfortable. The "Comfort" label is a marketing term used to sell shoes. The brand and style that fits your particular foot is your "comfort" shoe.

Anonymous

Forgive me for not keeping up with this thread. I must have gotten distracted and forgot to come back to it.

Transcona Shannon: I don't know exactly how to describe the pain. I would say it is due to shoes that do not fit my wide feet. I have always assumed that meant a "high volume foot." Maybe I just have really wide feet?

I am oddly reassured by the fact that other posters said that Rockport are not necessarily comfortable shoes. I thought they were supposed to be very comfortable shoes and that was why I focused in on them. Hearing other's experience makes me feel better.

On a positive note, I ordered two new pairs of shoes from Nordstrom. I ordered wide shoes. I have very high hopes for them.

DonnaF

Veteran

Sterling, I'm another person for whom Rockports don't work, and I'm the rare outlier for whom Paul Green shoes don't work. They are too narrow for my feet which are wide in front and made worse by bunions. I also have narrow heels and a low arch. This means that I have a low volume foot that is wide in front -- the worst of both worlds!!! Wide shoes don't pinch but are always too big over the arch and slip at the heels. What tends to work for me are lace-up medium width sandals that I can loosen by the toes and tighten over the arch and maybe adjust tighter at the heel.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Sterling, I hope the ones you ordered work out. I think finding a brand that's known for comfort is a good start, but that doesn't mean that they'll work for you in particular. Clarks are by all reports really good shoes, but the ones I owned always felt a bit off, gave me minor blisters, and I just never enjoyed wearing them. Finally I just stopped buying them. Nothing wrong with the brand, it just doesn't work for my feet.

Echo

Veteran

I agree with Angie. If I feel rubbing or constriction during the try-on period (wearing them on carpet for 10 minutes at a time or so), they are not keepers. Things that bother me in short time periods like that almost invariably get worse and end in me hobbling home at the end of a day. Shoes that are comfortable for the try on periods I try to wear the first time either with body glide (as a preventive measure) on almost anywhere they could possibly rub or a thin pair of socks to provide some protection between my skin and the edges of the shoe.

It very much helps if the shoes are made of a soft leather that stretches or softens with wear. Indeed, with some high quality, soft leather shoes, I've even kept shoes that were slightly constricting (squeezed my foot over the instep) because I knew they would loosen up. In most cases they did and ended up very comfortable. But that, of course, would not work with stiffer leathers or patent leather or man-made materials.

It can be a tough call sometimes, though, and I've still made mistakes. Sometimes shoes surprise me and end up being either much better or much worse than I thought they would be. But I don't have the stamina for breaking shoes in anymore. If I am in real pain after a first wearing, I find that I never reach for those shoes again.

Greyscale

Veteran

I have very fussy feet too. One thing to remember - leather only stretches if the whole upper is leather, not just the outside. A synthetic lining can keep the leather from stretching. And some shoes have a layer of something synthetic (or even rigid plastic) between the outer and the lining, so those will never stretch.

I have very very high insteps with a bony bump and it's quite hard for me to predict which shoes will stretch enough to accommodate it comfortably. My Allsaints flat boots broke in wonderfully despite stiff leather at first. My Dansko clogs are basically a no-go even though I got a wide size - fine for standing, but if I walk more than a few minutes, pain all day.

Staysfit

Veteran

Sterling, so sorry for your difficulty and for what sounds like a pair of expensive shoes that didn't work out.

I would say that shoes should feel good immediately and be free of any fit problems. I have not had to use body glide during a breaking in period as Angie described. If that ever happened, or if I experienced any rubbing, pinching or pain, I would be quick to return the shoes for store credit or full credit, whichever was possible. I deliberately pick stores with liberal return policies whenever possible. I am also careful to shop primarily at shoe stores where the sales associates are familiar with my particularly hard to fit foot. I have found this helpful because they can point out the shoes that are most likely to work. I rarely order shoes online unless I have tried something similar in person. I also have learned to try on more than one pair of the same style shoe because they can be so variable in fit. I also try to wear new shoes at home a few times before I wear them out of the house. If there is any problem with them I return them. If I notice a fit problem with a pair of shoes at any time regardless of their age, I will eliminate them from my collection.

I agree that shoes break in and conform better to your foot with time, but I would never accept a pair that didn't start out feeling 100%. I may not be a clothes shopping expert, but I have managed to accumulate a great shoe collection despite my difficult to fit, high arched runners feet.

Keep looking for shoes Sterling. If you find them, you will know and your feet, knees, hips and spine will thank you. It will be well worth every penny. It may be hard to see money lost, but your good health in the long run is worth every penny. Consider this an investment in your shoe education.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Just to clarify Sterling, wide and high volume are not quite the same thing. Wide is just that - the width of your foot. Whereas high volume is when the top of your foot has some "meat" to it - for lack of a better word. I can wear a medium width shoe but it has to have room for the top of my foot.

Keeping my fingers crossed for your new shoes. Comfy feet make for happy feet

unfrumped

Veteran

More sympathy here.
I'd say you have not discovered your brand or size or both. For me ther are also just some styles I'll
Never be able to wear, such as a lot of pumps, heel heights or very pointy types.
I think orthopedists would say we're trying to put our feet into shoes that don't even look like our feet are shaped; remember Earth shoes?
Shoes have to have both roominess and snugness and in different places, so there's " the rub"!
Your feet can tell right away if it doesn't FIT , so that's ususlly a no go. That would be pinching or too short or cutting across bunion instead of feeling " agh" when I put them on. Then there are some that seem to fit when standing and walking only a little, but rub a blister after use , due to slippage or foot swelling or something. That's where I can get caught. One thing I will use as an adaptation is sizing up and adding insoles or grippers. That is to get more toe room but adjust volume or heel fit.
Do you wear socks with your shoes? I think pressure to wear shoes without socks contributes to a lot of fit issues. As does low vamped and heels.

12