Shoes/boots rubbing on tops of feet

Janet

Either my feet are getting more sensitive or some of my shoes/boots are wearing along a seam, because I have noticed that some pairs rub the tops of my feet, mostly right near the toes, where the foot is more bony, or right along the first knuckle of my longer toes.

Is there some way of fixing a shoe that does this? My Jeffrey Campbell woven booties did this when I wore them last week, and I've noticed it with another pair of boots as well. It occurred to me that maybe my feet are changing, but also maybe my shoes are wearing in a certain way that thins the inner lining and exposes a seam that rubs. I hate to let go of those shoes! Any insight or suggestions?

7 years ago

General

27 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Is it where the boots are bending when you walk? Could it be a "crease" that is getting more pronounced with time? I can't imagine a solution other than thicker socks

7 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

Sorry Janet, no help here - just commiseration. I notice that there has been an increase in folks posting about fussy feet issues, and I'm joining the club. Over the past year something has changed and shoes I used to wear no longer work for me.

You might want to experiment with socks - thinner or thicker - as a solution.

7 years ago

Joy

Veteran

No ideas, but watching with interest. The top of the foot rubbing and pain have made me return every slip-on sneaker that I've tried the past couple of years. It happens sometimes with lace-up shoes too.

7 years ago

Diana

Veteran

This is why I can't wear closed toe shoes without socks. I always get rubbing/blisters on the bony tops of my toe knuckles. Luckily for me, socks (even just little secret socks) usually solve the problem. I assume you are already wearing them with your boots, but maybe try different types. A smoother or tighter sock night actually work better than just a thicker one.

7 years ago

Anonymous

I use those stick-on round "corn" (the worst word ever) protectors on my second and third toes once in awhile for this very reason. Happens quite frequently to me too now.

7 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Well, I'm glad to know it's not something freakish, but not terribly encouraging either. I suspect that our feet, which don't have much padding to begin with, lose some of their cushioning as we age.

I actually had this happen with the JC booties while wearing socks, so I'm a little worried about the implications of that. I also notice that socks with seams that run along the tops of toes (not the end of the toes) are increasingly irritating.

7 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Try Body Glide.

7 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I hadn't thought of that, Angie! I wonder if BG would help even while wearing socks...

7 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Of course!

7 years ago

lpr200

Veteran

Thanks for bringing this up, Janet, I was starting to have some of the very same issues (and I wear shoes without socks all the time) to the point where I went out and bought a bunch of different socks to try with my shoes. I think when we have many of us with the same issues, it's the shoes!

7 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

I tried another product that is probably too thick for what you need Janet, but it works really well for a similar issue. It's called Rub Relief Strips. I have a pair of suede ankle boots with zippers on both sides. The zipper/placket construction on the ankle bone side is such that it rubs really badly and causes blisters really quickly. Body Glide did not help. This product is a thin strip of padding with an adhesive back. You cut off as much as you want, like scotch tape and stick it on the inside of the shoe, not your skin. I stuck a small piece onto the zipper placket and it solves the problem entirely. Not sure how long it will stay on the shoe but it's lasted through several wears and I can just replace it if/when it falls off. .

It's pretty thin but as I said probably too thick for what you need, plus it would be really hard to get it into a closed toe area, but I thought I'd mention it.

Amazon

Dr. Scholl's Dr. Scholl's For Her Rub Relief Strips-0.11 oz.

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Very Volatile 'Greyson' Zip Bootie (Women)

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7 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

one other thing...feet definitely change over time. Joints and bones that are relatively flat start to curve permanently....toe knuckles stick out more...all the various pockets of fat in the body (like the bottom of the foot) start to shift around and shrink here while growing there. Just part of the supreme joy (not) of the ageing human body. For the me the worst part is how unpredictable it all is! You never know when or what is going to be the next delightful step along the journey...

7 years ago

KikiG

Veteran

I got some Smart Wool socks, and abandoned all my stupid socks because they were so clearly inferior to the smart socks. Then, I wore stupid socks, recently--why, I have no idea. Bad idea. What a difference in terms of having less happy feet. Smart Wool even makes "secret socks" (love that descriptions!). A sock upgrade may help.

7 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

Yup, feet change along with everything else. Annoying, but true. It's worth trying the fixes suggested here--Body Glide, different socks, moleskin, different tapes, and even stretching to see if you can alleviate the irritation. I've gone so far as to rip out the attached insole and cut off the toe section to see if that would work. Sometimes it does, but sometimes the only remedy is to retire the shoe.

7 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I do light stretching at home with methylated spirits. I soak an old cloth in the methylated spirits & wet the inside of the shoe (where needed). I then take an old spoon & use the concave base to lever the soaked leather. Sounds more complicated than it is Oh & I use gloves.

And yes my fat are much fussier now.

7 years ago

Greyscale

Veteran

I also use the little foam donut corn protectors Lisa mentioned. I put them in the shoes not on my foot so I can reuse them for a while. But there might not be room in your shoes for that. And for me it's to avoid pressure rather than rubbing - I have a bony bump on my instep and the foam thingy takes the pressure off that one highest point.

(Methylated spirits is often called denatured alcohol in the US if that helps anyone find it)

7 years ago

MsMaven

Veteran

I've had a similar problem in recent years. I learned it is because I have arthritis in the top of my feet relating to bunions and metatarsal problem. I avoid shoes or booties that irritate this area, but sometime's it is worth it for a few hours. Lace up shoes are problematic. I try to find shoes that don't cover this area.

Have your feet or toes changed recently? My bunions cause me no pain, but they make it harder and harder to find shoes that fit comfortably. And no, I never wore really high heels. I'm tall with a short DH.

This AGL is an example, but obviously these aren't walking or hiking shoes.

Nordstrom

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$360.00 $215.98

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7 years ago

krishnidoux

Veteran

Could you be developping a hammer toe?
Have your foot checked!
It might be arthritis and calcium deposits.

6 years ago

Neelie

Veteran

Similar to Chris987, I have moleskin with an adhesive back that I cut to shape and stick to the inside of a shoe or boot that rubs. It is very thin and soft and seems to help when there is a seam or bump.

6 years ago

Debora

Veteran

Janet, I use Dr. Scholl's blister stick. You can find it at Target and it's small enough to tuck in your purse. Good luck!
https://www.target.com/p/dr-sc.....A-50081302

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6 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Similar to other suggestions I do find Foot Petal Pressure Pointz to be be shoe savers.

6 years ago

Joy

Veteran

The Smart Wool PhD no show socks save my feet, but they have changed them from seamless to having a seam above the toes, I am going to write letters and beg that they go back to seamless. I depend on that style. Nothing helps the top of my feet if there is any pressure.

6 years ago

Colette

Veteran

I have some stick on cushion things that I use for some spots that rub.

6 years ago

Eliza

Veteran

I buy self adhesive moleskin in squares a few inches wide. They can be cut in thin or wide strips and they usually adhere well to my shoes. I have the same issue. It has been because of how particular shoes fit my feet, as well as sloppy interior seams in the shoes.

6 years ago

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

Body Glide is my go to . I just sent my son off to Officers Candidate School with some for the boots they will issue him. I buy a new one for myself, daughter and niece every Spring.

6 years ago

lyn67

Veteran

This can help, too:
http://www.shoejoy.com.au/silky-comfort.htm

6 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

This is an old thread brought back to life, but I appreciate the suggestions.

I think my feet in general are just becoming a little more sensitive, or I'm less willing to endure some discomfort than I used to be. I walk more in the course of a day than I did a few years ago, so I'm requiring more comfort from my day-to-day shoes. I do also notice that sometimes certain seams and linings in shoes shift after a bit of wear, and can cause rubbing. My feet are pretty low-volume to begin with, so I'm guessing that after 50 years, they're getting a little more demanding.

Body Glide is my friend!

6 years ago

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