What do you put into pumps to make them comfortable? - YouLookFab Forum

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What do you put into pumps to make them comfortable?

Traci

Veteran

I'm really loving the look of a pointy toed pump lately. When I try them on, even very low heeled pumps feel terrible on the ball of my foot and toes. I notice all these little contraptions at the Target shoe department. Am I just missing a step? Can I make these terribly uncomfortable shoes feel decent on my feet with just a few tweaks? Or are pumps something you can either wear or not wear? My toes always feel cramped, but if I size up the heel slips.

I'm not looking for any crazy heels, just something simple and classic like these.

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Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from lyn*

Anonymous

Sadly, I can't wear them, especially the pointed toe version. I love them, but I do a lot of walking during the day. I wear flats and I am always on the lookout for good walking flats.

Irene

Veteran

I don't do pointy toes because I don't like them to begi with, but I don't think I would be able to anyways due to my wide feet (only on the toe area though). I'm not sure you can make a shoe that gets your feet cramped comfortable, I'm sorry

I have tried cushioning with those silicone pads and it helps, but not that much. Now I buy the shoes a size bigger and buy separate insoles that make the shoes tighter and softer.

Anonymous

Eh, there is very little you can do to up the comfort factor, IMHO, other that buying a more comfortable shoe from the get go. Others have tried stretching, insoles, gel pads etc, and it works for them, never for me. It's hard to make an uncomfortable shoe comfortable, you know? People size up in pointy toe shoes, but I consider it uneccessary, since a shoe with a good design will include the pointy toe as "dead space", so the extra room is kind of built in. I think the key is to buy a shoe that does not pinch from the get go. There should not be any growing pains or "tame in periods" with my shoes. Life is too short to live it in painful shoes:)
If the shoe is not comfortable from the get go, don't buy it.

Dana

(website)

Veteran

You didn't mention how long you've been looking, but I think you can find a comfortable pair. Look for ones with good cushioning under the ball of the foot. You also want a soft leather that will stretch in the toe a bit. you may need to look at a more expensive pair, but you might also find a pair at DSW.

You also may have to get used to the pointy toe. In all honesty, they probably never will be as comfortable as a round toe, but they're a really great look!

merwoman

Veteran

Hmm..I have had luck in buying my regular size - but in a wide version. This is not always available as an option, but generally does the trick for me. Sometimes a 1/2 size larger can work - but need to watch out for the slip factor.

deb

Veteran

Try going for a longer length. This will help with scrunched toes at the tip.

Vildy

Veteran

I've read to size up a half size in pointy toes. I don't wear pumps anymore, partly the fit and partly they're boring to me (sorry). But if your heel slips, I don't like those pads you stick into the back of the heel cup but I do like them stuck to the roof of the shoe just at the front where your foot is inserted. This keeps shoes on.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I have worn very few very pointy pumps that were comfy, but I have friends who wear them a lot. If your feet aren't made to wear them, you will suffer. Sorry.

BethL

(website)

Veteran

I feel your pain - literally! I have truly fussy feet. I have a very bad bunion that has rather deformed my left foot. What I have to do in most cases is buy more expensive shoes and have the shoe retailer perform some "magic" on the shoes. I almost always buy shoes from my local shoe store or from Nordstroms which means that they will deconstruct (and reconstruct) my shoes with pads and insoles to make my shoes more comfortable for me, at no charge. I just bought a pair of ballet flats the other day - very cute shoes made by a German "comfort" shoe designer that in no way look like comfort shoes. In order to accommodate my bunion, I had to size up a half size, which meant that they were a little big on my right foot, and not quite perfect on my left foot. The shoe fitter that I always work with put new insoles in both shoes, which gives me more cushioning on the ball of my foot anyway, and then put some strategic pads in to stop my right foot from slipping. The shoes fit like a dream now, and I love them. I have resigned myself to being unable to wear inexpensive shoes if I want to wear pretty or funky shoes and be able to walk without pain.

bj1111

Veteran

i have been digging foot petals ltely. inalso like the old school foam inserts that shoe stores hand out. i woud ask for a couple of pairs at nordies when you try on the shoes. you may need to size up, tho.

Traci

Veteran

It sounds like I need to get myself to a good quality shoe department. We don't really have a top notch department store in my area. I'll have to swing by Nordstrom the next time I'm in Chicago.

thanks for all the responses.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I've not had any luck with inserts or petals etc.. I agree if the shoe is not comfy when you try it on it's not going to get better. I wear pumps a lot for work and am always looking for comfy pumps. I'm also digging the pointy toe'd ones recently, but have not found THE pair yet. I have the best luck with Clark's Indigo pumps - can wear these all day long no issues.
I'm in lust over these (I know they are just boring nude patent, but I am trying to replace a pair I wore out) I do not have to size up with Clarks.
http://www.clarksusa.com/eng/p.....weep/63189
I've had luck with some (not all) Cole Haan's but I have to size 1/2 size up for all their shoes. I'm thinking of trying these (but in navy)
http://www.amazon.com/Cole-Haa.....+haan+pump
But might actually have to size up a whole size. I tried on a dozen pair the other day and think the 1/2 size up theory is good, but I'm a 10 and so many do not make 10.5s so I think this time I'm going to have to bite the bullet (I do not normally spend $100 on a pair of shoes) I recommend finding a brand you like and sticking with it. I get a few new Clarks each season because I know they'll wear well and be comfortable.

Aziraphale

Veteran

The only thing that helps, in my limited experience, is to buy high-quality shoes with supple leather that will stretch to accommodate your unique foot shape. A cushiony footbed never hurts, either. But even then, they're not going to feel like sneakers. Most of your weight is pitched forward onto the balls of your feet, which is not what nature intended, and is uncomfortable.

The main thing I do to make my pumps comfortable is to make sure I don't have to hike far in them.

April

Veteran

The inserts that I have had success with (and I have tried them *all*) are from Stiletto Hardware: http://stilettohardware.com/ Their Ultra-Slender Ball of Foot Cushions will fit into almost any shoe without making it too tight. If the shoe has plenty of room, I'm sure the regular ones (the non-ultra-slender version) would be even more cushiony.

I went to these after rejecting Insolia, FootPetals, re-stickable gel pads, and any number of others.

For flats, I buy the cheapest foam inserts from the drugstore.

Traci

Veteran

I think I'm going to buy a set of heel pads and toe petals and try them out in a pair of cole haan air wedges that I have that are on the big side, but never really feel good enough to wear out the door.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Someone else's foot?

jen

I have bought loads of pointed pumps and every pair where painful to wear. I have given up and decided my foot health is more important to me

rae

(website)

Veteran

What Zap and IK said... :T

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

What Mo said...

I use gel pads in -all- of my shoes, but I've not had luck with the pointy-toed type! Maybe you could try some leather inners and outers - they tend to stretch around my foot better!