We’ve all experienced at one point in our life when we go out and suddenly feel our feet hurt – not from walking but because of the shoes we are wearing. Are the pairs new and you still can’t adjust to the feel? Did you get it in a smaller or bigger size? Or perhaps, you’ve just settled with something because you can’t find the perfect shoes? Whatever it is, you shouldn’t have to suffer at all – needless to say, your feet deserve more.
The bottom line is, comfort should be paramount and must never be put at the bottom of the criteria list in finding the ultimate footwear. For what good will your pair be if you can’t walk with it? Fret not, however, because there are some life-changing hacks you can do:
Shop Later in The Day
Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials | It pays to shop in the afternoon or in the evening because your feet swell as the day goes by
Although shopping time might sound far-fetched at first, it really does make sense if you’ve been observing your feet behavior (or if you’ve somehow noticed changes as you go about the day) – your feet tend to swell within the day as time goes by, which means that the pair you got this morning may feel too snug on your feet by the afternoon or evening. So just to be safe, go shoe shopping after work.
If It’s Not Comfortable in Store, Don’t Buy It
Generally, shoes are like clothes: if you see them in the window and it looks cute or you feel you will rock it, you immediately enter the shop and look at it real close – pretty much like love at first sight. However, after fitting and you’ve proven that luck isn’t in your favor (read: your size is unavailable), you’ll weigh the advantages and disadvantages of getting the available size that may be smaller or bigger than you. We’ve all been there and it’s a really tough decision: you know that it’s uncomfortable when you wear it, but it’s so awesome you simply cannot pass on it.
Savy Tokyo | If you don’t find it comfortable while still at the shop, don’t buy it
Here’s the trick: never buy stuff that already feels uncomfortable while you’re still at the store precisely because you’re just trying it on for a short time and it already feels painful, just imagine the horrors if you’ll use it every day. So, you’ll just end up putting the shoes in the closet never to be used again, which means you’ll be throwing away your hard-earned money.
Invest in Heel Grips
Heel grips are perfect for those whose feet measurement falls a little less than half sizes. These life-changing, heaven-sent creations, which are cheap by the way, give extra filling and are just attached to the heels. You’ll definitely feel cozy especially with new shoes which are notorious for blistering the back of the ankles.
Magic of a Hair Dryer
Pintrest | To make your shoes a little looser, use the magic of a hair dryer
Hairdryers aren’t strictly for your luscious locks, that’s an old-fashioned notion anyway. At this time and age, it has loads of uses, from drying clothes to just warming our bodies – but something that’s probably unpopular is how the appliance can be used to stretch shoes. What you need to do is to wear thick socks and force your feet into the footwear. Used the blow dryer to apply heat and after which, keep your feet in the shoes and wait for it to cool off. Remove the socks and if you try wearing the shoes again, you’ll realize that it’s a little bit looser now.
The Greatness of Insoles
If you always run around doing errands or you just like to take long walks, do yourself a favor and get insoles. Experts have always warned us that the wrong pair of shoes can lead to many problems like arch and heel pain, and insoles are definitely a wise buy in order to avoid foot-related issues. A lot of people think that shoes are generally designed to protect the feet from such issues, but not all of them can provide the necessary cushion you need. That’s why insoles are very helpful in promoting comfort and ease.
Shoe-Stretchers
Although unfamiliar to some, shoe-stretchers are actually a great way to, ugh, stretch the shoes. This is ideal for those who have been struggling with their wide feet – there are cases when a pair fits perfectly in length but not in width, so investing in this innovation is the way to go. Just insert it on the footwear and leave it out for a day, after which, you’ll notice a little change in how it feels on your feet.