Wearing footwear that’s too big can be uncomfortable and cause blisters. The wrong size also means you’ll have to wear socks, leading to more discomfort if they don’t fit right. The first thing you’ll need to do is measure your feet. It might seem a little strange, but this will help you determine what size you need going forward. Once that’s done, the next step is to identify which part of the boot needs to be smaller to fit better. It could be either the width or length of the pair itself. This article will discuss the many ways how to make shoes smaller, do better, and more comfortably.
It will give you some tips on how to stretch out your boots, make footwear smaller for your foot, and what kind of materials are most comfortable for different types of feet. If you find the pair is more extensive than expected, there are some things you can do to make it fit better and more comfortably. Sometimes the space inside the shoe is smaller than expected, while other times, the boots fit smaller feet worse due to the materials they use. There are many ways to make your pairs fit better and more comfortably if they’re too big, whether by stretching them out with some DIY tricks or taking them back somewhere that does alterations.
Ball Of Foot Cushions (Half Insoles)
Blisters are bad, but if you’ve ever worn shoes that were too big, then nothing is worse than having no cushioning at all. If your pair fits a little on the large side and you don’t have any insoles to put in it for some extra padding, half insoles can be placed along the front of your foot to make them more comfortable and reduce friction. Ball of foot cushions is an excellent solution for those who wish to make their smaller. They offer extra padding and grip under the ball of the feet, preventing toes from slipping in open-toe heels. For those looking to make a pair of flats or pumps smaller, these insoles will prop your foot up just enough so that you can wear toe straps comfortably. These are the best insoles for work boots with a wider toe box & have been proven very effective when worn with ballet flats or with sandals.
Dr. Scholl’s Gel Ball
You make shoes smaller and more comfortable. These cushions can be placed inside the front of open-toe heels to prevent toes from slipping around in your boots or into flats that are a little bigger on the sides than they should be. The material used for inserts is essential for making fit better & being more comfortable. They’re thicker than the usual best shoe lifts, so they’ll provide more support for your feet. These are very effective in making smaller and reducing the amount of friction on the top of your foot during long days of wearing uncomfortable footwear. The material used for this type of half insoles is memory foam gel which makes them moldable to the shape of your feet.
Moleskin Padding
If you have a pair that are too big or an opening where your foot can slip through, it is very uncomfortable to wear them without any padding at all, especially on the side of the ball of your feet. Moleskin has been commonly used for making smaller shoes more comfortable.
Genuine Leather Half Insoles From Pedag
A great, breathable alternative to a gel insole, the pedal genuine leather half insole is a high-quality product that can help to reduce pain and discomfort in your feet. The perfect solution is to add some extra padding and grip under your feet. They can be placed both into flats that are too big, as well as sandals where your toes slip around in the strap. These are have been proven very effective when wearing toe straps with ballet flats or open-toe heels. Genuine leather half insoles from Pedag, on the other hand, can be used to make smaller or more comfortable. These are thin and breathable, making them an excellent alternative to gel insole cushioning. They work great to make you a bit smaller without adding bulk under the toes or causing sweaty foot problems.
Heel Liners For Shoes
A heel liner is a strip that secures to the inside back of your pair. They help lengthen or shorten footwear, prevent heels from slipping out of boots and increase comfort while wearing them. Heel liners come in many gel, fabric, and latex-free materials. I found these nifty heel liner/insole to make even the tightest pair of shoes more comfortable. The best thing to do is if you find the pair is more extensive than expected, some things can be done to make it fit better and be more comfortable. Heel liners are not only for your shoes but also for the socks. If you want to make sure that both are at their most comfortable level, then it’s best to use heel liners.
Use Full-Size Insoles
Full-size soles are a great way to make shoes smaller. It’s the same concept as wearing socks, insoles already inside your boots instead of outside them. These are thicker than regular shoe lifts, occupying space inside the boot, making it smaller overall. These are make boots smaller are a personal favorite and are easy for those who need their shoes to fit more snugly. It is an excellent solution to an all-around bigger. You can find many branded or non-branded options that cater to the specific type you’re trying to “shrink.” You can easily find lifts for flat and heeled dresses, sock absorbing ones for sneakers, and even flip flop sandals. There are a few options for you when looking for an insole to help with comfort. Gel inserts like Dr. Scholl’s dream walk insoles offer excellent cushioning and support, but if the gel is not what you’re going for, leather ones are available inserts for heels or Pedag insoles for flats. These are highly recommended for everyday use since they’re breathable.
Toe Inserts For Too Big Shoes
If you have a closed-toe shoe that’s too big, toe inserts are an excellent way to make the boots fit better. The last thing you want to do is buy a pair too long for your feet. It’s uncomfortable and can even make your feet look stumpy. The good news is there are some easy ways how to make shoes smaller? You can easily add toe inserts for boots that are too big to act as pair filler great if you need to make it shorter in length or just want an extra bit of snugness around the front part of the toes or combine this with heel liners and a ball of foot cushions for maximum comfort.
Using Shoe Tongue Pads
Boot tongue pads are an excellent accessory for those who have wide feet or low insteps. These pads are inserted into the top of your boot to keep it in place and provide extra padding. The pads are inexpensive to add comfort and width to the too narrow or tight inside. They come in various colors and styles to better match your shoes. There are several ways you can make smaller to fit your feet well, depending on the type of pair and what you need. The tongue is that strip of material that folds over on the top of your boot. If you have a pair too tight and don’t fit, they can add padding to make them more comfortable. You can also use tongue pads to make boots smaller that are too big for your feet, but they won’t be as effective since they won’t cover as much area.
Socks & Footies
Using thicker socks or footies can help make boots feel smaller because it will create a larger surface area to fill the gap. If you have a pair of shoes that feel too big, one way to make them fit better is by using thicker socks or footies. This is just a temporary fix because you are essentially putting more material between your skin and the shoe. Footies (aka “hidden socks”) come in different shapes and sizes, including fun animal prints - perfect for hiding your boots. One way to make your shoes feel more comfortable is by using thick socks or footies.
Shrinking The Shoes Using Water
If you have a too big pair, water is one way to fit better. Start by filling up a large bowl with hot tap water and submerging the boots in it for about five minutes. It will allow your leather materials to expand and stretch out. Once that’s done, take the shoes out of the water and wait until they are mostly dry before trying them on again. Then wear the boots for an hour or so while you go about your day to let them get more comfortable by wearing them around a bit more than usual.
Shrinking The Shoes Using Shampoo
Another way to make them fit better is by using shampoo. Take the shoe you want to shrink and put it in a bowl filled with lukewarm water mixed with your regular shampoo or conditioner. Then, let the pair sit inside this mixture for about an hour before taking them out and allowing them to dry off thoroughly. Once they are mostly dry, try them on again.
Shrinking The Shoes With Ice Cubes
If you’re looking for a more immediate fix, one way to make the boots fit better is using ice cubes. Fill up an old sock or stocking with about four or five ice cubes, and then wrap it around your foot before putting that into the shoe. Secure the sock with a large rubber band and leave it there for five minutes or so before taking your foot out to see if this makes a difference in how the shoe fits.
Shrinking Shoes By Using Spray Bottles
Another DIY trick you can use involves spray bottles, which will require some vinegar and water mixed. Then, pour enough of the solution into a spray bottle so that it can cover all sides of your footwear. Spray this onto one side at a time until you’ve covered every inch thoroughly. It will cause the material to shrink and become tighter over time as it dries off. If there are any areas where it still seems loose after a while, simply respray it and wait a little longer.
Final Words
There are many ways how to make shoes smaller? Depending on the desired outcome, you can use water, ice cubes, shampoo, or other products that will shrink your pair size. If you are wearing too-big boots, there are a few ways to make your pair smaller. First of all, try adding some moleskin padding if the heel is rubbing or slipping off on one side. You can also use half-insoles which will give extra cushioning and help relieve pressure points under the ball of your foot. Another option is to put in toe inserts for slightly too big footwear to fit better around the toes. You can also wear thicker socks or footies to make shoes feel smaller.
