The best ways to break in shoes that rub your heel

A newly purchased pair of boots or shoes does not always bring joy. After all, situations when shoes rub calluses on the heels are very common. There are techniques that will help you quickly deal with this problem.

Why do you have to break in your shoes?

Choosing the right shoes is a top priority. After all, only a high-quality pair that fits well on the foot can be worn comfortably. In the store you need to try on the model you like and walk around a little. If the shoes are too tight and it is uncomfortable to stand and move in heels, then you should refuse the purchase. Shoes usually stretch a little during wear, but this is a minor issue. The noticeable discomfort will not go away. This is why you need to buy shoes in your own size.

But it’s not so rare that even high-quality shoes that fit your feet rub your heels. This happens due to the fact that the material from which it is made is still unworn and hard. Moreover, the problem is relevant for both leather products and textiles. Gradually, the new pair will fit your feet, the back will soften, and you can forget about calluses. To speed up this process and break in shoes or boots, various methods are used.

Shoes may rub due to poor seams. Solving this problem is somewhat more difficult than simply taking apart a purchased pair, but it is still possible.

You can break in shoes using different methods.Thanks to this, the shoes will stop rubbing your heels, and you will be able to cope with the following inconveniences:

• the store did not have the appropriate size and had to take a slightly smaller one;
• the shoes are a little tight in width, but fit well in length, or vice versa;
• shoes become tight in the evening;
• the size changed after the rain (this often happens with suede products).

Special means

In some cases, it is enough to wear new shoes at home for an hour or two every day. After a few days, the discomfort will most likely pass. But you can use other methods. For example, many shoe shops offer to stretch leather products using special equipment. If you don’t want to give the shoes to a master, then you should try to correct the situation yourself.

Special stretching agents are sold in stores. They are very easy to use, you just need to follow the instructions. Usually it's a spray. It is applied to the inside of the products, after which they are put on. Most likely, this will have to be repeated several times. To get results faster, you can warm up your shoes with a hairdryer, then apply a similar product and put them on your feet in thick socks.

Also, if a new pair rubs your heel, you can buy a moleskin patch. It is glued both to a callus and to an uncomfortable place on shoes. Special soft strips are also sold that are placed inside to reduce friction. There are also silicone pads that are attached to the heel where the boots cause discomfort.

Traditional methods

When the question arises of how to wear a rubbing pair, you don’t have to go to the store. It is quite possible to achieve the desired effect using improvised means.

A hard back will soften faster if it is soaked. It is recommended to use vinegar for leather, and plain water for textiles. When the backdrop becomes wet enough, it must be gently wrinkled. You just need to pay attention that cardboard inserts are often used in textile products. Such influence will not benefit them.

Glycerin has proven itself well for leather items. It is easy to find at the pharmacy and the benefits can be impressive. The processing is carried out in this way. First you need to dip the towel in hot water, then it should be placed in the shoe. When it cools down, the shoes are lubricated with glycerin. Hot water will make the skin more receptive to the product.

Advice

A regular deodorant, roll-on or solid, will help you avoid calluses. You just need to lubricate the inside of your shoes.

If your shoes rub on the heel, you can use regular newspapers. They need to be torn into pieces and wetted generously. Then place it in the problematic pair, stuffing the product very tightly, and leave to dry. It is not recommended to put it on the battery; the process should take place naturally.

It is no less convenient to use alcohol. Alcohol or vodka will do; you can even use cologne. You need to lubricate the inner surface, then put the shoes on your feet with warm socks. You need to walk like this for about half an hour. You just need to know that it is better to use beer for products made of fabric or suede. Otherwise, they are processed in the same way as leather ones.

Advice

It is not recommended to apply the product to the outside, as this may spoil the appearance of the shoes. Alcohol can change the condition and color of the material, so you should go outside in the treated steam only after it has completely dried.

Another popular folk method is freezing. Plastic bags should be filled with water and placed into problem items in such a way as to fill the areas that need to be stretched. It is better to take two bags for each boot, without tying the top one. This measure will help avoid an unpleasant situation if one of the packages turns out to be not too strong. The water will expand as it freezes, which will achieve the desired effect. Once the boots are removed from the freezer, it is not recommended to immediately remove the ice. You need to let it thaw a little. The method has proven itself quite well, but in rare cases the shoes crack or creases appear on them.

You can try a safer method. It is very simple: you need to thoroughly moisten the towel with water and wrap the box with the purchased pair. A humid microclimate is formed in the box, which helps to quickly soften hard skin. The procedure should be quite long, it is recommended to leave the towel on overnight. You may need to do this several times.

To break in uncomfortable shoes, you can lubricate the inside of them with castor oil. Another option is to lubricate the backdrop with a piece of soap or a candle. Friction will decrease, which means calluses will not appear.

If your shoes are rubbing because of the seam

Even knowing how to break in uncomfortable shoes, it is not always easy to solve this problem. If the cause of discomfort is a rough seam on the heel, then simply softening the skin will not help. The easiest way is to refuse such a pair, return it or exchange it.

But if you like the shoes and don’t want to part with them or it’s impossible to return them, then there is a way out. You need to go to a shoe shop.Depending on the model and material from which the shoes are made, a specialist will be able to:

• move the seam to the side;
• apply a soft patch.

As a result, the seam will stop rubbing your foot, the discomfort will disappear, and you can safely walk in the shoes. The appearance of the couple will not be affected.

What to do if calluses appear

It is not always possible to protect your feet from calluses. In this case, it is important to know what to do. If a blister forms, you should never puncture it or remove it in any other way. The fact is that it contains a liquid that is an antiseptic and protects delicate skin from bacteria. Therefore, you must try not to damage it when walking. After some time it will burst on its own. Then it is recommended to crumble two streptocide tablets and treat the wound. This will promote faster healing.

It is also worth using bactericidal patches. Moreover, they are used both for calluses that have already appeared, and for the prevention of their formation. You just need to stick them where the heel is most in contact with the heel. Your feet will be comfortable, and the new pair will soon be broken in.

Knowing what to do if new shoes rub your feet, you can quickly solve this problem. You can use a special tool that will help you break in uncomfortable shoes, or try one of the traditional methods. Leather products are best affected. You just need to be patient and do everything correctly, following the recommendations.