In shoes like slippers: 10 clever gadgets for high-heeled shoes!

Does beauty require sacrifice, as the famous “axiom” says, or have modern magicians and fighters for female beauty effortlessly found an opportunity to avoid these senseless sacrifices – or at least alleviate them?
The sweetness of the feeling of taking off your shoes after a day of work is known to every lady whose dress code does not allow her to wear slippers at work. And if flat feet, or hallus valgus, are added to uncomfortable shoes, then wearing shoes turns into real torture... For your attention - the most necessary devices for wearing shoes comfortably - and not only!

External shoe overlays and stickers

First of all, we are talking, of course, about safety and comfort.

If, as part of your job, you have to run in heels every day on smooth and slippery floors, and your overworked calves can already be the envy of athletes, and figure skaters can envy your pirouettes, then this device is for you! You no longer have to feel like a heron, balancing on a slippery floor and losing your grace in front of everyone: inexpensive Velcro stickers will save you from slipping and risking injury on a smooth floor.

The stickers are as thin as possible, have a rough surface and are firmly glued to the soles of shoes, which allows you to elegantly click on heels and stilettos at any speed - on marble floors, on wet pavement, in the subway, and at work.

Learn to choose the right shoes

Helpful Tips:

- shoes should be chosen according to the size of the larger foot - the size of each person’s feet is slightly different, therefore, in order to avoid tightness for one of them, you should be guided by this rule,

- shoes must be stable - this primarily applies to women’s shoes with heels or wedges,

- shoes must have a soft sole - if the toe part of the sole bends poorly, then while walking, your legs will get very tired, which can subsequently lead to health problems,
- It is best to purchase shoes in the evening, as this is when the foot reaches its maximum size.

Important! To avoid trying on a lot of shoes, before going to the store, make an insole out of plain paper (outline your feet and cut out the insoles). Before trying them on, place them in a pair of shoes you like - if they are distributed along the sole without bends, the shoes can be tried on.

But what to do if you finally bought beautiful shoes, but didn’t get the right size, or if your favorite pair of shoes stretched out. Don't despair, there is always a way out.

Of course, for everyday wear it is better to choose comfortable shoes of the appropriate size, but if you need to wear a pair of shoes with a specific outfit for an event, the issue is completely solvable.

Inserts for protection against calluses on heels

The most favorite places for calluses on the feet are, as you know, the heels, which are forced to suffer from any new shoes, and from old ones too, if you need to spend the whole day on your feet. Truly magical modern pads-in-ears help protect your heels from calluses.

Covering the entire heels, the inserts are made of medical silicone or eco-suede (or other safe materials), have increased softness, and do not reduce the size of the shoes.

With such inserts, new shoes are not scary, even if you have a night party, banquet or excursion ahead.

A few tricks to reduce your shoe size

One of the easiest ways is to take a pair to a workshop, where they will do this task perfectly. But shoemakers most often do not take on sneakers, boots and shoes made of leatherette or woven materials. You also need to take into account that this can cost a pretty penny. If you have time and desire, you can reduce the size using additional materials.

Insoles are one of the simple ways to reduce not only the size, but also the volume of shoes. When one insoles are not enough, you can use two. The material from which the insoles are made is chosen depending on the time of year. For a winter pair of shoes, fur, felt or wool insoles are suitable. For demi-season boots, foam or synthetic insoles are usually used. If the insoles are intended for sports shoes, then they will reduce the size of the sneakers and have a shock-absorbing effect.
Silicone inlays - can be purchased at almost any shoe store. Initially, they are intended to prevent slipping and rubbing of calluses. But they are also capable of narrowing the shoes a little. But to make high-heeled shoes smaller, it is better not to use them.
Double-sided tape - you can stick it on the inside of the sole of the shoes, but you need to put them on bare feet, otherwise the tape will not stick. This method is mainly used by models during shows. Walking in such shoes for a long time is uncomfortable.
Cotton wool, paper or fabric - placed in socks, it will help make shoes a size smaller. Our mothers and grandmothers also used this method, because back then they often bought shoes for children to grow into, or they got them from older brothers or sisters. But you need to keep in mind that this method is only suitable for closed-toed shoes.

On a note!

Shock-absorbing orthopedic insoles are considered a good size reducer for closed shoes.

In addition, the Russian market presents…

Inserts with heel fixation.

Such models also fix the heels so that they do not jump out of the shoes.
Inserts with orthopedic properties . Or corrective heel pads that fix the heels, reduce the load on the spine, and reduce pain.
Inserts for the lower part of the heel, pain-relieving and designed specifically for people with heel spurs or painful cracks.
Read also: A small insect is a big problem. How to get rid of fleas in an apartment?
Massage, anti-callus inserts.
Wedge-shaped silicone heel pads, which are recommended for hallux valgus or varus foot.

Thanks to their beveled shape, they provide the necessary correction for clubfoot, reduce the load on the joints, help correct hallux valgus, and in addition, extend the life of the heels, which will not wear out so quickly.

Earbuds

Shoe inserts are special devices that are placed under the forefoot, under the heel, or glued inside in any convenient place, thereby taking up some space in the shoe or boots and making them narrower or shorter. At the same time, people around will not suspect anything, because they are not visible to strangers.

This is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to return shoes to their original size and shape if they have stretched during wear. They are sold in shoe stores and are inexpensive, do not cause discomfort when worn and last quite a long time. They are easy to care for: after each “walk” you just need to take them out and dry them in the open air.

There are two types of inserts:

silicone;
suede (brown, beige and black).

Both are suitable for suede shoes, while suede inserts themselves are used only for similar shoes.

The thickness and size of the inserts vary, so they can be adjusted based on how big the shoes are. You should also consider the type of shoes: small inserts are suitable for shoes and sandals; for boots and shoes you can choose larger ones.

If you put the insert in shoes whose heel height exceeds 6-7 cm, the load on the foot will increase, and walking will simply be uncomfortable.

Insoles and inserts with orthopedic properties

First of all, these are modern silicone (or cork) insoles, which are pleasant and comfortable even in the hardest, most unworn and uncomfortable shoes. And not only in shoes, but in open shoes.

Orthopedic silicone insoles reliably fix women's legs, preventing them from “riding” on the main insoles of the shoes.

In addition, such insoles fix the arches of the feet in an exceptionally correct position, which is ideal for the prevention of flat feet and indispensable in the treatment of flat feet or other foot diseases.

It is important to note that silicone insoles are transparent and completely invisible in shoes; they can reduce the size of shoes (there are many options for insoles, select them taking into account the need for this criterion).

But the most important thing is that such insoles relieve stress from the feet, and therefore from the spine, eliminate leg fatigue, and allow you to move in shoes longer, further, and with greater comfort.

The instructions for the insoles are also simple - just glue them to the main insole of the shoe.

General recommendations

The buyer has the right to return or exchange shoes within 14 days after purchase, but only if the ballet shoes show no signs of wear or scratches. In addition, you are required to provide the manager with a guarantee card, passport and check. But it happens that you come across an unscrupulous seller and nothing can be done. Don’t worry – you won’t have to throw away your wide shoes, because downsizing your shoe size is quite possible.

This can be done both in the workshop and at home, but in order not to harm the sandals, follow the recommendations of specialists.

Keep in mind that shoes often stretch in width rather than in length.
Patent leather shoes can be made smaller, but they should only be treated from the inside.
Leather ballet shoes can easily shrink by a few millimeters, but you need to be careful with artificial materials, as they can crack and even tear.
Never put paper in your sock, as it causes severe discomfort while walking.

And remember that all the proposed methods will only help when the sandals are just a little too big (maximum one size).

Also among the devices with orthopedic properties for shoes are:

Silicone pads for midfoot support.
Silicone half-insoles with arch support function - for high-heeled sandals, sandals or other open shoes. A good option for a girl with longitudinal flat feet.
Insoles with double arch supports located on the toes and heels.

Well-springy insoles relieve stress in the feet, and absorbent properties protect the feet from the effects of increased summer sweating.
Self-adhesive gel (or suede) instep supports especially for open/dress shoes. Comfortable and useful for quickly fatigued legs from walking and painful sensations from wearing shoes.

The arch supports are designed to be anatomically correct, which greatly alleviates the condition of flat feet.
Special insoles with a massage effect.
Magnetic insoles with acupuncture properties.
Insoles that remember the relief of the foot.

Silicone pads in shoes to reduce the load on the feet

Women's legs look much more graceful in heels, no one can argue with that. But high heels, when worn for a long time, negatively affect not only the joints of the legs and spine, but also cause significant discomfort. There is no woman who would not exhale with relief when she kicks off her shoes at home and climbs into her slippers.

Silicone pads will help reduce the load, relieve foot fatigue, make wearing shoes with heels more comfortable, and provide high-quality shock absorption even in hard office shoes . Many girls probably already have such magical pads, transparent and unnoticeable (and more than one pair).

How to make leather shoes smaller?

If your leather shoes have stretched over time, use a shoe stretcher. These substances help adjust the shape, forming abundant foam. To make your favorite leather pair smaller, spray the inside of your shoes, put them on, and walk around the house. After such manipulations, the material will narrow and adapt to the shape of your foot.

There is a second method that can make wide leather shoes a little smaller. Wet the shoes with water and place them to dry in a well-ventilated area. If necessary, repeat the procedure, but do not leave stretched leather products near heating devices or under the scorching sun, so as not to damage them irrevocably.

Advice! If you are trying to reduce the size of leather shoes at home using boiling or warm water, then after drying, be sure to lubricate the leather with a special cream so that it does not become cracked.

But not everyone knows that there are still...

Silicone inserts that prevent flat feet and hallux valgus . They secure the foot, provide shock absorption, improve blood circulation and even have a slight massage effect on the forefoot.
Special pads for sandals/flip-flops with an interdigital partition.

There is no need to cut up classic silicone pads - buy ready-made pads that are attached to the jumper.
Inserts made of medical silicone with instep supports . These pads for shoes and sandals have orthopedic and massage properties, shock absorption and moisture absorption. In addition, they protect the feet from deformation, relieve tension in the calves and “breathe”.

Basic methods

When making a shoe model, certain parameters are taken into account, but not all people have feet that fit that different size. You can narrow or reduce shoes using pads and aerosols, foam rubber and cotton wool, choosing the best option in each specific case.

If the pair is wide or falls off the heels

Shoes don't fit well when a person's feet are too narrow and the length is the right size. Shoes begin to wobble if the instep does not match the heel height. Both men and women feel comfortable in a model in which the heel fits and there is room for the toes.

Liners or insoles

If sneakers do not fit on your foot, although the model was purchased according to size, insoles that are placed inside help correct the situation. They are made from different materials. Products for winter shoes are manufactured:

made of wool;
felt;
fur.

To reduce the bulk of shoes, open-toed shoes use foam insoles with an adhesive backing.

For sports shoes, you can choose special gel products that soften the impact of the foot, and orthopedic insoles reduce the load on it.

Silicone inserts, which are sold on the market and in stores and are placed in the sock, reduce the volume of the shoes and prevent rubbing of calluses, but they are not suitable for high-heeled dress shoes. Suede overlays are suitable for shoes made of genuine leather.

Cotton wool or tissue paper

If the boots are too long, it’s worth remembering an old but effective method. When putting on socks, they are filled with soft napkins, medical cotton wool or very thin paper, but of course for sandals or open shoes, this option is unacceptable.

Double-sided tape

Girls who present chic shoe models at exhibitions and catwalks sometimes have to show products 1 or 2 sizes larger or smaller than their own.

To prevent shoes or boots from slipping or dangling, double-sided tape is glued inside, and it sticks to the foot, but does not stick to the tights.

Manipulations with water and temperature

If simple methods do not help narrow your shoes, it is worth remembering the laws of physics. Leather responds well to mechanical and thermal effects.

Temperature difference

Suede shoes shrink in volume if they are first warmed up and then placed in a cold place. Such manipulations with shoes must be carried out carefully, since there is no guarantee that the product will not lose its attractive appearance.

Hot water basin

To narrow leather sneakers or reduce the size of shoes, it is better to take such items to a workshop, but such a service is expensive. To do this work at home:

Hot water is poured into a bowl or basin.
Stir the washing powder.
Shoes are placed for 5 minutes.

They dry things in the sun, but you need to make sure they don’t dry out. There are other ways to make your shoes comfortable. The inner surface of the shoes should be sprayed with a spray bottle and left after the battery. This method is suitable for synthetic products that deform when in contact with water.

Steam and freezer

Suede shoes are afraid of moisture, and such things should not be wet. To reduce shoes made from this material by at least half a size, the products must be held over hot steam and then sent to the freezer for a while.

Ice water and hairdryer

You can narrow leather sneakers or shoes in an unusual way: put the shoes on your feet and put them in a bowl filled with water for about three minutes, the temperature of which is no more than 3 degrees Celsius. After this, the shoes are removed and dried with hot air coming from a hair dryer.

Special means

To prevent deformation of leather products, sprays are produced that give the material elasticity and softness. Shoes that have been kept in hot or cold water are treated with this composition after drying.

Spray stretcher for shoes made of patent leather

Not everyone knows how to reduce the volume of models made of expensive material that cannot be wetted, washed, or heated under steam. A special agent used for stretching shoes is used to treat the inside of patent leather shoes and place paper in them. After drying, the steam decreases in size.

How to narrow the boot shaft yourself

Thin girls with long feet often cannot find shoes to fit their feet, since they are wide in the calves, and suede boots do not look good at all. To sew the boot, you don’t have to take things to the workshop; you can simply make a dart with an elastic band and get to work:

Using a tape measure or a centimeter, measure the circumference of both legs in the lower leg area.
From the inside, a marker is used to mark the insert.
A ruler in the form of a triangle with equal sides marks the dart.
Using scissors, make a vertical cut in the middle of the figure.
Excess fabric is removed at an angle.
The resulting triangular flap is secured to the elastic with a needle and the dart is sewn.
Do the same with the outer strips of skin.

Return to comfortable size

Before tapering your boots, you need to decide what tights they will be worn with. Measurements should be taken on the left and right legs along the upper edge.

To restore the previous size, if necessary, embroider the dart and use a stretching spray.

If shoes that were previously worn begin to fall off or become loose, insert inserts or insoles, lower them into warm water, and dry them in the sun. Leather must be lubricated with glycerin, nubuck or suede - with a special conditioner.

Rubber

To narrow high boots without a zipper, turn the boot top inside out, rip out the inner fabric along the seam, insert a thick, wide elastic band into the hole and sew it to the lining, masking the mark.

How to reduce your sandal size

Choosing summer shoes is no easier than choosing boots or sneakers. Small shoes pinch your fingers, big ones are uncomfortable to wear, and without fastening they fall off. To fit spacious sandals to the forefoot, gel inserts are placed and insoles, pads, and anti-slip inserts are selected. Such items are sold in pharmacies and medical equipment stores; the range is limited to only three colors.

Workshop

To reduce the size of sandals or sandals, it is better to take them to a professional shoemaker, who, using special tools, carefully separates them upward from the sole and sews them back, placing them a few millimeters closer to the middle. In the workshop, the tops of boots are narrowed, and tired heels are shortened.

Silicone stickers for straps on shoes and sandals

Straps on new shoes and sandals always add grace, but narrow and stiff strips of leather (or other) straps are always a new peeve.

However, in this case, manufacturers have already come up with a life-saving remedy. Namely, silicone stickers on narrow straps that prevent the straps from digging into the skin and rubbing calluses.

Like silicone inserts, these strips have an adhesive backing that provides a tight and secure fit on the inside of the straps.

Modern followers and traces: not only “for grandmothers”!

Among the main functions of footwear and footwear are hygiene (without them you won’t be allowed to try on shoes in a store), protecting your feet from calluses and blisters, as well as “disguising” an old pedicure that you haven’t had time to fix.

Of course, modern manufacturers no longer offer only those “grandmother’s” footprints that stick out from the summer slippers and shoes of most pensioners. Modern heirlooms can be a real work of art, and they are not only not hidden, but even put on display!

Super-absorbent inserts in the toe of sports shoes: minus 1 size

How much shoes are reduced: 1 size
How to use: insert into the toe of the shoe
For what kind of shoes: any closed-toe shoes, even tapered toes

Did the store mistakenly sell you a size too many sneakers? Dont be upset! Just place these inserts in the toe part of the shoe, and then the foot will stop sliding into the toe of the sneaker, and the heel will stop “dangling.”

Followers can...

Completely cover the entire foot (like sports low socks).
Cover the entire foot except the toe.
Cover the entire foot except the heel.
Cover only the toe (like choreographic shoes with elastic bands).
Cover only the area between the toe and the middle of the foot. Such models of footwear in the form of narrow stripes are very popular among girls wearing new sandals. If the material rubs and the sandals are not worn in, then invisible marks hidden from view will be a real salvation.

Reviews

Anna
I once bought shoes on sale. The store thought they were absolutely delicious and inexpensive. I came home and tried them on, it turned out that they were too wide for me, I was very upset and was already thinking about taking them back, but a friend advised me to wet them with water and then dry them. I was afraid at first, but then I finally decided to try. As it turned out, I worried in vain, everything worked out and they fit like a glove.

Regina
After two years of wear, my autumn suede boots stretched out at the shins and looked ugly on my feet. I decided to restore their previous shape, I sprayed the tops with a spray bottle, and then dried them with a hairdryer. Of course, they did not tighten completely, but the width decreased, I decided that I would not experiment a second time, I would repeat the procedure if I stretched again.
Read also: How to clean a white mink hat: 5 effective ways

Modern followers are...

With silicone relief (pimples, stripes, etc.) on the bottom so that the foot does not slip in the shoe.
Any color, pattern and texture.
With pads, reducing pain and fatigue in the legs, and increasing shock absorption.
With absorbent effect.
Openwork-lace and “mesh”».
Fantasy, colorful with different decor.

What to do if the sneakers are too big?

Sneakers and sneakers are primarily shoes for running and training, so they must be comfortable. The main advantage of sports models is that they are of a closed type and can be made smaller in a trivial way, for example, with insoles. Choose a thick liner to reduce the size and tighten the lacing. In winter, fixing the problem is even easier - put on two pairs of socks at once and it’s done. You can also put cotton wool or foam rubber in sneakers, but due to the increased softness, the filler will have to be changed often.

Shock-absorbing insoles for high-heeled shoes

Silicone shock-absorbing insoles, as the name implies, serve primarily to cushion and absorb shock when moving due to the air cushion inside.

These insoles can be selected for shoes with heels of any height. The ultra-soft material will reduce pressure on the heel and ball of the foot, and thanks to the translucency, they can even be worn in open shoes.

Full heel protection for sports shoes: minus 0.5 sizes

How much shoes are reduced: 5 mm - 0.5 sizes
How to use: paste into the heel area
For what kind of shoes: sports shoes with a heel

You ordered excellent running sneakers from abroad, but made a mistake with the size and received shoes half a size too large. During the first run, it turned out that the heel in the new sneakers was “shaking.” Instead of exchanging the product for another and again waiting for the package to arrive, or trying to return the payment, you can simply glue these inserts into the heel of your sneakers. They will “eat up” empty space and will cushion you when playing sports.

Among the models of such insoles you can also find…

Insoles that raise your heels - and the legs of a lover of flat shoes are shown more advantageously.
Massage shock-absorbing insoles, which will not only relieve stress and give softness, but also stimulate all the necessary points on the feet.
Special heel pads. Most often they are used by athletes, but they also have their own comfortable and discreet heel pads for running around the office.

Inserts in dress shoes without slipping in stockings: minus 3-4 mm

How much shoes are reduced: 3-4 mm
How to use: stick to the inside of the heel of the shoe
For which shoes: shoes with a heel and a smooth inner coating

Force majeure is an unacceptable phenomenon at important events. Imagine that when preparing for a wedding, anniversary or graduation, you were in a hurry and bought a little more shoes than you needed. You don’t have to drop everything and rush to the store to exchange a pair of shoes. It is enough to glue these tabs into the heel, and you can continue preparing for the celebration.

Big Toe Covers/Braces

According to statistics, every second girl is familiar with the problem of bunions. And in a situation where the big toe is bent and Hallux Valgus occurs, special overlays come to the rescue, allowing you to not interrupt the correction even in the summer, when wearing shoes. Silicone clamps allow you to protect the joint from excessive friction, as well as correct its position and gradually correct and reduce the curvature of the thumb.

Bursoprotectors with interdigital partitions are also available on the market. Unlike clamps, they are worn on 1-2 fingers.

The situation will be corrected with a “light movement of the hand”...

Thin insoles with antibacterial spray coating, absorbing unpleasant odors.

There are models that also have shock-absorbing properties.
Breathable perforated insoles made of powerful absorbent and high-quality eco-friendly material.
Insoles with deodorizing effect.

Protective silicone caps for fingers

Such finger pads made of soft gel material reliably protect the delicate skin of the fingers from calluses, chafing and damage. An ideal option if your skin is too dry and painfully cracks between your fingers, as well as if you have calluses that cause pain when you rub one finger against another.

Toe caps are completely invisible in shoes and are almost invisible when wearing sandals due to their transparency. The cap is suitable for any finger - except for the thumb, which, of course, needs its own finger cap in size.

The site Colady.ru thanks you for your attention to the article - we hope that it was useful to you. Please share your feedback and tips with our readers!

Elastic inserts with adjustable thickness in the toe of dress shoes: minus 1-2 sizes

How much shoes are reduced: 1-2 sizes
How to use: insert into the toe of the shoe
For what kind of shoes: any closed-toe shoes, even tapered toes

The thickness of these inserts can be adjusted by inserting and removing internal elements. Therefore, they will save you if your feet swell in the evening and suffer in shoes that were just right for you in the morning. The products are very easy to slide in and out of your shoes, so you won't have any trouble removing them from your sock when you feel like there's almost no space left.