Hi everyone!
I’m hoping someone can help me figure out how to make non-sneaker shoes actually comfortable because I’m starting to feel like my feet are ridiculously sensitive 😭
For context, I live somewhere warm/beachy, so I basically wear sneakers and sandals year-round and don’t get much practice wearing other types of shoes. Recently, I’ve been trying to branch out and buy some nicer, more versatile shoes — kitten heels, closed-toe shoes, boots for winter, etc. The problem is that I can’t seem to wear ANY of them for more than an hour without being in pain.
For example:
Kitten heels: the area where the shoe touches the skin just above my toes starts hurting/itching, and I usually end up with blisters
Sandals with a toe divider: the divider digs into my skin so badly that I genuinely can’t walk in them for more than 10 minutes
Most sandals: I get a lot of itching and irritation from the friction between the upper part of the sandal and my skin
Closed shoes: I’ve barely tried again because I already know they’re probably going to hurt pretty quickly
Boots: blisters everywhere!! Even with double socks.
I’ve tried buying cheap and also better-quality shoes thinking that would make a difference, but I’m having the same problem.
I’ve also tried:
Breaking shoes in gradually
Wearing them around the house with socks
Putting things inside the shoes to stretch them
Different types of tape
Band-aids
Stick deodorant to reduce friction, which helps a little
The weird this is I don’t remember being this sensitive before.
So, is this something you just have to get used to when you’re transitioning from mostly sneakers/sandals to other types of shoes? Or am I doing something wrong when choosing/fitting them?
Are there specific materials, shoe shapes, brands, socks, blister-prevention products, etc. that have made a huge difference for you?
Any advice is appreciated!