How to make ill-fitting shoes wearable with insoles, heel grips, and moleskin padding — starting at $10

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A shoe can be the most stylish sandal, stiletto, or flat on the market, but it’s only as good as the way it fits. A strappy pair of slides may go with every outfit you put on, but if the straps always rub against your skin and cause irritation, what good are they to your closet? And a pair of sneakers might be so comfortable when you’re walking in them, but when it comes to jogging or running, your arches always somehow ache after a quick workout. Long story short — how your shoes fit is just as important as how they look, and a lot of times it can be annoying coming home with a great new pair and finding that after a few wears, there’s something not quite right about them. It can feel like money down the drain when you’ve purchased new shoes and after just one or two wears, they sit in your closet gathering dust — and we want to make sure those occurrences rarely, if ever, happen again.

A few adjustments with some shoe products can make all the difference in the comfort and wearability that they offer. Whether you like sandals, heels, slippers, sneakers, or something in between, your shoes don’t have to be headed for the garbage can just because they seem a bit too big, they don’t fully support your feet, they cause blisters or some other irritation when you’re wearing them. These days, the market has tons of affordable products that can tweak the fit of your shoes and ensure that you get all the wear you want out of them. Not only does this mean you don’t need to worry about spending money to replace useless or unwearable shoes, but you can adjust what you have to last even longer. Here’s what you need to know.

Orthotic insoles

Orthotic insoles are specialized inserts designed to better support and align your feet. Many common foot pain and problems are treated with orthotic insoles because they work by redistributing pressure so that no one specific part of your foot is receiving an overwhelming amount of weight or pressure. They hold your foot and ankle in a more neutral position, enhancing your balance, body posture, and helping prevent a whole host of pain and injuries. 

There are two types: functional and accommodative and they differ in feel and function. Functional orthotics are more rigid and firmer. They are used for biomechanical correction and motion control for abnormal foot motions, and they are ideally used in situations when you’re dealing with plantar fasciitis, shin splints, tendonitis, and other sports injuries. They alter how your foot hits the ground and stop overpronation, where your foot leans or rolls inward, and better control your heel movement. Accommodative orthotics are softer and provide cushioning, while also redistributing that pressure and protecting sensitive areas. They tend to be bulkier but more shock absorbing and are commonly used for diabetic ulcers, bunions, blisters, and painful calluses.  

Overall, they don’t just help your feet, but they reduce further strain on other muscles and joints, including ones in the ankles, knees, and lower back, ensuring a more pain-free standing or walking experience. 

Valsole Orthotics

Dr. Scholl’s Pain Relief Insoles

Heel grips

Ever worn a shoe where your heel pops out with each step you take? Then heel grips are just what you need. A small, adhesive pad designed to be placed inside the back of the shoe, heel grips help create a better fit when shoes just aren’t quite right and they help alleviate pain. By taking up any excess space in the heel cup, they help shoes that are a bit too large fit more snugly. Not only that, but the padded material, usually made from foam leather, or suede, provides a soft barrier between your foot and the heel of the shoe, eliminating the risk of rubbing, irritating, and blisters. Heel grips are perfect for slip-on style shoes like flats and loafs, high heels, boots, and sneakers. 

Matie Fix Heel Grips

Aowoo Taihexin Heel Grip Cushions

Sockless insoles

A lot of folks underestimate the importance of wearing socks with shoes, but they are actually quite beneficial. They absorb sweat, minimize friction, and protect your feet from painful blisters and bacterial infections, but they also overall extend the lifespan of your footwear — saving you a lot of money in the long-run. That said, not everyone enjoys wearing them, and that’s where sockless insoles are a lifesaver. 

Sometimes called insole covers, sockless insoles are specialized, washable shoe inserts that you place inside the shoe and then wear with bare feet. They are the alternative to socks, and wrap over your shoe’s original insole to absorb sweat and prevent odor without ruining the actual insole itself. They’re usually thin and washable, so you don’t have to worry about buying replacements when they get dirty. Made from terrycloth, bamboo, or cotton, they typically have a vented foam bottom that grips to the original insole so they don’t shift, move, or bunch when you walk. They’re great if you hate the feeling of socks or want a no-show alternative for shoes like loafers, or boat shoes where seeing a sock ruins the look. They are soft, breathable, and provide an extra layer of cushioning in addition to the protective layer they act as between foot and shoe. 

Dr. Scholl’s Go Sockless! Cushioning Insoles

Notsocks Insole Socks

Moleskin padding

Like a heel grip, moleskin padding is a thin, adhesive fabric that provides protection inside the shoe. It acts as a protective barrier preventing painful blisters, calluses, and chafing, along with rubbing and irritation. But unlike a heel grip, you can use the moleskin in other areas of your shoe, and even apply it directly to your skin. It’s perfect along the heel area of a shoe, the toe box area, or some other specific place where you are prone for irritation. Because it can be cut and customized to your liking, it’s perfect at targeting those exact areas that cause you pain. Many folks cut strips and wrap them around their toes whereas others prefer to line the actual shoe. You can also use it to protect when you have existing blisters as well as for extra shoe cushioning in areas where pinching or friction is common. 

ZenToes Moleskin U-Shaped Pads

SpecOps Biosciences Moleskin Roll

Can these products save me money?

Absolutely! Taking good care of your shoes with things like sockless insoles, heel grips, and orthotics, can certainly save you money over time. Certain ones prevent premature wear and tear, meaning you don’t need to replace your shoes as often, and others ensure that you get the most out of what you buy. There’s no need for an ill-fitting, uncomfortable pair of sneakers or sandals to gather dust and waste your money. Now you can adjust the fit so that no matter what the issue, your once unwearable shoes are made for lots of use — helping you get the most out of your money. 

Numbing spray

Although not necessarily a shoe-specific product or accessory, we’d be remiss to mention that numbing spray is great in occasional situations where pain is inevitable, especially when it comes to heels. Numbing sprays helps alleviate the common pain that comes with wearing an uncomfortable style of shoes like a high heel or stiletto. Numbing sprays, available at most retailers and convenience stores, often use a local anesthetic like lidocaine to temporarily block pain receptors in your skin. You often apply it to your feet before wearing tight or uncomfortable shoes to desensitize the area, numbing the soles, balls, or heels of the feet, preventing the nerves from sending pain signals to your brain. Typically, numbing sprays can provide relief between one to three hours. 

Although they can be beneficial for situations where you have to wear an uncomfortable pair of shoes, podiatrists do warn that you need to be careful because when you numb the feet, you lose the ability to feel if anything is cause for concern. Numbing sprays shouldn’t be used regularly, but can be beneficial for use every now and again. 

Aspercreme Lidocaine Dry Spray

Icy Hot Lidocaine Pain Relief Spray

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