Best for: Athletic shoes, boots. Notes: This can be an uncomfortable choice in hot weather, especially if you tend to get sweaty feet.
Best for: Flats, boots, close-toed heels. Notes: Not a particularly good choice for athletic situations or long walks — the “filler” material can get gross and uncomfortable with heavy use.
Best for: Most shoes (including heels and open-toed shoes). Notes: If you can, try on any insoles before buying to make sure they are comfortable to wear. Well-known brands like Dr. Scholl and Foot Petals offer comfortable, long-lasting insoles, but any quality insole brand should work. Higher-end insoles can run $50 or more but provide top-of-the-line comfort and support.
Best for: Heels, flats Notes: These often come in many colors, so you can try to pick a pad that’s in a color that compliments your shoes if you wish.
Best for: Most shoes, especially tight pairs of heels. Notes: Try these on before wearing and be aware that some users report blisters after use.
First, get your shoes wet. For leather or suede shoes, use a spray bottle. You can even spritz specific areas of the shoe with water if you don’t want to shrink the entire thing. For casual/athletic shoes, soak the shoes in water. Let the shoes dry in the sun. If it’s not sunny, use a hairdryer on the “low” setting. Be careful not to hold the hairdryer too close to the shoe—anywhere from 6 to 9 in (15 to 23 cm) is a safe distance. When your shoes are dry, try them on. You may need to repeat this process several times if they’re still too big. If you’re worried about your shoes shrinking too small, let them dry on your feet so that they will form around them as they constrict. Condition fine suede or leather shoes after they dry. Conditioning kits are usually sold at shoe stores and sometimes drug stores.
Stretch the elastic band along the inside of the back of the shoe. A good spot for this is the inside of the heel, but any loose area will work. Sew the band in place, keeping the elastic tight as you go. Safety pins can help here. Release the band. When you let go, the elastic band will draw in the material of the shoe. This should give it a “smaller” fit. You can use method this with the water shrinking method or one of the tricks above if needed.
Best for: High-quality, expensive shoes; treasured heirlooms. Notes: The services of a cobbler are often expensive, so try to reserve them for shoes that are really worth it. The nicest pair of dress shoes you own are a good choice to bring to a cobbler. Your daily tennis shoes are not.
Stand up straight. Keep your head and chest up and pointed forward. Pull your shoulders back slightly to align your arms. Use a heel-to-toe walking motion. Start each step by putting your heel down in front of you, then rolling through your arch, balls, and toes. Finally, push off! Try to squeeze your abs and glutes slightly as you walk. These supporting muscles help keep your spine straight and well-supported.
More importantly, you’ll also reduce your chance for injury. Ankle injuries (like painful twists and sprains) are more likely in shoes that are too big. This is especially true in athletic situations.
