Ouch! 6 Common New Shoes Problems Sorted! (2024)

By Moira Chisholm

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Brits have been advised on the best ways to deal with six painful problems caused by wearing new shoes in a brand-new footwear trouble-shooter. Shoe and style experts from fast fashion footwear site PublicDesire.com have revealed how to prevent or treat common issues often caused by wearing new shoes that haven’t been ‘broken in’, or that simply don’t fit right.

Most people will suffer with blisters, calluses or arch pain at some point in their lives, but remedies are often surprisingly easy and convenient.From spritzing new shoes with a light spray of water before first wear, to lining soles with appropriate materials, these antidotes can prevent painful problems in the long run.

A spokesperson for Public Desire said: “We’ve all been there – you’ve bought a gorgeous new pair of shoes and can’t wait to wear them out, but within minutes you notice a strap is too tight, they’re cutting in to the backs of your heels, or perhaps they’re just making your feet a bit too hot and sweaty which is starting to cause a blister!

“Instead of just begrudgingly shoving the shoes to the back of your wardrobe, never to see the light of day again, try some of these remedies to make them more comfortable.

“If the damage is already done and nothing is going to make them fit any better, these tips will hopefully help you realise which styles suit your feet the best for future reference.”

1 Blisters

Blisters are most likely to crop up on the bottoms of feet because of friction between your feet’s soles and the shoe’s. To avoid blisters, line each shoe with moleskin foam, which creates a cushion. The padding absorbs friction with a layer of cotton over the foam.

2 Tight straps

While most straps stretch with wear, you can shorten the breaking-in process with water. Before you wear shoes out for the first time, spritz them with a light spray of water. This can help to gently stretch leather, moulding it to the shape of your foot.

3 Calluses

The hard, dead skin that can form on the soles of feet and on toes can be hard to remove, and in this specific case, prevention is better than cure. Make sure shoes are well-fitting and avoid squeezing into shoes that are obviously too small or narrow. Where possible, you should also wear socks and tights, to thwart unwanted friction. Soaking, using a pumice stone and moisturising your feet often can also treat painful calluses.

4 Arch pain

Shoes that cause arch pain likely don’t provide enough support in the middle of your foot. If you suffer with arch pain, opt for wedges instead of thin heels and stilettos, as wedges distribute weight away from the ball of your foot and more evenly throughout the shoe. If you do want to wear heels for a special occasion, choose ones that are shorter than three inches.

5 Sweaty feet

Shoes that are too small are often the main culprits for causing sweaty feet. To get a better fit, try on and buy shoes towards the end of a busy day when your feet may be a little swollen and tired. You could also try sprinkling baby powder in shoes before wearing them out, to soak up excess moisture.

6 Cuts on the back of your heels

Shoes that dig into your skin can be some of the most painful to wear. While you may think they’re too snug, the problem is more likely that they’re too big, surprisingly. Spacious shoes allow feet to move about and are the biggest reason for cuts. Try taping heel pads into the back of your shoes to avoid this problem.