We all know how agonizing a long night of wearing high heels can be, yet we still do it. High heels pull an outfit together, give you that “long-legged” look, and help height-challenged ladies keep long dresses and skirts from dragging on the floor. That being said, i’m sure that you can see why putting up with sore feet may be considered necessary evil.
If you’re still rockin’ your most painful pair of high heels like there’s no tomorrow, we hope that you can find some relief in our top 12 tips and tricks to make your high heels more comfortable. It’s not always an option to go for shorter heels, to take breaks, or to bring emergency flats with you. So, instead of replacing them, take our advice and prepare to be envied as you dance the night away in your 5-inch heels like a pro.
Foam Padding & Gel Inserts
This is by far the easiest way to alleviate foot pain and soreness from wearing high heels. That being said, there are several options to choose from here. Our favorite and the most effective are Dr. Scholls high heel insoles that span the entire base of the foot. These work by shifting pressure off of the ball of your foot and spreading it out evenly. Find deals on shoe inserts on the DealsPlus Dr. Scholl’s coupon page and start preventing foot pain ASAP!
Buckles & Straps
Ankle straps and buckles will keep your shoe in place, helping prevent friction, which causes discomfort and dreaded blisters. Next time you are out shopping for high heels, look for styles that incorporate these features and your feet will thank you. In addition, ankle support can help prevent embarrassing slip ups and folding ankles.
Stretch Em’ Out
Brand new shoes are always going to be a bit stiff. Most shoe stores offer stretching services, so be sure to ask about it when you checkout. Otherwise, consider buying yourself a shoe stretcher to keep at home for your next new pair of heels.
Tip: Shoe stretchers do wonders for all sorts of tight fitting shoes, not just heels!
Stretch Yourself Out
Keeping your calves and Achilles tendons loose will make any injuries less likely to occur. If you wear heels often, its probable that your Achilles is very tight.
Know Your Width
If you didn’t know, most shoes come in a variety of widths. Not all feet are created equal. Some of us have wider feet, while some of us have narrow feet. Knowing your width will help you choose the right size and will prevent squeezing and chafing.
Try Shoes on at Night
Going shoe shopping? Try heading out later in the day, after you’ve been on your feet for several hours. Your feet will be slightly swollen, and trying on shoes at this point will ensure that you’ll have space to swell when you take your new heels out for a spin.
Tape Your Toes
Sounds weird right? Well, it kind of is. But it works! Try taping your third and fourth toes together to get some pain relief. There is actually a scientific reason for this. There is a nerve between your third and fourth toe that can get irritated and inflamed, causing pain in the ball of your foot. This can happen when there is too much pressure on the forefoot area, and is well known to be caused by wearing high heels.
Friction Prevention
If you own roll on deodorant, it can be used as a protective layer on your skin against friction. Or, you can buy friction solutions in-stores like the Dr. Scholls Rub Relief Stick that will provide a clear shield and allow fabric to glide across your skin instead of chafe.
Avoid Pointy & Narrow Toed Shoes
Shoes with a rounder, or even open toe box will allow your toes to lay flat next to eachother. Pointed and narrow toe boxes will often times squeeze your toes together, causing intense pain and even numbness. If you do choose to buy pointy toed shoes, try to find a pair with a point that extends past your toe resting area.
Platforms & Wedges
Platform heels will reduce the distance between your heel and the balls of your feet. This will in turn be less strenuous on the arch of your foot. Plus, they are totally in-style right now! Wedges also help with the same problem, and are way easier to walk in.
Sock Stuff
This option is great for those who don’t want to buy a shoe stretcher or pay for the service in-stores. Stuff as many pairs of socks as you can into your heels, so that they are slightly stretched out (or very stretched out, depending on your needs). Leave the socks in overnight, and they will stretch your shoes like a charm. If you’re short on time, you can also use a blow dryer to speed things up. Just be sure that it’s on a low setting, and you continuously move it around as to not cause any heat damage.
Trial Run
This is practically mandatory for new shoes. Walk around the house in them, dance to your favorite song in them, or simply stand up and read a book in them. It doesn’t matter how you do it, just be sure to test them out for problem areas before they have a chance to ruin your night.
Looking for shoe deals and high heels coupons? Head over to DealsPlus to find some amazing offers from top shoe stores like 6PM.com, DSW, Payless, and more.
