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Original poster

School shoes rubbing blisters

41 replies

Dancergirl · 05/09/2018 17:40

Bought 11 year old dd a pair of Start-Rite black patent brogues from the Angry Angels range. They were properly fitted at a reputable shoe shop.

Two days in and they are rubbing the back of her ankles badly. We went back to the shop yesterday and they advised a proper ankle sock (rather than trainer sock) and said the leather should soften up with wear.

I spoke to Start-Rite direct today who said sometimes shoes need wearing in especially after the summer when children have been wearing sandals and trainers. But I've never had this before.

Dd is newly diagnosed ASD and we had big problems with her finding a pair of shoes that she was happy with and that were acceptable for school.

What would you do? Go back to the shop again and ask for a refund? Or give it a bit longer?

OP posts:

Gileswithachainsaw · 05/09/2018 17:43

They are definateky shoe that requires wearing in. We have had a few pairs.

MaisyPops · 05/09/2018 17:44

Often smart leather shoes need breaking in. I thought that was standard for most shoes like that.

In the meantime, the super strong compeed plasters are amazing. I never use anything else (mainly because i find other makes rub off)

YeTalkShiteHen · 05/09/2018 17:46

If you can’t take them back, once the skin is healed try zinc oxide tape, DP is ex army and swears by it for protecting feet from blisters.

Are they stiff leather? DD (she’s autistic) struggled with the shoes she’d chosen but the zinc oxide tape helped and now the shoes are worn in enough to not cause blisters.

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steppemum · 05/09/2018 17:46

Proper blister plasters and thick socks for a few days.
They will wear in.

Original poster

Dancergirl · 05/09/2018 17:48

Thank you. The shoe shop did mention using plasters while they are breaking in. Dd hates plasters so I don't know if she'll agree to that. She also has a very low pain threshold.

OP posts:

viques · 05/09/2018 17:54

Blister plasters are quite comfortable to wear. It is probably the trainer socks that have caused the problem, they don't provide much protection I've found, and because they come up so low on the heel they compound the rubbing .

JuniperBeer · 05/09/2018 17:55

You can get little pads that stick at the back of the shoe and stop rubbing. Would she have those?

Original poster

Dancergirl · 05/09/2018 17:57

I'll go out tonight to Sainsbury's and see what I can find.

OP posts:

redsummershoes · 05/09/2018 18:00

the gel-like blisters feel different to normal blisters. so give them a try.
you could also stick a fabric plaster into the shoe where it rubs.

YeTalkShiteHen · 05/09/2018 18:01

Aye compeed blister pads aren’t as sticky and they don’t give that horrid stretched feeling that plasters do. Same with zinc oxide tape.

theboxofdelights · 05/09/2018 18:07

We have the very same issue (different shoe, Clarks Hamble oak brogue). Second day of wearing them and walking a couple of miles.

I bought these from Timpsons on the way home.

Waterlemon · 05/09/2018 18:26

When i worked in a shoe shop, we would soften stiff heels with soap.
Either rub a bar along the inside or use a very small amount of liquid soap. Rub into the inside of the shoe if you can - so the soap doesn't mark the leather (although with kids shoes you probably cant) whilst rubbing in the soap stretch/manipulate the leather where it causes tuning. I also push against the heel slightly to soften the cardboard stiffener thats ususlly inside the shoe. You might have to do all this a couple of times.

BarbaraHepworth · 05/09/2018 18:29

Sorry she's got blisters. Agree with blister plasters, they are comfy to wear.

In future, get her to wear them in at home before school starts. My kids got their new shoes last week and I made them wear them every day around the house. It's usually enough to stop blisters forming.

Mine wear standard school black socks so I don't know if that makes a difference.

Waterlemon · 05/09/2018 18:31

You might also find a thin (leather) insole might help to raise up the foot enough so the heel doesnt catch in that same place, or if the blister is from the shoes slipping then a half insole will push the foot further back into the shoe which shoukd stop the heel sliipping out.

redsummershoes · 05/09/2018 18:33

also consider getting a shoe tree to keep the shoes in shape

theboxofdelights · 05/09/2018 18:36

I also bought a thin leather insole and a half leather insole to see which one is best. Our problem is that they are worn with opaque tights which are not very thick and I think the shoes are slightly big (measured etc).

willowpillow · 05/09/2018 18:36

Compeed blister plasters in the blue pack. Don't be tempted by the cheaper no name brand lookalikes, they do not stay on nearly as well.

CottonSock · 05/09/2018 18:37

Ankle socks are hopeless

Bonkersblond · 05/09/2018 18:45

DD had a pair of Clarke’s shoes once which resulted in very painful blisters where the strap fits across the instep, taking them back to the shop, they agreed they had been badly fitted and were changed straitaway to a pair which didn’t blister. I thought the whole point of paying out £££ to have school shoes fitted was to avoid blisters. Both my DC 10 & 14 have never had blisters apart from this badly fitted pair of shoes and they have never had to wear in shoes before school starts either, although I can see the sense in this.

Original poster

Dancergirl · 05/09/2018 20:04

I suggested the plasters to dd and she had a meltdown.

I've just bought cushioned heel grip things so we'll see how we get on with those tomorrow.

OP posts:

BerriesandLeaves · 06/09/2018 15:24

Dd year 7 is having the same with Clarks that were properly fitted. Her friend is having the same with kickers. I bought some stick on foot cushioning stuff that you cut to size and some cushioned plasters. (Superdrug own brand not compeed though.) Shame they can't wear comfy trainers in a way as dd has a long walk to school. Dd is also finding her new (fitted by a trained fitter) bra and her skort uncomfortable. 😱

FaggotsandGreyPeas · 06/09/2018 18:44

Rub soap along the back of the heel each day until the y soften (80's kid).

Original poster

Dancergirl · 06/09/2018 20:27

Dd was in so much pain last night so agreed to the compeed plasters. This morning I put the plasters on and also put the jelly heel grip things the shoes. She was limping so had to drive her to the bus stop.

Still painful during the day and when she got home, she was also complaining of her little toes rubbing. The heel grips have pushed her feet forward so she now has a blister on her little toe.

Haven't tried the soap yet.

I'm wondering if I should go back to the shop again....

OP posts:

ABBABABBA · 06/09/2018 20:34

I always used to get my son to wear thicker docks (fluffy bed socks) in his shoes for an hour or so on an evening- just around the house a week or few days before term starts as we had similar issues.
I think over the summer they wear so much more open or softer shoes it's what happens.

goose1964 · 06/09/2018 20:35

Conditioner, the hair stuff, works well on softening leather too.

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