There is never an easy way...

[mrstea301]

To break in shoes / trainers without causing blisters on the back of your ankles?!

Definitely wearing the right size, but anytime I wear new shoes or trainers (like yesterday) I always end up with raw patches on the back of my heels! I don't think lockdown has helped as I've not really been wearing new shoes and my feet have probably spread a bit, but even before lockdown I always had this!

Is there a way to do this? And once the first wear is over, what's the solution? Do you persist in wearing them until they're broken in, or do you wait to heal, then go back to them, and repeat until they're broken in? Nightmare!!!

I would love to know the same. My feet are in agony after wearing new shoes today

The traditional way is to pee in them and leave them to soak overnight. You may not wish to pursue this course of action.

Apply plasters to the blister sites before wearing the shoes. Repeat daily til they're comfy.

I go through tons of plasters until I can wear that pain free.

I give them to my dad who rubs the shoe until its soft.
My gorgeous dm sandals have been taking the skin of my feet until dad worked his magic!

My dad used to put a hammer inside a couple of fluffy socks then bash the living daylights out of the back of the shoe.

The old solution was linseed oil and bending them a lot.

Thick socks and hair dryer to loosen and shape.

The socks will offer a layer of protection from rubbing.

Bag of water and in the freezer.

When selling shoes I used to suggest yo teenagers buying prom shoes that if they were worn while doing something like vacuum cleaning, it'll break them in and get them used to walking in them especially if higher heals. Definitely heat them first though (rubbing works too one of my ex colleagues used to recommend that course)

I was told by a shoe shop owner and a podiatrist that you should not have to break shoes in . If you get blisters or rubs or anything then they are the wrong shoe for you. I have stuck to this as has dh and ds. Dd sometimes and it works. Yes dd gets problems by wearing what she wants rather than taking time and buying what fits.

I just put tape around the backs of my heels. I'm past caring what anyone else says or thinks, I need to be comfy.

Something like this. You can attach it to your foot, or to the inside of your shoe.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254811577045

Silicone socks.

Never had a single blister with my doc martins with silicone socks

Compeed have a stick you rub on any potential troublespot , not tried it yet but heard it’s very goid

Silicon socks are amazing! They were a Godsend when trying to break in a pair of Doc Martins!

@seepingweeping

Silicone socks.

Never had a single blister with my doc martins with silicone socks

What the heck are silicone socks???

Like these?

The solution is 3M Microspore silicone tape.

Sorry, Micropore not Microspore!

Yes I buy cushioned plasters and never get blisters anymore. Any new pairs of shoes are worn for a good few days with plasters until they don't hurt.

@mrstea301

To break in shoes / trainers without causing blisters on the back of your ankles?!

Definitely wearing the right size, but anytime I wear new shoes or trainers (like yesterday) I always end up with raw patches on the back of my heels! I don't think lockdown has helped as I've not really been wearing new shoes and my feet have probably spread a bit, but even before lockdown I always had this!

Is there a way to do this? And once the first wear is over, what's the solution? Do you persist in wearing them until they're broken in, or do you wait to heal, then go back to them, and repeat until they're broken in? Nightmare!!!

Put a compeed on your heel as a prophylactic measure.

Also, I have weird feet that swell up in hot weather, do buy shoes from a brand that you know gives you some leeway, especially for sumner shoes.

I buy a product called Shoe Stretcher. Spray it onto the part that’s rubbing and wear immediately. It worked like magic on a pair of leather shoes which were cutting my heels to ribbons. Available from Timpsons or I got mine from the little cobblers shop in our local market hall.