Every pair of shoes I buy skins my heels

[PaulHollywoodsSexGut]

Help me S&B

I’ve been on here before with similar but I’m at my wits’ end trying to find shoes that won’t skin my heels.

I’ve had my feet measured twice by Clarks and John Lewis and I’m 5.5.

However in some styles I fit a 6 as obviosuly not all size 5.5s are made equal and I have shoes in both sizes.

I have pumps, brogues and other flats. I always try and walk a lot in the shop before buying but it seems the moment I need to wear them in real life they either skin my heels, rub my toes or are just uncomfortable.

I try and wear the shoes in but I’m now at the stage of running four pairs of newish (past three months) shoes and I can’t even do a fifteen minute walk to the station without hobbling at the end of it.

Has this happened to any of you and how did you rectify it?

I really am at my wits fucking end as I don’t have this issue with my boots and it’s too warm where I am to start putting on my 60 deniers and Chelsea boots.

I can't wear courts. I only wear Mary Janes which stops the shoe moving around on your feet.

I can't wear shoes either, never have been able to. I either wear sandals/flipflops in summer or boots in winter. September is usually tricky, but that's just the way it is.

I have had this problem since going through pregnancy! Now the only shows that don’t kill me are from
Russell and Bromley. They cost a fortune but last ages. Maybe worth a try? They also do half sizes

It’s that little bit too cold for bare legs and I am at the point now of trying to fathom what to do to couple the sandals that I have that don’t kill my feet plus the tights I now need to wear and how the fuck this marries together into “presentable corporate attire”.

Am just at the end of my tether right now

I have this exact problem, it’s a nightmare. I was also one of those people who try and go from sandals to boots. What do you think of mules? They’ve been a life saver for me and I can’t thank Gucci enough for bringing them back, it means my feet don’t have to freeze in that awkward crossover between the sandal and boot.

If a 6 wears better then maybe you should go for tge bigger size. Or try an extra wide shoe maybe? I have wide feet and my heels are the first to go in normal width shoes.

No advice OP but I can sympathise.Ive always has this problem, I remember even sensible Clark's School shoes skinning my heels. I think I just have low heels (if that makes any sense). The bit that gets skinned is just above the back of my heels (where the skin texture changes). The top edge of the shoe's back rubs and no amount of heel grips, heel cushions and plasters have ever helped. And do you also have wide feet OP? My feet look slender because they're not very fleshy/meaty but the sides of my toes hurt where the wide boney parts touch the shoe. The skin on my feet are covered in callous and it's 🤮

I have a solution! It's something I make for myself (and need some new ones). I'll try to draw it.

Sorry for the bad drawing - I need a drawing app that doesn't mirror.

Basically I get neoprene (squishy but stays intact) and make the shapes below (the top one is longer). They then get sewn together at the stitch marks. The bottom piece goes below your insole and the top piece fits round your heel and ankle. They are a little tricky to make as you have to get the angle right (most shoes don't go straight up so the top piece angles in slightly) but they really do work. You can layer up the neoprene until you get a perfect fit for yourself.

I used to rub all the backing off boots until I devised this so I really do sympathise. I also find it amazing that no shoemaker sells them.

You need to go into production Mip

Can you post a picture of your actual invention, @MipMipMip? Does it stay put when you walk?

Thick non plastic plasters on back of heels before first wear, change daily but keep the plasters on every day for at least a week. Then you break them in without pain.

Also if there's a specific spot that is rubbing, blast it with hot air from hair dryer and stretch area out with fingers.

I buy suede padded heel grips and they are brilliant. About a £1.

I have the same problem to begin with when I change shoes as the seasons change. I use compeed blister plasters that stay on for a few days and after a couple of rounds of them feet and shoes seem to have broken in!

@mipmipmip please show a pic of your heely thing, as the heel grips that @paulhollywoodsleftbollockhair kindly recommends just don’t work either

I thought I had wide feet too but nope, Clark’s and JL have me as Mrs Average.

I suspect @Oly5 and I have the same issue as mine haven’t been right since the birth of DC2.

This is so first world problems but I feel like having a wee cry as I’m collecting the children from nursery tonight and it’s hard enough walking home with a toddler and baby alongside a main road when you know you can walk/run normally as opposed to hobbling in pain.

I’m a 3.5 so wear either a 3 or 4 depending on the fit. I have sensitive feet too so I’m prone to blisters, cut skin and scars from ill fitting footwear.

What works for me is blister plasters, especially compeed and boots own brand. I just wear them where I usually get hurt and they prevent further or any injury to my feet. So you may benefit by wearing them on your heel. Also I always wear trainer socks with boots and trainers - the sock that is below ankle length so it’s not visible, but gives me extra padding to avoid friction on my sole.

To be honest, I never wear flat shoes so can’t really advise there. I either wear heels (sandals, boots or courts) or I wear trainers/Birkenstocks to/from my car. I just don’t find flat shoes comfortable so maybe it’s the type of shoe that you’re wearing?

I have the same problem and I’ve found shoes made from nubuck leather /suede much more forgiving. Also I buy shoes with straps and then really size up. If I weee measured I would be a 5.5 maybe 6. But I buy a 7 and find them much better

Mip - does the neoprene have some sort of adhesive on the back? I love the idea but I'm wondering how you stick the fabric to the inside heel of your shoe?

I also struggle with shoes; I tend to go straight from sandals to boots, like a few other posters here. It makes transitioning between seasons a bit tricky, but there's no point in wasting money on shoes I can't wear, just for the months of April and September. I should add that Clarks occasionally have something I can wear, but not always.

What about using surgical spirit to toughen the skin on your feet, a la ballet dancers?

Not very fashionable in the Instagram era of acid foot peels and whatnot but all this foot peeling and softening is leaving our poor feet vulnerable to rubs, blisters and general skin damage from shoes.

Hi again Mip, I've just found sticky-backed neoprene, is this what you use?

www.rubberandsponge.co.uk/online_shop/cat_1148460-Self-Adhesive-Neoprene-Sponge-Sheet.html

These are tall ones as they're for my walk ing boots (also slightly disgusting as I'm due to make a new pair. They can be washed though). I duct tape the underside to my insoles but that's because I take the insoles out every time I was my boots. They do stay in place though.

You have to get used to pulling them up so they are flat inside but once you do it does work. I think I maybe have narrow heels and that's why there is space to move.

Oh if you do double up neoprene make sure you don't just sew the edges but do some stitches inside to make sure there isnt movement.

You don't need it to stick as you have the bit under the insole to keep it in place. You just adjust it when you put it on. I think if it did stick to the shoe it would move with the shoe rather than with your foot so you could still end up with rubbing.

I think this is the fabric I used. www.minervacrafts.com/shop/fabric/dress-fabrics/neoprene-m-plain-polyester-spandex-stretch-neoprene-dress-fabric?colour=Beige you don't need much - certainly not a full metre no matter how many you make! I rang up Minerva and they measured all the neoprene to find me the fattest as there was some slight variance between colours.

@hannnnnnnxo agree about the blister plasters. Also not wearing shoes with bare feet helps loads IMO

@PaulHollywoodsSexGut hope MNers find you a solution that works for you. Suede has much more give than new leather/patent