How to Wear Oversized Shoes

Don’t worry about shoes that are a bit too big because you can still wear them. Try wearing thicker socks, stuffing more paper into the shoes, lining or rolling up the inner lining, moistening the shoes so that it shrinks or sewing elastic bands into the shoes… And as a last resort, visit the carpenter. shoes with those shoes.

Table of Contents

Simple methods

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Wear thick socks (or multiple pairs). Perhaps the simplest thing you can do with a wide pair of shoes is to make your feet “big” with thick socks. For example, replace a pair of tights or leather socks with a pair of athletic socks. You can even wear multiple layers at once to better fit your foot into the shoe.

Suit for: Sports shoes, boots.
Note: This method should not be applied in the hot season, especially if you often sweat feet.

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Tuck some stuff into the toe of the shoe. You can use cheap materials (like paper towels, toilet paper, or even rags), crumple them up, and stuff them into the toes of your shoes. This is useful and can be used anywhere if you feel your feet slide back and forth in your shoes while walking.

Suit for: Doll shoes, boots, high heels.
Note: Not optimal for hiking; The material “stuffed” in the shoe can cause itching and discomfort with prolonged use.

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Use shoe insoles. Shoe insoles are thin (usually made of foam or flexible materials) that cushion the inside of the shoe. Insoles are intended for support in posture and comfort, but can also contribute to a tight fit in shoes that are too wide. You can buy them at any shoe store for a reasonable price.

Fits: Most shoes (including heels and open toes).
Note: If possible, you should try on the insole before buying to make sure it fits you. Famous sports brands such as Nike, Adidas… also sell insoles.

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Use silicone pads. Sometimes the “whole” cushioning of the shoe insole causes terrible discomfort when worn. Fortunately, there are small flexible plastic pads that are used to cushion the heel or half of the forefoot (the fleshy part under the toe). These silicone insoles are compact, creating an invisible layer of cushioning where support is needed such as the forefoot, heel or sole, perfect for heels that are just a little too wide that if inserted The whole shoe insole will make the owner uncomfortable. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Suit for: High heels, doll shoes
Note: These insoles come in a variety of colors so choose the color that matches your shoes.

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Use ankle pads. Another type of “local” patch other than heel and forefoot pads are heel pads. As the name suggests, they are thin pads for shoes with a slightly tight collar, but they are designed to fit anywhere in the shoe.

Fits: Most shoes, especially high heels with tight collars.
Note: Try it on first because some people say they get swollen ankles after using it. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Other complicated ways

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Try moistening the shoes with water. With some types of shoes, you should consider shrinking them by soaking them in water and drying them in the air. If you do it right, the results will be great, but be sure to read the labels on your shoes carefully before you start. See the instructions below. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

First, wet the shoes. For leather or suede, use a water spray. For casual or sports shoes, soak them in water.
Let the shoes dry on their own in the sun. If there is no sun, use the hair dryer on the “small” setting. Be careful not to dry too close as some fabrics, like ppyester, are very flammable or melted.
Once the shoes are dry, try them on. You can repeat this process a few times if they are still wide. If you’re afraid your shoes will be too small, you can wear them and dry them at the same time. The shoes will be small enough for your feet.
Polish leather shoes after drying. Shoe polish kits are available at shoe stores or supermarkets.

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Use garment elastic to make the shoe shrink. This trick requires a bit of sewing skills. Attach a piece of elastic to the inside of the shoe to pull the fabric or leather together to make the shoe tighter. What you need is a sewing thread, needle and thread. Choose a good elastic band. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Sew the elastic to the back of the shoe, inside the ankle. This position is the most suitable, but you can sew into any empty area and still be effective.
Attach an elastic band to the shoe, stretch it while sewing. You can use needles.
Release the rope. After sewing, release your hand to let the elastic return to its normal state, then the material in the shoe will be stretched. The shoe will be “shrunk” a bit.
You can combine this with the shoe wetting method or any other trick if necessary.

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Go to a professional shoemaker or shoe repair service. When you have tried everything and still not satisfied, seek professional service. Shoemaker (who specializes in working with shoes) is a profession that used to be very popular, but later it gradually decreased. However, you can ask people around about a reputable shoe repair address.

Good for: High-quality, expensive shoes; Shoes are considered as “heirlooms” of your family.
Note: The prices of these services are often unpredictable, so use it well . A beautiful pair of shoes that you really appreciate is a wise choice to take to the shoemaker. Regular sneakers are not necessary.

Things to remember

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Try to maintain your posture when wearing shoes that are too big. Always remember that no matter what you do on the inside of your shoes, it will stay the same on the outside. This can lead to poor posture while walking. When you have to wear an oversized shoe, it’s important that you maintain good posture to balance your “bigger” feet. See our post on posture for more helpful tips. Some common issues include: ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Erect. The head and chest should face forward. Push your shoulders back slightly to keep your arms straight.
Use both heels and toes when walking. Step up and put the heel down first, then the soles, the front half, the toes and then walk.
Try to gently stretch your abs and glutes as you move. These muscle groups contribute to good support for your spine.

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Carefully lift your feet as you move. Oversized shoes are usually longer than the shoes you normally wear. This means that when walking you need to lift your foot a little higher than normal or else the toe of the shoe will drag on the ground leading to tripping.

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Do not wear wide shoes for too long. It doesn’t matter what method or item you use to make a shoe fit. Just avoid using those oversized shoes for a lot of walking like climbing or hiking. Your feet are at risk of blisters and scratches due to sliding back and forth in the shoes when moving.

More importantly, you will minimize the chance of injury. Ankle injuries (such as sprains or sprains) often occur when shoes are too wide, especially in sports.

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Replace a pair of shoes that show signs of being larger than usual. It sounds obvious, but this means: the tricks above have limits . If your shoes are one to two sizes wider than usual, do not add extra lining to wear them. Don’t risk pain and possible injury just to wear a new pair of shoes. In this case, you should choose to wear an old but comfortable pair of shoes rather than regret trying to wear a new pair of shoes that do not fit your feet.

Advice

Don’t forget to look to see if the shoe has ankle or ankle laces. Some types (usually sandals, heels or sports shoes) can be tightened or loosened with adjustable straps.
Always try on shoes before you buy. Prevention is better than cure; You’re better off finding a shoe that fits you at the store than trying to make it fit you better at home!

Steps

Simple methods

Other complicated ways

Things to remember

Advice

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