How do I stop my shoes rubbing the side of my ankle?
Emily Ross
Published Jan 23, 2026
How To Stop Shoes From Rubbing The Back Of Your Ankle?
- Put On Thick Socks.
- Use Insoles.
- Try Moleskin.
- Stretch The Back Of Your Shoes.
- Use Duct Tape.
- Use Cotton Wool.
How do you fix a shoe that rubs the side of your ankle?
- 8 Tricks To Stop Shoes From Hurting The Back Of Your Ankle.
- Get proper fit with insoles. ...
- Double socks. ...
- Use moleskin. ...
- Visit the cobbler. ...
- Use heat. ...
- Use duct tape. ...
- Use Custom Made Insoles for Better Fit and Comfort.
How do I stop my shoes rubbing the side of my foot?
Reduce the friction
- Wear socks. They can act as a cushion between your foot and the shoe.
- Use toe protectors or toe caps. They can cushion toes from the shoe and prevent friction.
- Insert shoe pads or insoles. These can help prevent abrasion in areas such as your heels.
- Apply paper tape.
Why does my shoes rub my ankle?
Shoes rub at the back of the ankle for two reasons: 1) a problem with the shoe or 2) a problem with the heel. Shoe problems that can cause excess rubbing result from improper sizing or poor shoe construction. Both shoes that are are too small and shoes that are too big can cause rubbing.
Does Vaseline stop shoes rubbing?
Always break in your shoes before wearing them outside. Whenever you buy a new pair of shoes, you should always wear them around the house first. Wearing them with thick socks, sometimes two pairs, is a good way to break them in and stretch them out a bit. Use Vaseline on the rubbing hotspots.
21 related questions foundHow do I stop my shoes from rubbing my Achilles?
To help, our podiatrists have put together a few of their top tips for stopping your shoes from rubbing against the back of your heel.
- During the shoe buying stage. ...
- Choose the right socks. ...
- Use good insoles ...
- Be mindful of shoe materials. ...
- Reduce the moisture in your shoes. ...
- Consider stretching your shoes. ...
- Check for rough edges.
How do you break in new shoes fast?
Here's what to do:
- Put thick socks on your feet.
- Blast one of the shoes all over with a hair dryer for around a minute, until it's warm and soft.
- Put the shoe on your foot.
- Repeat with the other shoe.
- Walk around your house at least until the shoes have cooled - the longer you can keep them on the better.
How do I stop my ankle straps from rubbing my heels?
Good inserts are the best kept secret to walking comfortably in your ankle strap heels. These ones are mini versions of heel grips, and made of soft foam that stick to the back of your heel straps, providing a much needed barrier between the tender skin of your foot and the abrasive straps.
How do I stop my shoes rubbing the back of my heel?
Shoes rubbing the back of heels is a common phenomenon happening when walking or going with shoes put on, especially new shoes.
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How To Stop Shoes From Rubbing The Back Of Your Ankle?
- Put On Thick Socks.
- Use Insoles.
- Try Moleskin.
- Stretch The Back Of Your Shoes.
- Use Duct Tape.
- Use Cotton Wool.
How can I soften the backs of my shoes?
There are a lot of methods you can follow, here are 13 of them:
- Use Hairdryer. Using a hairdryer is our first method on how to soften the back of new shoes. ...
- Use Ziplock Bags. ...
- Use a 2-Way Shoe Stretcher. ...
- Wear Thick Padded Socks. ...
- Put Wooden Inserts. ...
- Use Damped Newspaper. ...
- Use Shoe Stretch Spray. ...
- Do Some Soap Rubbing.
How do I stop my heel from rubbing my boots?
11 Proven Ways to Stop Boots from Rubbing your Heel
- Wear Liner Socks. ...
- Wear a Thick Pair of Socks. ...
- Apply Thick layer of Vaseline on the Heels. ...
- Heat the Problem Areas of the Boots with a Dryer. ...
- Insert a Heel Grip Inside the Boots. ...
- Insert an Insole. ...
- Break in New Boots. ...
- Use a Duct Tape.
How do you wear new shoes without getting blisters?
Preventing Blisters from New Shoes
Overly dry skin is more likely to cause irritations than healthy skin, so try to apply a foot cream every night before bed. Another way to avoid blisters is to wear well-fitting shoes and comfortable socks. You may also want to try insoles.
How do you know when shoes are too small?
An ill-fitting shoe will often put pressure on the ball of the foot and create pain in the toes. A good way to tell if it's too tight is by trying to touch your nose with your thumb while standing up straight. If you can't reach it, then your shoes are probably too small.
Is it normal for feet to hurt with new shoes?
The new shoes feel tight around the toes, they rub at the heel, and they pinch with every step. They felt great at the store. What happened? It's the dreaded break-in period, when a new shoe rubs against tender feet, causing blisters and abrasions, until shoe and foot find a way to conform to each other in harmony.
Should your toes touch the end of shoes?
Your toes should have ample room to spread wide. Your toes shouldn't feel constricted or touch the end of the shoe. Your heel should feel comfortably cupped in the back of the shoe, which ensures that your foot won't slip out from the back of the shoe.
Are shoes supposed to be tight at first?
First and foremost, your shoes should fit comfortably. That means they should neither by too tight nor too loose, too big nor too small.
Can you stretch shoes half a size?
In general, stretching your shoes can add a quarter- to a half-size in space, David Mesquita, owner of The Leather Spa, a leather repair boutique in New York City, tells SELF.
Why do shoes always give me blisters?
Blisters are most often caused by excessive rubbing or friction on the foot when shoes don't fitproperly. New shoes that are too stiff can create blisters. When shoes are too big, they can slip at the heel and create more friction.
Why are my shoes suddenly giving me blisters?
Blisters are basically caused by friction between your skin and your shoe or sock. Repeated friction left untreated leads to abrasions and blisters. First, ensure that you are wearing the right socks, they need to be moisture-wicking socks. You cannot run in cotton socks.
Why do my sneakers give me blisters?
Running shoes which are too small or which are not designed for your foot and pronation will apply pressure at specific points of your feet. This causes rubbing that, in turn, will lead to blisters. If your feet are too moist the skin will soften and this also makes them more prone to blisters.
Why do new shoes rub heels?
The expansion in foot size causes rubbing as your foot comes into contact with the material. Excess water in your shoes is one of the biggest causes of rubbing and blister development. This is because wet skin is softer and more vulnerable, so the top layer is more likely to be pulled away from the lower ones.
How do you tape your feet to prevent blisters?
Toes. Place a single longitudinal strip of tape up and over the length of the toe, then apply a second strip around the toe at the level that gets blisters.
Should you cover a blister or let it breathe?
Try not to pop or drain it. Leave it uncovered or cover loosely with a bandage. Try not to put pressure on the area. If the blister is in a pressure area such as the bottom of the foot, put a donut-shaped moleskin on it.
How do I prevent blisters on my edges?
4 Strategies To Prevent Heel Edge Blisters
Reduce pressure from the heel cup of your insole or orthotic. Reduce friction levels at the heel cup as it transitions into the heel counter of the shoe.
How can I stretch my shoes overnight?
7 ways to stretch out your shoes
- Wear them in the evening. If your shoes are just a little uncomfortable, try wearing them around the house. ...
- Thick socks and a blow dryer. ...
- Frozen zip-close bag. ...
- The peeled potato trick. ...
- Adjustable shoe trees. ...
- Shoe stretch sprays and liquids. ...
- Find a shoe repair professional.