The pain of breaking in new shoes can be so, so awful and we’ve all been there one too many times. Whether you’ve treated yourself to a shiny new pair of killer boots for the colder months or you’re pulling out your fall/winter wardrobe and you’re standing toe to toe with your most uncomfortable yet stylish shoes to date, you’ll need to change the way you go about getting used to them. Who wants to be hobbling in the cold hating their life for two straight weeks? Not you, most likely. So, how to make those kickers a little more comfortable? Read on for five clever tricks to get you there…
Wear them in first
It might be a sad and frustrating truth, but really you’ve got to wear your shoes in before they are going to be anywhere near comfortable. This is not going to be fun no matter where you do it, but by spending half an hour in your shoes at home everyday, you’re helping your future self out a lot. This way, you get to have a say in when they come off instead of having to grit your teeth and suffer through an entire day’s worth of pain. Be sure to do plenty of pacing in them and try them with and without socks to really break them in properly.
Tweak as necessary
There are a few tweaks that you can do to your boots in order to make them more comfortable for you. If the leather is super stiff, consider stretching it. This can either be done with a foot mould, plenty of rolled up socks or leather stretching products. Scoring or sanding your boots’ soles is also going to help with comfort when you’re out and about, use a serrated knife or a pair of scissors to carefully craft some indentations or use a fine sandpaper to buff away a slippery seal.
Invest in the right socks
Cashmere socks are going to be your very best friends this winter! Cashmere is a soft, cosy and luxurious fabric that keeps you perfectly warm and protected in all kinds of cold weather. Because this material is lovely and natural (derived from the undercoat of goats), it’s highly breathable and won’t cling onto any accrued moisture in your shoes. This prevents damaging your feet, shoes and socks, which is another plus. Honestly, this is going to change your life if you’ve never worn a fine quality women’s cashmere socks before!
Pack a first aid kit
When you’ve tweaked your boots, you’ve worn them in and you’re armed with the right pair of socks, the time comes to actually go outside in them. Deep breath, you’re going to be fine. Now, just in case, it’s best that you bring a first aid kit with you to ensure that you won’t be caught out in moments of pain. Pack tape, plasters and some blister band aids to put a stop to any injuries that only get made worse from friction.
Shop Mindfully
When you’re shopping for shoes and accessories, it’s important to just always stay mindful of the materials, shapes and fibres that you’re spending your money on. By thoughtfully shopping for soft leather, high-quality soles and cashmere accessories, you’ll be saving yourself a lot of fuss, pain and money down the line.
Follow these five tips and tricks, and you’ll be skipping your way through the streets this fall and winter, and every single one to come!
