How to make shoes more comfortable, according to podiatrists

If the shoe fits, wear it. But if your toes need a little extra TLC, this TLC star has a fix. “I recommend Dr. Jill’s Toe Caps when my patients have toe pain,” says Dr. Brad Schaeffer, a board-certified podiatrist and star of TLC’s “My Feet Are Killing Me.” “This provides an immediate fix to jamming in shoes and is very good for hammertoes.”

Toe protectors can help if the fit is on point but the material isn’t jibing with your comfort levels. Think scratchy canvas or leather that hasn’t yet been worn in. “If your toes become irritated, I often suggest Dr. Frederick’s Soft Gel Toe Protectors,” says Dr. Michael Nirenberg, clinical and forensic podiatrist at Friendly Footcare in Indiana. “These are wonderful little covers for sore toes.”

“It’s important to wear good, comfortable socks,” Nirenberg says. “Nowadays, socks are very specialized, and depending on your feet, you can often find a specific sock that’s just right for you.” If you’re particularly athletic or engage in plenty of high-intensity activity, he recommends the Asics Cushion Quarter Running Socks with a seamless toe and an engineered mesh top for extra breathability. 

Whether you’re diabetic or experience foot swelling for a range of medical reasons, Nirenberg recommends these plush socks designed to reduce your chances of developing blisters, pain and other podiatric complications. These socks help promote circulation and provide plenty of cushioning and moisture-wicking properties so you can feel comfortable in virtually any pair of shoes.

For just 20 bucks, your shoes can feel brand new with the help of these insoles. “I love using inserts,” Schaeffer says, “and always recommend Dr. Scholl’s to my clients, as [its] insoles provide all-day cushioning and protection. The new 24-Hour Energy Multipurpose Insoles include energy-boosting foam beads and flexible arch support, which I love. I put them in my shoes to provide more comfort for walking, running, exercising or just being on my feet all day.”

Shoe lifts aren’t only for aesthetics. Ever wear a pair of flats so, well, flat that your feet craved a bit of height for support? These 1.4-inch sweat-absorbent gel inserts help ease pain associated with plantar fasciitis, shin splints, heel spurs, Achilles tendonitis and more so you can get on with your day pain-free.

“If your shoes are snug, I often advise stretching them,” Nirenberg says. “A simple product that can help is Footmatters Professional Boot and Shoe Stretch Spray, which is useful for shoes that are leather or suede.” Plus, it won’t discolor the fabric of your shoes, and you can use a wooden shoe stretcher to stretch your shoes overnight if you’re not ready to wear them just yet. 

Whether used on their own or with the above stretching spray, these popular four-way shoe stretchers do a solid job of making your shoes feel the way they should. They also come with eight bunion plugs that take additional pressure off key contact points of the foot against the shoe. 

Shoes that are too big can often feel as uncomfortable as their too-small counterparts since they open your feet up to the possibility of sliding, blisters and overcompensations of the musculature of your feet. That’s what makes these memory foam inserts a must-have for shoes that feel too big. They’re designed to fill that negative space in your shoe, allowing you to comfortably wear up to a half or full size bigger than your usual size. They’re also ideal for those who are forced to size up due to wide feet, bunions or other conditions. 

Sky-high stiletto heels are one of the most significant sources of foot pain due to decreased dorsiflexion (the act of pointing the toe toward the shin bone) throughout the metatarsal joint. These metatarsal pads made of medical-grade silicone gel are designed to relieve pressure at the forefoot that carries the brunt of your body weight while in heels. That translates into more time on the dance floor and less time ducking out early to change into slippers.

If you suffer from the likes of tendonitis, bursitis or general tenderness, these sleeves are a step in the right direction. “I recommend ZenToes Achilles Tendon Heel Protector Sleeves to my patients that have [pain] running on the back of the heel near the Achilles. This product provides a nice cushion when going for a walk or run,” Schaeffer says.

If you’re a sucker for nifty infomercial products, rest assured this inflammation-alleviating cream is expert approved. “I love Hempvana Pain Cream because it will improve your walking when you’re dealing with joint pain, muscle strain and other injuries,” Schaeffer says. The best part? You can use it to help cope with a range of issues from backaches to arthritis pain, making it a worthy investment.

Need to squeeze into heels for the night? This fast-acting numbing lidocaine spray should do the trick for up to an hour and can be reapplied generously up to four times a day as needed. Keep in mind that this numbing spray is only a temporary solution, so be sure to prioritize wearing the right size to avoid developing foot complications associated with ill-fitting shoes like ingrown toenails or hammertoes.

If you suffer from bunions, which Nirenberg characterizes as painful bumps on the inside of your big toe, he recommends these effective Dr. Scholl’s bunion cushions. “These are thin and flexible gel-like pads that reduce pressure on the bunion,” he says.

Not only does this copper-infused compression sleeve help assuage pain associated with the likes of bunions, calluses, corns and more, but it helps gently realign the big toe for serious functional benefits both in and out of shoes.