How can you prevent new shoes from rubbing?
Wearing new shoes should be exciting, not a minor torture. And yet, most of us remember a time when the thrill ended with an "ouch" on the heel, redness on the instep, or an unexpected blister at the end of the day.
At Panama Jack, we know that comfort is key to enjoying any activity, especially when you're wearing footwear for hours on end. We've put together this practical guide with real tips on how to prevent injuries from new footwear and ensure your shoes adapt to your feet without making you suffer. Because wearing footwear for the first time should feel good, not be an endurance test!
Why do new shoes hurt?
To find out how to prevent blisters from new shoes, you must first understand what causes them. Skin irritation occurs when shoes or boots repeatedly rub against a specific area of the foot. To begin with, the footwear is still quite stiff and your skin isn't used to contact in that area. Friction usually arises from a combination of factors.
The most common being that the material they're made from needs to be "worn in" to make them more flexible. Internal seams, edges or reinforcements may also feel harder at first. Poorly fitting footwear also plays a role; if the foot moves around inside, it is likely that more rubbing will occur. If the footwear is wet inside or the foot is sweaty, the skin becomes more fragile and sensitive, making it easier for marks and blisters to form.
Finally, wearing new footwear for hours at a time is a recipe for disaster. Even comfortable designs need to be worn in gradually.
How to prevent shoes from rubbing (before wearing them out for the first time)
Try them at home a few times
It's best to avoid wearing new footwear outside to begin with. Wear them at home for short periods of 20–30 minutes for the first few days. Walk on different types of flooring, go up and down stairs, and let the material start to adapt to your foot.
If you notice pressure on a specific area of your foot, it's better to detect it in the safety of your own home than in the middle of the street! Just wearing the footwear a few times will usually soften them enough so that they don't cause discomfort later on.
Wear thin socks to wear in new footwear
If the footwear has a closed toe, wear them with thin socks and walk around for a while. This creates a soft barrier that reduces direct rubbing on the skin and helps the interior soften before you wear them outside.
This method works especially well for leather boots and shoes. Natural leather gets softer with heat and movement, and the sock helps this process along without punishing your foot.
Tighten laces or closures
Badly fitting footwear can cause rubbing and chafing. If the footwear is too loose, the foot moves around too much and rubs against the sides. Adjust the laces, buckles or elastic closures to hold the foot in place, without making them too tight.
This is one of the best tricks to prevent injuries from new footwear, and it also improves your gait because your footing is more stable. Sometimes, a minor adjustment is the difference between a comfortable first outing or ending up with a blister.
Mistakes that cause footwear to rub more
If you want to know how to prevent footwear from rubbing, here's how to avoid some common pitfalls. The first mistake is wearing them for the first time for the whole day or when you know you'll be walking a lot. Even with good quality footwear, the first time you wear them for a prolonged period can takes its toll.
Another typical mistake is to choose a slightly larger size "just in case". That extra space causes the foot to slip around inside, increasing friction.
Wearing new footwear two days in a row doesn't help either. The material needs time to rest in order to regain its shape.
Perhaps the biggest mistake is ignoring the first signs of discomfort. When you start to feel a slight pressure and think, "it'll get better by itself", the opposite is the case. The more you put up with it, the more your skin will be irritated.
Choosing the right footwear: the key to preventing sore feet
Although there are many tricks to prevent your footwear from rubbing, it all starts with making a smart choice. The quality of the footwear makes a huge difference from the outset. Well-made uppers crafted from flexible materials and designed for comfort, are less likely to cause friction and will adapt to the shape of your feet much more quickly.
Footwear made from stiff materials, in particular synthetics that lack breathability, or that have hard interior seams, tend to rub more and the risk of getting a blister increases. That said, well-structured footwear made of natural leather also allow movement. Since this material lets the foot breathe, it prevents those points of friction that are so typical when wearing new shoes.
That's why investing in brands that prioritise comfort and durability is also a great way to take care of yourself. At Panama Jack, for example, the uppers are designed for real walking, the leathers are natural and soft, and the stitching is minimised to avoid uncomfortable seams. That doesn't mean they don't need a little breaking in, but it does mean that the process is much gentler and safer for your feet.
Before asking yourself what to do to prevent blisters, make sure the footwear you choose is good quality and designed for comfort. When you cover the basics, everything else becomes much easier.
