# Help me break in my shoes **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 2, 2003, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-break-in-my-shoes/192565 "2003-08-02T17:00:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2003, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-break-in-my-shoes/192565/1 "2003-08-02T17:00:02Z")
So, I bought [these](http://fff.fathom.org/pages/LaurAnge/evilshoes.JPG) pretty shoes that go with many of my work outfits for roughly 10$ Canadian at Payless shoes. I knew they didn’t fit terrifically, and I was a little nervous about having backless shoes, but I figured, 10$, I need shoes, what the heck. I wore them for roughly one hour and 15 minutes a few days after I bought them. This 1 hour and 15 minutes involved 5 minutes walking to the bus stop, 15 minutes on the bus, 5 more minutes walking, 30 ish minutes sittting, and then a trip back home. The blisters didn’t heal for about 2 weeks. I especially got blisters on my big toes where the front edge of the strap is, although my baby toes and the top of my foot got it pretty badly too. I refuse to let these shoes win. I need tips, tricks and product recommendations where appropriate to allow me to master the shoes. I **will** emerge victorious. ---
**Author:** ![skeptic\_ev](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@skeptic\_ev](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skeptic_ev)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2003, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-break-in-my-shoes/192565/2 "2003-08-02T18:26:43Z")
Bad news, **LaurAnge**. You shouldn’t have to break in shoes; they should be comfortable from the start. I’ve read that a million times but had to endure lots of so-cute-they-almost-fit shoes before it really sunk in. On the other hand, shoes do tend to stretch out a bit over time, so who knows? ---
**Author:** ![Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c68b51/32.png) [@Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2003, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-break-in-my-shoes/192565/3 "2003-08-02T19:25:00Z")
_walks around in Laur’s shoes_ Well… if I wasn’t crippled before, I am now. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![peri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/67e7ee/32.png) [@peri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peri)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2003, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-break-in-my-shoes/192565/4 "2003-08-02T22:42:04Z")
Look at the Dr. Scholl’s display in your local pharmacy for something called moleskin. It comes in 3-5 in. squares. Clean under the shoe strap with an alcohol wipe, then apply a wide strip of the moleskin. Cut it so it extends a mm or so past the leading edge of the strap. It will keep it from cutting into your toes without being too visible. The shoes will feel a little snug for several days. (Although being too tight now may have exacerbated the problem.) And let this be a lesson to you. Shoes should be comfortable from the first time you try them on. Walk around in the store, on a hard surface, for at least 15 minutes before you buy. The salesclerks will watch you like a hawk, as these areas tend to be right inside the door. So what? Your feet will thank you. ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2003, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-break-in-my-shoes/192565/5 "2003-08-03T00:55:24Z")
Coulld you stick a [shoe stretcher](http://pages.tias.com/5903/PictPage/1921018127.html) in there? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2003, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-break-in-my-shoes/192565/6 "2003-08-03T01:47:29Z")
I’m a guy, but I might be able to help… Whenever I buy new hiking boots I dump a lot of talc into my socks… the first couple of times I wear them, at least… it keeps my feet from getting sweaty, and thus keeps the skin from getting damp and blister-prone… ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2003, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-break-in-my-shoes/192565/7 "2003-08-03T14:46:06Z")
I’m not sure if the blisters were from too-tight or from just-loose-enough-to-move-around. I’m on the moleskin thing, though. Thanks for all the suggestions.