5 effective ways to deal with too loose shoes

Why have my shoes become too loose?

After taking your summer footwear out of the closet, you found that your favorite pair of shoes suddenly no longer fit? There are many reasons why your shoes may have become too loose. One of them is weight loss. The accompanying removal of the problem of water retention in the body means that the foot may become half a size smaller. In the case of new mothers, the reason for this may be a previous pregnancy, which contributed to swelling of the feet. Wearing one pair of shoes too often can also cause the shoe to start to slip off your foot over time.   

Regardless of the reason why your shoes are too loose, you don't have to part with them. Learn effective ways to deal with too loose footwear.

#1 Invest in insoles

The most popular and at the same time one of the most effective solutions for loose shoes are insoles. Regardless of the material from which they are made, insoles can effectively reduce shoes by up to 1 size, and additionally offer a number of other applications. Gel inserts are great for people who care about their joints. Leather insoles, on the other hand, are a hit for those who struggle with sweaty feet. For winter footwear, we recommend thermal insoles that will easily keep you pleasantly warm, providing your feet with real comfort.

Simply slide the insole inside your shoes, making sure there are no creases anywhere. This way, the insole will fill the space between the foot and the shoe, and you will be able to enjoy better-fitting shoes.

#2 Choose heels

Heel clips are small, self-adhesive strips that will help you effectively prevent your heels from slipping out of your shoes. Attach them to the inside of the shoe near the heel. This way, your foot will move slightly forward and your heels will have additional cushioning. 

This method will work with virtually all types of shoes and is especially recommended for type shoes peep-toe, i.e. shoes with open toes.

#3 Fill excess space

If you want to easily get rid of the problem of too loose shoes, fill the excess space with cotton pads. You can replace them with tissues or toilet paper. Remember to replace these fillers with new ones before each wearing of shoes. 

This solution will work well with flat formal shoes, ballet flats, stilettos and heels. We do not recommend filling sports shoes in this way. Avoid this method if you are going for training or a long walk - it may cause an unpleasant odor.

Special shoe fillers are also available in stores, the so-called noses. This solution is especially popular among parents who cannot afford to buy several pairs of shoes for their child for one season.

#4 Choose thick socks

In the case of winter shoes, a great and effective solution is to wear thick, woolen socks that will fill the empty space. If you don't have wool socks on hand, you can put on two or three pairs of cotton socks.

This way you will add volume to your feet both in width and length, getting rid of the problem of too loose shoes. A side effect of this method is to provide yourself with additional warmth on frosty days. If you are struggling with the problem of excessive sweating of your feet, give up this solution.

#5 Put your shoes in the hands of a specialist

While browsing the Internet for advice, you may come across a method that involves soaking loose shoes with water and exposing them to the sun. Do not use this solution under any circumstances, especially if you are dealing with your favorite pair of leather or suede shoes. Long-term exposure of footwear to direct sunlight may cause unsightly discoloration of the material.  

If you don't want to take the risk, just leave your shoes in the hands of a specialist. The shoemaker knows perfectly well how to effectively and safely shrink shoes that are too loose, so as not to damage them.

Why shouldn't you deliberately buy shoes that are too loose?

Remember not to buy shoes that are too loose on purpose. Many people wrongly believe that wearing shoes one size larger can prevent bunions or abrasions. However, this belief is very misleading!

In shoes that are too big, your feet have to work a lot to support your body. The result of this effort is an unnatural gait and foot pain. Moreover, shoes that are too large - because they do not provide adequate support - may increase the risk of falling when climbing or descending stairs. 

Properly fitted footwear provides a stable platform on which your entire body rests. This way, your legs align optimally, which results in less wear and tear on tendons and joints. For this reason, we recommend purchasing shoes in the appropriate size.