How to Stop Sandals Rubbing The Top Of Your Foot

Do you get annoyed when you have just bought a new pair of sandals to wear and suddenly you feel them pinching or rubbing the top of your foot? If this is your experience then don’t throw them away or consign them to the back of your wardrobe as we have the answers to help you to learn how to stop sandals rubbing the top of your foot.

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How Do I Stop My Sandals From Rubbing

In order to stop your sandals from rubbing you need to form a protective barrier to help protect your skin from the material of your footwear. This protective barrier can be physically attached to you or your sandal in the form of padding or it can take the form of a gel, balm or powder to help reduce friction and prevent blisters. The key is finding a product that is invisible so it doesn’t ruin the look of your sandals and that doesn’t irritate or come loose.

We have come up with a whole list of products that can work to help stop skin irritation and prevent foot pain. Here are some of our favorites for you to try.

Buy the Right Size Sandals

Firstly we have to state the obvious solutions first and that is to buy the right size sandals in the first place.

When you are buying sandals or shoes it makes sense to go shopping in the afternoon when your feet tend to be larger because you have walked on them all day.

If you go shopping in the morning before your feet swell you are more likely to end up in shoes or sandals that will be a little bit on the tight side. Making sure you buy footwear with a little extra space can make all the difference providing the sandals are not so loose they cause more problems.

If Your Sandal Stitching is Rubbing Use Moleskin

If you want to know how to stop sandals rubbing the top of your foot then get familiar with moleskin.

Moleskin is a fabric with a soft brushed surface that tends to have an adhesive underside. Moleskin comes in all shapes and sizes and can be attached to problematic areas in your shoes to reduce friction and help prevent chafing.

You can also buy spools of moleskin that can be cut to size if you can’t find a pre-cut version to work with your particular sandal style.

When Your Sandals Are Digging Into Top Of Your Foot Use Shoe Stretchers

If your sandals are rubbing because they are a little on the tight size then it makes sense to use a shoe stretcher to try and stop the problem.

Shoe stretchers are easily bought online and can help to expand shoes and sandals that are a bit tight. You can buy wooden shoe stretchers or plastic ones. Where possible buy four-way stretchers as then you can use them with your shoes as well.

If you don’t want to invest in a shoe stretcher there are other things you can do to slight stretch your sandals. A cheap way to do it is to fill a freezer bag with water and place it in the area of the sandal that is too tight. Place the sandal in the freezer and the water will expand to stretch the material or leather sandals.

If you wear thick socks with your sandals that can also help to resolve the problem. When you wear socks with sandals you are helping to create just a little extra space in the top of the foot area which can help to prevent friction. If you need a little more room wear two pairs of socks. Obviously, sandals and socks are not a fashion statement that most people want to make so wear the socks in the house and walk around in them until your footwear feels more comfortable.

Does Vaseline Stop Sandals From Rubbing?

Learn how to stop sandals rubbing the top of your foot by using vaseline to make a difference. Vaseline or petroleum jelly is a multi-purpose beauty product that can be helpful to use in an emergency to help prevent blisters. Just rub the jelly onto the skin of your foot where you have the problem to help reduce friction when you are walking.

The only problem is that vaseline is not a product that has been specially designed to help protect your toes and feet. Vaseline can help for short intervals of time but it can wear off relatively quickly leaving you back where you started. Vaseline tins are easy to carry around in your pocket or bag so you can keep on topping up the product but there are other better solutions on the market.

How to Prevent Blisters From Sandals – Anti-Friction Sticks

A better way to prevent rubbing from new shoes or sandals is by using an anti-friction stick that has been specifically designed for feet.

Dr Scholl’s Blister Defense Stick is the perfect product to use on pressure points and areas where you feel rubbing. The great thing about this product is that you can place it directly onto your foot without causing any adverse reaction. It also is non-staining so it unlikely to impact the look of your shoes.

Like vaseline, the stick is relatively small so it is easy to carry around with you when you are walking. If you need a top-up you can always place some of your foot, your heels or even your toes to help any uncomfortable areas. Generally, these sticks are likely to last for a lot longer than vaseline or other products making them a better solution for sore feet.

How to Break in Sandals – Try Saddle Soap To Soften Leather

If you have a pair of leather sandals rather than ones made from a synthetic material then you can use saddle soap to help soften the leather.

Saddle soap tends to be used to help clean leather but it can also be used to soften as well as condition your sandals or footwear.

The only issue with saddle soap is that it can remove some of the oils in the leather which may cause a problem further down the line.

Softening your leather shoes and sandals can obviously make them easier to wear as soft material is less like to create pressure or rubbing.

If Your Sandals Hurt Your Feet Wear Protective Sleeves

Depending on the design of your sandals protective arch sleeves can also work as a method of preventing rubbing.

This particular pair of arch supports are designed for Plantar Fasciitis but can help with friction problems. If you don’t mind these sleeves being visible then of course you can wear them on any sandals when you are breaking them.

If you are self-conscious however then only use these with sandals that have leather or other material that covers the top of the foot.

Wear Blister Gel Stickers in Your Sandals

Just like you can buy moleskin in different shapes and sizes there are also other products that you can buy that can help stop a shoe or sandal from rubbing.

Gel Soft Spot Shoe Pads are a product that you can buy to help prevent blisters. These are adhesive circular style dots that you can place on problem areas to protect your skin and reduce any pressure or friction.

Wearing these pads in sandal season can protect your feet and make your sandals wearable even if they previously felt uncomfortable.

Stop Sweaty Feet Causing Blisters

Whilst sandals by their very nature allow you to free your feet in times of hot weather they don’t always prevent your feet from getting sweaty. On a hot day shoe rubbing from sweat is actually incredibly common, especially in synthetic sandals and flip flops.

Sweaty feet can cause blisters at the top of the foot or on any part of your feet where the sandal material rubs against your skin as you walk. Therefore it makes sense to take action to keep your feet sweat-free where possible.

Carpe Antiperspirant Foot Lotion is our go-to product when it comes to helping keep your feet moisture-free. You only need a small amount on your feet and it helps stop the sweat in its tracks leaving you pain-free.

Use Foot Powder to Prevent Friction From Sandals

Using foot powder is also a great way of helping to limit moisture and help your sandals glide over your foot rather than create blisters.

The only problem with foot powder is that it can be very visible on your feet and also stain your shoe, flip flops or sandals making them look unsightly.

This is why we like Arm and Hammer’s No White Mess Invisible Foot Spray. This does a great job of eliminating sweaty feet and mopping up moisture but without leaving visible signs on your foot.

Wear Flesh Colored Band-Aids

Finally, if you want to know how to stop your sandals from rubbing the top of your foot think about using a humble band-aid.

Band-aids are now made in an array of different colors that can match your skin tone. They are also super thin and easy to carry around. Placing a band-aid underneath a strap or problem area can help to stop the foot pain, assist with healing and help to reduce friction when you walk.

As most sandals don’t take too long to break in these are a great temporary solution. When your feet have got used to your sandals and the material they are made of has adapted to your foot shape they can be hopefully disgarded for good.