Have you bought a pair of sandals and found that when you got them home they don’t fit well? Alternatively, have you had a pair of sandals for some time and they have stretched so they now feel loose? If so we have some solutions on how to tighten loose sandals and save your shoes from being consigned to the back of your cupboard.
When your sandals and shoes feel as if they are falling off your feet they feel uncomfortable and it walking is difficult. Yet with our simple tips to help your footwear feel snug and secure on your feet, you can solve the problem relatively easily with some simple hacks.
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How Do I Make My Sandals Fit Tighter?
The key to learning how to tighten loose sandals is firstly to work out exactly where the problem lies. This should be obvious but there are usually two main areas where we know there can be problems.
Firstly the problem can relate to loose sandal straps which means that your shoes feel as if they are moving up and down in the heel area. This of course can not only feel uncomfortable but cause friction and blisters.
The other area is often related to the strap design which is usually situated over the front of your toes. When this is too loose your foot is not well supported and can move around too much causing problems.
Of course, some pairs of fashion sandals have additional problem areas, especially if laces and buckles are involved. Our remedies for solving the problem should help in most cases.
How to Tighten Loose Straps on Sandals – Use a Leather Hole Puncher
The first major problem area with sandals tends to be related to the straps. Loose sandals straps can be caused by the leather of your footwear stretching or simply because not enough holes were placed into the strap in the first place. If you have small ankles this can be a particular problem as well.
For a simple easy DIY fix to resolve the problem you need to add an additional hole after the last hole in the strap so you are able to fasten your footwear more securely. This method should work for Birkenstock footwear as well.
If you want to do this the right way then you need to purchase a leather hold puncher which can help you to make the hole in the strap. With this revolving punch plier kit measure the exact distance you need for the hole you are going to place in the leather and make a mark on the strap to show where you need to position the punch.
Then choose the right size hole from the puncher (this one has six different sizes) and simply press into the area where the hole needs to be. This should create the hole you need and allow you to wear your sandals more securely.
Obviously if you are unsure about doing this yourself and worry about getting it wrong on an expensive pair of sandals it makes sense to take your footwear to a cobbler so they can fix the problem.
How to Tighten Loose Sandals at Home With Invisible Shoe Straps
Invisible shoe straps are another clever device that can work well in helping you tighten loose sandals. These are relatively simple devices that slot over your sandals or shoes to help them stay on your feet.
These shoe straps are made from silicone and are stretchy so enable you to slot them over your foot to hold your sandals in place whilst you are walking. There is no need to attach them anywhere and they can be easily removed again. These straps work well with flip flops as well if you have a problem with them or slides falling off your feet.
You can also buy more obvious shoe bands that do the same job but are not invisible. This particular shoe band set comes in five colours to match or contrast with the footwear that you are wearing.
What to Do When Your Sandals are Too Big – Use Insoles
If you want to know how to tighten loose sandals where the problem isn’t related to the loose sandal straps then you might need to think about purchasing some insoles.
Insoles are a great idea when your foot is moving around in the sandal and not being held snugly in place. This movement makes your foot feel less secure and makes it more difficult to walk.
Insoles come in all shapes and sizes to fix the problem so you may need to experiment in order to get the right fit. If your feet are moving around at the front of the sandal then all you may need is a ball of foot cushion. Ball of foot cushions are usually made from silicone or foam and can help lift the front part of your foot so that it is pressed firmly against any sandal strap. They are also extremely comfortable.
If you are needing a little more help then foot petals sandals insoles cover more of the inside of your footwear giving you cushioning and lift. This should be enough to resolve the problem.
Fixing Loose Sandals With Foam and Pads
Insoles tend to work for most problems related to fit but sometimes you need an easy DIY fix that is bespoke because the shop-bought tricks don’t work.
So our next tip is to think about using stick-on moleskin, shoe tongue pads or even stick-on padding in the areas which are causing a problem.
All of these products can be cut to size and applied on leather or artificial shoe materials to fill any unwanted space. When they are attached they stay on when you walk and help to prevent foot movement.
Learning how to tighten loose sandals can sometimes be a bit of trial and error but you should be able to fix the problem yourself with a little bit of trial and error.
More Articles to Help Shoe Fit
How to Stop Sandals Rubbing the Top of Your Foot
How to Stop Feet Sliding Forward in Heels
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