Have you ever asked yourself why are Vans so uncomfortable or are you one of those people who love to wear Vans Shoes?
It appears that people seem to have either a love or hate relationship with their Vans. Those that love them wear them all the time whilst others think they are the worst shoes they have ever worn. So are Vans bad for your feet?
Skate shoes and slip-ons just don’t seem to suit some people’s feet or alternatively, those people have bought a pair and bought the wrong size or have not broken them in properly.
So are Vans shoes really uncomfortable or is there something else going on?
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Are Vans Uncomfortable?
So let’s start by looking at whether Vans are really uncomfortable or not.
Firstly I’ll qualify this by pointing out that when people talk about Vans they are usually referring to their classic flat shoes which were made for skateboarding. These Vans can be slip-ons or laced and have a very distinctive style.
Vans do however make a large range of other shoes and sneakers that may suit your feet more than their classic flat designs. I’ll talk about these later as sometimes an alternative design from a brand can be a gamechanger when it comes to comfort.
The classic types of Vans shoes are not what you would call an orthopedic shoes designed to cushion and support your foot therefore they are going to lack the comfort that some other slip-ons and sneakers may have.
However, they are incredibly popular and fashionable. People like my goddaughter and her brothers own multiple pairs and they wouldn’t have bought more if they were uncomfortable on their feet.
So why do some people find they are very comfortable to wear all the time and others find they give them heel blisters and create foot pain?
Well here are some of the reasons why you might be experiencing a problem with your Vans slip-ons and skate shoes.
You Haven’t Taken Time To Break Them In
If you have bought a pair of Vans shoes and expect them to be comfortable as soon as you start wearing them then think again.
It can take up to a month of regular wear to break in new Vans shoes before they feel like the perfect fit.
If you haven’t taken the time to ease your feet into wearing them then your feet are going to have a hard time getting used to the flat soles and lack of arch support. Plus you might find the toe or heel rubbing your foot and giving you blisters.
Take the time to slowly build up the time you are wearing them and make sure you wear some thick socks with them for the first few weeks to protect your feet.
Uses a heel balm stick or petroleum jelly as well to prevent friction. Simple tips can make a big difference to the comfort of your shoes.
Do Vans Have Arch Support?
Why are Vans so uncomfortable for some people? Well, one of the biggest problems with Vans is that they are flat shoes with no arch support.
This is a deliberate design because the shoes were designed for skateboarding. When you are on a skateboard the flat thin sole allows you to feel the board and maneuver more easily when you are doing your jumps. Plus the soles have a good grip to keep you on the board as you are skating.
It is a different matter when you are walking as many people need arch support to help maintain their feet in the correct position so that there isn’t any pronation or supination. This is especially important if you have a foot problem or flat feet.
Wearing a pair of orthotics or buying inserts for extra cushioning can make a big difference and create extra padding and support to stop foot pain.
Do Vans Run Narrow?
If you can manage wearing Vans with thin soles then the other problem you may have is that many of the traditional classic styles run on the narrow side.
This is bad news if you have wide feet that need that extra width for the shoe to feel comfortable.
Don’t make the mistake of buying the standard size Vans and instead seek out their wide fit designs which can you give you the extra room you need. This should prevent discomfort from pinching or rubbing.
Why Do Vans Hurt My Feet? Lack of Cushioning Could Be To Blame
Why are Vans so uncomfortable? Well the biggest reason I have a problem with them is that the shoes lack cushioning.
As they are primarily skating shoes that have become fashionable the classic Old Skool designs are flat and don’t cushion the bottom of my feet.
In just about every pair of shoes, I own I add comfort insoles to help stop friction and minimize foot pain. The extra cushioning is necessary because I have foot problems and little padding on the soles of my feet.
If you have the same issues then seek out the Vans Comfycush line that they have started making. These shoes have added arch support, padded collars and extra foam and rubber to stop rubbing and prevent foot pain.
The Shoes Have Flat Stiff Soles
Skateboarding shoes were created to keep your feet stable on a board not when you are walking around the neighborhood.
The flat stiff soles work well in the settings they are designed for but are not so great if you do lots of walking and need flex in your shoes.
The fact is that Vans work well for some activities and not for others. If you do lots of walking or have any problematic foot conditions it makes much more sense for you to buy a pair of cushioned orthopedic sneakers to wear for day-to-day use rather than wear canvas fashion shoes.
Breathability and Sweaty Feet
An overlooked problem that can cause discomfort when you are wearing Vans shoes is sweaty feet.
The fact is that the classic styles have some breathability to prevent the build-up of sweat but not enough if it is a hot summer’s day or you are doing strenuous activity in them.
Sweaty feet can cause your foot to move around in your shoes and create rubbing and blisters. Plus it can encourage fungal foot problems as well.
This is why it makes sense to wear your shoes with moisture-wicking no-show socks to prevent the problem.
I know that plenty of people love to wear their slip-on shoes without them but this is never a great idea. This is why no-show socks are great because you can still get the skate shoe look without experiencing foot problems.
Your Vans Are Tight On Top of Foot
Whilst I’ve mentioned the width of shoes being important so is the depth as well.
If the depth of your shoes isn’t sufficient then your Vans can be tight on the top of your foot plus they can rub the top of your toes and create blisters.
If you are buying a pair of Vans always make sure that they have sufficient room for your feet and that you don’t feel any pinching or discomfort when you are trying them on. If you do try sizing up to the next size or switching to a different style to get the best fit.
No Shoe Works For Everything
Finally, why are Vans so uncomfortable for some people? Because they try and wear them for every activity to get their money’s worth and that isn’t going to work.
Yes, Vans are not the cheapest canvas shoes on the market so some people who buy them want to use them for everything to get the biggest bang for their buck. So they use them as running shoes and walking shoes and for every other activity they can think of which causes a problem.
These are fashionable skate shoes not running shoes or gym shoes or even shoes that you take long walks in. If you want to do those other activities you need to find shoes that are appropriate.
Wearing the wrong shoes for an activity won’t just cause foot pain and blisters is can also cause more serious problems to your feet, muscles and gait.
So next time you wear your Vans ask yourself if they are uncomfortable because of their design or whether you are not using them appropriately and that is what is causing the problem.
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