If your shoes rub your ankle during walking or running it is an extremely uncomfortable feeling. It is not good for your feet health too. But you don’t have to buy a new pair of shoes for this problem. Here is a bunch of easy and affordable solutions to the problem of shoes rubbing the back of your ankle.
You need to have proper padding that can protect your feet against friction. This may include socks, insoles or moleskins, etc. Otherwise, it’s going to end in one way- Pain & Misery.
How to Stop Shoes From Rubbing the Back of Your Ankle?
There are several solutions to the problem of rubbing shoes on the back of your ankle. I would request you to read all the solutions so that you can choose the right solution for you. So, let’s go.
Choosing the Right Socks
Choosing the right sock is very important to ensure comfort during walking or running. If the socks you are wearing don’t give enough cushioning between your feet & shoes, then you are prone to unnecessary rubbing.
Investing in a pair of socks that has natural padding and is not super thin is a wise decision. Sometimes the shoe materials are too stiff, so the thicker socks you’re gonna need. As we go along, our skins become more & more fragile. So having a good amount of natural padding & support will help with both comfort & the rubbing of the shoe material.
Trying Insoles
Insoles act as a great stability factor against unwanted rubbing against the back of your heel. But if you don’t have the right fit of insoles, you are putting your ankle at risk. These unfit insoles take up a lot of room inside the shoe. This leads to constant friction against the shoe.
If you have to walk a lot buying insoles that fit your shoes is a good decision. The right insole can be a blessing but the wrong size & fit may lead to rubbing and discomfort.
Trying Out Moleskin
Moleskin is a soft cotton fabric that you can use against the rubbing of your ankle. You need to cut a short amount of moleskin in such a shape and size so that it can fit inside the shoe. Finally, strip the backing of the moleskin and stick it to the back.
The surface should be clean enough so that it can stick there long. The shoes will rub your ankle but they won’t hurt as moleskin is working as the protection layer. You can also sew the moleskin to ensure that it’ll stay in place.
Trying Duck Tape
If you want a temporary solution to this problem, then duck tape is the way to go. Due to the smooth material, you won’t feel the rubbing against your ankle. Tapping it to your socks might do the job, but will damage the sock fabric when pulling it off.
If you are going for a jog or a run, then using duct tape can be very effective. It won’t stop the rubbing but it will stop the constant feel of the friction against the back of the shoe. Cheap solution but works great.
Using Damp News Paper
Damp newspapers can be a great solution to this problem. We all know how to dampen newspapers. So, I am not going to explain it.
Now the dampened newspapers needed to roll into balls & stuff them in the shoe. The moisture will soften the leather. But this may not be so viable as it can damage the leather after some time.
Cotton As Another Cheap Padding
In this case, you can use cotton wool to make sure there is enough padding in your shoe. Placing it inside your socks would do great too. This is another alternative to damp newspapers.
Using Antiperspirant
One of the main reasons for blister formation is wet & damp feet. Moisture softens the skin & increases the chances of damaging the outer layer of your skin. Many people have sweaty feet & the inside of the shoe creates a hot environment for feet to sweat.
Like your underarm, your feet need absorbent talcum powder to help keep the inside of your shoe dry. This will reduce the chances of softening your ankle skin. Changing your sock material to something that breathes well is also advised.
Stretching your Shoes
If you think the shoes are a tight fit for your feet, then consider stretching them a lot. One way to stretch the shoes is to put the shoes on with two pairs of socks. Leather shoes work better in this scenario. If your leg feels any sort of pain I would suggest you not stay for a long time wearing the shoes.
If you think this is too much for you, then you can go to any local cobbler. He will have the professional equipment to stretch your shoes properly. They have a spray that is designed to stretch the shoes. But be careful, you don’t want to stretch them too much.
Ideal Ways to Buy Shoes to Avoid Ankle-Back Rubbing
Make sure you are wearing the socks that you have daily. Otherwise, you won’t get the usual comfortable feeling that you have in your daily life. This would make sure you have the necessary space for your footing & the tightness that you feel comfortable.
Buying shoes late in the day is a good habit. Our feet tend to swell half a size during the day. So during the afternoon, our feet tend to have the right size due to the all-day work. This makes sure your shoes are not too loose.
Why Do Your Shoes Rub Your Ankle?
The reason is simple- it didn’t fit.
Too Big
If you buy a big pair of shoes, the back will not rub your ankles. They are gonna hit your ankle. Constant hitting has a greater impact than rubbing. It causes your skin to have blisters & red marks.
Too Tight
Now let’s discuss if you have tighter shoes. Tighter shoes cause a jam between the shoe & the skin. They rub each other very hard causing the skin to bruise red. They cause muscle chafing that can result in severe foot pain.
Too Stiff
Nowadays, in the name of durability, manufacturers make shoes with rough materials. These materials can really scratch the hell out of your ankle. Make sure you are not a victim of these stiff shoes.
What Happens When Shoes Constantly Rub Your Ankles?
There are several results if your shoes have constant rubbing against the back of your ankle.
Blisters
These are little bumps of fluid that rise from under the skin. These are common cases with tight shoes. Kids have it all the time. It’s painful if you wear shoes that have blisters on your ankles.
Bursitis
These are painful inflammatory conditions that result from blisters. You will have a very tough time with such conditions. Your tissues will swell a lot & form these liquid sacks all around.
Achilles Tendinosis
This is a condition of overusing the muscles & tissues of the feet. It’s a chronic pain over the Achilles Tendon. Athletes experience them regularly.
FAQ
Q: How to soften the back of my shoes?
Ans: If you have leather shoes then you can apply some substances to make them softer. Castor oil, alcohol, kerosene, vinegar are some of the substances that may work on leather shoes.
Q: How to break into new shoes?
Ans: New shoes take time to break in with your feet. But applying heat with a hairdryer may do the work faster. Heat the back & then wear them until they get cool.
Conclusion
The goal of wearing a shoe is to be as comfortable as possible. If your shoe fails to do so, then make sure you take the necessary steps to make it more comfortable. Prevention is better than cure. Make sure you buy the right pair for your feet.
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