05.02.2024

How to reduce shoe size. How to reduce your shoe size


Suitable for all occasions. Girls are more scrupulous about buying shoes, and the choice of women's models is much larger than men's. It can be very difficult to find the perfect pair of shoes. In addition, over time it wears out, stretches, and becomes deformed. What to do if your shoes are too big, and how to avoid this?

How to buy correctly

Below we will figure out what to do if the shoes have become too big, but now let's look at the rules for buying shoes and other footwear. Women sooner or later become interested in the question of how to choose the perfect match? After all, it often happens that you came to the store, tried on a whole bunch of models, and nothing you liked or fit.

Here are some important tips to consider before purchasing shoes:

  • Don't make hasty purchases. The fitting must be careful. Put on a pair, walk around the store a little, feel whether it’s comfortable or not. Think twice before purchasing to avoid further problems with wear.
  • Try not to buy shoes online because there is no way to try them on.
  • Buy shoes made from quality materials. The best choice, of course, is genuine leather, as it tends to adapt to the shape of the foot. Leatherettes are now also made quite well. Shoes made from different types of fabric will be less practical.
  • The shoes don't wear out. If they are too tight when you try them on, you don’t need to buy them. This will help save not only money, but also the health of your feet.
  • If the seams rub, such a pair is considered to be of poor quality. In good shoes they should be invisible.
  • When buying shoes, ask about the warranty, so if the size doesn’t fit, you can return them.
  • Shoes should only be purchased during the daytime. By the evening, the foot tends to swell, and in the morning the shoes will fall off. It is better to measure immediately in nylon footwear, and not on your bare foot. This way you can understand whether the shoes will not fly off when the girl puts on tights.

Why do shoes fall off my feet?

If the shoes are too big, what should I do? Very often people face this problem because in the fast pace of life they buy shoes on the run, and do a thorough fitting at home. Or perhaps it was a gift from a fan who got his foot size wrong. It also happens that a girl wears tights that are too smooth, and therefore the shoes slip off.

Store-bought shoes are sewn according to standard patterns; the reason why they fall off can be a narrow foot. In this case, the best solution would be to sew shoes to order from craftsmen. Due to the deformation of the material when wet and subsequent drying, the size of heating devices may decrease or increase.

If the shoes are too big, what should I do? Give your shoes a little rest. If shoes are used daily, they will stretch. Set them aside for a week or two, filling the insides with old newspapers or magazines. High-quality, genuine leather will return to its original appearance, and the shoes will not fall off.

If the shoes have closed toes, you can put a small piece of cotton wool inside. It does not press and will gradually take the shape of the leg.

If leather shoes become too big

What to do if the shoes are big and fall off your feet, and there is no way to return them under warranty? Spontaneous, emotional purchases often happen. How does this happen? A girl goes to the store, sees the shoes of her dreams and buys them without hesitation.

Very often this is done in a hurry, without trying on. How can you adjust the size in such cases? Listen to the following tips:

  • Lightly wet the material inside and dry in fresh air. However, this method may leave water stains that cannot be removed.
  • You can buy special silicone inserts in the store. They are invisible when worn, as they are attached to the heel.

  • They are worn not only to reduce the size, but also for convenience. Instead of silicone ones, you can also use nylon ones.
  • What to do if the shoes are just a little too big? Buy insoles. They will make the size a little smaller, and the shoes will be more comfortable to wear.

In addition, if you purchase orthopedic insoles, this will be an excellent preventive measure for foot health. And for shoes with open toes, there are transparent ones. Such insoles will not be visible.

If suede shoes become too big

Too big - what to do in such a situation? The use of nylon shoe inserts remains effective. You can make them yourself.

Thin foam rubber is wrapped in a piece of nylon and sewn on the sides.

The second way is to wash the shoes in warm water and then dry them in the fresh air. They will become noticeably smaller and fit the leg more tightly. Suede shoes must be worn very carefully and taken care of carefully. To prevent these shoes from slipping, use gel insoles. They are equipped with pimples that make them comfortable to wear. They are inexpensive and sold in all shoe stores.

Shoe pads

It happens that the shoes become too big. What to do without damaging your shoes and feet in such a situation? There are special overlays in the shape of a backdrop. They do not interfere when walking.

They come in silicone (transparent) or suede, which are available in black and beige. The first ones are suitable for any shoes. The second ones need to be bought only for suede. For flat shoes, there are toe caps, they do not press and are easy to use.

Repair shops

If the shoes are too big, what should I do? Of course, go to a workshop where specialists can fit the shoes you bring to the desired size in a short time. This method is suitable for expensive shoes, because the service has a fairly high price. It is not profitable to customize cheap models.

Workshops have existed since ancient times. Previously, there were no shoe stores, and all shoes were made to order. Craftsmen sewed individual models and repaired shoes. Such people know all the secrets of how to make sure that shoes do not fly off fragile women’s legs.

Shoe creams and aerosols

What to do if your shoes are a size too big? Try purchasing creams or aerosols that help deform the shoes slightly. How to use them? Apply cream to the inside and let it dry. This method is suitable for shoes made of genuine leather. In this case, synthetic shoes will not reduce the size. After using the cream, you need to put on shoes so that they “remember” the shape of your feet.

Selection of tights

If the shoes are too big, what should a girl do? We need to see what kind of tights she wears. Shoes may simply slide. It is not recommended to wear tights that are too smooth. It is better to choose a mesh or patterned one. These tights will hold your shoes better.

What to do if they rub

There is such a problem when shoes not only fly off, but also rub your feet. What can you do to prevent your favorite shoes from causing trouble? Shoes should be chosen according to your feet so that there are no problems. Wearing it in correctly is a whole science. If the backdrop is rubbing, you can lightly tap it with a hammer through a wet cloth and rub it with soap or wax. Alcohol will help with shoe stretching. Wipe the inside and walk around the house wearing socks. Don't overdo it so your shoes don't fall off later.

Custom made shoes

Nowadays, there are also craftsmen who sew shoes to order, and shoes are no exception. Such shoes will be exclusive and unique. However, the price will be high. First, the master will take all the necessary measurements from the legs. The selection of material is also important; its choice is a rather crucial moment. Then the “birth” of shoes will begin. Every seam, every stitch will be made by the hands of a master. Such shoes will fit perfectly on the foot and will not fly off or, conversely, squeeze.

What conclusions can be drawn from the above? There is no need to make hasty, unconscious purchases. Try on each pair of shoes carefully. Take care of it, use special products. Dry your shoes only in the open air; under no circumstances should you do this on a radiator.

Now you know what to do if your shoes are too big. Follow all the above recommendations to help keep your feet healthy!

What to do if your sneakers are too big? Many people choose shoes based on appearance without thinking about their comfort, and then end up feeling uncomfortable because they bought a pair of the wrong size. Shoes should not only be beautiful, but also comfortable. What should you do if, for some reason, your new sneakers turn out to be the wrong size or, on the contrary, too small? How can you make a pair smaller so that wearing it is pleasant and, most importantly, comfortable? In addition, we must remember that even a perfectly fitting pair will wear out over time and may become a little too big.

How to reduce a size if your shoes are stretched? There are several ways to fix this. With the help of available means you can reduce it by a whole size.

There are several fairly effective ways to make shoes a size smaller.

In any case, if the shoes are large, they need to be sealed from the inside to reduce the internal volume.

This can be done using materials available in the house:


  1. To make leather shoes smaller, this method is suitable: moisten them well with water and dry at room temperature - they will become a little smaller. It is not advisable to expose the pair to open sunlight or heating devices - this can ruin it. However, you need to remember that after the procedure, the sneakers will eventually return to their previous shape.
  2. You can place some soft material, such as foam rubber or cotton wool, in the toe part of the sneaker. Make sure that your toes are not crushed under any circumstances; they should only rest lightly on the placed material. This will help make the product about half a size smaller. As the cotton wool or foam rubber begins to clump, it must be replenished or replaced. You cannot use paper in this case. If you walk for a long time, it will cause discomfort and may even cause injury.
  3. To make sneakers fit better on your feet, you can put a seal in the heel area. Place a folded soft cloth or napkin there and the shoes will stop slipping off your feet. The shoe store sells ready-made stickers for this part of the shoe, the purpose of which is to make the shoe a size smaller.
  4. A great way is to put thick extra insoles in your shoes. They should be such that the sports shoes fit tightly enough on the foot and are comfortable to wear. They need to be placed on top of the existing insoles. It must be remembered that silicone tabs require additional care, since sand and dirt easily stick to them.
  5. Sometimes an inserted whole insole can cause some inconvenience when walking, so it would be more advisable to use half-insoles or special strips for part of the foot. There are such half-insoles for sale in stores - perhaps they will be quite sufficient. There are also special stickers on the back of the shoe - with their help, the foot is firmly fixed and they do not allow the sneakers to slip off.
  6. An additional strip of padding can be placed under the instep. This will help make the shoes much more comfortable to wear. Such strips (wide and narrow, small and larger) are sold in shoe stores. They can also be glued to the heel, which will prevent chafing.

During cooler months, you can wear extra warm socks on your feet. This will allow the shoes to fit more tightly on your feet. In addition, your feet will be significantly warmer


It also happens that shoes stretch during wear. In this case, you can make your sneakers smaller in a simple way: take them to a shoe repair shop. The master will easily give a decent look to a stretched or incorrectly purchased pair. This service does not cost much, but a good specialist will be able to ensure that you feel comfortable when wearing it.

If the pair you bought turned out to be half a size or a size larger, then you can try using these methods. If the difference is more than two sizes, it is still better to return the pair to the store.

Don't be tempted to buy the sneakers you like if they're too big for you. When purchasing shoes, always remember that, first of all, they should be comfortable. Now you know how to reduce the size of your sneakers if they are too big, and you can handle it yourself.

Is it possible to make shoes smaller?

Every person at least once in his life has encountered such an unpleasant situation when, immediately after purchasing new shoes, he discovered that they were slightly too big for him. You can, of course, return a pair of shoes straight back to the store, especially if you never wore them. Pack your shoes in a box, take your receipt with you, and go get a replacement. But what if the store doesn’t have the same shoes in a smaller size, but you like this pair so much that you don’t want to part with it? Below are some simple and effective tips.

Warm water will help. If a showdown with management and shoe store salespeople doesn’t seem like a good solution to you, then you can try reducing your shoe size yourself. To make shoes smaller, dip leather items in warm water, then leave to dry at room temperature. It is not recommended to dry leather shoes near a radiator or in the open sun - this may cause the material to crack.

Please note that patent leather shoes should never be soaked or dried. Using the above method you can only reduce the size of leather shoes. After the shoes have completely dried, they should be generously lubricated with cream.

Unfortunately, this procedure only reduces the shoe size for a short time, since the leather stretches again during wear. In addition, there is a risk of ruining it. There are more loyal ways to make shoes smaller.

The best solution to make shoes smaller is socks and insoles

Regular insoles can help make shoes slightly larger to fit your feet. For example, you can insulate winter boots with sheepskin insoles, but it is best not to remove the insoles that were originally in the shoes. Autumn boots can be slightly reduced using regular insoles.

To reduce the size of shoes, special insoles are sold that can be placed under the toe or heel, securing them with Velcro. Such insoles can raise the foot by several millimeters, making the shoes appear smaller. In addition, they firmly fix the foot in the shoe.

If you bought winter or autumn boots that turned out to be too big for you, you can put a warm sock on your foot, adding a few extra millimeters to your foot. As a result, the leg will be fixed, and the boots will no longer fall off when walking. In addition, in cold weather your feet will freeze less in warm, thick socks. One of the options to make shoes smaller is to also put a little cotton wool in the sock.

How to make shoes smaller - professional solutions

As we all know very well, progress does not stand still for a second. Recently, special transparent gel insoles have appeared in stores, which have the effect of making shoes smaller. These insoles are suitable even for open sandals and shoes. They can be purchased at large shoe stores. In addition, there are special heel inserts and half-toe inserts. These inserts can “eat” half a centimeter each, while reducing the size of the shoe by 1-1.5 centimeters.

If you do not want to waste your precious time and effort on various tricks to reduce your shoe size, you can always contact a qualified specialist. Any self-respecting workshop will help you make your shoes smaller using partial or complete reupholstery. In this case, the heel and sole are separated, and the top is placed on a last of a smaller size. The heel and sole are selected to the required size, and the entire structure is reattached. This option is not suitable for all shoe styles, so you must first consult with a specialist about your specific case.

Thus, if you really like new shoes that don’t quite fit you, there are no insurmountable obstacles.

Quite often, girls and young people are faced with the problem that new shoes are too big and uncomfortable for them. This can happen if you bought shoes or boots on sale and did not notice that the size did not suit you. In addition, modern buyers are increasingly using the services of online stores.

They have a very wide range and attractive prices, however, it is most often not possible to try on the chosen model.

In any case, if you somehow purchased a pair that is not the right size for you, you should try to exchange it. If this is not possible, do not rush to throw away the shoes you like. There are several effective ways that will allow you to reduce your shoe size right at home so that it fits you like a glove.

The following size reduction methods are suitable for any type of material your new pair is made from:

  • The most basic and popular method is to insert size-reducing insoles into new shoes. As a rule, one insole is placed in each shoe, but in some cases it is necessary to insert two. Depending on the season for which the pair in need of reduction is intended, additional insoles made of foam rubber, wool or synthetics are used. This method is especially often used to shrink sneakers and other sports shoes, since in this case a shock-absorbing effect can also be achieved. In addition, soft insoles can protect the delicate skin of the feet from chafing and painful calluses;
  • Another simple option is to insert a special silicone insert into each shoe or boot, which are sold in shoe stores and have a lot of varieties. In general, the purpose of such a device is somewhat different - such inserts are designed to prevent slipping and rubbing, however, they are also great for reducing the size. Unfortunately, silicone inserts cannot be used to reduce shoes whose heels are more than 7 centimeters;
  • If your new shoes are falling off your feet, you can use a method often used by supermodels strutting down the runway. To do this, thick double-sided tape must be glued to the inside of the sole. This method will only be effective if you wear new shoes on bare feet. In such a situation, they will stick to your feet and will not fly off when you walk. In addition, it is not recommended to walk for a long time in boots or shoes glued to the foot in this way;
  • finally, the most primitive “old-fashioned” method is to push the required amount of cotton wool or any soft fabric into the socks of new shoes. As a last resort, you can use paper, but under no circumstances should it rub your fingers. This option is not suitable for all models - you will not be able to “squeeze” flip-flops, clogs or open-toed sandals in this way.

How to reduce the size of genuine leather shoes yourself?

Most often, people ask whether it is possible to reduce the size of leather shoes, and how to do it themselves. Genuine leather is one of the most pliable materials. It will easily take the shape and size you need.

Try shrinking your new leather shoes as follows:


  • For 3-5 minutes, keep your new shoes in a basin of hot water, in which you must first dissolve the washing powder. After this, dry the shoes in direct sunlight or in close proximity to heating devices. Immediately after they are completely dry, the inner surface must be generously watered with a special solution for breaking in leather shoes, and then put on your feet and walk around the house. If you did everything right, and your shoes are actually made of genuine leather, this material will become incredibly soft and pliable and will fit exactly on your feet. Try not to dry out your shoes. If you delay at least one stage, you may get the completely opposite result;
  • you can also wet the inner surface of your new shoes well with a spray bottle, and then immediately dry them on the radiator;
  • Finally, the simplest method is to put on too loose shoes on your feet and lower them into a basin of ice water for 2-3 minutes, then immediately leave them to dry near a switched on radiator or use a hot hairdryer.

Any methods of using the theory of compression under the influence of a sharp temperature change are very simple and can be easily applied at home. However, not all girls decide to try at least one of the above options, since all of them are very likely to ruin the beautiful surface of your shoes.

Is it possible to make suede shoes smaller on your own, and how to do it?


For suede shoes, if they have a closed toe or heel, you can also choose insoles or inserts of the appropriate size.

« How to reduce shoe size at home?“This is a question very often asked by people who are in the habit of buying shoes in online stores. Either the seller was not very conscientious, or you miscalculated the size a little, but the shoes turned out to be one, or even several sizes too large. Of course, in this case, reducing your shoe size is more than reasonable. Shouldn't we throw away our new shoes? This is quite simple to do; to do this, you just need to read our article, in which you will find tips with which you can reduce the size of suede, sports, leather or any other shoes.

The easiest way to reduce your shoe size is shoe workshop. Most likely, professionals there will be able to help you reduce your shoe size, but you should understand that not every type of shoe can be reduced without consequences. Therefore, when taking your shoes to a workshop, be prepared that their appearance may undergo some changes.

But what if the workshop refuses to take on shoe size reduction, and you feel sorry for new shoes? In this case, you should choose one of the following options:

    silicone inlays;

    additional insoles;

  • double sided tape;

    hot water;

Silicone inserts and additional insoles have a common nature. Insoles are placed in shoes in the same way as inlays, the only difference is that silicone insoles can have completely different shapes, which can be explained by different places of use.. Using silicone inserts you can reduce the size of your shoes both in length and width. This method works well for suede shoes.

Reducing your shoe size using paper is quite simple: you just need to choose soft paper that won't rub your skin and stuff your shoes in your sock with it. Unfortunately, this method will not work for open-toed shoes.

Double-sided tape is a rather original solution with which you can reduce your shoe size. The way to use it is simple: take a strip of good double-sided tape and stick it to the inside of the sole. This way, you will feel comfortable when wearing shoes on your bare feet. This method is very good to use for open summer shoes.

Hot water will help reduce the size of leather shoes. To do this, you need to take water into a basin, add a certain amount of washing powder, and then hold the shoes in the resulting solution for two to three minutes. Then the shoes should be removed from the solution and dried using a hair dryer or electric heaters. To prevent the leather from cracking from such treatment, the shoes should be treated with a special solution for leather shoes, which can be found in shoe stores.