Tips And Tricks That Will Make Sandals The Most Comfortable Shoes In Your Closet

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On days when the summer heat feels like an extra task to deal with, having comfortable shoes can give you one less thing to worry about. Unfortunately, many sandals are made with thinner soles and little-to-no internal structure compared to other shoes. This can make for a painful walking experience that leaves feet feeling tired sooner than you'd like. Others have heavy decals or embellishments that can rub against the top of your foot, making all-day wear especially uncomfortable. 

Luckily, you don't have to give up your cute summer shoes anytime soon. Across social media and public forums, people have been swapping tips on how to make sandals more comfortable for all-day wear. Best of all, these everyday tips don't require a ton of money or effort. All you need is to look to your medicine cabinet for everyday products to minimize potential chafing and sliding that could cause further discomfort. Once you've made your feet sandal season ready with a medical pedicure, you can look to these tips to ensure your favorite open-toed shoes remain comfortable all day long.

One of the biggest issues with many sandals is their lack of arch support. You can combat this by applying strategically placed gel inserts, such as the Zucnana Ball of Foot Cushion, to the soles of your flat sandals for better shock absorption. As podiatrist Jacqueline M. Sutera, DPM told Today, "Inserts help to reduce excessive pronation, which is a contributing factor to flat feet." Whether you have a slight arch, no arch, or a noticeable arch, supporting this area of the foot helps you avoid discomfort when walking and improves overall body alignment for better foot movement.

But gel inserts aren't just helpful for providing arch support. On TikTok, one user demonstrated how she uses the product to minimize the discomfort that comes from the sandal's embellishments rubbing against her foot. In video, she uses scissors to slice the product into smaller pieces. She then adheres the piece to the underside of the strap. This creates a barrier between the foot and top of the sandal so they don't rub against each other.

Bunions, corns, and blisters are typically caused by shoes that don't fit correctly. While specialty items like bunion cushions and blister pads can help, bandages offer a cheaper alternative, especially if you're in a pinch. They can also help prevent cracked heels. Influencer Liz from Liz & Jeff demonstrated the hack on Facebook by applying a standard size bandage to the back of her heel before putting on a pair of flat shoes.

You can also apply a bandage along the sides of the foot and in between toes to prevent friction throughout the day. If you're concerned about visibility, you can try a transparent style, like Nexcare Clear Waterproof Bandages. You can also apply a tiny layer of petroleum jelly underneath the bandage for an added layer of protection. In the event you do get sweaty throughout the day, it's best to wipe the area dry and reapply a fresh bandage

While dry shampoo is a great product for managing oily strands, it can be surprisingly helpful for dealing with sweaty feet that slide in sandals. "Most dry shampoos contain starches or silica-based powders that are designed to absorb oil and moisture," stylist Christie Moeller shared on TikTok. "Normally they're soaking up scalp oil but they work exactly the same way on sweaty feet."To make the hack work, simply spritz the bottom of your feet before stepping into your sandals. This should prevent your feet from becoming overly sweaty, thereby keeping them in place.

@christiemoeller

A wardrobe stylist trick for slippery feet in sandals. If your feet slide around in summer shoes try this easy dry shampoo hack. #styletips #fashionhacks #summerfashion #dryshampoohack #wardrobestylist

♬ original sound – Christie Moeller

Aside from this being an economical hack, it's particularly convenient when you're on the go. All you need is a travel-size version of your dry shampoo that can fit perfectly in your purse or bag.Of course, if you have sensitive skin or are prone to reactions, it's important to keep in mind this may not be the best option. To see if it works for you, start with a patch test on an area of your foot to check absorption. If you find your skin doesn't take to the dry shampoo, don't worry. Some TikTok some users shared in the comments that applying anti-perspirant or corn starch to the bottom of the feet yields the same results.