How To Make Shoes Smaller With & Without Insoles - Wynsors

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Shoes too big? How to make shoes smaller (or seem that way!)

Have you ever been gifted a pair of shoes, only to be disappointed when they’re too big? Or maybe you’ve realised your favourite shoes have stretched over time?

Although it’s always best to buy footwear that fits correctly (not just styles that look good on your shoe rack), we get that sometimes you can’t resist those dream shoes, even if they’re slightly too big for your toes. If you’re unable to exchange them for the next size up, don’t worry. We’ve put together our top 10 hacks on how to make shoes smaller (or at least seem that way) with insoles and other genius products.

Table of contents

Why well-fitting shoes are so important
How to know if your shoes are too big
10 hacks to make shoes smaller
FAQs

Why well-fitting shoes are so important

When it comes to picking the right pair of shoes, comfort is key – but it’s not the only factor to consider. Making sure your shoes fit properly is just as important, and here’s why. A well-fitting shoe gives your feet the support they need, helping to spread your body weight evenly as you walk. This reduces strain not just on your feet, but also on your legs, knees, hips, and even your back. It’s amazing how much difference the right fit can make to how you feel overall!

Shoes that are too big might seem harmless at first, but they can cause trouble down the line. To stop your feet from sliding around, your body must adjust, often in ways you don’t even notice. Over time, these little adjustments could lead to unexpected aches and pains. No one wants that, right? That’s why it’s so important to find shoes that fit perfectly, for your comfort now and your health in the future!

How to know if your shoes are too big

Not quite sure if your shoes are too big? While obvious signs like slipping heels are easy to spot, sometimes fitting issues can be trickier to notice, especially if your shoes are only a tad oversized.

Here’s how to figure out if your shoes have too much wiggle room:

Heels slipping: If your heels keep lifting off the soles with each step, it’s a strong clue that your shoes are too large.

Toes hitting the front: Believe it or not, if your toes keep bumping the end of your shoes, it might mean your feet are sliding forward due to extra space.

Creasing on the shoe’s upper: Notice wrinkles forming on the top of your shoes? This can happen when there’s too much movement inside.

Blisters popping up: If you’re getting blisters on your heels or toes, that friction might be from your feet moving around too much in a loose fit.

If you’re nodding along to any of these points, the chances are that your shoes aren’t quite the right fit. The good news? There are ways to adjust them, so they feel snug and more secure.

A child wearing pink flip-flops that are too big, standing on grass.

10 hacks for shoes that are too big

From clever tricks to easy fixes, keep reading for simple tips to make big shoes fit.

Try insoles for too-large shoes

An insole is a soft pad insert (usually made from a foam, gel or leather material) that you place inside your shoes to provide support, cushioning and even warmth for your feet. But can insoles make shoes smaller? Although often intended to help with posture problems and other discomfort, insoles are also useful to make shoes smaller by taking up extra space in footwear that’s a tad on the big side.

Full insoles are a fantastic solution for shoes or sneakers that are too big across the length of your foot. They come in a variety of materials, styles and sizes to suit your needs:

Foam insoles: If you’re after general stability and snug-fitting shoes, foam insoles are ideal for making things more comfortable. You could also treat yourself to a pair of impression insoles that mould perfectly to the shape of your foot for extra comfort.

Gel insoles:  These will give relief to your joints and help distribute pressure in your feet with their shock-absorbing, cushioning gel.

Thermal insoles: You can feel the warmth and comfort of home with thermal insoles. Made from a padded foam and soft wool blend, they’re ideal for keeping your toes warm in chilly weather.

Leather insoles: A pair of leather insoles will ensure your shoes are breathable and moisture-free. With charcoal to absorb odour, these are an everyday essential.

Odour-destroying insoles: If you struggle with foot odours and tired, working feet, these insoles are a great way to combat the problem and feel comfortable at the same time.

Just pop them into your favourite footwear and you’re good to go!

A man inserting a black insole into a brown loafer shoe.

2. Heel grips are handy for shoes that are too big

If your shoe style is pretty much perfect but you’d prefer a slightly snugger feel, heel grips are the way forward for you. This thin padded strap is simply secured onto the back of your shoe to provide extra grip and support when walking and reduce the chances of nasty blisters appearing.

Heel grips come in a variety of materials, from silicone and gel to latex and fabric. Whether you have a pair of flats that painfully dig into the back of your feet or some strappy heels that let your feet slide around, heel grips are an affordable way to improve the fit of shoes that feel slightly too big.

3. Pad shoes with toe inserts, not toilet paper!

In the habit of stuffing tissue or toilet paper into the front of your shoes? For a more durable and comfortable option, opt for some toe inserts instead! Also known as shoe fillers, these small cushioning devices will help prevent your feet from sliding when you walk in shoes that are too big. You can pair shoe inserts with ball cushions or full insoles for ultimate comfort.

4. Use ball cushions for better grip

Still wondering what to do if your shoes are too big? Get yourself some ball cushions. These small inserts go under the ball of your foot for a thick layer of support and extra padding, while providing friction for a better grip.

Perfect to use in sandals and pumps that are too big or heels to ease the pressure on the ball of your foot, ball cushions keep your foot from slipping and sliding inside the shoe and can also be used alongside a heel cup or heel liner.

5. Heel cups can help make your shoes smaller

Shoes that are too big are a total tripping hazard, especially for the clumsier ones among us! This is where heel cups come into play. A larger cushioning device placed under your heel, the cup pushes your foot to the front to occupy the space inside the shoe. Most often made from a gel-like material, heel cups range from casual wear to heavy-duty shock absorbers.

Alongside stabilising your foot, this option is also great if you suffer from heel pain (or plantar fasciitis) as you’ll receive extra support to help reduce pressure on pain points.

A woman placing a clear gel heel cup into a brown suede loafer.

6. Heel liners or pads for a slip-free stroll

Attached to the inside of the back of your shoe, heel liners (also known as heel pads or inserts) are ideal for making shoes that are too big a bit shorter, as well as providing support to your heel to keep it from slipping. These heel inserts are great for increasing the overall comfort of your shoe, as well as helping to prevent blisters!

Perfect for a range of shoes, heel liners are discreet so can even be used on those open-toe slip-ons. Just secure to the inside back of the heel and you’re good to go.

7. Shoe tongue pads for pressure relief

Switching it up and providing a pad to the top of your foot is another brilliant way to help with shoes that are too big. These pads are usually a thick material that sticks to the inside of the roof of your shoe. Helping to make wide shoes narrower, shoe tongue pads can be paired with any other form of insole that is placed beneath your foot.

8. Stack up your socks

It may seem like the most obvious idea for making shoes smaller, but the solution to your big-shoe nightmare may be lurking right under your nose – in your sock drawer! Wearing thicker socks or even doubling up with a couple of pairs is a genius way to make big shoes fit. The thicker the padding, the more tightly your feet will sit in the shoe.

This may not be the best option if you’re wearing sandals or open-toe heels, but it works well for boots and trainers (especially if you’re wearing trousers that cover them). No one will ever know you’ve layered four pairs of bright socks underneath!

9. Go to the professionals

Perhaps you’d prefer a more permanent transformation or maybe your shoes are simply too big for our previous solutions.

Take your shoes to a cobbler and they will be able to conceal heel grips, tongue pads or insole padding underneath the lining. Although this will cost you more, it’s well worth the one-off payment for a pair that you wear regularly.

A cobbler holding a brown brogue shoe in a workshop.

10. Don’t buy shoes that are too big for you

We’ve all been there – eyeing up a pair of shoes that we just have to have. But if they’re not the right fit, it’s better to leave them on the shelf (as hard as that might be!). Prevention is the best cure when it comes to avoiding discomfort and injuries caused by poorly fitting shoes. Trust us, no matter how tempting they are, shoes that don’t fit properly just aren’t worth the risk to your feet or your day-to-day comfort.

FAQs

Do insoles help for shoes that are too big?

Absolutely, insoles are a great way to make shoes that are too big for you feel smaller. See our recommendations on the best insoles above.

Can cobblers make shoes smaller?

Technically no, cobblers cannot shrink a shoe down in size, however, they can help you work out the best insole, toe insert etc. for the job and then professionally fit this for you for the desired outcome.

Will insoles help with wide shoes?

Yes, insoles are a great option if your shoes feel too wide. There are specialist insoles made specifically for wide shoes that will help align the foot and provide support to the wearer.

Can you reduce the size of your shoe?

You can’t make the shoe itself smaller, but you can make it feel smaller with insoles, heel grips, socks etc.

Should insoles be the same size as the shoe?

Yes, to provide proper support, insoles should be the same size as your shoes. This means they will fit snuggly and provide support in all the right places on your feet.

What if my shoes are half a size too big?

Do not worry, half a shoe size can be easily fixed. Insoles, toe inserts and heel grips can all provide varying levels of padding that reduce that extra space in your shoe and get them feeling fabulous. Try out different options to see which works best for you.

Is it okay to wear slightly bigger shoes?

Wearing slightly bigger shoes is generally fine if they don’t cause slipping or discomfort. However, consistently wearing shoes that are too large can lead to foot strain, instability and long-term posture issues.

How much toe room is too much in shoes?

A good rule of thumb is about a half inch (or a finger’s width) of space between your longest toe and the front of the shoe. If there’s more than an inch of extra room, the shoes may be too big and could affect your stability and comfort.

How to fix one shoe bigger than the other?

If one shoe feels bigger, try adding a cushioned insole, heel grip or extra sock on the larger foot to create a more even fit. You can also use shoe fillers or custom orthotics to balance the size difference.

We hope our tips and tricks have given you some inspiration on how to make your shoes smaller. If you’ve tried all our ideas to no avail, treat yourself to a new pair from our affordable selection of footwear for men and women.

Likewise, if you’re struggling with shoes that are too small, follow our handy guide on how to make shoes bigger.