Your new shoes likely hurt your toes because they need time to be broken in and conform to the shape of your feet.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
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The Shoes Need to Break In: New shoes, especially those made of leather or other stiff materials, haven't yet stretched or softened to match the unique contours of your feet. This stiffness can cause pressure and friction on your toes.
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Material Stiffness: The materials used in the shoe's construction, such as leather, synthetics, or even the insole, can initially be rigid and inflexible. As you wear the shoes, these materials gradually become more pliable and adapt to the shape of your foot.
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Shape and Fit: New shoes might not perfectly match the shape of your foot, particularly around the toe box. This mismatch can lead to squeezing, rubbing, or pressure points on your toes, causing discomfort or pain.
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What you can do:
- Wear them in short intervals: Start by wearing your new shoes for short periods (e.g., an hour or two at a time) to allow your feet to gradually adjust.
- Wear thick socks: Wearing thicker socks can provide additional cushioning and help to stretch the shoes slightly.
- Use a shoe stretcher: A shoe stretcher can help to widen the toe box or other areas that are causing discomfort.
- Apply moleskin or blister pads: Place moleskin or blister pads on areas where your toes are rubbing to reduce friction.
- Consider a shoe repair shop: A professional shoe repair shop may be able to stretch or modify your shoes to improve the fit.
