13 Products To Keep You From Asking "Why Did I Buy These Shoes?"

Toe protectors and funky fabric bandages are here to save the day.

1. A roll-on substance created to shield your skin from chafing and blisters when your feet inevitably begin to sweat.

Amazon

Promising review: "Oh...my...soul. This product is a miracle. I have VERY blister-prone feet, and it is so difficult for me to find shoes that don't rub me raw (I'm talking every kind of shoe — flats, sandals, heels, tennis shoes, etc.). I bought new water shoes that were supposed to be amazing for your feet, and they felt great when I tried them on, but the first time I wore them I had a blister on my heel within 30 minutes. (And I wasn't even in the water! Just walking around the house.) I went online and bought this product that night. Let me tell you, the next time I wore those water shoes with this product...NO blisters, AT ALL. Not even a sore spot!! I am in awe. I've now tried this product with several other shoes that used to rub me as well, and same thing! This is my new best friend. Thank you, SportShield!" —Matthew Leonard

Get it from Amazon for $25.99.

2. Suede leather heel grips to help prevent blisters and chafing. They're so soft you'll want to add them to every pair of shoes you own.

amazon.com

Promising review: "These are really a lifesaver. I bought the most adorable pumps that became incredibly painful and cut into my heels after about an hour. I thought I couldn't wear them again, and these were my last hope. I put them in and what a difference!!! They have some padding — which I definitely needed — but not so much that they make the shoes too small. They are nice and large so they wrap all the way around the heel. They can also be trimmed as needed. The adhesive is really strong, so it is a good idea to expose just a little bit to get them into place. The leather is very soft and doesn't snag anything. I love these things!!" —G.G.

Get five pairs from Amazon for $10.55.

3. A high-heel shoe stretcher, because there are few things as cringe-worthy as shoes crushing your toes with every step you take.

amazon.com, amazon.com

Promising review: "Ladies, this is a must for all new high-heel shoes. I like getting that previously broken-in feel when I put on a new pair of stilettos. No more blisters and toe-crushing pain for me! I use these now on every new pair of shoes that I buy. Even if my shoes feel comfortable in the store it seems that after wearing them out for an hour or more causes me discomfort. When I buy a half size larger my shoes are coming off my foot in the heel area or require uncomfortable inserts. This product solves my problems." —PwrPurchase

Get it from Amazon for $34.95+ (available in women's sizes 4–10.5).

4. Or a pair of thick winter socks that'll also help stretch your shoes to the perfect fit.

Mallory McInnis / BuzzFeed, Amazon

One of my co-workers, Mallory McInnis, tried out this trick and it actually worked! Here's what she had to say: "Every day after getting home from work I'd slip on a pair of socks and wander around the house for the rest of the evening wearing my new heels. I didn't want to stretch out the shoes toooooooooooo much, so for the first few days I wore a very thin pair of socks: no change. But after wearing them with a pair of my wooliest winter socks (drumroll, please) — they actually became comfortable! I wore them out for the night and didn't get a single blister!"

Read more about this trick here (#7).

Get a set of five from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in six styles).

5. Flexible fabric bandages you can keep in your bag for a quick fix when sneakers you thought were super comfortable start to rub a little on your heel.

Target

Just because you're an "adult" doesn't mean you can't appreciate a funky bandage. I keep these in my desk at work and love how soft they are — I barely even realize I have one on when I apply it! Another added bonus is the fun-colored tin it comes in that I will definitely use for odds 'n ends once the bandages are all used.

Get a pack of 48 from Target for $6.99.

6. Or bandages that'll ACTUALLY match your skin tone so the whole world doesn't need to know you have a fresh blister from those heels you tried to break in on the dance floor last night.

amazon.com

You may recognize these from a BuzzFeed News story about a man's viral tweet talking about feeling seen by these bandages that match his skin tone in a market saturated with "flesh tone" bandages that just match Caucasian skin tones.

Promising review: "It matches my dark skin perfectly!!! Hardly noticeable and blends right in. I bought the purple one at Target for $2.79. Great quality. Definitely not a cheap brand bandage. Never thought that I would actually 'like' a bandage." —Ife Odiatu

Get a 30-pack from Amazon for $6+ (also available in brown-dark brown and olive-moderate brown).

7. Foot petals to provide extra cushion for the balls of your feet while you're dancing the night away in your highest heels.

Amazon

Promising review: "I am the kind of person who buys heels because I think they are adorable, and then never wears them because after a few steps around the house my feet hurt so badly that I can't deal with wearing them for a few hours. I took a chance and wore heels on a night out DANCING a few weeks ago and put the petals right under the ball of my foot because that is usually where it hurts the most. I cannot even explain what a difference these petals made. Just having that small amount of cushioning under the ball of my foot made it feel like I wasn't wearing heels at all! I finally took the cover off of the adhesive and installed them in a pair of heels (I used to like swapping them but now I know I'm going to buy more so there is no need). The darker grey color goes perfectly inside of my black heels. THESE THINGS MAY HAVE JUST SAVED MY CLOSET!!!" —UAstudentn

Get a set of three from Amazon for $7.95+ (available in five styles).

8. And thin grips to add to the inside of your strappy sandals that'll reduce friction and prevent pinching.

Amazon

Promising review: "I put them on the backs of my strap wedges so I don’t get blisters on my ankles. No more pain. I’ve also worn my wedges a few times and they are still sticking. I like the fact that they are black so they blend in with my back straps." —Tanya

Get them from Amazon for $7.49.

9. Gel heel protectors for pain relief from plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, cracked heels, or even just sore feet.

amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "I recently had torn Achilles surgery. The surgeon had to completely re-attach the tendon to my heel, leaving a noticeable ridge that in the early stages is quite tender and doesn't fill smoothly into shoes or in my case more importantly my hiking boots!!! I put these heel cushions on under my socks and they protect the tender and still heeling part of my heel. They are not bulky and fit so comfortably that I'm not even aware they are there other than that I have no discomfort or pain with my heel. They are awesome!!" —celtic_hiker

Get eight straps from Amazon for $8.99.

10. Panty liners (yes, really) that'll absorb sweat from your feet and keep you from slipping.

Heather Braga / BuzzFeed

Check out other tips for making your heels comfortable here.

Get a pack of 120 from Amazon for $16.96.

11. Non-slip shoe pads you can add into your flats, heels, sneakers, or sandals for extra support and comfort.

Amazon

Promising review: "I like these so much better than the narrow strips that keep the top of your shoe from rubbing the back of your foot. They always seem to fall off. These protect the back of my foot from shoe rubbing and they cushion my heel. I am able to stay on my feet longer. I'll be ordering several more." —Amazon Customer

Get five pairs from Amazon for $9.99.

12. Or simple anti-skid pads with a rubber adhesive that'll make it easier than ever to stick 'em to the inside or bottom of your most painful (BUT SO CUTE) footwear.

Amazon

Promising review: "I was stable on my feet all day and I honestly have these grips to thank. Totally worth the money!!!! Everyone should invest in these for all of their shoes." —Aries Daisy

Get five pairs from Amazon for $8.97.

13. And toe protectors, so you never have to suffer through deciding "should I pop this blister bubble on my pinky toe?" ever again.

Amazon

Don't act like you haven't BEEN there.

Promising review: "I had originally purchased some that went over your whole toe area or the whole ball of your foot but they were so big and bulky I couldn't get my shoe on. These work so much better. They get right to the spot and don't take up much room. I hardly even know they are there. Wore them all day and they didn't slide off or move around. I cut a few of them across so I can wear them with my sandals." —Crazygirl35*

Get a variety pack of 12 from Amazon for $12.99.

Now you can strut your stuff without sacrificing an ounce of comfort. You're welcome.

The Walt Disney Company

Some reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.