Sometimes a pair of designer shoes seems to fit perfectly in the store, but as soon as you get them home they are rubbing and wobbling all over the place. Sometimes a change in foot sizing comes along with a significant weight loss or weight gain, and especially during pregnancy, it is common for the shape of your foot to change completely, permanently gaining you a half size. If amidst all of these ups and downs, you've found that your favourite stiletto high heels or platform high heels no longer fit properly and they are too big in the back, and too small in the front, we've got the solution. 

The problem - small in the toe, big in the back 

You'll know your shoes are too small in the front and too big in the back - it's not exactly a diagnosis that requires an expert. If wearing a particular pair of shoes makes your toes hurt and your heels wobble, read on. 

The solution: Ball of foot cushions 

Ball of foot cushion are also known as metatarsal pads. They can either be: 

• Attached to the shoe itself (usually with a very mild, reusable adhesive) 
• Loose inside the shoe, depending on the pressure of your foot to keep them in place 
• Inbuilt into a foot sleeve that you would slip over your foot before putting on your high heels. 

The exact style that suits your high heels and your style of shoe-wearing will vary greatly - there just isn’t a way to tell you which will be best suited to your needs. However, in general: 

• If you necessarily do a lot of walking throughout the day, a full sleeve will be less prone to slippage 
• If you live in a hot or sweaty environment, you will need the mildly adhesive cushions at a minimum (preferably a sleeve) 
• If you have several pairs of shoes that don't fit well (for example, you've just lost a lot of weight), you may want to buy a very high quality pair of the removable inserts so you can change the shoes they are used in. 

The solution: Full insole 

You can buy full insoles for your designer shoes and stiletto high heels that can be trimmed without  risk of fraying, and without leakage of the 'innards' of the insole. The insole will reduce the overall amount of room available in your shoe, and make the whole thing fit tighter. You could use both metatarsal cushions and full insoles if you still get wobble when you insert insoles. 

The solution: Gel heel protectors 

Many people are prone to getting heel blisters from their shoes, and the gel inserts that they use to protect their heels can also be used to take up some of the room in the backs of your shoes that are too large in the heel area. These are usually disposable items, but they can be left on you shoe until the adhesive starts to peel.   

Price ranges of foot cushions and insoles 

They are usually very cheap - much more worthwhile than buying a new pair of shoes, anyway! You can expect to pay less than $10 for a set of adhesive or removable cushions, and up to $15 for a set of foot sleeves. 

A pair of shoes is never beyond redemption - keep watching this space as we solve more similar shoe problems for you!