Sandals seem like the perfect shoe to wear in summer. They are comfortable, they let your feet breathe, and they don’t make your feet sweat! I’m sure you’ve seen these shoes on countless people around town.
Many people find themselves in a situation where they have a pair of sandals that are just too big and no way to make them smaller. This is an easy problem to solve! Here are 8 effective ways how to make sandals smaller:
How to Make Sandals Smaller (8 Different Methods)
1. Cut the Straps Off
You can cut the straps off of your sandals to make them smaller. This is a relatively easy and risk-free option for making shoes smaller. It will take some time, but it’s worth it because you’ll be able to save that pair of $200+ sandals!
2. Take Out the Insole of the Shoe
If you want to make a shoe smaller, the insole is often removable. You can take out the insole and then put it back in when you’re finished with this project. This will save time because all of your sandal straps should still be intact after removing the insole! Tip: If you have narrow feet, take out the insole. This will make your sandals smaller. However, if you need a wider shoe, this is not an option for making them fit better!
3. Put a Piece of Cardboard Between Your Toes and Heel
It will create more space for your foot, and your sandals will be one size smaller. First, find a piece of cardboard to use for this project. Cut it so that it’s the same width as the sole on your shoe and a little bit longer than your foot length if you want more room between toes and heel. The measurements don’t have to be exact, but you want to make sure that the cardboard is long enough so your toes can reach it. Next, cut a piece of cloth or material for padding and wrap it around the top half of your foot lengthwise. You should then have two pieces with one on either side of the sandals strap; they should be close together (but not so close that they overlap). Place the cardboard on top of the foot lengthwise and then pull it up, sandwiching your toes between them. You should now have three pieces: one piece of cloth or material for padding (with both ends tucked in), a strap from the sandals, and the two halves of the cardboard sandwiching your toes. Make sure that the strap is as tight as possible and then take out one of the pieces of cardboard, wrap it in fabric or material for padding (from both ends) and tuck it through the loop at the top to make a makeshift buckle. Now place this piece on top of your foot, with the fabric or material wrapped underneath your toes, and pull it up.
4. Stuff Socks Into Sandals to Make Them Smaller
If you can’t find sandals with a small enough opening, or if your feet are too big for them to be worn comfortably, then this is another option. Stuffing socks into the shoes will add extra padding and make it easier to get them on since there’s more space inside.
You could also wear two pairs of socks at once: one on top of the other. When not in use, store any spare pair in its own bag so they don’t get mixed up with your other clothes!
Sizing Tip
Referring back again to our earlier tip about trying different brands when shopping online, remember that sizing may vary between different shoe labels even within the same size bracket.
5. Place a Sock Over Your Toes and Then Pt on Sandal
Then tie it tight around the ankle, cut open the toe part of the sock with scissors, and repeat with the other foot.
6. Use Elastic Bands to Cinch Up Shoes Tighter Around Ankles or Feet
Another great way to fit your shoes better is by using elastic bands. Tighten the band around the ankle, pull it up over the sandal’s heel, and secure it with a knot or hair clip.
7. Cut the Sole
- Cut the sole of your sandals to shorten length and width.
- Line up the sandal against a straight edge (a ruler) and use scissors to make cuts in each corner, stopping before you reach the stitching.
- Cut strips of leather at an angle on all four sides of your existing sole with long edges running parallel to one another.
- Glue or nail these new pieces down over the old ones using strong adhesive glue like contact cement or polyurethane construction adhesive; allow it time to dry before moving on to the next step.
8. Replace with a Thinner One
A thinner shape sandal will help make them more comfortable to wear.
Why Bigger Size Sandals are Uncomfortable
- Too much space for your toes to spread out
- No arch support in the larger shoe size. This can cause pain and discomfort when walking on hard pavement or rough terrain.
This is a big problem because you are more likely to get blisters, which will turn into calluses if they don’t heal properly.
If these problems persist, it could lead to other foot injuries like plantar fasciitis (painful inflammation of the tissue connecting your heel bone to your toes) from all that extra force being applied with each step. It’s also worth noting that pregnant women have been known to develop bunions as their feet expand during pregnancy due largely in part due to wearing uncomfortable shoes such as sandals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Shrink Sandals?
Yes, sandals can be shrunk. There are many ways to shrink your sandals. You can use a hairdryer or heat gun to do it yourself, or you can take them to a cobbler and have him/her do it for you.
What Can I Do if My Sandals Are Too Wide?
If your sandals are too wide, you can wear them like this:
- Put on the sandals with the widest straps.
- Tuck in a piece of cloth under the top strap to create a buckle that will hold the foot tightly in place.
- Tighten up one or both straps and make sure they fit comfortably without being too tight around your foot.
Can a Cobbler Make Sandals Smaller?
Yes, a cobbler can make sandals smaller. The Cobbler has to take the shoe and wrap it in an elastic bandage which will give the shoe enough support. To make the sandal smaller, you need to have a cobbler do this.
Can You Cut Flip Flops Smaller?
Yes, you can cut flip-flops smaller. However, there are certain risks involved in cutting them down to size.
If you have a pair of flip-flops that you love and want to keep, but that is too big for your feet, the best way to cut them down is by using scissors or a knife. Make sure that the blade is dull before cutting into the shoe so as not to cause any harm to yourself or others.
Another way is by using sandpaper or an emery board, which will also work with great success. You should be careful when doing this because it may scratch the shoe if done improperly and make it less durable than when it was new.
Conclusion
The key to creating a sandal size that fits your foot is by using the same method as you would for making any shoe smaller. You want to take out some of the space inside while adding another layer on top.
To do this use rubber bands and elastic material (like nylon or sheer tights) across different parts of the shoes’ design in order to create pressure points within them so they mold better to your feet.
