New shoes ripping feet

I don't have any problems with my feet, but even so found Hotter shoes and boots to be lovely to wear.So comfy! For Summer there are loads of pretty sandals in their brochure, although I always go to their shop as I prefer to try them on.I can and do, buy shoes from all sorts of places, even cheapo shops, but so far, Hotters are the best.

My 'special occasion' shoes are from Gabor. I can't wear heels, so these are not quite flat but certainly not high. Both pairs have 'peep' toes, so I have to wear nail polish on my toenails. I had some nice little Gabor lace-up boots, fleecy lined and so comfortable, but they died of old age last winter, and I couldn't find anything quite like them.

My first post – until now I've very much enjoyed browsing the site but I do know about the pain of fitting wide feet with bunions into shoes so I'd like to share my method.
I learned this method for stretching leather shoes (synthetic materials generally don't stretch) from a shoe maker: boil water with a bit of soap until dissolved and let it cool; wet the shoe inside and out (perhaps inside only would also work?); use a shoe stretcher - similar to the picture posted by shysal – and turn the handle to stretch the shoe carefully so as not to split any seams; leave to dry away from heat for several days.
I've been stretching my shoes for many years but only dark colours. If necessary I repeat the procedure several times until shoes are comfortable. A couple of times the colour has faded slightly but shoe polish has fixed that. I've not stretched light colours because they might show water stains.
This method has worked for me - I even stretch shoes until out of shape for pure comfort – but if taken to the extreme, I guess there's a risk of splitting seams. These days I also buy the makes already mentioned, e.g. Josef Seibel, Hotter, Softinos, Ecco.
Apologies for the long post!

Welcome Incandescent . Now that you have broken the ice I look forward to seeing your future contributions. I have never tried wetting shoes before stretching, will give it a go next time I buy new shoes, which is rarely, as I tend to stick with old faithfuls until they fall apart!

I've never been able to wear M&S shoes as they invariably pinch. For trainers I buy Merrell as they give plenty of room for the toes.

I used to have bunions and hammer toes, but had them surgically fixed about 15 years ago - and what a difference! Well worth it, but as a result I very rarely wear heels any more. Though I do have a comfy pair of sandals I bought in Spain.

I once had a pair of sandals made from Italian leather, which used to pinch. I happened to be wearing them on a day when torrential rain meant I had to wade to the London Eye - and thereafter they were the most comfortable shoes I've ever possessed! So now when I have leather shoes that pinch I soak them in warm water then wear them around the house (with socks) as long as I can. Seems to help them expand to fit my feet.

Interesting clip on reasons why women should go easy on high heels when they are young - not that we ever listened to our mothers when they told us!

www.facebook.com/HuffingtonPost/videos/10153871507541130/

Has anyone ever bought any shoes from Damart?

I used to like M&S footglove - some styles anyway - but they don't seem glove-like any more. Even when trying some on in the shop recently I could feel bits that were going to rub like mad and hurt like hell.

I have bought some Hotters, but I do find some of their styles a little bit too old-lady-ish. However I got a brilliant pair of short red boots from them some months ago, to wear with skinny jeans. They were like gloves from the moment I tried them on. They are not walking boots as such, but I can walk for miles in them with no trouble.

I forgot to mention JD Williams. If you have broad feet they do very fashionable shoes up to EEE width fitting. Look at these, bought for a wedding, Clarks leather with kitten heels which were't even on the Clarks web site.

Any suggestions for breaking in fabric shoes? I have a pair of denim, open toed wedge sandals, look good and go with jeans and a couple of skirts I have, but rub like hell!

I'm trying a method I found on the internet. Wear the shoes with two pairs of socks and heat the area that rubs with a hair dryer. It seems to have stretched the shoes a little but I don't know how long lasting the effect is. Any other ideas gratefully received!

I break in new shoes by wearing them in the house with a pair of socks, not your thick walking socks of course but ordinary socks, it will hurt like blazes but just take them off when you can't stand it any longer.

"Tresco* is that hint meant for fabric shoes?

You will be pleased to know they are now a little big. I have however got awful looking feet through putting on big socks whilst wearing tight shoes round the house.

I've had problems with buying shoes all my life (narrow feet, high instep, heel Spurs and broken toes that are 'bent')
I love Hotters, if they're comfortable then I'll happily forego heels etc. they give brilliant customer service too - I had a full refund on a pair I discovered were very uncomfortable after one wear, they didn't hesitate. I didn't even have the receipt, they accepted seeing the bank statement showing when they were bought (six months earlier!). Well done Hotter ?

That's interesting loopylou. How did you return the shoes to them?

I went to the Hotter shop in Bath.
I was really surprised they did it, but there wasn't any quibble!

I'm also a fan of hotter, I also have a pair of sketchers go walk, which just seem to propel me forward! I have also bought several pairs of cushionwalk (from JD Wlliams/Marisota) they are inexpensive so I bought bought two pairs of summer Mary Jane styles with various cut outs and very soft material, one in navy and one beige and have lived in them for three years. Unfortunately they have finally worn out and this year's shoes are in less practical colours. My feet are a wide size 8 and I am tall enough to not want a heel, so it is great being old enough to be happy to settle for comfort.