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Your shoe repair professional can make your life
a bit more comfortable in several ways. If you
have a pair of shoes that is perfectly broken
in, shoe repair can keep them looking new while
maintaining that broken in feel.
If your shoes are too tight, your
shoe repairer offers stretching services.
Typically, they can stretch a shoe from a D to a
EE in width. They can also add more space for
toes or raise an instep. They can even stretch
the calves on boots.
If your shoes are
too loose, you can find the following fitting
aids at most shoe repair shops:
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Jimmys -
are thin pieces of cork, felt or foam
designed to go under the sock lining in the
forepart of the shoe. If a 7 1/2 is too
loose and a 7 is too tight, you can "jimmy"
the shoe to make it fit like a 7 1/4.
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Heel
Cushions - are placed under the sock
lining to add comfort under the strike zone
of the heel.
-
Insoles -
come in a variety of styles and materials.
Flat insoles made of foam or leather add
cushioning to the shoe and make
loose-fitting shoes tighter. Contour insoles
have an arch support and heel built in. They
give extra support and hold the foot firmly
in place so your foot doesn't slide inside
the shoe.
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Halters -
are oval-shaped pads that go under the
ball of the foot. They are made of suede or
foam and serve to shift the foot back in the
shoe. They are especially useful with
open-toed shoes to eliminate toe overhang.
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Tongue pads
- are applied under the tongue of the
shoe and tighten shoes for those with low
insteps. They add thickness and cushioning
to the shoe.
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Heel Grips
- are applied to the back of the shoe
and help prevent the heel from sliding in
and out of the shoe. They also push the foot
forward in the shoe.
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Pinch Pads
- are used wherever the shoe may
chafe—especially over the toes where the
shoe bends and can sometimes press down into
the toes.
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Arch
supports - provide support under the
arch. They reduce foot fatigue by
distributing the body's weight evenly on the
foot.
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