5 hacks to stop your summer shoes rubbing

Are your summer shoes rubbing now that the mercury is rising? Here's how to banish blisters and stop sweat for fabulous feet

Low Section Of Woman With Feet Up At Beach Against Sky
(Image credit: Artinun Prekmoung / EyeEm/Getty Images)

If you're troubled by the age-old issue of summer shoes rubbing - you're not alone. Summer ain't all sunshine and lollypops, it can also be a frustrating time for those of us who struggle with hotter weather and who favor styles better suited to the chillier months.

Everyone can get on board with the latest sunglasses trends 2022, but choosing looks that will keep you cool and comfy is a challenge we can all identify with - did someone ask where to get their hands on the best anti-chafing shorts

Whether you're putting together summer outfits for work or choosing your best swimsuits and best beach cover-ups - stopping summer shoes rubbing can be a bit of a bind.

Now we don't just mean slippy sandals, even super glam examples like the best designer heels and casual offerings like the best white trainers can present an issue. 

Here are a few hacks to help stop summer shoes rubbing and make sad feet a thing of the past. 


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1. Antiperspirant

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SweatBlock Antiperspirant Lotion For Hands & Feet<a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=107649&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.co.uk%2FSweatBlock-Antiperspirant-Excessive-Sweat-Effective%2Fdp%2FB07BM9LHV1%2F%3F_encoding%3DUTF8%26pd_rd_w%3Dlprqf%26content-id%3Damzn1.sym.822afc68-e2bb-4420-ac6e-1044cd2e7c1d%26pf_rd_p%3D822afc68-e2bb-4420-ac6e-1044cd2e7c1d%26pf_rd_r%3DGHA3641NSQD766DKZD8B%26pd_rd_wg%3DOfEar%26pd_rd_r%3De2ac0f27-bbed-46cc-acb8-db068989fb7f%26ref_%3Dpd_gw_ci_mcx_mi%26tag%3Dhawk-future-21%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-21" data-link-merchant="Amazon UK"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> $14.50 (£11.87) | Amazon

A specially designed antiperspirant for those experiencing excessive sweating in their hands and feet.


Sweaty feet in sandals, or god forbid flip flops, is one of those mysterious anomalies which makes it clear that no matter how little coverage your footwear provides - hot weather equals sweaty feet. 

By applying an antiperspirant, you're able to prevent this issue, which is the main reason for summer shoes rubbing.

2. Heel pads

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Heel Cushion Pads <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=107649&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.co.uk%2FPairs-Cushion-Self-adhesive-Insoles-Protector%2Fdp%2FB07CK833CX%2Fref%3Dsr_1_40%3Fcrid%3D1HJIAAJFMQG9U%26keywords%3Danti%252Bchafe%252Bheel%252Bpads%26qid%3D1655391847%26sprefix%3Danti%252Bchafe%252Bheel%252Bpads%252Caps%252C47%26sr%3D8-40%26th%3D1%26tag%3Dhawk-future-21%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-21" data-link-merchant="Amazon UK"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">$8 (£6.49) | Amazon

Self-adhesive heel pads, available in a multitude of colors, so you can choose the best one for your style of shoe. 

So maybe it's not all that schvitzing, and instead of buying some comfortable flats, you've accidentally bought a pair of shoes destined to leave your Achilles red-raw. Or even worse - a pair that need to be broken in. 

In this instance, get your hands on some heel pads and avoid shredding your heels so you can enjoy the sunshine in peace.

3. Moleskin Tape

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Profoot Moleskin, <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=107649&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.co.uk%2FProfoot-Moleskin-Pack-of-2%2Fdp%2FB013AVRFO4%2Fref%3Dsr_1_4%3Fcrid%3D1SVZLBKSB9BLH%26keywords%3Dmoleskin%2Btape%26qid%3D1655392878%26s%3Ddrugstore%26sprefix%3Dmoleskin%2Btape%252Cdrugstore%252C56%26sr%3D1-4%26tag%3Dhawk-future-21%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-21" data-link-merchant="Amazon UK""> $7.50(£6.10) | Amazon

An easy and effective product that you can tailor to your needs, which is sure to help stop summer shoes rubbing in no time at all.

An excellent choice for sandals and flip flops, or any shoe where it's tricky to hide any means of stopping summer shoes from rubbing!

A super cool trick to try is to stick some of this incredible product, cut to the size that suits you, to the sole of your foot when wearing sandals - that way you won't slip in them!

4. Moisture wicking socks

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Cotton No Show Socks,<a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=107649&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.co.uk%2FPCEAIIH-Show-Socks-Women-Pairs%2Fdp%2FB08TBYC6BS%2Fref%3Dsr_1_56%3Fcrid%3D3P7XK1ZO81YEY%26keywords%3Dmoisture%2Bwicking%2Binvisible%2Bsocks%26qid%3D1655393258%26sprefix%3Dmoisture%2Bwicking%2Binvisible%2Bsocks%252Caps%252C46%26sr%3D8-56%26tag%3Dhawk-future-21%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-21" data-link-merchant="Amazon UK"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> $12.30 (£9.99) | Amazon

Not only do these socks tuck away nicely into most shoes, but they also have a comfort grip on the heel so you don't need to worry about the dreaded ankle sock slip.

The classic ankle sock but better, these are super easy to tuck away in a myriad of shoe styles and promise a comfortable and non-sweaty option - while keeping that sock free summer look.

5. Foot powder

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Natural Shoe Deodorizer Powder, Foot Sense <a href="https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=107649&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.co.uk%2FSENSE-Natural-Smelly-Foot-Powder%2Fdp%2FB00O2DQO4C%2Fref%3Dsr_1_17%3Fcamp%3D1789%26creativeASIN%3DB00O2DQO4C%26keywords%3DNatural%2BFoot%2Band%2BShoe%2BOdor%2BEliminator%2B%253F%2BTalc-Free%2BShoe%2BDeodorizer%2Band%2BBody%2BPowder%2BNeutralizes%2BSmelly%2BOdors%2B%253F%2BLong-Lasting%252C%2BFast-Acting%2BFoot%2BPowder%2Bfor%2BKids%2Band%2BAdults%2B%253F%2BUSA-Made%2Bby%2BFoot%2BSense%252C%2B3.5%2BOz.%26linkCode%3Dgs3%26qid%3D1655392403%26sr%3D8-17%26tag%3Dhawk-future-21%26ascsubtag%3Dhawk-custom-tracking-21" data-link-merchant="Amazon UK"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">$12(£11.90) | Amazon

Use this magic powder on your feet as well as in your shoes. It's packed full of natural moisture-wicking properties and fights odor too. 

A good old fashioned foot powder is hard to beat when you're keen to keep your feet dry and smelling fresh. It also helps with friction, which is exacerbated by moisture, meaning your feet will look, feel, and smell great too!

Aoife Hanna
Junior News Editor

Aoife is an Irish journalist and writer with a background in creative writing, comedy, and TV production.

Formerly woman&home's junior news editor and a contributing writer at Bustle, her words can be found in the Metro, Huffpost, Delicious, Imperica and EVOKE.

Her poetry features in the Queer Life, Queer Love anthology.

Outside of work you might bump into her at a garden center, charity shop, yoga studio, lifting heavy weights, or (most likely) supping/eating some sort of delicious drink/meal.