Heel blisters. Just reading those words makes your feet hurt, doesn’t it? We’ve all been there – excited to wear those gorgeous new heels out for the evening, only to hobble home with throbbing blisters later.
Blisters form when friction and pressure builds up on areas of our feet, most often on our heels when we wear shoes that lack proper cushioning and support. Tight-fitting heels that rub against the backs of our ankles are prime culprits for these painful sores.
While bandages, mole skin, and petroleum jelly can provide some relief, these solutions are messy and temporary. As soon as you peel them off, the blisters return. Plus, they don’t prevent the underlying friction and pressure that causes blisters in the first place.
But what if we told you there was a simple, customizable hack using basic household items that could prevent heel blisters for good? Keep reading to learn about the ingenious “heel grip” method that will change the way you wear heels forever.
What Causes Blisters on the Back of Your Heels?
Heel blisters typically form due to:
- Pressure – Tight, narrow, or ill-fitting heels put extra pressure on the back of your foot as you walk. This presses on the skin in an unusual way, especially if heels lack proper cushioning.
- Friction – Rubbing and sliding against rough interior materials also strains the skin, creating hotspots. This separates the layers of skin from each other.
- Moisture/Heat – Extra perspiration and warmth further weakens skin and makes it more prone to damage.
Without proper protection, this combination of factors causes fluid to accumulate between skin layers. The resulting bubble is an extremely painful blister.
While you can try to minimize moisture and pressure, friction is unavoidable in most heels. So how can you safeguard delicate skin?
The Heel Grip Hack: Simple Yet Genius
The premise of this hack is simple – customize cushioned grips for the backs of your heels to prevent any rubbing. With just a few basic drugstore items, you can make your own reusable heel cushions.
Materials Needed
- Cloth medical tape
- Foam padding (moleskin, gel pads, or bandage cushion)
- Fleece, felt, or other soft fabric
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Cut strips of foam padding approximately 1-2 inches wide and long enough to fit comfortably across the width of your heel.
- Cover the foam strips fully with soft fabric cut to the same size. This prevents direct contact with your skin.
- Apply 2-3 strips of medical tape vertically along the back of each heel before slipping shoes on.
- Gently press the foam pieces onto the tape to adhere them in place.
- Check for full coverage across the heels without overlapping shoe edges.
And that’s it! The tape keeps the cushions secured in place, while the soft fabric and foam protects sensitive skin. Customize thickness and coverage as needed per shoe style.
Why the Heel Grip Hack Beats Other Blister Remedies
This heel cushion method revolutionizes blister prevention and leaves other methods in the dust:
- Little cost – Most people already have these supplies at home. Much cheaper than constantly buying bandages or blister cushions.
- Customizable & reusable – You can tweak the size and thickness perfectly for different heels. Just peel off, wash, and reuse.
- Stays put – The tape backing adheres cushions securely for hours unlike jelly or adhesive pads that quickly rub off on stockings or shift out of place.
- Full coverage – Heel grips protect the entire impact zone rather than just spot-treating areas like bandages. Prevents blisters before they start.
- Lasting comfort – Allows you to comfortably wear heels for extended periods without developing painful hotspots or blisters.
Now you can dance the night away or stand confidently at events in your favorite heels! This hack puts an end to sore, blistered feet.
Conclusion: No More Painful Heels
Heel blisters happen to all of us, but they don’t have to ruin our fun in trendy shoes! This simple heel cushion trick helps prevent the underlying friction and pressure that damages delicate ankle skin after hours on our feet.
Forget about adhesives that wear off quickly or temporary bandage coverups. Heel grips made from basic household items provide complete protection exactly where you need it most. Best of all, these cushions are customizable, reusable, affordable, and stay firmly in place.
Give this hack a try the next time you want to wear your most blister-inducing heels. Your feet will thank you later! Have any other go-to remedies for wearing heels comfortably? Share in the comments below.