How To Stop Shoes From Hurting The Back Of Your Ankle
Written by Umar Bajwa
Ways to stop work boots from rubbing your heels
To stop work boots from rubbing the back of your heels and causing throbbing pain, here are some amazing ways that can help you; Wear thick socks The most effective and quick way to prevent the rubbing of heels is to wear thick socks. Socks will act as a barrier between your heels and the hard material of your boots. Putting on a thick soft pair of socks will reduce the friction and prevent blisters. Besides that, socks minimize the impact and pressure of boots on your feet the whole day. Wool socks are a great option indeed. These socks are soft and absorb extra moisture from your feet leaving them dry and comfortable for longer. Tighten your shoelaces Tightening the shoelaces is the easiest and quick way to stop work boots from rubbing your heels. When you wear poor-fitting boots, the back of the heel rubs against the boots and causes friction. As a result of this friction, the skin of your heel tears and forms blisters that can be extremely painful and frustrating. Therefore, to avoid these problems, always make sure you tie the shoelaces tightly. It will give a perfect fitting and keep your feet in place for longer. Insert an insole Insoles provide you with an excellent fit and reduce the area between your heel and the back of your shoes. Soft insoles minimize friction and provide you with ease of walking and comfort. You can buy soft insoles from any shoe store or health store near your house. It is available in various shapes and sizes. Choose the shoes with the right fitting Wearing work boots that fit perfectly is an excellent way to stop the rubbing of your heels. Tightly fit boots keep your feet in place and reduce friction. Whereas poorly fit boots rub against your heels and cause pain, blisters, and scars that take a few weeks to heal properly. Use moleskin Moleskin is a thick adhesive cotton tape that you can stick to the heels of your work boots to minimize the friction between your heels and the boots. It also improves the fitting and reduces pressure on your feet while working. Moleskin is soft, durable, and long-lasting. It usually comes in different colors, shapes, and thicknesses so you can purchase the one that matches your demands. Use a duct tape Duct tape is a smooth and durable tape that you can use as a bandage to avoid rubbing your heels. Before going to work, cut some duct tape and stick it to your foot. It will reduce friction and prevent pain, blisters, and scars. Keep in mind, if you already have blisters, do not apply duct tape on them because they won’t heal with them. Insert a piece of cardboard Inserting a piece of cardboard into your boots is an amazing way to prevent heel pain and injuries. Cut the pieces of cardboard according to the size of your heel and insert them into your boots before wearing them. It will keep your feet comfortable and pain-free the whole day. Stretch the back of your boots This method is extremely easy and effective especially if you have leather work boots. All you have to do is take a hair dryer and heat the back of your boots for a few minutes. Wear a thick pair of socks and put your feet in the boots. Walk around the house for some time until the back of your boots gets cold and comfortable. The perfect fitting of boots will provide you the ease of walking through the day and prevent heel pain. Wrap up Work boots can be extremely uncomfortable when you keep wearing them all day. The leather of these boots can tear your heel skin and cause blisters. To stop your work boots from rubbing the back of your heels, there are some super amazing ways such as you can insert soft insoles in your boots to minimize the area between the boot and your heel. You can wear thick socks, apply moleskin, or duct tape or you can insert a piece of cardboard in your boots, etc to prevent this frustrating problem.Article author
About the Author
Umar Bajwa is a writer and blogger.
Further reading
Further Reading
Article
Why Slant Board Training Deserves a Place in Your Mobility Routine
A slant board is a simple tool that can make lower-body mobility and strength work more consistent. Learn how heel elevation changes common movements, seven practical exercises to try, and the form cues that help you progress safely.
September 29, 2026
Article
The Real Reason Your Diet Isn't "Sticking" (It's Not About Discipline)
September 17, 2026
Article
Gym Etiquette in Cincinnati: A Beginner’s Guide to Hygiene and Courtesy
Learn the essential gym etiquette rules every beginner should know, from personal hygiene and cleaning equipment to respecting shared spaces. Follow these simple tips to make every workout safe, comfortable, and enjoyable for everyone.
September 14, 2026
Article
The Discipline of Doing Two Hard Things Well
Most people think building both strength and endurance is a willpower problem. Push harder, want it more, grind through the fatigue. It isn't. It's a sequencing problem — and learning to solve it teaches something bigger than fitness.
September 13, 2026