Common Shoe Alterations

Here at Little Feet we are committed to providing you with the best possible shoe fitting experience. In order to give you the perfect fit, we might suggest padding or stretching a pair of shoes. A common misconception is that this means the shoe is not a good fit, however, if we recommend adding something, we are simply enhancing an already properly fitting shoe. 

Here are some of the ways we customize shoes for you!

Foam Taps and Halter Pads:
   These pads are used to fill up extra space in the toe of the shoe. If the shoes are too deep, but fit perfectly in length and width, this will decrease that extra depth without changing the rest of the fit. The foam tap will be cut to size and hidden under the insole of the shoe. Halter pads are used for shoes where the insole cannot be removed. The adhesive pad can stick to most materials.

Tongue Pads:
   Tongue pads are most commonly used to push the foot backwards into the heel cup. Particularly in loafers and slip-ons, a tongue pad will keep the foot from slipping out while allowing for growing room in the toes. They are also helpful if a child likes to pull velcro straps or laces extra tight. The pad will sit along the top of the foot ensuring a snug fit, which will reduce wear and tear on the apparatus.

Stretching:
   Sometimes you find the perfect shoe, but one part is just a little tighter than you'd normally like. While it is uncommon (and we're typically asked to do it in adult shoes), we are able to increase the width and depth of most shoes. This can also help to soften stiff material.

Eyelet Punching (leather and suede shoes only):
   We are able to punch extra holes in the straps of shoes so long as the sole is wide (or narrow) enough for the foot.  We can also punch holes at the top of some lace dress shoes to help keep the heel back and in place.

Cookie Arches:
   Cookie arches are used to build up the arch support of any closed shoe (not sandals). When we glue these small pieces of rubber under an insole, it can help straighten out collapsing arches and add structure for kids with flatter feet. While it is not as custom as an orthotic, it can provide a temporary solution to some common foot issues. We do charge $6 to put cookie arches into a pair of shoes.