The Biggest Problem With Golden Goose Sneakers (And How to Solve It!)

golden goose sneakers how to break in and make comfortable tips tricks

I had shared on Instagram Stories that I saved up to get a pair of Golden Goose sneakers. I have been drooling over them for months and have read SO MANY blog posts about the pros and cons.

I researched, scoured and finally found the perfect pair I wanted- one that was season-less and versatile- because at this price point- they had better be! I stalked them on the UPS site and watched them travel their way to my doorstep. Opened the box and put them on. My glass slippers… except…

They weren’t comfy. WHAT?!

My heart sunk and I packed them back up to “think on it.” Luckily I had a few people share some things with me- and when I took their advice- everything changed- and I may have just found my soulmate sneaker.

​Read on to see why I didn’t return them! There are so many times I am thankful for the Sunset Squad community, but this is one I won’t forget. You saved me from returning my new favorite sneakers. These are life-changing moments here.

I’ve been in love Golden Goose sneakers for so long and saved up so I could get a pair. If you’re unfamiliar, here is what makes them so special:

  • They are Italian made and no two pair are the same 
  • They have a platform inside that elongates legs, they are the stilettos of sneakers, if you will. (see what I did there?)
  • They come in tons of colors and styles
  • Once they sell out, they are gone 

The investment price tag on these required me to save for a bit, but seeing how many girls wear them all over I felt they were worth saving for. I researched and knew the pair I wanted, and even when I saw other pairs go on sale, I didn’t grab a pair. I wanted a color scheme I felt was season-less, that would match every piece of clothing I own. I want to be able to wear them all year long.

When the sneakers arrived and I put them on, I could not believe it. Stiff and completely uncomfortable. The heartbreak! I posted about my struggles and a few of you encouraged me and said they break in- but then some of you said you had tried them on in-store and had the same experience. I knew then that I felt an experiment coming on. I decided to try to break them in using the same process I use for any other shoe that needs it. To my delight, IT WORKED! I have worn these sneakers quite a few times since then, twice to school- and I can tell you they are BEYOND comfortable. I finally understand how people were walking around Italy in these beauties.

HOW TO BREAK IN YOUR GOLDEN GOOSE SNEAKERS

So on the off-chance you experience a heartbreak over Golden Goose sneakers- I wanted to share some tips to break them in.

  1. Run your blow dry inside them for a few seconds. Warm them up.
  2.  Put on thicker socks and walk around a bit while they are still warm.
  3. Then switch to either bare feet or cutoff socks, and walk around some more. By this time the shoe actually softens and begins to mold to you foot! I didn’t think it was going to happen but then it DID!
  4. Cry happy tears!
golden goose sneakers outfits

Everyone is right when they say these sneakers go with everything. Now I WILL be watching for insane sales to grab a second pair… SOMEDAY. Until then I’ve rounded up some favorites, but I’ve also found some AMAZING dupes if these will never be in the budget! 

SIZING INFO: I am a size 6 in shoes so I get a size 36 in Golden Goose and wear a small ped sock. (I love these from Amazon!) I have a narrow foot and they fit perfectly. Golden Goose sneakers run wide so keep that in mind if you are in between sizes! I always tie mine!

MY TOP FIVE MOST-VERSATILE GOLDEN GOOSE PICKS

GOLDEN GOOSE DUPES AT VARIOUS PRICE POINTS

The Best Golden Goose Sneakers on Sale!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to receive and read blog posts directly by email

Shop my Posts

Leave a Comment

33 Comments

  1. Sara Parrott wrote:

    Can’t wait to see all that target has!

    Posted 1.8.20 Reply
  2. Damon wrote:

    I have five pair of GG. I know. Crazy, but they are awesome. Good advice. The GG Ball Stars are by far the best, but the insoles have a built in heal lift, which is strange. Went to CVS, got gel insoles , replaced the GG insoles and poof! The most comfortable shoes on the planet.

    Posted 2.19.20 Reply
    • Deb from Sunsets and Stilettos wrote:

      I agree with you! I thought it was silly but they really are the best! I never thought to swap out the soles! The Superstars have the wedge too! Great idea Damon!

      Posted 2.19.20 Reply
    • kennedy wrote:

      Hi! I am between a 38 and a 39. The 39 makes my heel pop out. If I order the 38, should I take out the insoles and put in something different from CVS? Does pulling out the insoles make them bigger?

      Posted 6.15.20 Reply
      • liz wrote:

        yes! this was my exact issue and it worked like a charm.

        Posted 9.29.20 Reply
        • Deb from Sunsets & Stilettos wrote:

          You made my day! Thank you for writing!

          Posted 9.30.20 Reply
  3. I would say this is one of the best article I’ve read. From
    beginning to end you nailed it completely.
    To write this you may have worked hard for research.

    King regards,
    Lunding Dencker

    Posted 3.29.20 Reply
    • Deb from Sunsets and Stilettos wrote:

      Thank you!

      Posted 5.5.20 Reply
  4. Katie wrote:

    I have to try this… I have the hi-stars and since the inside is a kind of velour/ clothy material I expected them to be comfortable. Instead I got a HUGE bloody blister within an hour of wearing them. Think the process will work?? I hope or I will be devastated. Currently unwearable!!!

    Posted 4.20.20 Reply
    • Deb from Sunsets and Stilettos wrote:

      I don’t have high tops but do you wear socks? I always do!

      Posted 4.20.20 Reply
      • Libby Zoltani wrote:

        We’re the high tops true to size?? In the superstars (low top) they are 2 sizes to big…. so are the hightops the same?

        Posted 7.4.20 Reply
        • Deb from Sunsets and Stilettos wrote:

          My superstars are true to size- I’m a 6 and I wear a 36. Some people sized up on the high tops but I didn’t!

          Posted 7.5.20 Reply
  5. Maddie wrote:

    Hello, I recently just got a pair of golden gooses. I’m normally a 6.5 and got a 36. I originally ordered a 37 which was way to big! I’m still not sure the 36 is right. I’ve walked around in my house with them on and feel like my feet sort of slip out. Has anyone else experienced this, or is it just how golden gooses are? I first had them tied the loose why where you just put a knot at the end of lace, but even when I tied them like a normal sneaker I feel that my foot slides out. Has anyone had to go down an entire size and a half?

    Posted 5.3.20 Reply
    • Deb from Sunsets and Stilettos wrote:

      Golden Goose is a wider shoe for sure- I HAVE to tie mine- but once I tied them I was fine! As for sizing I am a whole size so I’m not sure how best to proceed with half sizes. Maybe try a few sizes to see! Hope this helps!

      Posted 5.5.20 Reply
    • Yea I had that same problem and was trying to decide on going down 2 sizes. I think that’s what I’ll do I were a 5.5- mainly 6 so got a 36. But I think I need a 34. But also that’s with the superstars I think the high tops are just a little less of? Hahaha I don’t know

      Posted 7.4.20 Reply
  6. Candice wrote:

    I two swapped the wedge inner sole for flat ones. I prefer the sneakers to sit higher on my ankle. How many times did you have to wear them before they became comfortable? I’ll have to try wearing thicker socks, mine are so uncomfortable atm!

    Posted 5.5.20 Reply
    • Deb from Sunsets and Stilettos wrote:

      Mine became comfortable within the first few wears! Every pair is made differently- but I also didn’t switch out the soles!

      Posted 5.5.20 Reply
    • Isabelle wrote:

      How did it work out with swapping the soles to put flat ones. I don’t like the wedge, it makes the show unstable for me. But I am afraid switching to a flat sole may make them uncomfortable and too high on the ankle. Anyone knows? Thanks

      Posted 8.30.21 Reply
      • Deb from Sunsets & Stilettos wrote:

        Hey Candice! I’ve read a lot about this and it seems this is a common practice by many! Give it a shot! xo

        Posted 8.31.21 Reply
  7. niki wrote:

    Hey! I just got a pair of the mid soles and length wise they are pefect…enough room for my toe for sure but they are really tight and low in the toe box…I feel like going a half size up won’t necessarily solve this problem so I was wondering if you the toe box will stretch and give me the room I need? Thank you!!!

    Posted 5.25.20 Reply
  8. Camryn Zavacky wrote:

    I was wondering if you experienced/heard good things from ordering Golden Goose sneakers off of the Farfetch website?

    Posted 5.30.20 Reply
    • Deb from Sunsets and Stilettos wrote:

      I have friends who have ordered and loved them! I didn’t like the one pair I got- but you could give it a shot!

      Posted 6.4.20 Reply
  9. Ashleigh wrote:

    I never had this issue with Superstars but I did with Hi Stars. I tried the hair dryer and thick socks trick and it worked! It worked on my P448s, too. I purchased a pair of GG via a resale FB group and was able to remold them to my feet. That opened up a whole range of possibilities for new GG. My husband is so thrilled haha. 😉

    Posted 8.23.20 Reply
    • Deb from Sunsets and Stilettos wrote:

      Hey Ashleigh! Thank you for this message! You literally made my whole day. I want everyone to love their shoes like I love my GG. HAHA! Xo

      Posted 8.23.20 Reply
  10. LP wrote:

    Were your blisters on the top of your toes? Like your toe knuckles? That’s where I keep blistering from my GGDB’s and I don’t know what to do. I love them so much but can’t walk around comfortably in them!

    Posted 10.7.20 Reply
    • Deb from Sunsets & Stilettos wrote:

      I never had blisters. I also wear small, cutoff socks. xo

      Posted 10.22.20 Reply
  11. D wrote:

    I just bought a pair of superstars 37 but I’m a 6.5. Will the break in process shrink them a bit to my feet or not really? My feet are narrow and I feel like they don’t slip out as much when I wear them w/out socks because my feet are clammy lol but with socks they slip quite a bit.

    I’m afraid to order size 36 but maybe I should since they are wide? I’m keeping my size 37 but for the next pair idk if I should size down or not ughhhh

    Posted 2.23.21 Reply
    • Deb from Sunsets & Stilettos wrote:

      It depends on the shoe- but I would size down! (36)

      Posted 2.24.21 Reply
  12. Maria wrote:

    I just got my pair of super-star – which is half size down my usual size – and my heels just slides out when i walk even though the shoe length feels like on the tighter end. But i still love it, i just hope they become more comfortable eventually!

    Posted 8.24.21 Reply
    • Deb from Sunsets & Stilettos wrote:

      It really depends on the pair! I have had this and I do tie my laces a bit tighter because of it! xo

      Posted 8.31.21 Reply
  13. C wrote:

    How does this work for the ones with glitter? My glitter pair are a bit too snug for my liking and I would like to try your hairdryer trick I’m but kind of afraid it will somehow cause the glitter to fall off. Any suggestions? Thanks!

    Posted 8.8.22 Reply
    • Deb from Sunsets & Stilettos wrote:

      I’ve never had an issue! I have one glitter pair! xo

      Posted 9.5.22 Reply
  14. I OCD’d on GG. Like you can’t just eat one chip. But I am going on a GG diet for awhile, lol. I wear a 6 and the 36 fit fine. As has been said sometimes I have to break them in especially at the back. Certain styles and I have only worn them without socks, I use a small shoe horn. The low star that has a little pull tab are hard to get right into. Anyway, I got this tip especially forthe warm weather. Sprinkle a little baby powder into the shoe carefully and your foot won’t get chaffed. I have to try a half ped like was mentioned. I feel a bit nervous using a hair dryer. Enjoy your GG’s!!!

    Posted 8.11.22 Reply