How to Fix Nike Air Max Excee Heel Discomfort: Easy Relief Tips

You just bought them. They look fresh. The lines are sharp. The Air unit pops. You put on your new Nike Air Max Excee. You feel cool. You walk out the door.

Then, it happens.

Step one. A pinch. Step two. A rub. By block three, your heel is on fire.

If this sounds like you, stop. You are not alone. I have been there. I remember buying my first pair of all-white Excees. I wanted to wear them to a concert. It was a bad move. Halfway through the night, I was limping. The back of the shoe felt like a knife. It ruined my night.

But I did not give up on the shoes. I loved the look too much. So, I learned how to fix them. Now, they are my go-to pair.

You do not have to suffer. You can fix this. It is easier than you think.

In this guide, I will show you how to stop the pain. We will look at quick hacks. We will look at pro tips. We will make your shoes feel like clouds.

Let’s get started.

Understanding Why Your Air Max Excee Hurts

To fix the pain, we must know the cause. The Nike Air Max Excee is a tribute shoe. It honors the classic Air Max 90. But it is not built exactly the same.

The Rigid Heel Counter

The back of the shoe is hard. This part is called the heel counter. It is there to hold your foot in place. In the Excee, this part is very stiff. It is made of hard plastic and tough foam. When it is new, it does not bend. It digs into your skin.

The Material Mix

The Excee uses a mix of mesh, leather, and suede. These materials are durable. That is good. But they are also stiff. The stitching near the heel can be thick. This creates a bump inside the shoe. That bump rubs your heel.

The Narrow Fit

This model is known to be narrow. The toe box is tight. If your toes are squished, your foot pushes back. This jams your heel into the hard back of the shoe. It creates a friction point. This is where blisters are born.

Credit: www.ebay.com

Is It the Shoe or the Fit? (The Sizing Check)

Most heel pain comes from the wrong size. Let’s check yours.

The Thumb Test

Put your shoes on. Stand up. Push your thumb down by your big toe. You should have a thumb’s width of space. Is it tight? If your toe hits the end, the shoe is too small.

The Width Check

Does the side of your foot feel crushed? Nike Air Max Excee sizing is tricky. They run narrow. If you have wide feet, you need space. A tight shoe traps your heel. It cannot move. It just rubs.

My Experience with Sizing

I usually wear a size 10. In Air Force 1s, a 10 is big on me. But for the Excee, a 10 was tight. I swapped them for a 10.5. The pain went down by half instantly.

If they are brand new, try them on at home. Walk on carpet. If they hurt right away, consider a size up.

Quick Fixes for Immediate Relief

Okay, so you kept the shoes. Or maybe you can’t return them. You need relief now. Here are simple hacks.

The Double Sock Trick

This is the oldest trick in the book. Wear a thin sock first. Then, wear a thick sock over it.

• Why it works: The socks rub against each other. They do not rub against your skin.
• The result: Less friction. Less pain.

Band-Aids and Duct Tape

Do you have a hot spot? Is it red? Cover it up.

• Band-Aids: Good for open blisters. But they peel off.
• Duct Tape: Yes, really. Put a small piece of duct tape on your heel skin. It is slippery. The shoe slides on the tape. It protects your skin.

The Vaseline Slide

Runners do this. It works for sneakers too. Take a little Vaseline or lip balm. Rub it on your heel. Rub some on the inside of the shoe heel too.

• The goal: Reduce grip.
• The bad news: It can stain your socks. Use old socks with this trick.

The “Break-In” Period: Patience Pays Off

New shoes are like wild horses. You have to tame them. We call this the break in period for Nike Air Max.

How Long Does It Take?

For the Excee, it takes time. Give it two weeks of light wear. Do not wear them for an 8-hour shift on day one.

The House Walk

Wear them while you cook. Wear them while you watch TV.

• Put them on for 30 minutes.
• Take them off.
• Do this every day.
• The heat from your foot molds the shoe.

Manual Flexing

Help the shoe soften up. Take the shoe in your hands. Bend the heel back and forth gently. Squeeze the back padding. You are mimicking walking. This softens the stiff glue inside.

Advanced Method 1: The Heel Lock Lacing Technique

Have you seen that extra hole at the top of your laces? It is not just for looks. It is a tool. It is for a “Runner’s Loop” or “Heel Lock.” This changed everything for me.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Lace up normally. Go to the second-to-last hole.
2. Go outside-in. Take the lace tip. Put it into the top hole on the same side. Do not cross over yet.
3. Make a loop. Leave a small loop of lace on the outside.
4. Cross and thread. Take the left lace. Put it through the right loop. Take the right lace. Put it through the left loop.
5. Pull tight. Pull the ends. The loops will cinch down.
6. Tie your bow.

Why This Works

This locks your ankle. Your heel stays at the back. It does not slide up and down. No sliding means no rubbing. No rubbing means no heel pain from new shoes.

Credit: centromedicoloira.com

Advanced Method 2: Softening the Heel Counter

If the back is still too hard, we must fight back. We need to physically change the shoe shape.

The Massage Method

Use your thumbs. Press hard on the stiff part of the heel. Rub it in circles. Do this while watching a movie.

• Goal: Break the stiff fibers.
• Result: A softer curve that hugs your foot.

The Heat Method (Be Careful!)

Heat makes plastic soft. You can use a hair dryer. How to stretch sneakers often involves heat.

1. Put on thick socks.
2. Put on the shoes.
3. Aim a hair dryer at the heel from the outside.
4. Keep it moving. Do not hold it in one spot.
5. Warm it for 30 seconds.
6. Wiggle your toes. Flex your heel.
7. Let the shoe cool while you wear it.

Warning: Do not aim heat at the Air Unit (the bubble). The gas inside can expand. The bubble can pop or warp. Aim only at the fabric and heel cup.

The Best Products to Buy for Heel Relief

sometimes, DIY is not enough. You need tools. Here are things I have bought that work.

Heel Grips

These are pads with sticky backs. You stick them inside the shoe heel.

• Gel vs. Fabric: I prefer fabric heel grips for shoes. Gel can get sweaty. Fabric feels like a sock.
• Placement: Stick them high up near the rim. That is where the Excee usually bites.

Moleskin

This is a hiker’s best friend. It is a soft cotton fabric with sticky backing.

• How to use: Cut a patch. Stick it directly on your skin. Or stick it on the shoe.
• Why it is great: It is thin. It does not change the shoe size.

The Right Socks

Socks matter. A lot.

• Avoid Cotton: Cotton gets wet. Wet skin blisters fast.
• Choose Synthetic or Wool: These wick sweat. Dry feet are happy feet.
• Padded Heels: Look for socks with extra fluff on the heel. These are the best socks for blisters.

Credit: runrepeat.com

Fixing the Inside: Insoles and Padding

The Excee has a decent insole. But it might not fit you.

Check the Stack Height

Take out the insole. Is it thick? If it is too thick, your heel sits too high. This pushes your heel out of the cup. It slips.

• The Fix: Try a thinner insole. This drops your foot down. The shoe grabs your heel better.

Adding a Heel Cup

You can buy gel heel cups. They sit under your heel. They lift you up slightly.

• Wait, lift up? Yes. Sometimes the rubbing is hitting a specific bone. Lifting your heel 5mm can move the bone away from the painful spot.

My “Secret Sauce” Routine for New Excees

I own three pairs of Excees now. Here is exactly what I do when I open the box.

1. The Flex: I bend the heel counter back and forth for 5 minutes.
2. The Balm: I rub a little leather conditioner on the inside heel collar (if it is leather lining).
3. The Lace: I immediately switch to the Heel Lock lacing.
4. The Test: I wear them for 1 hour at home.
5. The Rest: I let them sit for a day.

This routine has saved my feet. It makes the break-in barely noticeable.

Preventing Future Pain and Foot Health

Sometimes, the pain is not the shoe. It is your foot.

Haglund’s Deformity

Do you have a bump on your heel bone? This is called a “Pump Bump.” Rigid shoes like the Excee aggravate it.

• Solution: You need open-back shoes or very soft heels. You might need to see a doctor.

Achilles Tendonitis

Is the pain deep? Is it in the cord above your heel? This is serious.

• The Sign: It hurts when you stretch.
• The Action: Stop wearing the shoes. Rest. Ice. See a podiatrist.

Rotate Your Shoes

Do not wear the Excees every day.

• Day 1: Excee.
• Day 2: Running shoes (soft).
• Day 3: Excee.
  This gives your skin time to heal. It stops raw spots from becoming blisters.

Maintenance: Keep Them Comfy

You fixed the pain. Great! Now, keep the shoes in good shape.

Check the Lining

Look inside the heel. Is the fabric tearing? The hard plastic underneath will cut you.

• The Fix: Apply a patch of Moleskin over the hole immediately.

Clean the Inside

Dirt acts like sandpaper. It causes friction.

• How to clean: Use a damp cloth. Wipe out lint and grit from the heel area.

Re-Glue Loose Parts

If the padding comes loose, it bunches up.

• The Fix: Use a drop of fabric glue. Smooth it out. Let it dry overnight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do Nike Air Max Excee run small?

Yes, they often run small and narrow. Many people go up half a size. If you have wide feet, you definitely need more space. This prevents side pressure and heel pain.

Can I put my Nikes in the dryer to shrink them?

No! Never do this. High heat ruins the glue. It can pop the Air bubble. It warps the foam. If they are too big, use a thick insole instead.

How do I stop the back of my shoe from rubbing?

Use the Heel Lock lacing method. It stops movement. Also, apply Moleskin to the inside of the heel. Wear synthetic socks to reduce friction.

Are these shoes good for standing all day?

They are okay, but not the best. They are casual shoes. For all-day standing, running shoes with more foam are better. The Excee is a bit heavy and stiff for 8+ hours of standing.

Will the heel pain go away on its own?

Usually, yes. Once the shoe breaks in, the material softens. This takes about two weeks. If pain stays after two weeks, the shoe might be the wrong size.

Conclusion

Heel pain sucks. It ruins a good outfit. It ruins a good day. But you do not have to toss your Nike Air Max Excees in the trash.

Remember, these shoes are built stiff. They need time. They need the right fit.

Start with the sizing check. Try the double socks. Use the special lacing. If that fails, stretch them gently.

I love my Excees now. They fit like a glove. Yours can too.

Take care of your feet. They carry you everywhere. Treat them well, and they will take you far.

Now, go fix those kicks. And walk tall.