A running shoe can feel secure around the heel while pressing uncomfortably across the top of the foot. Before tightening or loosening every lace, inspect the tongue. A fold, shifted edge or bulky seam can make the pressure surprisingly local.
Take the shoe off and loosen it enough to see how the tongue is attached. Some tongues are free along the sides; others have fabric connections that limit their movement. Do not force a construction that is meant to stay in a particular position.
Reset the ordinary arrangement
Smooth the tongue, check the sock underneath and put the shoe back on with your usual running socks. Tighten gradually while keeping the material centred. Look for a folded edge beneath a lace crossing or a label sitting against the place that feels irritated.
Try a short walk in a safe area. Notice whether the same point is still under pressure. This is a fit observation, not a treatment for pain. Numbness, persistent discomfort or an injury concern warrants stopping and seeking suitable advice rather than proving the shoes will eventually settle.
If you experiment with a manufacturer-recommended lacing arrangement, change one thing at a time. Record which eyelets were used and whether heel movement changed. Removing pressure in one area is not a success if the rest of the shoe becomes insecure.
Describe the problem to a fitter
“The tongue shifts toward the outside after several minutes” gives a fitter more information than “the shoe is wrong”. Bring the socks and any prescribed inserts you normally use. Foot shape, shoe volume and tongue construction all affect the overall fit.
Do not cut or remove a gusset to solve the problem before discussing the shoe with the seller. It can alter the construction and your return options. A comfortable fit should not depend on repeatedly rebuilding the shoe at the roadside.