Don’t Risk By Standing On A Slippery Base. Fix Heel Slippage In Boots & Shoes ASAP.
Don’t you just hate it when your’s brand new pair of boots fit perfectly but the heel slips and the pair keep coming off? While this problem is common, it can become embarrassing if it happens in public.
You may also be interested in: Preventing shoes from rubbing the back of your heel
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Walking comfortably in a pair of shoes that are slipping off is next to impossible. Moreover, if you lose your balance due to the slippage, you may get injured. I will guide you through each and every step so as to fix heel slippage in boots.
Let’s jump into the action plan.
What Is Heel Slipping?
Heel slipping is the uncomfortable experience of your feet slipping out of your shoes while walking and in some cases completely popping out, leaving your boots behind.
It is common in a brand new footwear as it is stiff initially and the outsole does not flex with your foot. After breaking the shoes in, the flex point of every shoe bends or breaks every time you walk.
Once the pair starts flexing with your feet movements, heel slipping starts decreasing.
Some boots slip initially, and it is perfectly reasonable.
The slippage disappears after wearing them for a few days. If the slipping persists, then it should be counted as a trouble and some measures should be taken to check it. Follow this article for a few handy tips.
TIPS TO PREVENT HEEL SLIPPAGE IN BOOTS AND SHOES
Although most of the tips are on how to fix heel slippage in boots yet some are about how to make wise choices so as to prevent the problem before-handed. Follow the whole guide step by step and it will resolve your every query:
Select The Right Size
The first and foremost advice are that don’t make a mistake at the purchase time. Choose a snug size pair. It should neither be a smaller nor a larger size. No doubt, the smaller size boot will check the heel slippage, but it compresses your feet and keep on crushing your toes.
A larger size pair will only increase the instances of the heel slippage. A snug fit size may solve your heel slipping problem; however it is not a permanent settlement, and you may need to make some extra attempts.
Keep in mind; the feet size changes with the age and the day of the time. So every season, get your feet measured before making a purchase. Secondly, the best time to select a pair of boots should be late morning hours as the foot is at its largest by then.
It is the first step that you can take to avoid the problem.
If a right-fit pair shows sign of slippage, follow the further steps as:
LACE LOCKING
Tightening your shoelaces may secure your ankles and reduce heel slipping. Don’t tie as tight that the fit for the rest of the shoes becomes extremely uncomfortable.
If you are accustomed to wearing laced boots, one of the best ways to avoid heel slippage is lacing them properly.
There are two excellent methods of lacing. They are:
- Rabbit Hole Method: This method is very efficient and works with boots that have an extra hole at the collar of the shoe. The steps to tie a rabbit hole are incredibly comfortable.
◦ First, you need to put the lace as normal through all the holes.
◦ When you reach the top, pull the both ends of the laces out of the one top hole.
◦ Take the both ends and put it through the another hole.
◦ Then tighten the laces and tie a bow as normal.
- Hiking Boot Method: The hikers inspire this method. Since it works so well on hiking boots, it can be used for all types of footwear as well. The procedure is similar to the rabbit hole method.
◦ Start by putting all laces through the holes till you reach the top.
◦ Pull the laces out of the top hole and cross them.
◦ Cross the laces once again and twist them around each other. Lace them back into the top hole and tighten.
◦ Once you do that, hold one lace tight and pull the other lace carefully. It pulls the collar of the shoe and fits snugly around the ankle.
This method will ensure that you will not have to redo your laces every time. This approach also secures your ankles. You can leave the laces loose as well, and your heel will not slip.
USING TONGUE PADS
The underside of the tongue of any shoe usually sticks and peels. Sticking a tongue pad can force the foot back into the heel counter of the boots. It can help the shoes from shifting and keeps the heel securely inside the heel counter.
INSTALL LACE ANCHORS
One of the problems with shoelace ends is they come loose now and then. They may seem tight while leaving the house; however you will feel your heel slipping after walking for a few meters. Instead of relying on old tying methods, try a bowless limiting system.
You can try installing lace anchors. Once the lace anchors are installed, pull the laces out of the hole and slide your foot into the boot. It will feel snug, and you will not need to tighten laces to make the shoe fit further. After installing lace anchors, you just need to pull the laces once. The laces will not move after that, and this will avoid putting more tension on the top of your feet.
This system works in a simple way. Once you pull the lace, it gives a pinch at the tongue of the shoes, and it doesn’t move. It means that all the pressure coming from the heel of the shoes doesn’t shift the other foot area thus prevents the slippage.
USE LINING
You can try lining the shoes with inserts, insoles or cushions. It will make the feet fit snugly and prevent them from slipping. Try placing these linings at the back of your heels to make it more efficient.
Built In Non-Slip Soles
You should look for this in the specifications. Most pairs come with nonslip soles built in at the bottom. These hold the heel in place, and it is perhaps the easiest fix to avoid heel slippage.
Non-Slip Socks
Always invest in a good pair of nonslip socks that can make your feet stay comfortable and slip free in your shoes. If you are in the habit of wearing boots without socks, you must seriously think of changing it. Get a thick and non-slippery pair of socks and start using them. Also see our reviews for the best socks for boots here.
Use Double Sided Tape
While this is not conventional, many celebrities have been known to use this technique. Double sided tape is useful; however loses its stickiness once your feet start sweating.
If you are planning on using this method, keep a roll of double sided tape handy. It is a quick fix if you are to attend a party.
Use Hairspray
One of the unconventional ways to avoid heel slipping is spraying your feet with hairspray.
It will make your feet sticky and stick them to the shoes. While the common notion is that hairspray is made for hair, it can be used for such valid purposes as well.
CHANGE YOUR WALKING STYLE
In many cases, boot slippage can be caused by the way you walk. One of the most common cases of heel slipping happens when you walk into your middle foot or the ball area. Always learn how to walk on heels. While walking, your heel must touch the ground first.
Acceptance Of The Feet:
The boots need to accept the feet, or the heel will keep slipping no matter what you try. Some feet will move irrespective of what you try. A slight slippage does not affect the pair in any way; however can be extremely irritating. In such scenarios, it is best to stay patient and give the new pair some time to mold according to the feet.
Use A Boot Dryer:
One of the ways to prevent your shoes from slipping off is to keep them dry from within. Using an excellent boot dryer is always recommended. However, using the dryer too much can cause damage to the material of the shoes. You should always use a boot dryer with caution.
Conclusion
Heel slipping may be an irritating problem; however avoiding it is not impossible. There are a few precautions to take so as to avoid it. Although it demands some work that’s worth the efforts. You can’t risk your health by standing on a slippery base all the time. The regular friction with slippage may also invite some serious blisters and wounds. Moreover, workplaces are always littered with some tools and apparatus so you can’t go with a slippery footwear. Do manage if your boots slip off.
Knowing your feet well is the key. Make sure your feet and boots are dry. Buy the pair only from a reputed manufacturer. Most of the boots, are slip-resistant from the outside and the inside as well.
Keeping the above tips in mind can help you fix the boot slippage and you can walk confidently. Moreover, you should not hesitate seeking a professional such as a cobbler.
4 thoughts on “How to Fix Heel Slippage In Boots”
new pair of frye boots i had one boot biigger than other so one was slipping on the heel ,
i couldnt wear 2 pairs of socks they were too tight in the toe box so i cut the toe out of the first sock and placed another thicker sock over the top
i think i will onlu have to do this once or twice to wear them in
problem fixed
Good stuff. That’s a great post. Thanks for sharing.
One New Western Boot Slipped At Heel
I not only have narrow heels and wide toe box, one foot is larger than the other. Just bought new western boots and smaller foot slips at the heel. I cut a piece of leather to fit in the boot at sides and back of heel, then skived (tapered with a razor sharp knife) the upper edge of the leather to make it less susceptible to catching on my heel as I slide it in, then, after checking the fit and practicing, glued it in place with E6000.
This requires making a paper template before cutting the leather and E6000 takes two days to dry. After inserting, use painters blue tape to hold edges tight to inside boot liner until glue is dry.
This is a difficult one-handed operation that must be done by feel. Practicing with “dry runs” enabled me to get the “patch” in the right place once I was ready to glue it.
All good advice except the hairspray, don’t spray that poison on your feet, your skin has pores on the head and elsewhere, just because it is legal does not mean it’s safe.
I like the leather idea Ridge posted.