It can be very embarrassing when you purchase a brand new pair of boots, that you thought fit you perfectly at the store, start slipping at the heel which makes wearing them quite uncomfortable. What you thought was your new favorite pair of boot is now an embarrassment.
You look funny, walking down the street in a boot slipping at the back, everyone thinking that you must have borrowed someone else’s pair instead of wearing your own. This problem of heel slippage in boots is an easy fix. I will share with you some amazing ideas, some of which can be done right now, on how to fix heel slippage in boots or shoes.
WHAT IS HEEL SLIPPING?
As you walk in boots, the heel of your foot rises up away from the sole of the boot just a little. If your heel rises up from the sole of your boot for more than an inch you are experiencing heel slippage.
The typical cause of slippage of the heel is that the boot you are wearing is either too wide or too long. There are a lot of simple techniques that can be used to stop heel slippage.
HOW SHOULD BOOT FIT? IF DONE PROPERLY
The first step in solving this problem is when you are purchasing or wearing boots, get a proper fit. Some slippage is normal, it is recommended that there should be a finger’s with of rising. You may be wondering how to tell if boots are too big for your feet?
The boot is too big if when you’re waking the heel rise, in the boot, more than an inch. Remember that some rise is normal when wearing new boots because the shoe is not broken-in yet. In other words, the sole of the boot is still extremely stiff. As you wear the boot it will mold to your feet, making them more comfortable.
If the boot was too big to start with, you would have become acquainted with and implemented some of the simple techniques discussed further down in the article. With these tips you never have to worry again or ask yourself the questions, are my boots too big? Or, What Should You Do When Your Shoes Are Too Big?
HOW TO PREVENT HEEL SLIPPAGE IN BOOTS
Most of the problem with heel slippage has to do with the boot being too big cause your feet to slip around in the boot. The main problem faced with the boot being too big is, feet sliding forward in boots, boots rubbing back of heel and boot slipping from side to side. Some slippage is normal.
Many asked, how much heel slip is normal? It is so hard to give a precise measurement but the rule of thumb is that one finger width. You want your foot to breathe. If the boot is too tight, your foot would overheat leading to unwelcome problems.
Some of these problems are lightly discussed in the article on this site called, how to stop your feet from sweating in shoes, read it at your leisure. Stop heel slippage today with these handy tips discussed below.
#1 Size Boots properly and stop heel slippage before it starts
The first place to start to rid this problem is get a good pair of shoes. A good pair of boots is one that will prevent slippage. This pair of boots is one that is neither too small or too large. The size of this boot should be a little bigger than the foot, so that you have a little wiggle room for the toes.
Just by having a boot that fits snugly on the foot is enough to stop heel slippage problem and prevent excessive slippage of the heel. Sizing of the boot will take into account the change in size of the foot depending on the season and the time of day of walking. When the foot is warm it has a tendency to swell. What else can be done to stop heel slippage.
#2 Lace-up Your Boots Properly To Avoid Heel Slippage..
Heel slippage sometimes occurs when the boot is too loose. Tightening the shoelaces will secure the boot to your foot and therefore reduce heel from slipping. It is important to note that you should not tie the laces too tight as it will cause your feet to get really hot and then swell.
The problems that this could lead to is the development of calluses or blisters – they are really painful, I can tell you that. Making the laces too tight will also put pressure on the top of your feet and could lead to injuries.
#3 Adjust Your Walking Style To Reduce Heel Slippage
Walking properly can make a difference if you experience heel slipping a lot. When you walk, try placing the heel of the boot to the ground first then the rest of the foot. If you place the toes first the heel of the boot will have to time slip off the boot.
HOW TO STOP HEEL SLIPPAGE WHEN YOUR BOOT IS SIMPLY TOO BIG?
When the boot is too big your feet may slip and slide around in the boot. You feet may slide forward in the boot or the back of your feet. There are a number of things that you can do to use up some of the space in your boot.
#1 Insert a Non-Slip Insoles in your boot to take up some of the space.
When there is a lot of movement of my feet in my boots I use an insole to take up some of the space. The insole has many other benefits, it keeps my feet cushioned, it keeps moisture away from my feet and support the arch of my feet.
These benefits reduces the pain I feel in my feet as a result of standing all day. A very good non slip insole is the Watelves Non slip insole. YOu can purchase it on amazon at a fair price.
# 2 Put On More Than One Pair of Socks Or Wear Thicker
Wearing extra socks take up extra room in the boot and therefore reduce slippage. These cotton socks has the added benefit of keeping your feet dry and moisture free. Moisture on the feet in the boot is never a good thing as bacteria loves moisture in confined spaces.
This idea is better in winter as the extra socks will keep the feet warm. You can perhaps try these lovely pair of Dickies socks. This option is quite straightforward.
# 3 Try wearing Non-Slip Socks to prevent your foot sliding forward in the boot.
These non-slip socks have some special rubbery types dots at the bottom of the socks that prevent them slipping around. They are not very expensive to buy or anything. Their benefit is quite straightforward.
# 4 Try Using Tongue Pads To Reduce Space Between Top Of Foot And The Boots
This is good for boots that does not have lace or where there is too much space between the top of your feet and the shoe. The tongue pag has a smooth soft material at one side and an adhesive patch on the other. The adhesive side is used to attached to the boot. When applied the tongue pad is discreet. You can get some cheap tongue shoe pads to solve this problem.
# 5 Heel grips to stop heel slippage in the shoes
How does heel grippers work? Heel grips are placed in the boot at the heel to take up some unwanted space in the boot. It takes up much of the space at the back of the boot that you do not want. If an entire pad is too much you can cut it in half and put on either side of the Achilles tendon. You can try the Dr. Foot’s Heel Grips Self-Adhesive Heel Cushion Inserts. They come with good reviews.
# 6 Use Double-sided Tape To Prevent Foot Slippage
Placing a bit of double-sided tape on the inside of your boots is an effective way to stop heel slippage. One side of the tape will stick to the shoe sole and the other to your socks.
The tape will keep your feet locked in place as you continue with your daily walk. Any bit of double sided tape can be used. You can get this one if you like from amazon, it is the Multifunction Nano Tape-Traceless Washable Adhesive Tape. It is quite cheap.
# 7 Hairspray is sticky so spray a bit on your feet to make them anti slip
Hairspray tends to be sticky, therefore, spraying some on your feet will cause it to be a bit sticky. Stick is the opposite of slippery therefore it should work. Hair spray is versatile, spay a bit on your legs and it will cause your mini skirt to not ride up.
Spray a bit on your heels and it will prevent your feet sliding around. And, of course, you can use it in your hair to hold your style. Don’t use this method because I hate chemicals on my skin. If you plan to use hairspray on your socks or in your boot, you can try this one, it is the Kenra Volume Spray Hair Spray. It has a long hold, resistant to humidity and is flake free.
CONCLUSION
Hopefully, this article gave you enough information to stop the heel slippage in its tracks. No one has to bear the discomfort of heel slipping around in their boots anymore. Now that you have enough information to know how to fix heel slippage in boots and shoes please share your knowledge with a friend.
