You've probably had your heels slip out of shoes before if you have a large shoe collection. When purchasing new footwear, the majority of us look for a balance between style, comfort, and price.
However, once you begin to walk in them, you may find that they slip off your heels. This is inconvenient and potentially harmful to your feet, as it increases the likelihood that you will trip and fall, which could lead to injury.
Just know that you're not alone if you've ever had the unfortunate experience of having your heel slip out of your shoe while you're walking.
This usually happens when shoes are brand new, too big, or don't fit properly. It's annoying whenever it occurs too frequently for whatever reason.
Solution to the Common Problem of Shoes Falling Apart at the Heels
Here you will find simple solutions to the common problem of heel slippage, including quick fixes and helpful products. I'll show you some tried-and-true methods of avoiding that outcome.
But first, I'll go over four possible explanations for this phenomenon. If you don't care about the causes of heel slippage, you can skip ahead to the top 11 solutions.
I use these every time I have to deal with this annoying problem (which is often when I'm wearing heels or slip-on flats). )
To what end does my heel slip out of my shoe? It's not uncommon for heels to slip out of shoes, but there are several potential causes. Read on for more on that topic.
What Is the Typical Amount of Heel Slip?
The average amount of heel slippage is about half an inch; if it's more than three quarters of an inch, the slippage is excessive and needs to be fixed. In a nutshell, it's not typical if it hinders your ability to move freely.
Here are four potential causes of heel slippage.
To begin with, your footwear does not suit you.
Poor shoe fit is the primary culprit in heels slipping off. There are three different types of improper shoe fit: too large, too wide, or too long.
It doesn't matter what size shoe you buy if the shape of the shoe doesn't match the shape of your foot; in this case, the shoe is the wrong choice.
Toes and heels that are particularly narrow are more likely to slip out of shoes. To what extent can you tell if your heels are narrow? Your feet will become much more triangular in shape from heel to toe, and you'll notice that your heels are much narrower as a result.
An insufficiently high arch, as in the case of flatter feet, can lead to a space at the top of the shoe, which in turn can lead to heel slippage.
To avoid having your heels slip out of your shoes altogether, it's important to find a pair that fits snugly. But don't buy shoes that are too small, or you'll end up with blisters. Furthermore, improperly fitted footwear can lead to painful foot cramps and inadequate arch support.
If your shoes are too small, you should read my blog post about how to fix the problem. If your heel or foot isn't perfectly round or square, finding the right pair of shoes for you may require some experimentation (more shoe shopping, anyone?). )
Your Footwear Is Too Rigid
New footwear often has a stiff breaking in process. At least until the soles are completely worn in and your heels start to slip out.
But many of them won't break in until you wear them a few times. Also, don't fret; I've written a guide on breaking in brand new footwear, so have a look at that if you're interested.
You haven't tied your shoes properly, which brings us to point number three.
Although it may seem trivial, problems with heel slippage can be caused by shoes that aren't properly laced.
Before you tie the laces, give your heel a good push into the back of the shoe. Slipping around is practically inevitable if your foot is able to move freely within the shoe.
Four, the shoes are making your feet sweat.
If your feet tend to get hot and sweaty in certain shoes, you may find that your heel slips out of the shoe and your foot slides around.
Toes can slip out further in open-toed shoes because of a lack of friction between the insole and the foot. So, yes, you can expect a lot more heel slippage as a result.
Just because your heels keep slipping out of your shoes doesn't mean you should give up! The truth is, even the strongest of us can falter at times. See below for explanations and simple solutions to the common problem of shoes slipping at the heel.
Firstly, make sure your shoes fit properly (or go down a half size).
The moment your heels start to slide out of your shoes is the moment you know they are either too wide, too big, or don't fit properly. Know your true foot size before heading out to buy a new pair of shoes.
If you want to find the perfect pair of shoes for your feet, you should try on a few different brands in a variety of sizes. ) Another thing to keep in mind when shoe shopping is that people tend to wear different sizes of flats and heels.
How well a shoe fits depends on several factors, including the length and width of your feet. If you have trouble with your heels slipping out of your shoes, you may want to try going down a half size.
Don't go for a snug fit; feet tend to swell in the afternoon. Thanks to the methods I detail in my post on the subject, you can successfully reduce the size of your footwear by half a size.
2) Always use closed-toe footwear
Wetness and perspiration can cause heel slippage, as previously mentioned. While the airflow from wearing open-toed shoes can help keep your feet dry, the sliding forward of your feet into the shoe is a major drawback, especially if the shoes don't fit well.
The lack of anything to rein in the toes means that they will gradually spread as the day wears on due to sweat, moisture, and gravity. Because of this, there will be extra room around your heel.
Wearing shoes that cover your toes will prevent you from having to readjust your feet all the time to prevent them from sliding and staying put is highly recommended.
3 Put some shoe inserts in the heel of your shoes.
Does one of your shoes keep falling off the back To avoid this from happening, heel grips are a practical tool. These adhesive patches come in the shape of a crescent and are meant to be placed on the back of shoes, just above the heel.
They cushion your feet and fill any void between your shoes and them. Heel grips are cheap but wear out quickly, so you'll have to buy new ones frequently.
Still, if you have problems with your heels slipping, you should buy them because they work well. They are also effective when worn with heels. Walmart is a great place to find a variety of heel lines.
Use Inserts in Your Shoes
A ball-of-foot cushion, insole, or half-insole (like the ones Dr. Scholl's is holding up there) can be used in place of a heel liner. These work similarly to heel grips in preventing the slipping of heels.
How They add padding to the inside of the shoe to keep the foot in place and stop it from sliding around, so the shoe ends up being even smaller.
In the event that your shoes are a little too big, they can also be used to make the fit just right. There are also double and triple liners. - function as a moisture absorber and odor neutralizer for the feet Check out the tried-and-true top picks for insoles.
Make use of double-sided shoe tape 5.
Stylists for famous people frequently resort to using double-sided tape to ensure that their clients' shoes stay put. In addition to its widespread acceptance, this method also produces excellent results.
Before putting on your shoes, adhere a 1- to 2-inch piece of double-sided tape to your heel.
Because of the tape's adhesive properties, your heel bottoms will be firmly fastened to your shoes, increasing your stability.
However, there is a risk that the tape will become creased and fall off. The stickiness also disappears quickly if you sweat a lot. Take a look at my blog post for details on a special type of double-sided shoe tape
Insert Hairspray Cans into Your Footwear, No. 6
Hairspray is an excellent option if you'd prefer a stealthier method. Tackiness is an inherent quality of hairspray. This will prevent your feet from sliding forward and out of your shoes by adhering the bottoms of your heels and feet to the insoles.
Hairspray is a quick and easy solution to the problem of shoes slipping, but its stickiness wears off after only a few hours. If you plan on being out for more than that amount of time, you should bring a small spray with you.
Put some filler in the toes of your shoes, number 7.
It is recommended to use shoe fillers if your shoes are too long and your feet tend to slide into the extra space at the toes. You can insert these cushioned pieces into the toe box of your shoes for added comfort.
When the toe box of your shoe is stuffed, your foot won't move forward or rise as you walk. Shoe fillers are not suitable for sandals or pumps with open toes. See my reviews of Sizers and shoe fillers.
Tongue Pads, Number 8
Tongue pads, like heel liners, are adhesive patches that are placed under the shoe's tongue. A lace strip, if you're unfamiliar with the term, is a thin piece of material found directly under the shoelaces.
Your foot will be pushed back into the heel cup with the aid of the tongue pads. Extra space at the top of the shoe is great if you have flatter feet.
Remember that tongue pads are not appropriate for shoes that have extremely narrow heels, a low front, or no padding. Tongue cushions are available at the local Walmart.
Removable ankle straps are a great addition to heels.
In order to keep your heels in place, you can rely on the detachable ankle straps. Some, like the ones from Sassy Strapps shown above, are constructed like a harness, while others are buckled, and still others are elasticized.
Shoes with detachable ankle straps are not only more secure and less likely to cause heel slippage, but also more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.
Put on adhesive-pad-equipped tights, socks, and shoes.
Tights are great for keeping your feet toasty and warm when the weather gets cooler. However, I've noticed that they accomplish much more than that They aid in foot stability and stop the heel from slipping.
Heel bottoms will stay put in sticky-pad tights. Wearing no-show socks, with or without grips, can help keep your feet and heels in place while you walk.
These are preferable because of their inconspicuousness and their ability to effectively absorb moisture. When combined, this means there is minimal to no heel slippage.
Eleventh, prevent slips by keeping your feet dry.
Finally, I'll share one last tip for preventing heels from slipping out of shoes: always make sure your feet are completely dry before putting them in shoes. First things first: make sure your feet are dry before putting on shoes.
- Moisturizers, oils, and lotions can make your feet slippery, making it more likely that your feel will slip out of your shoes. You'll experience more blistering and friction as a result.
- If your feet tend to sweat excessively, you can prevent this problem by applying talcum powder to the inside of your shoes. A similar trick can be used to silence squeaky footwear. However, remember to remove any excess powder by brushing it off.
- As was previously mentioned, using charcoal insoles or moisture-wicking socks can aid in keeping feet dry by absorbing sweat and moisture from the skin.
- If your feet are cool and dry inside a well-ventilated shoe, you won't have to worry as much about your sweaty feet and heels slipping out of your shoes.
Closing Remarks on Avoiding Shoeless Heel Slips
You should be able to wear shoes with a little less hassle now that you know the causes of heel slippage and the solutions to avoiding them.
Regardless of how pretty they are, shoes lose their appeal if they don't fit properly or if they cause discomfort or difficulty walking. Make sure your shoe size is correct and that the shoe style you're wearing is a good fit for your foot shape, as I always stress in my posts about caring for shoes.
Have any of the aforementioned methods for preventing heels from slipping off your shoes worked for you? Leave a comment if you think of anything else I should include.
Caution: if you try any of the aforementioned solutions on your own, you run the risk of ruining your expensive heels and boots. ShoeTease and its affiliates disclaim all responsibility for any injuries or property loss that may occur as a result of following any of the suggestions made in this article. Advice is given at the reader's own risk. Taking your prized footwear to a tailor who specializes in shoes is your best bet for a perfect fit.
ShoeTease, xo
