How to Fix Heel Slippage in Boots

One thing every hiker needs is a good pair of boots. However, sometimes your heel falls out with every step you take. New shoes can be slippery, and the way your heel rubs the back of the shoe can give you blisters. Here are some ways to fix heel slippage in not only boots but any kind of shoe! 

A common reason for heel slippage problems is that you aren’t wearing the right size boot in the first place. You probably just bought the shoe size you usually do, but let’s be honest: the same size on every shoe won’t fit you the same. If you’re in the market for a new pair of boots, you should consider trying on a size and a half above and below your regular size to ensure you get the perfect fit.

You might have already bought new hiking boots and can’t exchange them. A quick fix so you can go hiking sooner is thicker socks. Your feet might get sweaty but throw on some thick socks to fill the extra space in your boot. A thicker pair of socks will give you a snug fit and help prevent blisters, too! And if you don’t have a super thick pair of socks, double up on socks. 

Another easy-at-home fix for a heel slipping is to use hair spray. It’s simple: just spray the hair spray on your heel, your sock (if you wear socks with your boots), and your boot. You might need to use a lot, but it works. Hair spray isn’t just for hair anymore. It’s basically skin and hair-safe glue. And, if you don’t have any hair spray, it’s one of the cheaper options for fixing heel slippage. 

Double-sided tape can be used for more than hanging pictures on the wall and fixing random things around the house. You can apply the tape to your heel and the boot heel. However, the stickiness could go away when your feet start sweating. But, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep double-sided tape handy for emergencies. 

There are also boots that are made with special non-slip insoles. On Amazon, the cheapest option for the best quality is about $35. However, the average price for these kinds of boots is between $60 and $80. You should go to a shoe store that specializes in work boots to ensure that you get the perfect fit. If that’s not doable for you, maybe non-slip socks are a better option.

One reason for a heel slip is that your shoelaces don’t stay tied. Lace anchors are a good way to ensure your feet will feel nice and cozy all the time. They hold the tightness of well-tied laces while providing the comfort of knowing that you won’t have to stop and tie your shoes 20 times a day. If you’re an avid hiker, this could be an easy fix that is also cost-effective. Click this link for a video on how to install lace anchors. 

Tongue pads are little lifts that go in the toe of your shoe to keep your foot in place. They can take up more room inside your shoe so your heel won’t slide out with every step. Also, they’re pretty cheap! They run around an average of $10. Most of the fixes for heel slippage are similar.

Another fix is padding. This just means to put insoles, heel liners, and cushioning in and near the heel area of your shoe to prevent slippage. This option can get very sweaty, depending on how you choose to pad your shoes. There’s the option of a boot dryer.

You may ask yourself, what is a boot dryer? A boot dryer is a tool that is specially designed to dry any kind of boot. The best quality one’s run around $40. However, you might not like this method, so try some cheaper options before committing to this one.

Another question you might have is how would a boot dryer fix the slippage in my heels? One main reason for heel slippage is because your feet sweat in your boots and don’t dry properly. When your boots are damp, your heels are more likely to slip. Buying and using a boot dryer will make your boots nice and dry. Although, damp boots might not be the reason your heels are slipping, so try some other fixes first. 

The last method to fix slippage is a bit more difficult to master than the others. Your walking style might be causing the problem. Some people who walk on the balls of their feet experience heel slippage. Hiking boots aren’t made for sprinting; they’re made for leisurely hiking. So, make sure when you take a step, that your heel touches the ground first. 

All of these fixes could be used on any kind of shoes you have slippage problems with. For example, high heels, cowboy boots, tennis shoes, etc.! And cobblers are few and far between, so fixing your shoes yourself is your best bet. Any of these methods would work, but it depends on what works the best for you. They’re your shoes, and you should choose the option that makes them the most comfortable.