Avoid squeaky shoes with these 4 hacks
21.3.2019
Translation: machine translated
Squeaky footsteps are not only annoying, they also turn walking in quiet rooms into a gauntlet. With these four tricks, you can eliminate the noise.
My enjoyment of new shoes is spoilt as soon as noise comes into play. The phenomenon is as follows: I'm wearing my boots for the first time. After just a few metres, I feel a shiver run down my spine. No, I can get over a sore pressure point, but not when the boots squeak like an old garden gate. On the street, the noise is bearable as it is drowned out by cars and people. But that's not the case in an open-plan office. When I walk down the quiet corridors towards the kitchen, I can almost feel the annoyed looks of my colleagues on the back of my neck. Unfortunately, this problem doesn't just occur with new shoes, but also with old shoes that I've worn in the rain. I'll tell you what tricks I can use to restore peace and quiet.
Search for traces
The first thing you need to do is find the source of the problem. Put on your shoes and take a few steps up and down. Preferably in a quiet room. Move them back and forth until you find the spot. Now you're ready to go.
Hack #1: the outsole
Noisy outsoles are often caused by direct contact between the ground and the sole of the shoe. This is often the case with sports shoes with a tread, as the friction on the ground creates noise. If this is the case, carefully rub the sole of the shoe with sandpaper. Focus on the centre. This will make your shoe quieter and the sole less prone to slipping.
Hack #2: the inside of the shoe
If the squeaking is due to the inside of the shoe, the problem is either the insole or the footbed. You can determine whether the former is the cause by removing the sole and taking a few steps in the shoe. Can you hear anything suspicious? No, then you have unmasked the culprit. In this case, the unpleasant noise is caused by the insole slipping. The immediate measure: Remove the insole and dust the inside of the shoe with a thin layer of baby powder, baking powder or Natron. The powder also has an odour-absorbing effect, which is particularly helpful for cheese feet. A thin hygienic insole, which you place between the insole and the footbed, offers a long-term solution.
Hack #3: the upper material
With leather shoes, it is not uncommon for the upper material to squeak. This is due to the stiff leather. To make it more supple, you can treat the shoe with shoe cream or oil. Then you need to break in the shoes thoroughly. I recommend an office-free day for this.
Shoe care
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Hack #4: in the rain
I often have the problem that my (old) shoes suddenly squeak when I wear them in the rain. The next time this happens to you, make sure you stuff them with newspaper afterwards to absorb the moisture and leave them to dry for as long as necessary. Do not place them under a heater, as this will make the leather brittle.
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When I’m not exploring the depths of the sea as an open water diver, I enjoy plunging into the world of fashion. On the streets of Paris, Milan and New York is where I keep my eyes peeled for the latest trends. And I’ll show you how to take them from the catwalk to your everyday life.
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