This happens in some of my boots. I don’t mind it so much since like you said, you don’t have to worry about losing the boot when you walk (or step through slush!). However, I remember this same thing happening in the Dansko Sissy’s (a sandal) which felt very strange to me. The salesperson explained that most Danskos are designed this way and that it was part of the comfort design. I wonder if this is the case for non-Danskos as well?

Funny you should bring this up now. I have Frye boots that do this, and at first I thought it was going to be a problem. I envisioned holes in my socks and blisters on my heels. Instead I am like you, I find the slippage in the boots to be part of wearing boots. The boots I am referring to are slip on, no zipper and I think they are designed the way they are so that we can get our foot into the boot.
I’m finding my Frye’s to be SUPER comfy, slippage and all. I am so excited to watch them get better with age.

That is certainly true for me, Angie! I bought my slouch boots half a size bigger for the same reason.

With my Uggs, my feet literally slide right out of my socks. I have to wear really high socks to avoid the problem. Yet, they are the most comfortable pair of boots I own and I could sleep in them!

Oh, definitely. In fact, I’m pretty sure that’s the way boots are *supposed* to fit (at least the pull-on kind). Back in the day, I used to wear cowboy boots daily (as part of the whole “cowgirl” getup) and when I purchased my first pair the salesperson told me that if the boots didn’t slip a little in the heel, they were too small. My lace-up boots were different, they were supposed to be snug.

High five to all the gals who like their heels to slip inside boots too.

Dusty, I don’t think this is how sleek pull-on boots are supposed to fit. I have a pair of extremely sleek Stuart Weitzman pull-on boots and my heels don’t slip in them at all. But to your point, I think cowboy boots might be made to slip in the heels.

Hi Angie!
I have a fab pair of tall brown and equally fab (same exact style:) )black pair. I have been wearing one pair or the other all winter. I love them. They are so comfortable. One of my favorite things about them is that when I walk – my heel slips a little. It is like an automatic “pep” in my step! A little extra giddy-up when I am walking. I never really thought about it until I read your post! But I am always happy when I am wearing those boots. Maybe that is the reason!

Susan D

My Star Ling boots are the most comfortable item of footwear I own and my heel slips, but I am not the least bit bothered by it. I actually like how my foot is able to bend naturally.

I have heel slipping problems with any type of open footwear that does not have a strap or is not totally encasing like a boot. My foot spreads quite a bit when engaged and then gets significantly smaller when relaxed, so as soon as my foot lifts from the ground, off the shoe goes. Sizing down just makes the shoes painfully tight. It is such a relief to be back in closed footwear in the winter. I always get anxious when spring approaches.

I’ve been a cowboy boot wearer my entire life – the heel is supposed to slip.

Definite slippage – and it drives me nuts! So much so that I wear longer socks with boots to try to counter the effect. Needless to say, ankle boots are a problem.

This is really something I have really noticed but I will pay attention to it with my boots.

oh my goodness. I thought I got the wrong size boots. They’re supposed to slip!!! Thanks for this valuable piece of information.

Yes, pull-on cowboy-type boots should to slip a bit in the heels. Otherwise, they are too short. As the sole softens up with wear, the boot is supposed to mold more to your foot and the slip should lessen a bit. I don’t think there should be excessive slippage though. Then the boot’s just too big.

Most of my Fryes slip, and I don’t mind at all. My dressier boots don’t slip.

Heel slippage here too, although i do have a pair of boots that don’t slip but i find the heel slippage ones are more comfy because they are rooomy x

I’ve noticed this, too, and it doesn’t bother me. I feel like I have a little more leeway in terms of sizing in enclosed boots than pumps and sandals for this reason, and that’s really helpful.

I have pretty narrow feet, so I find this to be true with many shoes. Sometimes it’s just fine. Other times it’s not so good because when my heel comes back down, it doesn’t always land in the right place in the boot. If the boots have higher heels, this increases the chances of the me “falling off” the shoe (even though it’s still attached to my foot) and causing me to trip. I’ve gotten rid of a few boots b/c I was finding that they caused me to trip with some frequency due to heel slippage. With others, it’s never been a problem.

I guess I need to pay attention. I’m not sure if I have heel slippage or not when I wear my boots.

I have a pair of ill-fitting heels that do that, but that’s another topic all together.

I don’t mind slippage in boots because they will stay on regardless. I have narrow heels and I don’t think I’ve ever had a pair of boots that didn’t slip. I have more of a problem with it in shoes if they tend to come off or it causes blisters.

What insight all you gals have into an issue I haven’t really considered. I slip in my cowgirl boots, which are really boys boots. It’s probably just as well, since I’ve had to eturn boots that didn’t accommodate my really high arch. But honestly – how gliding is your stride in such a case?

Oh I do not appreciate slippage. That is why I always wear socks.

I’ve just started wearing orthodics in my shoes (I just hate getting old and my feet are falling apart!!) so I have to purchase 1/2 size larger shoe than I normally wear. Consequently I often experience heels slipping, especially in boots. But since reading the above replies it looks like I’ll be OK w/larger size boots. I haven’t figured out how to keep flats on my feet when this happens.

I just a new pair of Stetson cowboy boots and it’s the right size I ordered, however my heel does go up and down in them..my foot is kind of long and narrow…I’m just afraid to send them back and get a smaller size and it’s too small. I wear a 10 ..that’s the size it says…there’s room in the toe..it’s a pointed toe in the boot..and a medium width…so there’s a bit of room, not uncomfortable but the heel worries me. Most of you seem to say that’s normal for the heel to raise up as you walk…should i ride it out? They have a size 9 but I think it might be too small…thoughts? I’ve never had cowboy boots before ..I think they’re awesome and need some advice.

Gina, two things:

1. Try sizing down half a size.

2. Try adding an insole and a thicker sock to the size 10.

Cowboy boots especially slip in the heel.

Found this:
No pressure:
Each boot has an area in the front called a ‘toe box’. Underneath the leather within this toe box is a resin soaked, fiberglass like piece of cloth which has been hardened so the boot will keep its shape. This area will never stretch! Therefore, it’s important that you are able to wiggle your toes. They shouldn’t be pressured by the front of the toe box, the top of the toe box, or the sides of the toe boot.

Firm handshake:
The boot should hold the ball and instep of your foot much like a firm handshake. Since this is the only part of the boot which holds it onto your foot, it’s quite important that this area be snug. The boot should not be so tight that there is pain or discomfort, but this part of the boot will stretch with use (except for some exotic skins), so a snug fit here is important.

Heel Slippage:
As you walk in new boots, the heel of your foot MUST rise up away from the sole of the boot just a little bit. We describe it as a finger’s width of rise. If your heel is rising up more than an inch the boot is either too long or too wide. Some rise is normal, and will diminish as the boots break in. This happens because the sole of the boot is very stiff, and doesn’t flex quickly. As you wear them and the boot molds to your foot, this slippage won’t be as noticeable.

Thanks Angie, I tried a thicker sock and that really made a difference.

Ugh. Maybe I’m in the minority but I don’t like it all when my heel slips. That gives me blisters!

Very interesting! I am amazed at all the things I learn on here! I am very new to boots and have been trying to size up in order to get a wider width that I need, so Ive been having slippage issues also- good to know its normal!

Just thinking about heel slippage gives me blisters. I have narrow heels and virtually all of my shoes and boots slip. Bandaids are part of my daily wardrobe unless I’m wearing sneakers.

This whole thread has been fascinating. But I am also in the minority in that I can not stand my heals slipping. It pulls my socks off half way down my feet and then gives me blisters.

And for that reason, I’m out.

I find the heel slippage in my new Fryes very uncomfortable. Keep getting a new set of blisters.

I got some boots for Christmas that felt great when I tried them on. When I walk, my feet slide forward and my toes jam in the end. After standing on my feet for 4 hours in them, I am sore. I have tried a few options to prevent the slippage with no luck.