Best solution for slipping heel? - YouLookFab Forum

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Best solution for slipping heel?

viva

Veteran

My Zara loafers are slipping pretty badly on my annoying left foot. What have you found to be the best product/approach for dealing with this problem?

Dressing

29 replies

Latest reply was from viva

cjh

(website)

Veteran

Unfortunately and not to be negative, but I could never solve this problem with products such as heel-grips, etc. for my smaller foot. I finally got rid of all such shoes and bought smaller sizes in slip-ons and loafers, which surprised me that it worked, that my bigger foot didn't complain! But that might not suit everyone.
Good luck finding a solution!

BethL

(website)

Veteran

I use those Foot Petals stick-in heel grips, sometimes one on top of another if I need to fill in more space. They're the only thing I've found that has a prayer of working without giving me a blister.

Diana

Veteran

I'm afraid nothing has ever worked for me except getting rid of the shoes. =(

Anonymous

I have great success with those stick-in gel-like heel pads. They are kind of like a big soft clear bandaid that sticks inside your shoe. Super comfy and works like a charm.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Nothing. Ever. Works.

This is why I do not wear slip on shoes, pumps, or flats of any kind.

Admittedly, I have a very narrow heel.

Once in a very long while I will find a shoe that stays on. Sometimes that will last for oh....20 wears? Then it will fall off.

I've only ever owned two pairs of slip on shoes that would stay put. Both seriously outdated pumps. But I am not giving them up.

You can try heel grips, insoles in the front, heel cups. Do what you will. Maybe you will be luckier than I.

Gaylene

Veteran

Best solution: unfortunately, it's consign or purge.

Like others, I've never had any luck with heel grips of any type--gel, leather, suede... I even took a pair of shoes to a cobbler who installed some pricey European heel grips that worked for 10 minutes until my heel started slipping again. I did learn one thing from the cobbler, though. The top edge of the heel grip needs to be installed 1/16 of an inch from the top of the shoe back--according to him, most people place the grips too low in the heel cup to be effective.

Neelie

Veteran

Have never found a solution, unfortunately.

I have 2 pairs of identical 6 year old loafers by Ecco that stay on, they are the only ones I found that stay on my heels, and like Suz I am keeping them forever.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Neelie, one of my two successful pairs are Ecco. But I've tried other styles of theirs without success, so it's hit and miss.

The other pair is Vince Camuto and they have an elastic, sort of like a ballet pump (though they are a wedge).

Diana has had luck with Munros.

There are some very pricey European brands that are built on a double last -- so you can order one width for your heel and another for the front. Those are really the only type of slip on shoe that has any hope of working for me, sadly. I love slip on styles. And continually try to make them work. But I keep my expectations low.

Staysfit

Veteran

I have also struggled with this problem. I once tried putting foam pads in the top of the shoe not the heel as recommended by a shoe salesman. No luck. Heel pads, petals, gels, all fail. I give the shoes away.

I would love to know who makes shoes on two lasts!

always trying

Veteran

No luck here either-Had some navy pumps that I loved and was so happy to find that stayed on my feet-Until the 3rd or 4the time I wore them-then one shoe just almost fell completely off -still have black umps that I have worn twice that stayed on my heels nicely, but am now leery of wearing them again.

Also Hate boots that slip up on heels and am getting rid of a nice pair that have always been slippy. Even though the boots do not give blisters, or fall off like pumps, flats , etc. they are annoying!

Best to just avoid this kind of footwear! Many years ago I used to be able to get shoes with AAA heels at places like Nordies, but never see that any more.

BethL

(website)

Veteran

Just in case you want to try to make these work, you could also try a tongue pad (or two) in the top of the shoe. Just try not to take off all the paper covering the adhesive until you've got it where you want it. Because of my foot issues, my wonky left foot needs significantly more room in the shoe than does my right. Very often, that means my right shoe is a little too big. Lace-ups are best, but I have a few pairs of shoes that aren't, so I do heel grips and, sometimes, tongue pads. I've had some success.

viva

Veteran

Oh ladies, you're making me so sad.

Gigi

Veteran

This may be a stupid idea...but what if you stuffed the toes with something, so that the shoe isn't so long?

Meredith

Veteran

Agree with Gigi. Try a cotton ball or just a small amount of stuffing in the toe. This works for me with a stretched out pair of heels. Worth a shot.

deb

Veteran

Add an insert to the whole footbed to tighten up the shoe and see if that helps. It has worked for me when shoes are slightly too big.

ATLynn

Veteran

Ditto what Deb said. I have narrow heels and sometimes this works depending on the shoe.

Kristin SF

Veteran

Agree with Deb. I have this same issue, my left foot is slightly smaller than the right.

So I either use a whole shoe insert, OR sometimes just a ball of foot pad is sufficient. THEN I also use a heel grip. I use these heel grips - K.Period also highly recommends them.
http://www.amazon.com/Pedag-St.....=141045724

I think you might be able to save the shoes, you just have to find the right inserts.

Good luck!

Louise

Veteran

I'm afraid I'm another one who has given up altogether on slip on shoes for this very reason x

K. Period.

Veteran

Ah ha ha! That is so funny KSF! I was just about to pop in and say that I love those Pedag ones, and then *boom* you tagged me!

Viva, the suede on those is comfy, yet grippy, they have some bulk to them and they really really stick to your shoe. I've worn out shoes with them still attached and unmoved. They are at least worth a try.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am going to try those things, too...

But honestly -- what is it? Some women seem to be able to wear slip ons without any problem, yet others of us clearly can't do it. What the heck is the reason? I get so jealous of all those slip-on shod fashionistas....

I just accept that my boots will flip flop up and down. That is totally normal for me. But I don't get blisters because I am wearing socks.

JayS

Veteran

Ballet dancers sometimes use lamb's wool in the toe of their slippers for padding. I remember reading somewhere that it also works to push your foot back against the heel to prevent heel slippage. Looks to be inexpensive and could be worth a try.
Good luck!
http://tinyurl.com/lb8pjmx

Eliza

Veteran

Viva- I feel your pain. Very hard to remedy this one. One thought that could be worth trying is to add a small, non-slip pad under the ball of your foot. Maybe it could be positioned so that your heel was kept farther back in the shoe. Just a wild guess as I know your desperation.

Before I learned to avoid the problem, I used to walk out of my shoes some convenient place or other, like the middle of the street. I have a great oxford collection now.

Missed the post above- same idea.

Sal

Veteran

Interesting...I had not really thought about this issue but I think I have it too. I have never found a ballet flat or loafer that will stay on my feet, they slide up and down at the back.

Maybe this is why I am drawn to boots, sneakers with laces and sandals?

I am okay with heeled pumps but I only wear these with a minimum amount of walking.

Aquamarine

Veteran

Learning a lot on this thread...thought it was just me. I have a narrow heel and have never had any luck with the products I have tried.

The most annoying thing is when the shoe fits just fine in the store or around the house, but after a couple of wears and long strides while out and about, my foot slips out.

Neelie

Veteran

This is the only flat slip on that stays - see how the heel is super narrow and kind of pinches together? It is also a bit taller than the rest of the shoe...so it stays on! And it is kind of padded so it does not rub. This is the only cut that seems to work. I wish Ecco would bring back this style.

The shoes with the elastic around the back bother my heel and give me blisters...

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Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

I've never found an after-market product that worked for that. But my heels are very narrow so the best solution is to find a company that makes shoes with very narrow heels. Munro is one (works well for me but heel height doesn't go very high) and there might be others. My Munro Jillian pumps are super comfortable and don't slip at all.

Banoffi

Veteran

Sadly, I've never found a solution to this. I've spent loads on various stick-on heel grips and what not, but my heel still slips out.

The only thing that has worked is not a great solution. I've bought silicone things that slip in under your toes. This does stop my heel from slipping, but it also effectively makes the entire shoe smaller, so my toes end up getting really squished.

catseye

Veteran

I have this problem too. My heels are not only very narrow, they are also small meaning there is nothing sticking out at the back of the feet. I think that is even more problematic.

Miraculously I found one pair of loafer worked for me this summer. It was the mariner loafer from Carvela by Kurt Geiger. It is hard to understand why it worked. It is not particularly narrow even but it stays on.

viva

Veteran

Kristin, thank you for that link! And KPeriod for the extra endorsement! I managed to order for delivery tomorrow, before I boarded the plane. So excited! And Deb, thanks for the extra suggestion for an insole. I am going to try both.

All of the other suggestions are great too -- have not forgotten them.

Eliza, your description of losing your shoe in the middle of the street is exactly what I was experiencing in the airport. And it was so frustrating! Just one foot, and it didn't come all the way off, but it required a lot of effort to keep it on.

This is all making me think about my heels. I really have no idea if I have a thin or small heel. This is generally not a huge problem for me, but I do tend not to wear ballet or other slip-on flats because I don't love them. But I do love these loafers, so I am really hoping I can make them work.

Will report back. Thanks again all!