Heel slippage: really fixable?

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Heel slippage: really fixable?

catgirl

Veteran

I bought the lovely oxford-ish shoes that Angie wore here:

http://youlookfab.com/2011/06/.....its-owner/

My feet are the opposite of hers, i.e., short, wide and shaped like a duck foot. The fit is still okay except for heel slippage - my heel comes out almost like in a mule shoe. Is a gel insert of some kind going to fix this? The back has a little bit of elastic. Idon't think sizing down will help, as the length is perfect. I want to keep them, but if the insert doesn't work, I won't be able to return (I'm assuming they are adhesive?).

14 years ago

Shopping

12 replies

Latest reply was from cjh

MsMary

Veteran

They are adhesive but you can probably pop one in without the adhesive and wear it around the house to get an idea of whether it would work.

I've had mixed success with the inserts. Sometimes an insert under the ball of the foot will help heel slippage even more than a heel insert, by keeping my foot from sliding forward.

14 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Thanks Mary! My foot is not sliding so much forward as up and down... Is that heel slippage too?

14 years ago

Freckles

Veteran

I have a narrow foot with a heel two times narrower than the norm. When I've kept shoes with that amount of slippage it has never worked no matter what. I'll be walking briskly down the hall at work and walk right out of my shoes.

14 years ago

Diana

Veteran

For me (I also have narrow heels but a relatively wider forefoot so have this problem a lot) I find that the heel grips work for things like pumps with high heels where my heel is moving up and down but not coming out of the shoe entirely. For something like a ballet flat, where my heel basically comes entirely out of the shoe, there is nothing that can save it.

The spongy thick kind of heel grips work much better for me than the thin gel type, but they are also more visible since they are bigger if that bothers you. They also work better with bare feet rather than hose or tights. I've temporarily stuck them in with a little roll of scotch tape, which is easily removable, to give them a test run.

14 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Honestly, I tend to agree with Freckles. Although I have from time to time been able to make ill-fitting shoes tolerable, I have never been able to make them really well-fitting. From now on my policy is the same as for clothing: If it doesn't fit perfectly as is or with MINOR alterations (e.g. you put in the insert and go "PERFECT!"), back it goes!

14 years ago

D'Ellen

Veteran

I had to get rid of a pair of peep-toe pumps because of heel slippage. I think it was because the shoes were too long for my foot rather than too wide. I tried the sticky heel thingies and full shoe inserts without success.

I hope you can make these work for you 'cause they're awesome shoes! Are you sure you can't size down?

14 years ago

Beth

Veteran

I too have had limited success with using heel grips. Since wearing precarious shoes is aggravating and potentially dangerous, I've banned ill-fitting shoes from my closet.

14 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

After awhile those heel grips seem to come out or slip in the wrong way, they never work for me.

14 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I never get that kind of heel slippage fixed with anything, either. You may want to at least try a half size down and see. They are awfully cute shoes.

14 years ago

dottie

Active Member

I haven't had much luck, either, trying to doctor shoes to make them fit. I have the same foot shape - wide front with a narrow heel. Something I've had minor success with is to put a pad under the ball of my foot, which essentially pushes the foot back against the the back of the shoe. But, I agree with MaryK & Freckles - if it's really not working, send them back. Frustrating, huh? I am having really hard time finding a nice pump with a low vamp to make my duck foot look feminine - I end up slipping out of the back of every pair I try.

14 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

Thanks ladies! Sounds like I'm not alone in this dilemma.

I'm pretty sure I can't size down. I think I'm going to try a heel insert (without sticking it to the shoe) and if it doesn't help, they will have to go back. *sniffle* I just can't imagine walking like an idiot all day with my heel flopping around.

14 years ago

cjh

(website)

Veteran

One more bad review on heel slippage inserts - never worked for me, and sometimes I think it's all a sales gimmick. Kind of like that lotion to eliminate cellulite, maybe... since my left foot is already bigger, I just never even try on loafers or slip on styles including pumps. I appreciate the current styles of gladiators, t-straps and mary janes since more shoes will actually stay on my feet!

14 years ago

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