Too smooth boot bottoms? - YouLookFab Forum

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Too smooth boot bottoms?

biscuitsmom

Veteran

I know it was addressed in a previous post, but I cant find it....I have a new pair of boots that are SO smooth on the bottom, Im afraid I'll fall right on my ass when I wear them! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Also *any* tips for stretching boots will be too!

General

16 replies

Latest reply was from catgirl

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Sandpaper? I used to rough up my slick shoe bottoms a bit by walking on a rough concrete driveway for a little bit.

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Cool! I'll try it....

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I remember Nordstrom put some sticky wax like substance on the bottom of some boots I bought.

catgirl

Veteran

I get a rubber grippy sole put on all my smooth boots to protect me from the old slip and fall, and it preserves the leather if the sole is leather.

Kristine

Veteran

You can buy non-slip grips to attach to the bottom too. Not as good as a sole with traction I'm sure but better than nothing.

http://www.amazon.com/Non-Slip.....B0013QZ2AS

MsMary

Veteran

They have these things at DSW that you stick on the sole to make them skid-proof. I bought a bunch of flip-flops that were wicked slippery on the bottoms, and these stick-on things fixed the problem right up.

Kate

Veteran

How much do you need to stretch them? I would go to a cobbler and see what they can do (and how much it would cost). Or you could try wearing them around a bit and see if they stretch.

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

I've heard about the "roughing up with sandpaper/rough paving" tricks...but it seems so destructive to new boots! One of my dithering points with a pair of ankle boots I own but haven't worn yet is that they are so slick on the bottom. I was thinking about taking them to the cobbler (like I have a cobbler - hah) and just having him put something on, but I feel like that ruins the line of the boot...aren't they somewhat noticable (the rubber sole won't match the leather sole in coloration, etc)?

Decisions, decisions...

Vix

Veteran

You can definitely get a thin Vibram sole added (it runs about $20 where I am).

If you walk a lot (I do) this will also save you from having paper-thin soles chewed up.

I just got a pair back from the shop, so I will try to take a pic this weekend so folks can see it.

I don't think it's particularly obtrusive in profile, but then again I am more concerning about not falling on my arse than my boot profile, ha. [I never got around to getting these fixed last year when they were new, bad me.]

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Thanks for all the replies! I'll definitely look into the suggestions...

Jonesy

Veteran

Just curious--are these the same boots from lorisshoes.com? The ones I had originally pointed out to A.J. on her thread? I was wondering if those worked out for you...

Re. stretching boots: I'm pretty sure that Audi on her blog "Fashion for Nerds," did a recent post about stretching her boots and shoes at home. It involved some sort of spray and a wooden stretcher thingie. It sounds like it did the trick. A decent cobbler can do it for you too.

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Jonesy, yes, the LS ones need some stretching- NO way Im giving them up-lol! They fit ok everywhere except across the top of the foot, where its very tight....Im very grateful to you for posting them! I'll look for that post, thanks....the slippery devils are a cognac crockadile look pair of booties (with pointy toes,which Im very unsure of) that I got from Aldos for only $35! They go so well with my cognac brahmin bag I hate to return them....

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Have rubber strips popped on the soles. Works like a charm.

Vix

Veteran

Ok, in case it helps I'm back with pics of the thin Vibram non-skid sole protector I had added to my boots.

I have tried the self-stick type but they tear off easily for me (wet streets don't help).

Sorry the floor is filthy!

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Jonesy

Veteran

Biscuitsmom, you should really post a pic of you in your LS boots!

catgirl

Veteran

Yes, the self-stick ones are cheap and don't work... at least in any snow or rain, which is when you need them!