How to make soles less slippery?

Liaithin · 22nd November 2006, 13:20

Hi everyone. I've been lurking here for a while now, but finally actually registered :)

I recently bought a pair of white Michael Antonio heels off eBay (for only $5!!). They fit just fine, but the soles are very slippery. I don't know what kind of material it is, but it feels about as smooth as polished wood to the touch... So I'm fine when walking on carpeting or rough pavement, but when I first stepped onto my wooden floor, I kind of felt like Bambi when he first steps onto the ice in the movie :P

Here's a picture of the bottom of the shoes:
http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/upl...061f603810.jpg
(They have a 4 3/4" heel with 3/4" platform, for the curious.)

Can anyone think of a way to make them a bit less slippery? Maybe some kind of fabric or other (rubbery?) material that I could superglue or otherwise attach to the soles of the shoes. Or a way to somehow make the soles themselves more rough?

Thanks in advance!

gary0618 · 22nd November 2006, 18:17

Hey,

The sole looks like leather from the picture.
If so, they just need to be worn a bit. Once they are scuffed up, the will not be so slippery.

If you can't wait, try some sandpaper.

This has worked for me in the past.

Dr. Shoe · 22nd November 2006, 20:38

Catwalk models use an emery board...

jmc · 23rd November 2006, 06:19

You might try walking around on concrete -- like a garage floor -- to roughen up the soles a little.

Liaithin · 23rd November 2006, 18:30

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll try the easy option, of walking up and down my balcony (made of rough concrete) a lot of times, first. If that doesn't help, I'll try the sandpaper/emery option. :)

balletboot2000 · 24th November 2006, 13:30

In America, I believe you can get some stick on pads that aid with grip, I've just not been able to find anything similar over in the UK

goddesstasha · 8th October 2008, 21:09

My husband buys 3M Safety Step pads used for stairs from the local hardware store and cut them to shape for all my heels, it works like magic.

gary0618 · 8th October 2008, 21:51

Welcome Goddess Tasha

Always nice to see a new female here.

How about checking out the Hellos, Goodbyes & Introductions Section,
and tell us about yourself?

hoverfly · 9th October 2008, 03:04

Do the chicken scratch on the asphalt a few times on each shoe.

Guy N. Heels · 9th October 2008, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by goddesstasha

My husband buys 3M Safety Step pads used for stairs from the local hardware store and cut them to shape for all my heels, it works like magic.

In the absolute worst case try gluing some sandpaper or emery cloth to the soles. They'll be hell on the flooring for a while, but you could always remove the shoes when at home.