Fix a Squeaky Shoe

I bought a pair of shoes a month ago and I am so in love with them. Then, one day they started squeaking like mad. I don't know if this has had anything to do with the fact that I used them in the rain?

The shoes are made out of leather all over, however, the soles are made of rubber and the inside sole is sewn or stuck down and is made out of soft cloth. So I didn't know if I should use lotion inside? I tried powder, it didn't work. I tried blow drying them inside with a blow dryer and ruined my blowdryer.

I am at wits end. I love this pair of shoes. What should I do? I have tested and found out that the squeaking sound is at the ball of my foot. Just as you bend your foot to lift it up for your next step.

Please help me!

By anne from Seattle, WA

Answers:

Fix a Squeaky Shoe

My ex husband sold shoes and he said that when a shoe squeaks it means that the steel shank is broken. It's a piece of metal that runs from the heel to the ball of the foot down the center of the shoe. He also said that it can't be fixed, although I've seen on this site where baby powder can fix it. However, I don't have any idea where exactly you'd put the baby powder! Makes no sense to me, but search Thriftyfun and see what you find.

Sorry about your shoes. I hate it when that happens! (11/02/2010)

By metroplex

Fix a Squeaky Shoe

I have a pair of Clark's low boots that started squeaking a year ago after several years of use. I decided to try wearing them today, and they still squeaked! So I Googled, and then took the advice of the archives herein, and lo-and-behold, after applying talcum powder to the bottom of the insole. No more squeak! Thanks to you all! (11/16/2010)

By Steve G

Fix a Squeaky Shoe

They are likely defective. My father and I both bought Keen Austins and they squeak in the heel. The sound remains even with the insole removed, so it's clearly within the shoe, likely due to poor attachment of the large rubber sole to the leather uppers. You can return them if within a year of purchase. Personally, I will never buy Keens again. (12/01/2010)

By Barry