by Michael King

Created on: January 11, 2010

There are many reasons why a shoe might be squeaking, however they all are based on the same principle. Somewhere in the shoe two materials are rubbing when pressure is applied, by placing your foot down. This is most likely caused by a manufacturing error, and this leads me into my first solution:

1. Return the shoes. This depends, of course, on the shoes being reasonably new, if they are then the shop that sold them to you will probably offer a replacement or free repair. This is a classic case of letting the professionals take charge, why not, if it's free?

2. Have a look at the heel, this is the most likely place for the source of the squeaking, the heel is probably loose and rubbing against the main body of the shoe. This is classic grounds for getting a free repair, as there is no doubt it is the manufacturer's fault. If this is the case you have two options: Use superglue to bond the heel securely back onto the rest of the shoe or go to a cobblers, where they can repair them professionally. The second option will invariably be more expensive, and it's quite likely that the cobbler will just superglue the shoe back together.

3. Let the shoes dry. Even if they do not appear wet, they may be inside, at the source of the squeak. Place them in a warm dry place for a while and see if the problem just dries itself out. Wet shoes do tend to squeak more often. If you want to speed this process, stuff the shoe with newspaper or something similar.

4. Use baby or talcum powder. This acts as both a dehydrating agent, to remove or absorb dampness and as a dry lubricant. This should cure any rubbing between the soles of a shoe. First remove, or lift up, the inner sole of the shoe and spread the powder evenly underneath. If this does not stop the problem then try powdering the entire shoe. It's rather crude, but can work. Do not do this if you aren't sure that you can clean the powder from all visible parts of the shoe. I.e: if you have pockmarked shoes which will trap the powder.

5. At this point, I would probably recommend visiting a cobbler, but if you don't have one nearby or don't with to spare the expense then there is one last thing you can try. It may be the tongue of the shoe that is squeaking, for this baby powder should cure it, but if not then you need a better lubricant. The recommendations for this is to carefully apply some saddle soap, though sugar soap will also work, to the tongue of the shoe. If nothing more this will absorb the sound somewhat, but it may lubricated it entirely and stop the squeaks.

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