I love my high-heeled shoes but I don’t love the sound that some of them make. Noisy heels that make a click-clack sound when you walk into a quiet room are annoying and embarrassing. I’ve managed to reduce the sound from my heeled shoes and so can you with my hacks for noisy heels.
If you want to make a big difference to the sound your high heels and other heeled shoes make when you walk then read on as there are plenty of things that you can do to stop your footwear from making too much noise.
Here are some of my favorite tips that can hopefully stop the problem and end the loud noises especially when you are in a public place.
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How to Make Heels Quieter By Buying the Right Type of Heels
I usually like to deal with the problem of noisy shoes right at the start of the buying process. This is because if you buy the right type of high heels you are much less likely to have a problem with them making noise.
I used to make the error of buying high heels which had metal heel tops and this was a big mistake. As I wore them on hard surfaces the noise that they would make was enough to make everyone stare as I walked into a room. Talk about embarrassing.
The metal heels were also a nightmare as they made dents on certain types of wooden flooring as well which is another story.
Yet the solution to a good part of the noise problem was relatively simple and that was to buy quiet heels which had a rubber heel cover instead.
An example of this would be Calvin Kleins Brady Pumps which have a rubber-tipped heel that makes them quieter shoes than the metal-heeled varieties that you see in stores.
Buy Shoes With a Rubber Sole
Whilst metal heels contribute to some of the noise that high heels make you should also consider the sole of the shoe that you are buying.
If you buy shoes that have a rubber sole then they are going to be quieter than other types, especially some of those smooth synthetic soles.
The great thing about rubber soles is that they are also safer to walk on as they have a better grip which is going to prevent you from slipping when you walk.
These Cole Haan Go To Park Pumps are an example of a rubber-soled shoe that also has a grooved pattern in it which can keep you upright and help you to walk quietly.
If you have already got a pair of high heels that don’t have a rubber sole don’t worry as you can fix this easily.
These pads help to stop the loud noises you sometimes get when wearing high heels as well as make your shoes safer.
Hacks for Noisy Heels – Choose Shoes With a Thicker Sole
High heels come in all different designs and some are going to be quieter than others. If you wear shoes that have thicker soles then they make less noise.
Why is this? Well, high-heeled shoes with thicker soles can help to lessen the impact when you walk and deaden the sound. This makes them significantly quieter than high heels with thin soles.
If those shoes are rubber-soled shoes as well then the noise levels will be even lower still.
How To Reduce Noise From High Heels By Wearing Wedges
Another form of high-heeled shoe that you could buy is wedge shoes which don’t tend to make a squeaking noise or a click-clack sound.
This is because the pressure from your feet is distributed more evenly which reduces the impact of the shoe as it hits the ground.
Thick wedges like these Stuart Weitzman Espadrille Wedges also act as noise absorbers so make less sound than other high heels.
Platform high heels do a similar job however they might get you more looks than if your shoes were making noise.
Make Heels Quieter With a Cushioned Insole
It isn’t just the shoe soles and heels that make noise. If you want hacks for noisy heels think about the insole of the shoe as well.
Cushioned insoles also help to stop your shoes from making noise as they absorb it as you walk.
If your shoes don’t come with a cushioned insole these can be easily bought and slipped inside your shoe.
Also, remember that squeaky insoles are a thing! The noise from high heels doesn’t have to come from the sole or heel and sometimes it can be located inside the shoe. Identifying where the sound is coming from makes it easier to fix.
If there is noise from the insole make sure it is placed in the shoe correctly or there is no air trapped inside it making noise. A cobbler can usually help with replacing an insole if you can’t do it yourself.
Use a Heel Silencer To Stop the Noise
Another of my hacks for noisy heels is to buy a heel silencer and place it over the heel of your shoe.
These rubber heel caps are relatively cheap and all you need to do is slide it over the heel tip and it will stay in place and deaden the noise from the heels.
These high heel caps come in a number of different sizes so you should be able to find a size that will work with your particular footwear to stop the click-clack noise.
As an added benefit these also help to make your heels last longer, help prevent your slipping and protect your shoes if you are walking on grass.
How to Stop Heels From Making Noise With Gel Heel Pads
I’ve already mentioned how shoe inserts can make a difference but let’s specifically talk about gel heel pads rather than an insole that takes up the entire shoe.
Gel cushions for your heels have been traditionally used to stop foot pain caused by problems such as plantar fasciitis but they can also be really helpful at making your heels quieter.
Simply place the gel cushions on the inside of your shoe’s heel section and you now have a device that will stop them from making so much noise. This is because the gel cushions are absorbing some of the force from your walking which helps to lessen the noise.
How to Make High Heels Quieter With Heel Grips
If your shoes don’t fit you properly another common problem is that your heel will slip in and out of your shoe as you walk. This slippage can cause you to make more noise as you walk.
A simple fix to stop your heel from slipping is to use heel grips. Heel grips are cushioned pads that stick onto the inside of your heel in your shoes.
These cushioned devices help to stop your feet from moving around so much in your shoes and they also prevent friction which can be the cause of blisters on your ankles.
How to Soundproof Heels With Shoe Clips
If you have never heard of shoe clips before they are ornate clips that you attach to plain heels that help to jazz them up. People use them mostly for parties or weddings as they help their footwear look a little more snazzy and different. It also means that you can get your shoes to multi-task instead of buying a pair of party shoes you may only wear a few times.
So how do these help with noise well some of them are relatively heavy which means that when you add them to your shoes there is extra weight? That weight means you walk slightly differently and it can help make your shoes quieter.
Methods to Stop Heels Squeaking
Whilst some of the noise from your heels comes from the heel some of it could also be caused by the material of the shoe or your insole.
If you weren’t aware shoes that are made from softer leather are going to make less noise than ones with hard leather because they are initially much stiffer and prone to squeaking. This might help you when you are next buying new shoes but if you already have a problem pair here is what you can do.
If you believe that the culprit is caused by stiff leather then you can make it softer by using either leather conditioner or saddle soap to soften them. Petroleum Jelly and coconut oil can also work but I prefer to use products that are specifically designed for shoes or leather softening in case they change the color of the material.
When you think it is the insole that is causing the problem then sprinkle some baby powder in between the insole and bottom of your shoe and you should find that can help to stop your shoes from making noise.
How to Walk Quietly in Heels
Finally, the noise that happens if you wear high heels can be caused by the way that you walk as well as the shoe itself.
It is possible to learn how to walk more quietly by changing your speed, gait, and the impact that your foot makes on the ground. You could also avoid walking on hard surfaces as well but that isn’t practical as you can’t always choose where you are going to be.
Walking more on the balls of your feet can help to reduce noise as your heels are not hitting the ground so hard. It can also help if you take shorter steps as this also helps to lessen the impact of your feet as they are walking.
You can also slow down the pace at which you are walking. When you walk slower and more carefully the sound from high heels is lessened.
Hopefully, these hacks for noisy heels will have helped you to make your shoes quieter so that you can wear them without drawing attention to yourself. I know that I’ve used many of these solutions myself over the years and they have definitely helped and in many cases stopped the noise completely.
More Helpful Information About High Heels
How To Stop Feet Sweating In Heels
How To Stop Feet Sliding Forward in Heels
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