Make Your Shoes Slip Resistant With These 10 Great Tips
How To Make Your Shoes Slip Resistant
With cold and wet weather, we tend to be more cautious when walking outside because we know that at any moment, we are prone to slip or tumble, especially if we are wearing shoes with a smooth sole. Depending on how hard you fall, the injury can be minor, but in some cases, you can sustain some serious injuries.
To prevent that from happening, we are sharing these 10 simple tips with you to make your shoes slip-resistant and keep you upright.
1. Invest In Grip Pads
Grip pads are a very effective way to make your shoes slip-resistant. The pads are made from abrasive materials that have a strong grip when it comes to slippery surfaces. They are available in almost every shoe store or you can order them online. Just simply apply them to the sole of your shoes and you are ready to go.
2. Scuff Your Shoes On Rough Surfaces
If you just bought a new pair of shoes and you noticed that they are slippery you can simply just scuff them on any rough surface. Put them on and walk on the parts of the shoes that tend to be the cause of slipping on rough surfaces such as sand, rocks or concrete. Make sure not to overdo it because it can result in ruining your shoes.
3. Mix Up Some Glue And Sand
To get a better grip on your shoes, you can use adhesive rubber glue and some sand. Mix up these two components and apply a thin layer to the bottom of your shoes. After applying it, your shoes will have a better grip on ice and minimize the chances of slipping and hurting yourself. If you do not have any sand near you, it can be substituted with some salt, for a better result use sea salt for a stronger grip.
4. Spray On Some Hairspray
Everyone who uses hairspray knows that it works for holding their hairstyle together. Oddly enough you can use it for a short fix for slippery shoes. The sticky substance will temporarily make your shoes slip resistant. If you think of using hairspray for your shoes, remember that you will need to re-apply it every day. Because after a day of use it will wear out. Look for hairsprays that have a stronger hold to get a better result.
5. Use A Nail File
Instead of using a nail file to shape up your nails, use it to make your shoes a bit rougher. Feel the bottom of your shoes to see where the smooth parts are and use the file to toughen the spot. To make it a bit easier consider using a metal file, because wooden ones tend to break faster. Do this with quick and smooth motions to ensure that it is properly done and so you don’t ruin your shoes to the point that they aren’t wearable.
6. Put On Some Masking Tape
If you are a painter or like to frequently freshen up the walls in your house, you probably have some masking tape laying around. Little did you know that you can use it for a temporary fix on slippery shoes. Put the tape on the soles of your shoes, making an X shape to cover the whole sole. You won’t be able to keep it on for too long because it is still made out of paper, so it will eventually fall off. But for a quick solution it is useful.
7. Spray-On Adhesive
Instead of using grip pads on the bottom of your shoes, you can use it in a spray form. Yes, there is a spray-adhesive for shoes to make them slip-resistant. It is very handy during wet weather and especially if you are in a hurry. Simply spray it on the bottom of your shoes to get the right amount of protection to prevent you from slipping. This is a quick and inexpensive way to give your shoes a little extra traction.
8. Get A Pair Of Ice Grips
If you like to go hiking during the wintertime but the fear of slipping and injuring yourself is preventing you, consider buying a pair of ice grips. They are available in different colors and sizes, so you can match them with the pair of shoes that you already own. The reason that they are efficient is that the grips are made to stop your feet from slipping on snowy and icy surfaces. You won’t regret buying them because they are so simple to use. Just slip them on the pair of shoes that you want to wear and you are ready to go. After you’re done you can take them off with ease.
9. Unleash Your Creativity With Puff Paint
You probably didn’t know that you can use paint to get a better grip on your shoes. But not just any paint, you have to use puff paint. This is a special type of paint that hardens and puffs up when dried, resulting in a rough surface. Unleash your inner creativity and decorate your shoes to your liking.
Just make sure that you use a very thin layer on the bottom of your shoes. Because using too much will result in a thick layer of puff paint and it will cause discomfort whilst walking. The paint will usually last for a couple of days, but to stay safe, frequently apply fresh layers of paint to make sure that your shoes are still slip-proof.
10. Visit A Professional Shoe Cobbler Or Repairer
If you are unsure with these methods go to a professional shoe cobbler or repairer. A cobbler can repair the soles of your shoes and apply materials to make your shoes slip-proof or generally repair them because they might have been worn out which resulted in slipping and tumbling over.
Bear in mind that the service might be expensive, so this may be the last resort for you and usually only for expensive, good quality shoes that are still in good condition. If nothing else ask the cobbler or anyone else who really knows about shoes to give advice on the best shoes to buy. You can find special shoes that have a non-slip bottom to save you from the hassle on making them slip-proof.
Walk Without Fear
If you don’t possess non-slip shoes, then try out all of these methods to see which one is most sufficient for your use. To prevent injury, test them on slippery surfaces while sitting down or standing up while holding onto something so you can maintain your balance.
Make sure that you regularly clean your shoes. If they are covered in dirt, you are more prone to slip then when your shoes are clean. Use a cloth or shoe brush with some warm water and soap to get the dirt off.
An awesome factor about these tips is that you will save a lot of money, not just on shoes but on your medical bills as well.
After using these tips to make your shoes slip-resistant the likelihood of you slipping and injuring yourself will be minimized.
Imagine that you can continue comfortably walking during the wet weather and not having the fear of slipping and tumbling over in your DIY slip-resistant shoes.
