Q&A for How to Make Shoes Less Slippery

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  • Question
    What's the most efficient way to get my shoes as grippy as possible?
    Rio Jongsae Kim
    Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
    Rio Jongsae Kim is a Designer Shoe and Bag Repair Specialist and the Owner of Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, BC, Canada. With over 40 years of experience, Rio and Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair specialize in the repair and reconstruction of leather and luxury goods including shoes, handbags, and accessories. Rio’s experience and dedication to quality repair and restoration have led to his work being featured on Yahoo, Insider, and MSN.
    Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Take them to a cobbler or a shoe repair professional. They'll be able to make custom changes to your shoes so they fit more comfortably and grip better.
  • Question
    What's a cheap way to make my shoes grippier?
    Rio Jongsae Kim
    Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
    Rio Jongsae Kim is a Designer Shoe and Bag Repair Specialist and the Owner of Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair in Vancouver, BC, Canada. With over 40 years of experience, Rio and Kim’s Shoe & Bag Repair specialize in the repair and reconstruction of leather and luxury goods including shoes, handbags, and accessories. Rio’s experience and dedication to quality repair and restoration have led to his work being featured on Yahoo, Insider, and MSN.
    Designer Shoe & Bag Care Specialist
    Expert Answer
    There are these products called "anti-slip sole stickers" that you just attach to the bottom of your shoes. They're pretty effective!
  • Question
    What do I do if my shoes are Converse?
    Community Answer
    There are many good solutions in this article that can apply to Converse shoes. You could also buy a set of those stick on rubber decals for your bathtub (used to make it safer) and place them on the soles.
  • Question
    Should I spray bleach on the bottom soles?
    Community Answer
    Is it a leather or a rubber sole? Bleach might harm such soles. Try using a steel brush to take off the shine on both leather or rubber. The article has many useful ideas.
  • Question
    Can I put hot glue on the bottom of my shoes to reduce the slipperiness?
    Community Answer
    Yes. You can put designs or dots on the bottom of your shoes to make them less slippery. However, the hot glue may come off over time, so you may need to re-apply it every few weeks/months.
  • Question
    Can I use glue instead of puffy paint?
    Community Answer
    Yes, if used sparingly. Use dots instead of lines or solid coverage.
  • Question
    How can I make shoes with plastic heels less slippery?
    Community Answer
    Stick a non-stick product on the bottom of the heel.
  • Question
    Can I do these on basketball shoes?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. I run a lot and got new running shoes. I tried a few of these things and they worked very well.
  • Question
    Can I use duct tape instead of masking tape to make my shoes less slippery?
    Community Answer
    Yes! This works very well. You may have to replace it after a while, though
  • Question
    Can I use grip tape for skateboards to make my shoes less slippery?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Probably the best thing to use is anti-slip tape, like Gator Grip tape. If you want different colors, try some grip tape meant for swimming pools.
  • Question
    How can I make rubber soled dance shoes less slippery and still have them swivel on the floor?
    Anna B
    Community Answer
    (1) Scuffing up the soles with sandpaper can help to create more traction. Use a rough grit sandpaper and rub it on the soles until you achieve the desired amount of grip. Don't overdo it, as you still want to be able to swivel. (2) Lightly spray the soles of your shoes with hairspray before you dance. This can provide extra stickiness. However, it will wear off over time and will need to be reapplied regularly. (3) There are specially made traction pads that can be applied to the soles of dance shoes.
  • Question
    Can I use adhesive spray on the bottom of my boots for snow and ice?
    Anna B
    Community Answer
    Use products specifically designed to add grip to shoes for slippery surfaces. One is Shoe Grip Ice & Snow Non-Skid Adhesive Spray. This is a spray-on traction adhesive that coats shoes with protection for icy surfaces without damaging rugs or flooring. DIY methods for slip-proofing boots are also possible, including scuffing the soles, using traction spray, adding a salt-and-rubber-glue mixture, spraying soles with hairspray, or adhering sand to the soles. Effectiveness may vary based on your boots, the method used, and weather conditions.
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