Q&A for How to Walk Silently

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  • Question
    How do I get around creaky floors if the floor that is creaky goes through my path?
    Michele Dolan
    Certified Fitness Trainer
    Michele Dolan is a Fitness Trainer based in Sidney, British Columbia. She has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor since 2002, and was certified as a Personal Trainer by the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA). Michele is also a Registered Clinical Counselor, and uses her 20+ years of fitness coaching experience to help clients understand their mind-body connection. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Certified Clinical Counsellor (CCC), certified by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. In her work, Michele uses the tools of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectic Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. She practices and teaches mindfulness and acceptance in all of her coaching work. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology.
    Certified Fitness Trainer
    Expert Answer
    Practice walking around on the floor to find where the creaks are and more importantly, are not. Then you can learn a rout across the floor where is does not creak.
  • Question
    When I try to silently walk on soft leaves, they always make a squishy / sloshy noise. What can I do to change this? Anything could help. I have been trying to pull a prank on my friend but the leaves keep giving it away.
    Michele Dolan
    Certified Fitness Trainer
    Michele Dolan is a Fitness Trainer based in Sidney, British Columbia. She has been a personal trainer and fitness instructor since 2002, and was certified as a Personal Trainer by the British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA). Michele is also a Registered Clinical Counselor, and uses her 20+ years of fitness coaching experience to help clients understand their mind-body connection. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and Certified Clinical Counsellor (CCC), certified by the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. In her work, Michele uses the tools of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectic Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. She practices and teaches mindfulness and acceptance in all of her coaching work. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology.
    Certified Fitness Trainer
    Expert Answer
    I suggest you try your prank in a different season or in a different place where there are no leaves.
  • Question
    How do I sneak downstairs once my parents are in bed?
    Community Answer
    Creep slowly but stealthily, try to get closer to the steps. If the stairs make creaking sounds, try stepping on the edges only. (It can help to work out where is best to step during the daytime, then remember it.) When you get to the bottom, take it slowly, don't rush. Make sure you don't leave any evidence that you visited downstairs.
  • Question
    How do I hide in the shadows so others cannot see me?
    Community Answer
    If you are planning to hide in the shadows, wear dark, non-reflective clothing. Be very still and try not to move. If you are watching someone from the shadows, you should squint so that the light does not reflect in your eyes.
  • Question
    How do I walk up the stairs silently?
    Community Answer
    The same as you would walk down; stick to the edges and mark the quietest places before you plan to sneak. Try walking on the balls of your feet and using your toes for balance. You can even try side-stepping on the edges of the stair with your entire foot.
  • Question
    How would I walk silently on a "creaky" carpet?
    Community Answer
    Before you plan to sneak around, walk all over your flooring and memorize the best places to step. Then, later on, you should remember where to step and where not to. Also, try to minimize the amount of times that your foot is placed down by taking longer, wider steps.
  • Question
    How do you land without making any sound?
    Community Answer
    Jump, then bend down as you land. Going barefoot makes less sound, too.
  • Question
    How can I walk silently in boots?
    Community Answer
    Make sure the boots are laced tight, and that they fit well. Loose boots tend to clunk more. Take slow and careful steps. If your boots creak too much, try using some mink oil to soften the leather.
  • Question
    Is Parkour good for being stealthy?
    Community Answer
    If you don't make any noise when landing jumps, and the person you're sneaking by isn't very perceptive, then yes.
  • Question
    How far should you walk behind someone if you're following them to avoid being heard?
    Community Answer
    It depends on what kind of surface you are walking on. If you are walking on concrete, you will probably have street lights nearby and you have to be careful about your shadow as well. Stay near places you can hide, in case they turn around.
  • Question
    What if my shoes squeak from being wet?
    Community Answer
    Consider going barefoot. Your feet will also be thankful for this in the long run. Walking around in wet shoes is a very bad idea and could lead to trench foot.
  • Question
    How do I walk at home more silently?
    Community Answer
    Wear soft-sole shoes and avoid squeaky floorboards.
  • Question
    What about moving through snow?
    Community Answer
    Step into the snow gently to avoid making a crunching sound.
  • Question
    How do I sneak on a creaky plank floor?
    Community Answer
    If this is a place you visit regularly, try to remember which planks do not creak and stick to those as you make your away across the floor.
  • Question
    What if I'm wearing slippers or sandals? How do I stop my skin from squeezing air?
    Community Answer
    Try taking them off to reduce noise. If necessary then try to not pick up your feet to high of the ground, making it so that when your feet go up and come down, it reduces the "clap" that is commonly heard. You could also try to get a tighter slipper/sandal to reduce the "clap". Walk lightly and low.
  • Question
    What type of material would be good to walk on gravel and not make noise?
    Community Answer
    Cotton or another fabric.
  • Question
    How do I run silently?
    TwilightSagaForever
    Community Answer
    Run from heel to toe and wear snug, soft-bottomed shoes. Practice movement and stealth.
  • Question
    How do you sneak past a dog?
    Community Answer
    Dogs have good hearing and sense of smell so sneaking past them will be difficult. It might be easiest to do when the dog is sleeping. Walk from heal to toe as slowly as possible for the best chance of success.
  • Question
    How do I carry a weapon when I'm out walking?
    Community Answer
    If you have a knife or a gun, then try attaching it to your belt or jeans (holsters are made for this purpose). Experiment with different places to hide the weapon, but be sure the blade or gun points away from you so you don't end up injuring yourself.
  • Question
    The bones in my feet keep popping and clicking as I walk. Is there any way to fix that?
    Meowmix11
    Community Answer
    Yes. You should stretch before going out. You could also pop your toes by pulling on a certain spot, and they should make less noise.
  • Question
    What do I do if the door is squeaky?
    Felicity Rubiano
    Community Answer
    Slowly close the door. This will help compress the sound and at least reduce it.
  • Question
    How do I walk silently in flip flops?
    Community Answer
    You can try sliding across the floor, but if it's safe to do so, it would really better to remove the flip flops and go barefoot.
  • Question
    Will I make less sound if I walk with socks on than being barefoot?
    Community Answer
    If your feet are sweaty, then yes. Socks will stop your feet from "sticking" to the floor.
  • Question
    How can I walk silently on a daily basis?
    Community Answer
    Be mindful of your surroundings. Of course, you can't move slowly everywhere you go, but still try to move with the heel-to-toe technique. Just watch where you step, try not to become the center of attention and be very observant.
  • Question
    How can I walk silently in snow?
    Community Answer
    Look for areas where the snow is more compressed and step there. You can also walk in someone else's footprints. Just make sure to keep your balance and walk slowly.
  • Question
    How can I get rid of my footprints as I walk through snow?
    Community Answer
    I would bring something to drag along behind you like an old piece of clothing, a big piece of cardboard, etc.
  • Question
    How do I walk quietly on a wood floor if the person below can hear my footsteps?
    Meowmix11
    Community Answer
    Try stepping as lightly as possible, maybe even sliding slightly; it's quieter that way.
  • Question
    How can I walk through a crowded hallway without getting noticed?
    Moon man production's
    Community Answer
    Just blend in with the crowd and don't act suspicious or wear suspicious clothes.
  • Question
    Should I use a clean bandanna around my nose so I don't sneeze?
    Community Answer
    I wouldn't do that because it could make you look more suspicious.
  • Question
    When is the best time to sneak around the house?
    Emma Gannon
    Community Answer
    When everyone is active, like in the afternoon, so they don't expect you to sneak around.
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