In the past, only custodian employees and restaurant workers were in need of slip-resistant shoes. But, as the rush increased in daily life and job sites, the chances of tumbling also increased abnormally, which brought about the need for slip-resistant shoes.
Perhaps the most deadly thing in the field of footwear is a combo of slippery surfaces and unreliable slipping shoes or boots. Although may also tumble due to inattentiveness, for instance walking and watching the mobile screen, such cases are not often.
Fortunately, there are several hacks to make shoes anti-slip. You can easily make your shoe slip-resistant as these tips are easy to apply and work in just about any shoe.
Table of Contents
How to make Shoes Slip Resistant
Scuffing the Sole
Shoes tend to be slippery because of having a smooth bottom. One good way to make them anti-slip is by making the soles rough. This can be done by walking on rough terrains such as gravel and rough concrete rocks. The point is to create abrasions and nooks on the smooth sole to add some traction to the shoe’s bottom.
Alternatively, you can scuff your shoes on rough surfaces. You can simply go outside and rub the soles on the driveway gravel. Don’t employ too much force though; you don’t want to ruin the shoes you just bought.
Using Sandpaper to Abrade the Soles
You can also make your shoe slip-resistant by abrading the soles using sandpaper. It is a great alternative, especially if your current situation or environment makes it hard to get your footwear on a rough surface. You will need good coarse sandpaper, preferably 50 grit. When rubbing, target those smooth areas that often come in contact with the floor.
Scuff the targeted sections until they start to feel textured. On the off chance that you cannot access sandpaper, a nail file is also acceptable. Take a coarse nail and follow the same instructions. The best thing about this method is that you don’t have to wait for the sole to completely wear down. Fair coarse sandpaper can help you in such a case. Just smooth the soles’ smoothest portions and you’ll be good to go.
Using Rubber Glue and Salt
With this method, the idea is to develop a rough texture on the shoe’s sole to enhance traction. You just need a mixture of salt grain and rubber. Take a small bowl and mix glue with enough grains of the slat.
Note, the more grains of salt, the better the resultant grip. Paint a thin layer of the mixture on the heel and sole of the shoes using a brush and then allow the shoes to dry thoroughly before wearing them. Meanwhile, you can use sand and glue, in place of salt. Just be sure not to use excess grains of sand that the glue cannot hold.
Shoe Grip Pads
These are textured adhesive pads stuck on the outsole of your shoe to add more traction. This pad is specially designed to keep you on your feet. Shoe grip pads are available in many types. Some are designed to fit any size of the shoe and then trimmed to size.
There are others that are made for specific shoe sizes, but the best thing is to choose one that perfectly fits your shoes. To use shoe grip, simply peel off the protective covering on the pad and place the pad on the targeted area of the sole. Press the pad firmly on the shoe and leave it for a few hours to dry before wearing the shoes.
Non-Slip Spray for Shoes
Non-slip or traction spray is a great alternative for a grip pad. It works the same way on the bottom of the shoes to keep the shoes from being slippery. For best results, spray a generous amount of non-slip spray on the base of your shoes and leave them to dry in an upside-down position.
Make sure you don’t use a different color spray on your sole; otherwise your shoes may look strange. Plus, the process can be messy. Be sure to protect your working space and clothes before you start applying the traction spray. You might want to use an old towel of newspaper sheets to cover the working service.
Still, in the absence of shoe grip spray, you can utilize hair spray. The only catch is that hair spray is a temporary solution, so it will hardly last long. You might have to carry the hair spray with you as it needs frequent reapplication.
Adding an Ankle Strap
Sometimes slippery shoes are not caused by problematic soles. Styles such as mules and clogs, sandals, etc, tend to fit loosely on the feet, increasing the chances of them getting caught or tripping during movements. Aside from stability, an ankle strap can turn a bland pair of shoes into something trendier and reliable.
Making sure that the bottom of the shoes rests snuggly against your feet can help avoid accidents and injuries by making the shoeless prone to slipping. One of the most effective ways to do this is to secure a strap around the ankle to hold the footwear in place.
You might need to seek the help of a professional or add a strap with moderate ease on your own. The process can be as simple as ribbon looped around the heel of the footwear, or as complex as adjustable buckles sewn onto the design.
Slip-resistant shoes can help avoid injuries and accidents at home and around the workplace. By transforming smooth outsoles into rough-textured surfaces, you will get more grip in almost any situation. You’re less likely to slip and fall, especially on slippery flooring.
There are multiple cheap and effective methods that you can use to make your shoes non-slip. Whether it’s a temporary solution or long-term modifications, you’ll be sure that your days are safer and comfortable.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need to walk on eggshells whenever you’re wearing a certain pair of shoes for fear of slipping. You can easily make your shoe slip-resistant using the above tips. They are tried and tested and are easy to apply too. However, if you don’t have all the time to employ these hacks, or you’re worried you might damage your shoes, you can always seek help from a professional cobbler.