Last Updated: August 5, 2022
Every lady loves to accentuate her dress with heels once in a while. However, that persistent click-clack sound that comes with wearing heels can put a damper. Which girl wants to attract unwanted attention to herself anyways?
But…
What if I tell you that you can rock that noisy high heel of yours to an occasion without it making that loud irritating noise. Surprised?
The following article will make you learn how to make heels quieter. Moreover, these tips would help you in increasing the friction of the heels and make you more comfortable wearing them.
What Causes Heels to Make Loud Noise?
Most heels are never designed to disturb the peace of others. However, certain factors can cause those beautiful heels to make that distracting click-clack sound. They include:
Your Walking Posture
This is one major cause of noisy shoes/heels. Some individuals are fond of stomping their feet while walking. This act causes the heels to make noise. You would be surprised that such people also make the same noise even in flats.
It would be best if you tried walking in a sophisticated way. The way you walk in flats is different from walking in heels. Thus, it is best to follow the pattern of lifting your feet in a parallel position of 2 inches away from the ground, then slowly sliding them along step by step.
The Shape and Size of The Heels
Depending on your preference and style, you can opt for block, wedge, clogs, or penciled heels. Although, too thin or penciled heels tend to produce more noise than the others. Also, it is best to know that wooden clogs or wedges make a similar noise.
Wearing oversized heels would cause you to be dragging the heels rather than lifting them. Suppose you prefer wearing loose-fitting heels to prevent leg ache; you should get one half a size bigger than your usual shoe size.
The Heels Material
Sometimes, shoe manufacturers use hard materials in making a shoe. Materials like wood, leather, and metals are commonly used. However, such materials do not absorb sound; thus, they produce squeaking noise in contact with the floor.
This is essential to ensure balance when wearing the heels and to enable the heels to support any weight without giving out.
Worn Out Heels
No heels can last forever, especially ones you constantly wear. While the beauty of the shoes might not be affected, the soles are likely to be affected. If the inner material is made of wood or metal, then the worn-out heels are bound to make loud noises on impact with the floor.
Worn-out soles would cause the inner material to be exposed.
Now that you know some possible causes of that click-clack sound your favorite heels make when you wear them, let's dive into how you can avoid or reduce the noise made by the heels.
How to Make Heels Quieter - Top 9 Heel Silencer Methods
We have all experienced that awkward feeling when all pairs of eyes in a room turn to us because of the noise our shoes are making. But do you know that you can minimize the noise your heels make? Here are some practical and easy tips on making your heels quieter.
- The Use of Gel Cushions
A gel cushion is a standard method to reduce heel noise. They are usually glued into your heels. Using gel cushions prevents the toes from having blisters from prolonged heel wearing.
These adhesive cushions are soft, invisible, and easy to use.
More importantly, they absorb the noise from hard-heeled shoes. You don't have to worry about anyone noticing the addition because they are invisible, as I earlier said. However, they are prone to wearing off, and thus if you decide to opt for this method, you should replace them monthly.
- Adding Heel Caps as a Heel Silencer
Heels with extremely penciled tips are guilty of making noise. But using heel caps is one method that can significantly reduce the amount of noise produced by your heels. You can get heel caps and fix them at the tip of your heels.
They are usually made of rubber and very easy to use.
Aside from these heel caps reducing the noise produced by your heels, they help stability and balance. Those thin heels can sometimes be unstable and lose friction, especially on smooth floors. Thus, fixing a heel cap to that tip would help avoid this. You should get one of similar color to your heels, which would prevent unwanted attention.
- Using Rubber Sole
Rubber is an effective sound and shock absorber. Rubber soles are similar to gel cushions. The only difference is that it is glued to the sole of your heels. Therefore, using it on the bottom of your heels would help absorb the noise and shock produced by the heels.
A downside to this method is that the adhesive on the rubber sole is quick to wear off, requiring you to change constantly, which is expensive. Although, getting one made from heavy-duty rubber would reduce the number of times you change the rubber soles.
- Applying a Foot Foam
This is another method used for making noisy heels quieter. It works similarly to a gel cushion, albeit easier to use. After getting one, peel off the adhesive and stick it to your heels or shoes. These foot foams are great for absorbing the noise produced by the heels. This is because they are made from rubber.
However, ensure you do not walk on wet or slippery floors. These foot foams can be slippery, causing you to slide down, which is embarrassing.
- Using a Duct Tape as a Heel Silencer
Duct tapes have been known to have soundproof abilities.
You are probably wondering how duct tapes can be helpful to you in silencing your heels. They can be used to minimize the noise made by your heels. Before applying duct tape, make sure the sole of your heels is neat and free of debris. This can reduce the efficiency if present.
Apply the duct tape to the sole of your heels in several layers to ensure maximum soundproofing effect. Nevertheless, make sure the tape fits the shape of the heels, or else you risk having ugly and weird-looking heels.
- Using Sandpaper on the Heels Sole
Wait! Before you write off this method, you should know that sandpaper is a great fiction provider. Often, the friction of most shoes reduces, increasing your tendency to slip. This also causes the heels to make a loud noise.
But scrapping the sole of your heels with sandpaper can help in traction. This smoothens the texture of the sole and enhances stability and noise reduction. Moreover, you're standing on the soles, so no one is likely to see it. Thus, you have nothing to worry about. This is an excellent DIY method.
- Adding a Felt Fabric to the Bottom of Your Heels
Felt fabrics and rubber soles are of the same function. The only difference is that a felt fabric is applied to the heel tip rather than the sole.
Cutting a small piece of felt fabric and sticking it to the tip can go a long way in reducing the noise produced by your heels.
Felt fabric is an excellent shock absorber, and the noise produced by your heels is regarded as a shock. Thus, using a felt fabric can help fix noisy heels. Endeavor to cut off excess fabric after sticking the felt fabric to the tip of the heels.
- Walking with Confidence
Irrespective of the above tips, a confident walk is vital for reducing the noise produced by your heels. You're bound to make more noise than your counterpart for someone not used to walking on heels. However, a confident walk involves you not scrapping your legs on the floor as you walk.
Also, your body posture must be upright and ensure you lead with your foot instead of the heels. Leading your steps with the heels would cause you to make more noise or fall. Also, ensure you walk mainly on carpeted floors instead of dry ones. These carpeted floors will assist in minimizing the noise.
However, it's essential to know that you become great at heels wearing with constant practice. Your walk becomes more confident and sophisticated.
- Purchase Quiet Heels
Some heels are noisier than the others. But you can't know this upon sighting them. To avoid going through the stress of minimizing the noise made by your heels, it is best to purchase quiet shoes.
Recently, manufacturers have started making shoes and heels that produce less noise. These heels are mostly made of rubber soles that can absorb noise. Therefore, you can easily find factory silenced heels to purchase.
But then, how can you buy a quiet shoe if you don't know how to identify one? Read further to learn the factors to consider when getting a subtle shoe or heels.
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Factors to Consider When Purchasing Quiet Shoes
Some heels tend to make more noise than others. Therefore, using tips to make them quieter might prove challenging. Thus, to avoid this, you should purchase heels that produce less noise. To make a careful selection, you must consider factors like:
The sole of the Heels
Rubber soles are considered the best when it comes to shoe soles. They are excellent shock and noise absorbers and very effective in stopping heels from clicking. This should be one of the factors you consider and look out for during purchase.
Comfortability of the Heels
Comfortable heels are vital. If you're going to be up on your feet all day, you must get heels that you're comfortable in. The size and height of the heels should be based on your comfortability and preference.
A maximum heel height of 4 inches is preferably more comfortable; however, if you desire more extended heights, ensure you can comfortably walk in it, or else you find yourself making more noise than expected.
Design of the Heels
Heels can come in various designs. You can find open or closed heels in the market. Therefore, endeavor to go for one with your preferred design during purchase. This would give you a boost in confidence whenever you're wearing those particular heels. Remember, the more confident you are, the less possibility of you making noise while walking.
Try Out the Heels
Don't be too quick to purchase your heels without trying them out properly. I do not mean trying them out for a few seconds on carpeted floors. This would give you the feeling that they're comfortable even when they're not.
It would help if you tried out the heels for a longer duration, preferably a few minutes, walking on smooth floors. This will enable you to decide the heels' comfortability properly. However, inform the attendant before doing this to avoid your actions being misinterpreted.
How to Walk Quietly in Heels
No girl was born with the inherent ability to walk in heels. Everyone learned it at one stage of their life. You do not have to attend any classes to learn such, but following some essential tips can help you improve your ability to walk in heels.
Lead with Your Foot Rather Than the Heels
Most ladies mistake leading their movement with their heels instead of their feet. While this is practical on flats, it doesn't work for heels. This is because putting the whole pressure of your body on the weaker part of the shoe can cause the heels to buckle, break and cause you to fall.
When walking in heels, ensure you walk heel to toe and not toe to heel.
Take Small Strides
Flats are way more comfortable than heels, so you can easily run or rush your movements on flats. However, doing the same with heels would be disastrous. Walking slowly helps you walk in confidence, maintain your balance, and prevent you from making loud noises.
Remember, I am not suggesting you take baby steps as this can give you out as a newbie in wearing heels. Just take shorter strides than what you would take on flats.
Look Ahead When Walking
One common mistake most ladies make while in heels is to look at their feet as they walk constantly. It is best to direct your attention forward, especially to the endpoint, let's say, the stage. This will enable you to walk in a straight pattern. And you're less likely to drag your feet across the floor.
Walk in an Upright Posture
If you slouch while walking in heels, there's a higher tendency for your steps to be heavier and louder. Leaning back slightly would go a long way in improving your steps. This would give you an upright posture that makes you look super confident. This can be challenging but not impossible.
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Conclusion
Rocking your high heels with an outfit gives you that sophisticated look. But at times, these heels make a loud noise that you can't just help but let go of them. With the tips you learned above, I am sure you can silence those high heels noises and walk with confidence!
Most of the methods presented above might not entirely reduce high heels noise. If this problem still persists, then the only recourse you have is to purchase quiet high heel shoes next time you go shopping.
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