According to a survey by the American Podiatric Medical Association, the average woman who owns high heels has at least 9 pairs of them. Half of those women surveyed say they wear heels 3 inches or higher.
We love our shoes, and we especially love our high heels. They may not always be the most comfortable shoes we own, but they are the number one way to update a wardrobe and make a statement.
Imagine yourself at the office with a killer outfit and shoes. Everyone notices you, but not for the reason you think.
Clack clack clack.
With every step you take.
That click-clacking sound can be irritating and distracting in a quiet office environment. There are many other places where you don’t want your heels to make a ruckus such as a library or a hospital.
You could wear different shoes, or you could learn a few tips on how to make heels quieter. Want to learn more? Read on to learn the best ways to silence your heels so you can keep on wearing them.
Why Are Some Heels Noisy?
The click-clack sound of your heels is the impact of your heel hitting the hard floor. There are also other reasons why your heels may be extra noisy.
The Way You Walk
The way you walk can produce a stronger impact as you hit the floor. You can try lowering the height of your steps when you walk.
You can also adjust your posture. Walk with your shoulders up and back. Hold in your stomach. Make sure to hit the ground with the balls of your feet first to reduce the impact of your heels.
Oversized Heels
If you’re wearing oversized heels, you will have a harder time taking shorter steps and will end up making a lot of noise. Also, oversized heels are no fun to walk in.
Do yourself a favor and adjust your shoes so they fit better. You can purchase insoles for a better fit.
How to Make Heels Quieter
If you’re attending a formal event where there will be hard flooring, you don’t want your shoe noises taking up all the attention.
Read on for our best tips on how to make heels quiet.
Cover with Rubber High Heel Caps
For pointy heels, you can try covering them with rubber high heel caps. The rubber material muffles the sound of impact when you walk.
Rubber high heel caps not only make your heels quieter, but they also prevent slips and protect the heel from regular wear and tear.
You can easily fit them on your shoes, and they are not noticeable if you match the color to your shoes.
This solution is not 100% soundproof. If you feel that there is still noticeable noise, you can try pairing this option with other solutions.
Use Rubber Soles
Want a professional fix? You can go to a shoe repair shop and have them apply rubber soles on the bottoms of your heels. This would be an ideal solution if you have an expensive pair of shoes that you love and want to keep in top condition.
For cheaper shoes that you own, you can also go the DIY route and apply rubber soles yourself.
Use Gel Cushions
If you want a little comfort as you walk, gel cushions are an ideal solution.
You place gel cushion pads under the balls of your feet. They stick to the inside of your heels so they won’t slip out of place.
These cushions keep your feet from sliding forward. They work by absorbing the impact of your foot and reducing the noise as you walk.
You can use both gel cushions and rubber soles together if you want to completely silence your heels.
Solutions in a Pinch
Do you need a fast solution or a cost-effective one? You can try the following methods in a pinch.
Felt
You can try adhering felt fabric to the soles of your shoes. All you need is strong, durable felt, super glue, and scissors.
Cut the felt into the size of where you want to apply on your heels. Use the super glue to attach the felt to the heels. Let dry completely.
You can always reapply more felt when it wears off.
Duct Tape
If you need a quick solution, you can try using something that’s already found in your drawer, duct tape.
First, you cut the duct tape to the size of your heels. Make sure you wash your heels and dry them otherwise the duct tape won’t adhere. Then, apply several layers of duct tape to your heels.
You can also try using masking tape if you don’t have duct tape.
Duct tape may not be a permanent solution, but it works if you’re in a bind. For example, if you have an important work meeting to attend tomorrow and you want to keep your heels quiet, duct tape can quickly solve your problem.
Choose Quiet Heels When Shoe-Shopping
Don’t want to go through the hassle of adding materials to your shoes? Does your wardrobe need updating for the new season anyway? Our final tip is to buy new, quieter shoes the next time you go shopping.
You can try shoes with thicker heels such as platform shoes. They are just as stylish as other types of heels but most of them are much quieter.
There are also brands of shoes that have heels made with rubber soles. If you just can’t bear to part with your pointy heels, you can try these newer brands.
Walk with Confidence
Now that you’ve read up on how to make heels quieter, you can walk confidently down the office halls or any other place without having to worry about the noise.
Want to learn more? Read our style blog for more fashion advice and tips.
