The soles of new shoes, especially those made of plastic or leather, can be slippery, just like old shoes that have been worn for years and are worn and torn. While this may seem trivial, wearing slippery shoes is uncomfortable, and slippery shoes are a major cause of injury (for example, in the US there are millions of reports of "accidents" every year due to slips, trips, or falls). However, you don't have to throw away a pair of shoes with slippery soles, because with a few simple tricks, it's easy to make your shoes "bite" again, at no cost!
Step
Method 1 of 3: "Ruin" the New Sole
Step 1. Rub your sole over a rough surface
If these slippery-soled shoes are “new” shoes, it may be because the soles of the shoes are still perfectly smooth as a result of not being used at all. The sole of a shoe will usually feel more traction when it starts to wear and tear, as these make the shoe more comfortable and steady on the floor. In addition, rubbing the soles of shoes until they are scratched can often increase their braking power.
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To "break" new soles into scuffs, try walking on a rough surface, for example:
- Concrete (the rougher, the better)
- Gravel
- Various types of rocks, small and large
- Textured metal, pavement, etc.
- If you're not embarrassed or bothered by it, you can also take off your shoes and rub the soles with your hands on a rough surface.
Step 2. Sand the sole of your shoe
You can't find a rough surface? Are you worried about slipping when you rub the soles of your shoes so that they are scratched and worn? Try using sandpaper. Take off your shoes and rub the smoothest part of your sole that touches the floor until it becomes rougher, and feels more textured.
- For better results, use coarse (not semi-fine) sandpaper. However, if you only have semi-fine sandpaper, it's still better than not using sandpaper at all. If possible, use 50-grit sandpaper.
- Note that this method may not work on certain types of shoe soles, especially those made from a "natural" textured material that resembles cardboard, which is often used in some sandals and flat-footed shoes.
Step 3. Use a nail file
If you don't have sandpaper, a nail file or similar tool can come in handy too. Use it the same way you would use sandpaper. Rub a file against the smooth, flat part of your shoe that will hit the floor, to give it a little texture.
Metal files are usually the most durable and suitable for this process, but you can also use a regular cardboard nail file. As with sandpaper, the best option is a file that has a rough surface
Step 4. Put on your shoes and wait for the sole to wear out on its own
Another way to keep your shoes from slipping is to wear them as often as possible. After a few days to a few weeks (depending on how often you wear your shoes), just walking can make the soles of your shoes less slippery.
If you use this method, try changing shoes if you're going to be in a very high-risk situation for slipping (dancing, walking in the rain, etc.) You don't want to hurt yourself just trying to make your shoes more comfortable. to wear
Method 2 of 3: Install Additional Products to Increase Grip
Step 1. Purchase a special grip pad
If you frequently slip on an old pair of shoes, the problem may not be that your soles aren't worn enough, but that they're too worn out. In this case, you may want to consider adding a layer of mat under your shoe, which is specially textured with good grip. Perhaps the most “professional” way to do this is to use a shoe sole that is specifically designed to fit on the sole of your shoe.
- This textured underlay is specially designed to adhere to shoe sole materials with an adhesive. However, some people complain that this adhesive can make the sole of the shoe become “sticky” when the base layer is removed.
- These pedestals are widely sold in leading clothing stores at relatively low prices (usually no more than IDR 130,000 per pair).
Step 2. Alternatively, purchase a special shoe mat spray
In addition to the textured shoe sole, there are also spray products specifically designed to coat the sole for better grip. This product is usually sold with the English label "traction spray" or "grip spray", and has a variety of qualities, so check with the store clerk before you make a purchase.
These sprays are usually sold in the same place as the shoe covers, but are more expensive, usually between IDR 130,000-260,000
Step 3. Use hairspray
You don't want to spend money on products that increase grip on the sole of your shoes? Some products that are already available at home can provide the same function as well. However, keep in mind that this kind of improv not guarantee the results are as good as the products that are specifically designed as above. Improvised products that you can use, for example, are hairspray. Just spray a lot of hairspray onto the soles of your shoes to make them more "sticky" (especially on shoes with smooth soles). Allow the hairspray to dry by letting it sit for at least thirty seconds and the spray layer sets, before you put the shoes back on for walking.
Keep in mind that this spray coat will only last a while and the spray will need to be re-applied. Moreover, the hairspray layer will be washed away when it rains
Step 4. Use embossed paint
Embossed paint (in English called "dimensional fabric paint") is a type of paint that is often used for children's arts and crafts, such as making t-shirts. When the embossed paint dries, it will have a rough texture and this makes it a good choice for adding traction to the soles of your shoes. Dab some embossed paint on the soles of your shoes, let them dry for a few hours, then test the results!
- Although embossed paint can last longer than hairspray, this method still needs to be repeated from time to time so that its effectiveness remains maximal.
- If you have time, consider painting a specific design on your shoes. This is a great way to make your shoes unique and express your creativity.
Step 5. Use duct tape
A simple final option to add traction to your shoes is to apply a few pieces of tape to the soles of your shoes. Attach two rolls of tape to form an "X" on the edge and flat on the sole of your shoe, for maximum effect.
Keep in mind that duct tape can lose its adhesion quickly, so you may need to add a layer of duct tape
Step 6. If your shoes are of high quality, consider taking them to a shoe repair service provider
If you have a pair of shoes that are expensive or too valuable to modify using the methods above, consider taking your shoes to a professional shoe repair or repair shop. These professionals may be able to repair your shoes by modifying or replacing the soles.
Note that these kinds of services are sometimes not cheap. Depending on the quality of the shoes and the difficulty of the work, the cost of repairing a pair of shoes can reach IDR 1,300,000. So, this solution is better saved for your best pair of shoes
Method 3 of 3: Know What to Avoid
Step 1. Check before you wear custom-made shoes to your workplace
Many jobs (especially restaurant jobs) have regulations that require employees to wear certified gripping shoes. If this rule applies to your job, “don't” wear shoes that you have modified yourself in one of the ways listed above, without prior permission from your boss. Doing this could violate your work code of ethics. And more importantly, these modifications will make you more susceptible to injury, because gripping shoes are specifically designed for specific functions.
If in doubt, buy a new pair of shoes with special grip. Note that almost all shoes of this kind are classified on a “coefficient of friction (CoF) scale. For most jobs that require this kind of shoe, the ideal CoF value is between 0.5-0.7 (ask your boss about specific rules for your job.)
Step 2. Don't wear your shoes outside without testing them in a safe place
If you are testing a new modification technique for the first time, don't risk putting it on right away without testing it first. Take the time to do something as simple as walking around your house or around your housing block, so you can see how effective it is.
Step 3. Do not use sprays or adhesives that are not safe for shoe materials
If you have shoes made of a good material such as leather, be sure to check the information on the packaging of any product you intend to use on your shoes beforehand. While there will rarely be a problem, some products can cause certain shoe materials to lose color or degrade in quality. Products like this are a bad choice.
For example, the chemicals in hairspray are known to damage some types of leather. This means you have to be extra careful when using hairspray as a temporary fix for the soles of a pair of slippery leather shoes
Step 4. Feel free to change your shoes if the problem is too severe
The methods in this article are not perfect and may not work for your “very” slippery shoes. While it's hard to say goodbye to an old pair of shoes that have completely lost their grip, soles that are slippery and run the risk of you falling are a far more dangerous consequence. If the soles of your shoes are really hopeless, stop wearing them and replace them with a new pair of shoes.
- If your shoes are still in reasonable condition but are too slick for your job or hobby, consider donating them to a charity or needy person. That way, other people can take advantage of your shoes, even if you can't wear them yourself.
- Try using a "Pedi-egg" product and scuff your soles with gusto.
