The right fix for slipping shoes depends on where they slip: heel grips and heel-lock lacing stop the foot sliding inside, while scuffing or grip tape stops the sole sliding on the floor.
For the full breakdown, see our best Gardening Slip-On Shoes guide.
Few things ruin a walk faster than a shoe that won’t stay put. Whether your heel lifts with every step or your sole slides on slick indoor floors, the fix starts with one honest question: is your foot moving inside the shoe, or is the shoe moving on the ground? Getting that distinction right points you to a solution that works the first time.
Why Your Shoes Slip in the First Place
Shoes slip for two entirely different reasons, and each needs a different fix. The foot sliding forward inside the shoe means there’s excess space — the shoe is loose at the heel, over the instep, or simply too big. The sole sliding on the floor means the outsole lacks grip against the surface, which is common with new shoes that have smooth soles.
Fit comes first. As the Shoe Snob explains, heel slip is often a sign the shoe is the wrong size or width — and no pad fully corrects a shoe that’s fundamentally too large. If the shoe is close to fitting, the fixes below will lock it down. If it’s a full size too big, a different shoe is the honest answer.
Stop the Foot Sliding Inside the Shoe
When your heel lifts out of the back of the shoe with each step, these fixes add friction and fill the empty space.
Heel grips and cushions. These adhesive pads stick to the inside back of the shoe and are the most direct fix for heel lift. Clean the inside back of the shoe, peel the backing, and press the grip firmly onto the heel area. They work best in pumps, loafers, boots, and any shoe where the heel slips but the rest fits well.
Heel-lock lacing. For lace-up shoes and running shoes, the runner’s knot anchors your heel in place without crushing your midfoot. Lace normally to the second-to-last eyelet, then feed each lace end through the top eyelet on the same side to form a loop. Cross each lace through the opposite loop, pull tight to lock your heel down, then tie as usual. Road Runner Sports recommends this as a go-to fix for annoying heel slippage in running shoes.
Tongue pads. If your foot slides forward over the instep, a tongue pad sits on the underside of the tongue — not the heel counter — to take up space and hold your foot back. This one placement mistake is common; the pad goes on the tongue, while heel grips go on the inside back heel.
Thicker or grippy socks. When the slip comes from smooth socks or tights rather than shoe shape, a thicker sock or a pair with grippy soles can add just enough friction to hold your foot in place.
Stop the Sole Sliding on Floors
If your foot stays put but the whole shoe slides on the ground, the problem is the outsole. Smooth-soled dress shoes, fresh sneakers with little tread, and new shoes often skate on indoor floors and slick pavement.
Scuff the sole.
Add grip pads. Adhesive grip material goes on the widest, flattest parts of the sole. Some guides also describe an X-pattern tape placement for extra traction. Both are fast, removable options for shoes you’d rather not permanently alter.
Know the limits. Sandpaper is for rubber outsoles, not finished leather or delicate materials — roughening those can ruin them. And if you’re out in the yard, a pair built for the job beats any hack. Our roundup of the best gardening slip-on shoes covers models with real tread and supportive footbeds if you need something sturdier for outdoor work.
The Fast Fix Table
| Slipping Problem | Fix That Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Heel lifts out of the shoe | Heel grips on the inside back | Pumps, flats, loafers, boots |
| Foot slides forward in lace-ups | Heel-lock lacing or tongue pads | Sneakers, running shoes, boots |
| Smooth socks cause the slip | Thicker or non-slip socks | Any shoe, especially with tights |
| Sole slides on floors | Scuff with sandpaper or add grip pads | Smooth rubber outsoles on indoor floors |
| Shoe is fundamentally too big | Try a different size or model | Any shoe that’s more than half a size large |
What Not to Try
Hairspray, double-sided tape, and powder get mentioned in consumer guides, but they’re temporary at best and dry out or leave residue. They’re not durable replacements for a grip, a lacing change, or an honest fit check. Residue from adhesives can also damage delicate shoe finishes, so the Shoe Snob’s guidance on heel slip is worth reading before you buy anything: the right fix starts with knowing your shoe fits. And don’t tighten laces past comfort — a shoe that’s too tight creates rubbing and blisters. The goal is a secure heel, not a crushed midfoot.
One more note if you wear shoes barefoot: lotion on your feet increases slip inside the shoe. Powder or grippy socks are the practical fix there.
FAQs
Will heel grips ruin my shoes?
Test on a hidden spot first, and skip them on irreplaceable or delicate shoes. A tongue pad or heel-lock lacing achieves a similar snug fit without any adhesive.
Does heel-lock lacing work on all shoes?
Heel-lock lacing needs at least two top eyelets on each side to create the locking loops, so it works on most lace-up sneakers, running shoes, and boots. Slip-on shoes, loafers, and pumps have no laces to work with — heel grips are the better fix there.
Is sandpaper safe on any shoe sole?
Sandpaper is safe on rubber outsoles, which is what most sneakers and work shoes use. Skip it on finished leather soles, patent leather, and specialty materials where scuffing will show. For those, a removable grip pad gives you traction without permanent damage.
References & Sources
- The Shoe Snob. “Heel Slip — What It Means.” Explains when heel slip signals a fit problem rather than a fixable gap.