What can you do to prevent boots from slipping in winter - tips and life hacks

Winter is a wonderful time of year, which is liked not only by children, but also by many adults. White fluffy snow, frosty air and flickering evening lights - what could be better? Winter walks can be quite enjoyable and interesting. The main thing is not to slip on the ice and fall.

Shoes from Italy are always of excellent quality and unique design. Branded Italian shoes on the Internet https://italian-shoes.ru/. In the Italian Fashion online store you can buy Italian shoes directly from the manufacturer at affordable prices. The store has a branch in Moscow and delivers goods to any city in Russia with the opportunity to try on the ordered product.

If you don’t like winter and cold, then you still probably won’t be able to avoid going outside. After all, you need to go to work, school, or at least sometimes go to the store, including in icy conditions. Children, old people and young girls who prefer shoes with heels are most at risk of falling and getting injured on ice. However, this does not mean that men are completely safe.

During icy conditions, no one is safe from falling. The reason for this is the sole of the shoes, which is not sufficiently adapted to our frozen roads. In this regard, let's try today to figure out what to do to prevent shoes from slipping, and also learn about how to choose winter non-slip shoes correctly.

Rules for choosing winter shoes

In order not to solve problems with slipping soles later, when choosing winter shoes you should pay attention not only to the attractive appearance of the product, but also to many other factors, such as the quality of tailoring, material, warmth of the lining and, of course, the sole of the boots or boots.

For winter, you should choose shoes with non-slip soles, which were produced in countries where severe frosts and ice are not uncommon. Pay special attention to companies from Canada, Russia and Scandinavian countries. It is desirable that winter shoes have a solid sole, at least 1 centimeter thick, as well as a tread with deep and uniform relief.

If it is important for you that your shoes have heels, then before choosing a pair for the winter, you should make sure that it meets the following requirements:

• Low heels, maximum 5-7 centimeters;
• Stable and fairly wide heel;
• The material from which the heel is made is rubber, thermopolyurethane or thermoplastic elastomer.

How to choose the right shoes for winter?

When buying winter shoes, follow some tips, namely:

• Before you buy shoes, be sure to try them on and walk around the store. The tiles are quite slippery and the stability of the boots can be tested on them.
• Remember, the softer the sole, the less it will slip.
• Give preference to shoes with deep treads directed in different directions.
• Shoes with special or rubberized soles made of EVA are an ideal solution for those who want to protect themselves in winter by purchasing non-slip boots.

What shoe models to avoid

If you don't want to slip and fall on ice in winter, you shouldn't choose:

• Winter boots or boots with high and thin heels;
• High platform shoes;
• Models with pointed toes;
• Boots whose soles have a small area of ​​contact with the road;
• Boots or other models of winter footwear with smooth soles;
• Shoes with plastic heels.

By observing these conditions, you will certainly be able to choose a good and stable model of winter shoes that will not slip on ice.

If you are still not sure about the model you like, then before buying you need to try walking on tiles in it. If your feet do not slip, then everything is fine and these shoes are quite suitable for the cold season.

Removable anti-slip guard

To avoid damaging the soles of good winter boots, you can purchase removable protectors. They can be simply rubber or rubber with metal spikes, the so-called ice access and ice drifts. Such shoe overlays are simply pulled over the sole and secured with special elastic bands at the toe and heel.

By the way, there are even different models:

• Classic ice access shoes made of compacted rubber are the most stable in icy conditions, as they are equipped with numerous steel spikes (7-10 pieces on each).
• There are models for winter shoes with heels. Such ice shoes have a pad with spikes only on the toe, and an elastic band extends from it, which is fixed on the heel.

Important! They last for many seasons. When purchasing, you just need to pay attention to the size (from S to XL). This type of removable protection is also used for children to ensure their safety on slippery roads. This is convenient because, for example, when a child arrives at school, he will take off his ice shoes and calmly walk indoors.

Primary requirements

If it is important for you that your shoes do not slip on snow or bare ice, then special attention should be paid to the sole, or rather to the material from which it is made, and its tread.

Most often, the following material is used to create the sole of demi-season and winter boots:

1. Thermopolyurethane is a polymer material that has a number of advantages, among which it is worth highlighting wear resistance, which is achieved due to the high density of the material, its resistance to abrasion and fracture, as well as the ability to maintain its performance even at an air temperature of -50 ° C. In addition, thanks to good grip, the TPU sole practically does not slip on ice. However, this material has one drawback, which is that the sole does not bend well.
2. Thermoplastic elastomer combines the best qualities of vulcanized rubber and thermoplastic. The thermoplastic elastomer sole is durable, flexible, lightweight, wear-resistant and capable of maintaining its characteristics at temperatures down to -45 °C. Shoes with soles made of this material are not very expensive and will last you more than one season.

The depth of the tread and what its pattern also affects the quality of grip of winter boots on the road.

It is best if the tread pattern has different directions, and the sole teeth are arranged crosswise. A combination of stripes and round lugs, like some sneakers, would also work. Shallow diagonal or transverse stripes on the sole will not provide you with a sufficient level of slip protection.

The tread depth largely depends on whether the shoes are men's or women's. Women's models have more elegant and inconspicuous teeth, while the tread on men's models has larger elements.

Special devices

We have already figured out how to choose the right winter shoes with non-slip soles. But what to do with a pair of boots you already have?

The problem with slippery soles can be solved by special devices and additional elements that prevent slipping. Some of them can be bought in a store, and some can be made from improvised materials that can be found in almost every home.

So, let's take a closer look at how to prevent winter shoes from slipping.

Stickers

One way to make the soles of winter boots non-slip is to use special stickers made of vulcanized rubber or polyurethane. You can buy them at a shoe store. It is worth considering that there are three options for anti-slip stickers and you should choose them according to the size of your shoes.

1. 35-38 size.
2. 39-41.
3. From 42 and above.

These overlays are great for any type of winter boots or boots. They can be glued both to models with flat soles and to those with small heels.

In order for these stickers to stick well, you need to prepare your shoes first. To do this, the sole must first be cleaned of dirt and grease. After this, you should remove the protective film from the stickers, stick them on the soles of your boots and smooth them thoroughly.

Such stickers protect not only from slipping, but also from rubbing the soles. You can use them from several days to one month.

Ice access

Ice access pads are another device that prevents you from slipping on ice. They are a special design that can be easily attached to boots of any size. Ice access pads are made of dense rubber into which steel spikes are inserted, thereby improving grip on the ice surface.

There are different ice accesses. Basically, their differences lie in what material they are made of, how many spikes they have, and how they can be fixed on the leg. The best ice access bars are made of high quality steel and can withstand even the highest loads.

Such devices are used as needed. To prevent boots from slipping on ice, it is necessary to secure the ice access pads to the soles. At the same time, they will practically not be visible from above.

The main advantages of these overlays are as follows:

• They are universal and suitable for both children and adult men;
• Able to withstand temperatures down to -40 °C;
• Compact and easily fits even in a small women's handbag;
• They have a rather aesthetic appearance;
• They are easy to take on and off;
• The cost of such devices is quite low;
• Ice access shoes are distinguished by their durability and can serve you for more than one year.

But, despite the fact that such pads are great for walking on ice, moving indoors in them is not so easy. Firstly, they can scratch the floor covering, and secondly, they make loud sounds, especially when walking on tiles or concrete. In this regard, they should be put on when leaving the entrance, and taken off when entering the house.

How can a boot repair specialist help?

Repairers have their own ways of making boots and boots less slippery.

— Deepen the tread. The method is suitable for products with thick soles.

— Install iron heels. The only inconvenience is the loud clicking sound when walking.

— Screw in the metal screws. The master will do this carefully and over the entire area of ​​the product.

— Install a polyurethane overlay. It will not interfere with walking and will not affect the fit of the model on the leg.

How to make non-slip soles at home

If your boots slip on ice in winter, you can make them more stable and safe not only with the help of specialized products from the store. You can make the soles of your boots less slippery yourself. Several life hacks can help you with this, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this regard, let's look at each of them in more detail to understand what to do at home with slippery winter shoes.

Band-Aid

The first homemade way to make winter shoes more stable is to use a regular adhesive plaster.

In order to make slippery boots less slippery, you need to take an adhesive plaster with a rough surface (the one sold in rolls is best), cut two strips from it and glue them crosswise onto the sole.

It's simple, fast and affordable. However, this method is only suitable for those people who are looking for a temporary solution to the problem. The fact is that the adhesive plaster will not last long and, most likely, will come off after a few hours. If you still need it, you can always stop and repeat this manipulation with your shoes.

Glue with sand

There is another way to make the sole of your boots more stable. For it you will need

• a product that can degrease the soles of shoes;
• high quality glue, since this will determine how long the anti-slip layer will serve you;
• coarse sand.

It is best to use construction glue or at least instant glue, but if you don’t have either, then regular PVA will do.

Once you have prepared everything you need, you will need to follow these instructions:

1. Clean the soles of your boots from dirt and give them time to dry thoroughly.
2. Wipe its surface with alcohol or acetone to degrease it.
3. After this, you should take the glue and spread it on the sole. In this case, it does not matter at all whether you apply the glue randomly or try to create any kind of pattern. The main thing is that the glue covers the entire surface of the sole.
4. Wait until the glue layer dries a little.
5. Place coarse sand on the sole and press it onto a flat surface.
6. Wait until the layer of glue with sand has completely hardened.

As a result, the soles of the boots will become rougher and less slippery. This method will provide you with a month of safe walking. If one month is not enough for you, you can always repeat the procedure.

Felt

At home, you can make the soles of your shoes non-slip using another fairly simple method. To do this you will need:

• A few pieces of felt that will increase the friction force, thereby preventing the boots from sliding on the ice. There is no need to cover with this material, since these actions do not make any sense. It is enough to stick a few strips of felt on the heel and toe of the shoes.
• Shoe, construction or office glue. If you want the material to stick faster and last longer, then it is better to choose high-quality and reliable quick-drying glue.

It is worth noting that this method will be effective for 14 days only if the weather is cold and frosty outside. If the weather is warm and there is slush outside, then the felt will not last long.

Thus, after a few days you will have to either repeat this procedure or use another life hack that allows you to walk on an icy path.

Emery

Sandpaper is another way to make your boot soles non-slip at home. The peculiarity of this paper is that it is capable of increasing the friction force several times due to its thick cutting edges. You can purchase this store in the department of household goods, construction and even art stores.

You can use sandpaper in two ways:

1. Glue its pieces onto the soles of winter boots. This will give you good walking stability for several weeks. In this case, it is worth choosing sandpaper with a coarse grain fraction.
2. Before going outside in icy conditions, sand the soles of your boots. This is a very aggressive method, so it is best not to use it too often as it can ruin your shoes.

This method is quite effective, but it has one important drawback - the soles of shoes treated with sandpaper can scratch the floor covering.

Nylon stocking

To prevent shoes from slipping on ice in winter, you can resort to a more original and unusual method, such as tights or nylon stockings.

The essence of this method is that you need to take any product made of nylon and set it on fire. When it starts to melt and drip down, try to make it drip onto the slippery soles of your boots. In this case, it is advisable to make sure that 2-3 drops fall on one place, thus forming tubercles. Basically, drops from melted tights or stockings should be located on the toe and heel area. In this way, you will create an artificial protector that will protect you from falls on ice.

This method will protect you from slips and falls in winter for a long time and will not damage your shoes.

Water repellents

As you know, moisture reduces friction, thereby making shoes more durable. You can deal with this by simply treating the soles of your shoes with a water-repellent agent. Thanks to it, the sliding surface becomes more stable.

It is best to use a water-repellent spray, however, it is worth considering that this method is only suitable if you need to protect your boots from slipping only 1-2 times. This is due to the fact that the protective layer will quickly wear off and this procedure will have to be repeated every time you are going to go outside.

Scotch

Scotch tape, or rather double-sided adhesive tape, will also help make your shoes less slippery. You just need to glue it to the soles of your shoes and go outside like that. Good tape will protect you from falls and will last a long time.

Dye

To prevent your shoes from slipping during winter, you can also use paints. In this case, you do not need to look for any special paint. Children's gouache or watercolor will do just fine. The essence of this method is that under the influence of temperature, the paint expands and becomes voluminous. In this regard, the paint should not be spread anyhow, but creating certain patterns that will protect you from slipping.

The effectiveness of this method is not particularly great, since the paint is easily washed off and will not protect you from falls for long. However, this life hack will not ruin your shoes, so you can use it without fear of ruining your boots.

How can a shoe workshop help?

However, if you do not want to handle the soles of your boots yourself or you simply do not have time for this, then you can contact a shoe repair shop. Professionals in their field will be able to offer you several options for what you can do to prevent your boots from slipping in winter.

So, shoe workshops can offer you the following ways to solve the problem:

1. Driving nails or screwing screws and self-tapping screws into the sole. In this case, metal elements that are too long are cut off. This method perfectly protects against slipping on ice and is only suitable for boots or shoes with thick soles. In addition, despite the fact that walking in winter will become much safer, indoors such shoes will scratch the floor and make a clattering noise.
2. Deepening of the tread. This can also be done with shoes and boots that have durable and thick soles. Using a hot file, grooves and grooves that are already there are made deeper, and additional lines and holes are created.

1. Metal heels are the simplest, but quite reliable protection in the winter season. Metal heels are installed around the perimeter of the sole or in another way. They have excellent traction on ice and snowy roads, so this method is ideal for those regions of the country where ice is a common occurrence. The only drawback is the loud knocking noise they make indoors and especially when walking on a concrete floor.
2. Polyurethane heels on boots are a reliable and inexpensive way. Polyurethane does not freeze in the cold and does not harden, which means it retains its unique properties, providing good adhesion to the icy surface. However, keep in mind that it will take at least 24 hours for the polyurethane to be absorbed and harden, which means you should think about how to protect yourself from falling on ice in winter in advance.

The right methods will not only make your boots less slippery, but will also keep them looking good. However, when picking up a finished pair of shoes from the workshop, do not forget to make sure that they no longer slip.

Effective methods to prevent shoes from slipping

Often slippery boots are beautiful, expensive and of high quality. After all, many people prefer certain models only because they are trendy or fit perfectly into the intended look. And then, after the purchase, they wonder what to do to prevent their boots from slipping in winter. There are dozens of ways, just choose the one that suits you.

Folk

There are reliable and not very effective folk methods that increase the anti-slip properties of the sole. Not everyone knows what to do if their boots are slippery, or what to do at home to eliminate this flaw. The main methods, their advantages and disadvantages are reflected in the table.

What you definitely shouldn’t do if your boots are slipping is gluing tin beer or lemonade caps to the soles. It will be uncomfortable to walk outside, but impossible to walk indoors. If the lid gets caught on something, you may fall.

A slippery sole will not improve if you walk around the perimeter with a stapler. The clips can simply “go” into the tread material or get caught on something.

Felt

Burning out a pattern

Potato

Sandpaper

Plaster or foam

Mesh made of glue and sand

Old socks or nylon tights

Professional

You shouldn't experiment with expensive high-quality boots. To prevent the sole from slipping, it is not at all necessary to glue, scratch, or burn something. You can purchase special devices:

• ice access;
• fasteners with metal spikes;
• rubber pads.

Usually they are attached with elastic bands, which does not add beauty to winter shoes, but they are easy to put on and take off, are inexpensive, reliable, and durable. Young people and middle-aged people do not like them, but pensioners wear them willingly.

Fashionable boots or winter boots can be taken to a shoemaker's shop. They know exactly how to make the sole non-slip without damaging the shoes. The wizard will offer a choice of:

• polyurethane protection;
• metal padding suitable for each type of sole;
• professional deepening of the tread (if possible).

Changing the tread depth is only acceptable for thick soles.

Outsole tread recess

Rubber pads

Metal gaskets

Ice access

Fasteners with metal spikes

Radical

When people figure out what to do to prevent their boots from slipping, completely incredible ideas sometimes come to mind. They may just be unusual or strange. But occasionally you come across ones that lead to damage to the product and pose a danger to others or the owner of the shoes.

You can screw screws into the thick sole. They should not pierce the insole, otherwise the foot will be injured. This design ensures safe movement on icy roads, but is absolutely not suitable for use in residential or office premises. Even in the subway, store or underground passage, the clatter of metal on the floor will attract everyone's attention, as will the dirt stuck between the hardware.

During the Soviet Union, workers in factories privately made special staples with spikes attached to the sole. They ensured safe movement, but were very noisy, created inconvenience indoors or on public transport, and damaged shoes. Such staples are still found today.

Using a grater or other abrasive material, you can make the sole rough. This improves traction on slippery surfaces. The operation does not require additional investments, but it damages the shoes and requires periodic checking and updating.

This method is good for old shoes that have been worn for the last year.

The most radical thing you can do with boots or shoes is to equip them with glass spikes. For this you will need:

• glass (jars, bottles), filled as small as possible;
• a wide frying pan that you don’t mind throwing away;
• a pair of shoes with rubber soles.

Glass is poured into a frying pan, placed on the fire, and heated well. Eyes should be protected, for example with swimming goggles. Shoes are placed on the hot glass, pressed, and removed after 30 seconds. Place sole side up until cool. You can only walk in such shoes on the street, and very carefully - if you step on someone’s foot, there may be consequences. It is not recommended to go on a visit; it is also better to avoid shops and public transport.

Sole staples

Screws in the sole

Ineffective methods

You can find other folk remedies on the Internet that will also help if your shoes slip in winter. However, not all of them are effective. There are also those that not only do not give the desired effect, but can even make winter boots or shoes even more slippery.

Understanding which of the advice existing on the Internet is the most useless and even dangerous, we were able to identify the following three:

1. Hairspray, which is offered to cover the soles of shoes. There will be no effect from these actions. You will simply be wasting varnish, which is already quite expensive.
2. A fine grater used to rub the sole to make it rougher. Such manipulations will not only not save you in icy conditions, but will also probably ruin the soles of your shoes, boots or sneakers, making them completely unusable.

1. Raw potatoes, which are also rubbed on the surface of the sole. However, if you do this, you will almost certainly end up with white starch stains that are not that easy to remove. Moreover, they can appear not only on the sole, but also on the leather itself, suede or other material from which your shoes are made. But the most important thing is that after you rub the sole with potatoes, it will become even more slippery, which means you will only increase the likelihood of falling.

If you resort to these methods, you are unlikely to be able to make the soles of winter shoes less slippery, but you are sure to ruin your shoes.

What methods are suitable for children's shoes

Ice is a dangerous time for everyone, but the elderly and children are most at risk at this time. Because their coordination is poorer, they are more likely to slip on ice, fall, and get injured. Because of this, people who have small children or elderly relatives are especially concerned about what they can do to prevent their boots or other type of winter footwear from slipping in the winter.

For older people, in principle, any of the above methods are suitable, but it is not advisable to use various pads, ice access devices and similar devices that need to be removed indoors or those that can come unfastened on the street. It will not be easy for an elderly person to bend over on the street to adjust or remove them.

It is easier to answer the question regarding the choice of products suitable for children's shoes and anti-slip, since here the choice of products is a little wider.

Let's start with the fact that almost all of the above methods will add stability to winter shoes. The only exceptions are specialized stickers on shoes. This is due to the fact that they are designed for shoes of at least size 35. In addition, there are special linings and ice access for children's boots.

Another way to protect your child from falling during icy conditions is special winter boots with metal spikes built into their soles. They are installed in the heel area and are a metal insert that is equipped with teeth and can be snapped off if necessary. These boots are quite warm and practical, but the main problem is that they are not so easy to find on the market.

Recommendations for processing soles

If you just bought a pair, be prepared that the soles on your new boots will be smooth. After purchase, test the products on a smooth and wet surface.

If a pair slips, it is recommended to walk on an uneven surface or take the boots in your hands and rub the soles against each other. If this does not help, you can lubricate your shoes with a special anti-slip spray. However, the effect of such funds does not always justify the high price.

The most reliable, effective and durable way to get rid of the problem is to turn to professionals. In a shoe workshop, special rubber stickers with a good tread or a small pattern are applied to the sliding sole. This will provide protection from moisture and ice.

In addition, you can use a number of traditional methods at home. In any case, you first need to prepare your shoes. Rinse and dry the sole thoroughly. If you plan to glue something, it is better to degrease the surface, then the glue will adhere better and last longer.

For degreasing, use acetone, alcohol or gasoline. After treatment, the boots should be completely dry. And then we’ll find out what to do to prevent your shoes from slipping on ice or snow in winter.