What Is A Heel Slip? How Much Heel Slip Is Normal?

Have you ever experienced heels slipping out of the shoes? Most probably yes. But, do you know how much heel slip is normal?

Heel slips in running shoes can be really troublesome, especially if you are a sportsperson or a weight lifter. Not to mention, heels slipping in shoes not only hinder your athletic performance and can cause some serious foot issues and injuries in the long run.

Figuring out the right shoe size can be a tough task at times, especially for men’s heel shoes. Therefore, In this article,  we will be discussing all about heel slips and how much heel slip is normal while choosing the right shoe size for your feet.

So, Let’s begin!

What Is Heel Slip?

Heel slip on shoes happens when your heels start coming out of your footwear randomly during various instances. The intensity of the slip can differ in various instances depending upon the physical tasks, your foot structure, and the design of your shoes.

For Instance, If your everyday shoes have poor fitting then you may encounter heel slipping at all times. However, if your shoes fit well but the shoe design does not support your foot well, you will experience some minor inconvenience while doing high-intensity workouts and training.

Why Do Heel Slips Out Of The Shoes?

Now that you know what heel slip actually is, let us understand why heel slips occur in the first place. Here are the two most common reasons for shoes slipping at heels.

Poor Fitting Shoes

The ill-fitting of shoes is the most common reason for heel slips on shoes. This could mean either you didn’t pick the right size and your shoes are way too big in length for your feet or the toe area has some extra space for your feet to squeeze in while walking, making your heel slip out of the shoe.

The latter case is more common in people with a wider or more narrow foot than a standard foot structure and is more prone to heel slipping with certain shoes. They cannot get away with any shoe style and design because of their particular size measures.

Poor Boots Design 

Shoes or boots heel slip sometimes may be a result of the poor or low profile shoe structure. The boot styles with poor design will mostly have a thinner sole that may lose its shape over time making more room in the shoes for your feet, resulting in heel slips.

In other cases, the design of the toe may be a reason for the heel slip. For Instance, some shoe styles have a narrow toe area, so you have to choose a size bigger for your foot to adjust properly which may cause your foot to slide-in while walking, making your heels pop out of the shoes.

How Much Heel Slip is Normal?

Heel slips out of the shoes do not necessarily mean your shoe size is bigger than your feet. Sometimes, the size of your toe, thumb, or any other finger is bigger than the rest of your foot and your feet are flexible to move inwards while walking and doing other day to day activities.

It is normal for your foot to bend a little while stepping on the new shoes. So, heel slipping is not always a bad thing. Therefore, having a heel slip between ⅛ to ⅓  of an inch is normal.

These loose shoe slip on heels will not cause any blisters or serious problems, unlike the tight ones that may become uncomfortable because of friction in the long run. 

Does The Heel Slipping Bad For You?

Here are a few reasons why wearing shoes with heel slips is bad for you.

Decreases Performance

Trainers or running shoe heel slips may be a measure problem for athletes, as it hinders their workout performance. The looser the shoe fit, the more resistance it causes for proper foot movement. 

Foot Inflammation

Foot inflammation such as blisters on the ankle area and Achilles tendinitis is a side effect of heel slips especially in leather cowboy boots. Friction from the shoes constantly slipping away from the ankles is a major cause of blisters.

These may not only be a painful experience but will also stain your socks and boots. So, you better be careful.

Movement Mechanics

The change in your movement mechanics is a long-term side effect of wearing shoes with heel slips. When we get used to wearing heel-slipping shoes, it may alter our feet ‘reflexes subconsciously over time, decreasing the overall training performance.

How To Stop Heel Slipping In Shoes?

Heel slippage is a real problem, especially for people who are more involved in physical work such as athletes and sportsmen. Here are a few ways how to keep the heel from slipping out of the shoe.

Sizing Down 

The first possible solution to heel slip is to try going a size down. This may seem to be the easiest potential way to go for those who are facing heel slips due to excessive space in the toe area.

However, sizing down is not always an ideal fix for heel slip issues, especially if your shoe fits well in length to your feet, and sizing down may make your shoe even more uncomfortable and tight.

So, in this case, try to go for other alternative options that align well with your shoe design and foot anatomy without causing any more trouble.

Using Lace Lock 

The lace lock is another potential fix for the running shoes heel slip. This style of lacing will tighten your feet, restricting any unnecessary movement of feet in the shoes.

Apart from heel slips, this technique works best to prevent blisters and other inflammations due to friction and provide you with a snug fit. Here are a few steps you can follow to lace-lock your shoes.

STEP 1:

Firstly, create a loop with the laces by fastening them in and out of all the lace eyelets back to the top. 

STEP 2:

In the second step, take the opposite sides of the lace and pass them through the loops you created previously, in a way that the left side’s lace runs through the other side loop.

STEP 3:

Once the laces are locked with the opposite loops, pull them tight for a snug fit. This will eliminate all the extra space in your shoes keeping your foot and heels in place.

STEP 4:

Now that your foot is locked in the shoe, lace  your shoes as normal and you are all set for your next workout session.

Non-slip Socks 

Non Slip socks are one of the easiest quick fixes for your boots heel slip. These socks have non-slip raised surfaces on the bottom, usually made of rubber material to provide necessary friction and  heel grip for boots.

While these socks may limit the heel slip in your combat boots or other shoes, they cannot eliminate the problem entirely. They are the most affordable way to resolve heel slip, but they may not work in every case.

Toe Pads 

Toe pads are another viable solution to eliminate heel slip temporarily. They are small gel inserts that are placed in the toe box to effectively cut down the extra room in your shoes for a more snug fit.

These are a simple and on the go solution for all your heel slip problems, just insert them into your shoes and you are all set.

Heel Pads For Boots 

Heel cushions for boots are another viable heel slip solution. These pads have an adhesive bottom side to grip your shoes like any other insole for maximum comfort. 

They not only minimize the extra space in your heel area but also have a soft upper surface to avoid foot exhaustion due to excessive physical activity.

Insoles 

Like heel and toe pads, insoles fill out the extra space in your shoes to make them go a size down from all dimensions, making less room for the feet to move around and fixing the heel slip problem.

Insoles are a great option for people with flat feet, as they provide extra support to your feet, especially if your job requires you to stand a lot during the day.

Conclusion 

Heel slipping out of shoes is a common problem, especially among athletes and other sportsmen. Poor-fitting and low-profile shoe designs are the most common reasons for heel slipping in shoes. which can become a cause of serious foot inflammation in the long run.

However, do you know how much heel slipping is normal? About ⅛ to ⅓ inch of heel slipping in shoes is harmless. Apart from that, you can also insert toe pads, heel pads, or insoles into your boots to minimize heel slipping by reducing the space inside your shoes.