The ideal walk isn’t just about how comfortable the shoes on your feet are; it’s also about peace of mind. At Rieker, we live by the motto: walk easier, live easier. Ensuring our customers can walk as easily as possible is paramount to our design and manufacturing process.
Something that can disrupt this peace of mind and the idea of walking easier is if a disturbing noise comes from your footwear when you walk. Occasionally, sandals are prone to squeaking while walking, and once you hear it, you’re very unlikely to ignore it. While grating, squeaky sandals are not irreparable.
Our guide will show you all the tips and tricks to stop your sandals squeaking so you can walk in peace and enjoy every single squeak-free step.
Table of contents
- Best ways to stop sandals from squeaking
- Why do sandals squeak when I walk?
- What makes sandals stop squeaking?
- Sandals at Rieker
Best ways to stop sandals from squeaking
Make walking in your sandals as comfortable and enjoyable as possible by eliminating the irritating squeaking sound that can so often cause you bother. Luckily, there are several ways you can get some peace and quiet from your sandals just by using household supplies. We’ve broken down a few of our favourite methods for you to try:
Use talcum powder
Don’t let trapped moisture be a nuisance when walking down the street, beach or across the park. Tackle the problem area directly by applying talcum powder to reduce any potential friction. Your feet should fit securely back into your sandals without the risk of further grating noises.
Spray a waterproofing solution
Waterproofing sprays can work brilliantly to prevent squeaking from sandals. After applying the spray, allow the sandals to dry for around 20 minutes and enjoy a squeak-free walk afterwards. Using waterproof spray not only protects against squeaking but also protects against watermarks and other stains that could damage your sandals.
Spread petroleum jelly
Using a careful amount of petroleum jelly helps reduce squeaking and frustrating suction noises that often occur when wearing sandals. Own-brand petroleum jelly or more recognisable brands such as Vaseline should do the trick, although we recommend carefully monitoring how much you use. Too much petroleum jelly can cause your feet to feel slimy and uncomfortable, or worse, damage your sandals.
Try WD-40
While your sandals aren’t the same as a creaking door or a drawer that won’t quite close properly, the old reliable method of putting some WD-40 on it is still surprisingly effective, even in footwear. Avoid using WD-40 on suede sandals, but for other materials, simply spray onto a cotton ball and apply to the outer seams of the sandals to prevent squeaking and suction.
Dryer sheets
Another method that uses an everyday household item for convenience and great results. Rubbing a dryer sheet against the bottom of your sandals can assist in eliminating any irritating sounds by dealing with any moisture while providing a lovely fresh smell as a bonus.
Why do sandals squeak when I walk?
While it’s incredibly helpful to know how to stop squeaking and other bothersome sounds coming from your sandals, it’s equally important to understand why that squeaking happens in the first place. Knowledge of why and how sandals squeak and make suction-like noises can go a long way in helping prevent them with good care and proper maintenance.
If you’ve had a pair of sandals for a particularly long time, wear and tear is bound to impact the shoe’s appearance and performance. Convenient and quick treatments for older sandals will work for a brief period but will need to be performed regularly. It may be worth taking an older pair to an expert or simply replacing them with new sandals.
Another reason your sandals often make suction noises or squeak with every few steps is perspiration from your feet. If your feet are prone to sweating or you’ve been completing a particularly tasking walk in warm weather, they will likely get stuck to the soles of your sandals.
Wearing socks can help create a moisture barrier between your feet and sandals, but we’d recommend clear socks so you’re less at risk of committing a fashion faux pas.
What makes sandals stop squeaking?
We’ve been through our methods and hacks of preventing and stopping your sandals from squeaking, but what’s the science behind the results? Learning what processes exactly stop annoying noises from getting in the way of your walks can help you become better prepared for the next time squawking causes you trouble.
Many of our methods are based on tackling the moisture built from repeated wear of sandals or from wearing them on a day when you feel particularly sweaty. Substances like talcum powder and vaseline help reduce the friction between your feet and sandals and fight against the negative effects of sweaty feet.
Properly drying your sandals is another good way of preventing squeaking, as sometimes the noises may result from pockets of trapped air in the soles.
Sandals at Rieker
You can trust Rieker sandals to maintain comfort in feel and sound throughout any walk from our vast collection at Rieker. Our range features various styles of men’s and ladies’ sandals so that you can find a perfect pair for any occasion.
Invest in durable, stylish and comfortable sandals made with care using our signature antistress technology. Antistress properties are factored into the design of all our shoes to help our customers act out our motto: walk easier, live easier.
With so much stress already a factor in everyday life, we believe your shoes should work to make walking easier and more enjoyable. Our sandals and shoes are all made to have more room, feel lighter, have reflexibility, and be more shock-absorbing, taking the pressure off your feet.
