Good shoe, bad shoe

May 11, 2005 8:29 PM

One of my new street shoes has suddenly started squeaking. Why is it doing this, and how do I make it stop?
posted by showmethecalvino to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (7 answers total)

Some answers a while back.
posted by fionab at 11:04 PM on May 11, 2005

As the thread fionab linked to points out, it is often the steel shank that runs through the sole. If the shank is misaligned, there is not much you can do. Since, however, this is a street shoe, I don't think that is the case. If it flexes easily when you bend it, it probably doesn't have a metal shank. The squeak, then, is probably caused by two rubber parts gnashing against one another. If you can figure out where in the shoe this is happening, you can put a thin piece of cloth to separate the two offending strips. Sometimes, however, this cannot be done without taking apart the shoe. A liberal serving of foot powder might work, but it's a temporary solution.

I had this happen with a pair of Timberlands, so I got them replaced with a pair of the selfsame model. After about a month they started squeaking, too. I tried ignoring it but having my rather somber mental landscape be clownishly soudntracked by that inexorable, slapstick squeak proved insufferable. Eventually I got over my own taciturnity and went to exchange them again. I noticed the manager of the store swallow a bashful, knowing smile, so I pressed him on it. Turns out the entire model is defective and they've had an enormous number of those shoes come back. He offered to replace my pair with any other model in the store. I picked one twice as expensive and he didn't bat an eyelash. They don't squeak.
posted by ori at 12:09 AM on May 12, 2005

Coming from an equestrian background I know that new leather saddles squeak like a mother, and that baby powder is the alleged anecdote. I would try powdering the little suckers down.
posted by superposition at 1:09 AM on May 12, 2005

I used to work for a shoe company (guess which). More than likely if they are sneakers, it is because the glue which binds the various pieces of midsole together has essentialy dried up and not adhering the parts. The squeak is from these parts rubbing together. If it is a decent shoe company, they should replace the shoes. Try first at the retailer you bought it from, failing that, check the manufacturers website for info on sending in for replacement. It won't be the fastest way, but more than likely they will replace or offer a voucher.

If anyone wants to know, the reason this happens most offen with sneakers is either excessive moisture or heat. If you run a lot in the rain, it tends to happen, and if you thrown the shoes in your washing machine, I can almost guarantee it will happen. Also, do not dry damp shoes in the dryer. Heat is bad for shoes too. Lastly, shoes left to sit for long periods of time will get squeaky. Shoes are like cars, you need to take them out and run them around every now and again.
posted by efalk at 2:47 AM on May 12, 2005 [1 favorite]

Also, I just realized I have too much knowledge of shoes.
posted by efalk at 2:48 AM on May 12, 2005

There could be another reason. I have a pair of sneakerish shoes that have lug soles. Apparently, the lugs are hollow. One of them got punctured somehow, and now when I walk, it whistles. It's very squeaky if I've been walking on wet pavement.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 8:42 AM on May 12, 2005

Response by poster: Thanks, all. I'll try taking them back for an exchange. They're reasonably expensive, so I'm hoping it's just a one-time defect.
posted by showmethecalvino at 1:25 PM on May 12, 2005