Why Does My Boot Squeak When I Walk? (5 Key Reasons)

By Sophie Williams
Updated: November 15, 2023
Why does my boot squeak when I walk

Typically, a pair of boots means quality leather, a shiny exterior, and clean soles. And obviously, you will deserve a smooth and comfortable walking experience. But the thing will make you annoyed if it makes squeaking after a couple of steps of walking. 

Yes! It is a common old-school question, and today we are breaking down the issue of why our boot makes squeaks while walking. We will also categorize the issue and provide the ultimate hack to get rid of it. 

Let’s get started: 

5 Key Reasons for Boot squeaking: 

5 Key Reasons for Boot squeaking: 

For a couple of reasons, your favorite pair of boots can squeak and feels you cringe. Here we find out the most common 5 factors: 

Boot squeaks for an extra large sank: 

Sank is mainly a steel-made hard piece manufacturer used for shoe stability. Usually, it places between the insole and sole. But if sank’s size is not in proper shape, cases squeak and make an annoying experience. 

Better to screw up to get rid of this issue. 

Friction between sole and ground: 

If the sole quality is too ordinary it causes massive abrasion in the ground. And this abrasion is one of the main culprits of boot squeaking and makes you uncomfortable.

Leather quality: 

Usually, leather with high-end quality does not squeak. On the other hand, the poor and artificial type leather is a big reason behind shoe squeaking. Even the bad gluing is another reason that makes the insole and outsoles weaker.   

Weather:  

Your boot also squeaks when you are walking in a place with a lot of sand. Even walking in snowfall areas causes friction between the sole and the ground. Mud areas also make excessive friction and it leads to squeak. 

Unfit pair of boots:

You will also face this issue if your pair of boots does not fit your toe size. Too large or too tight boot pairs make excessive friction and make your boot squeak.

However,  you can also read this article to get the right pair of boots:  https://bootsandstuff.com/guides/guide-to-find-the-perfect-boot-for-you/

Categories of boot squeaking: 

Based on the areas and other issues boot squeaking is categorized into the following segments:

Inside boot squeaking: 

Inside boot squeaking mainly refers if you get the sound from the inside area. But the thing you should know is that a new pair of boots generally does not make the inside squeak except by manufacturing default. Either your shoe pair is too loose or firmly attached.  

Outside boot squeaking: 

Usually, the harder rubber soles make an excessive level of agitation between the ground leads this  issue, and this agitation mainly happens with the wooden surface, concrete, and ties. Sometimes this abrasion even also makes in the smooth surface area and causes your boot to squeak. 

Squeaking on Lace and tongue areas: 

Sometimes squeaking also occurs from the lace or tongue areas. Usually, it happens for improper fitting and poor-quality materials. 

Overall boot squeaking: 

If your pair of boots’ overall quality is not good like poor quality leather, ordinary soles, weak gluing, and manufacturing defect you will face this issue. In this case, you can hardly detect where the noise coming from. 

7 Easy Hacks to fix squeaking boot:

7 Easy Hacks to fix squeaking boot:

Now we are unveiling the 7 easiest and most effective ways to fix the issue of squeaking boots. No matter where the noise comes from these given tricks will give the ultimate solution: 

Fix boot squeaking by using talcum powder: 

Using talcum powder on footwear can remarkably minimize the scrapping rate between the ground and the floor. Another crucial benefit of talcum powder is it makes an ultra-smoothness and provides a comfortable wear experience. Because it smoothens both the insole and outer sole. 

For better results, you should apply it regularly and apply it for at least 10 minutes before going for a walk. This hack properly works for any kind of hard surface area like wooden areas, hill tracks, tiles, etc. 

Ways to apply and how does it work: 

Take a few amounts of talcum powder on your palm. Then, gently rub it over the exterior area of your boots. Apply it both on the top and bottom areas and the side cell. Also, apply a few amounts inside of the boots and shake them for a few seconds. 

You can also use a clean cloth to make your work easier. 

Its small particles prevent the leather boots from squeaking and make the exterior area shiner. Also, it improves flexing and bending capability. You can also use baby powder both on the inside and outside parts of your boots.

Dryer sheet or sandpaper:

Dry your boots. The chance of boot squeaking gets higher in humid weather, foggy and snowfall areas, and rain. Because on that time shoes get wet and a pair of wet shoes have more chance of squeaking. 

In this case, using sandpaper can be an excellent remedy to solve this issue. However, the thing you should keep in mind using it at an excessive level can hamper the longevity of your boots.  

Ways to apply and how does it work: 

Take a piece of sandpaper and gently rub it all over the shoes like tongue areas, bottom, and side walls. It will help to absorb the wet and make it quickly dry. 

Take a good quality leather conditioner: 

If you notice that your boots are squeaking frequently, you must check the leather quality. Usually, the brittle type leather has more chance to get this issue. In this case, the best solution is conditioning the leather with a quality conditioner that will noticeably reduce the chance of squeaking. 

Apart from this, a leather conditioner also improves the tongue of your boots and lace.

Ways to apply and how does it work: 

Apply the leather conditioner all over the exterior area of your shoes. A leather conditioner remarkably minimizes the abrasion rate, absorbs excessive wetness, and makes your shoes shiner. You have to use it on regular basis. 

Replace the insole: 

Replace the older insole and get a new one. It will also improve the boots’ overall quality and prevent squeaking. You can also change the laces for better results. 

Use lubricant:  

Lubrication mainly reduces the brittleness of leather and shines on the exterior surface of your old boots. You can also slightly use it on the inside area of your boots and it will help to prevent your pair of boots from squeaking. 

Give wax and WD-40:

Waxing can also be a great way to reduce the possibility of squeaking. On the other hand, applying WD-40 is another effective way to fix this problem. 

Besides this, it will help to remove stains and keep your favorite pair of boots clean and shiny. 

Apply Banana Peel: 

Banana peel mainly works as a natural lubricant and comparatively, it is the most affordable way to fix this problem.

Ways to apply and how does it work:

Take a banana peel and rub it over the exterior areas of your boots. Initially, it will help to reduce the brittleness and also make your boots shiner and reduces the chance of squeaky sound

Apart from this applying saddle soap, conditioning oil, and any type of quality lubricant are also applicable to fix the issue. And better to fix it if you have removable insoles.  After that, there will be no room for squeaking.

Bottom Line 

Based on the overall discussion we can come to the one point that excessive abrasion is the main culprit of boot squeaking. And this abrasion can occur in different ways and a couple of factors are responsible for this. 

Especially, the leather quality, overall material quality, improper fitting, extra large sank, etc are the reasons behind squeaking your pair of boots and giving you a cringy feel. 

But now you can easily fix this issue through our mentioned DIY hacks. If you can properly imply any of these techniques, you can get the ultimate solution. You do not even get to a cobbler. Also, share these tips with your social circle and your surrounding who are suffering from this issue.  

Yes! From now on no more squeaking sounds. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q: Why do my hiking boots squeak a lot? 

A: The three core reason for boots squeaking is excessive scratching with ground, sand, and harsh weather. Usually, while you are hiking, you have to go through on a rigid surface and there is a much more possibility of scratching problems. Excessive sand and mud are another reason for squeaking. Even sometimes your boots get wet from sweat, rain, and from other ways. That’s why compared to any ordinary pair of shoes, your hiking boots have a more chance of squeaking.  Therefore, the first thing you must consider is selecting a good pair of shoes that comes with quality leather, good lances, and comes with proper fitting. Also, apply wax and conditioner on regular basis.  You should also wear good quality shocks that can absorb sweat and keeps your toe dry always.  

Q: When my new pair of boots stop squeaking? 

A: Your new boots, especially the new leather boots will quit squeaking when it will start breaking. And it will depend on how frequently you are using it. Also, make sure you picked the proper fitting and the overall quality item. 

Q: How to stop my vegan boots or shoes from squeaking? 

A: Like leather boots, you can also apply conditioner, wax, or any type of good lubricant on your vegan boots to prevent the squeaking issue.

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Sophie Williams

Sophie Williams

Sophie Williams is popularly known as a dynamic and creative footwear specialist, and she sharpened her skills and developed a strong foundation at College for Creative Studies, especially in design principles, boot and shoe materials, and boot construction techniques.

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