Showing posts with label Heel gel inserts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Heel gel inserts. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

The Case of the Squeaky Shoes

Since I started working, I have had to wear dress shoes Monday through Thursday, with occasional Fridays when dress shoes must be worn. Fridays are casual Fridays, and so, I like to bust out my running shoes or casual non-athletic shoes.

In January, I thought it would be a good idea to go out and purchase new dress shows. I figured it made and it was a justified expense because fatigue coupled with tired/sore legs/feet is not acceptable. I found an adequate sale and 2 pairs of shoes - 1 black, 1 brown.

I like the brown ones a lot. They have laces and are very comfortable. The black ones are equally comfortable, but they squeak. For whatever reason, when I tried them on in the store they did not squeak. Yes, the shoes are the correct size.

After a few weeks, I discovered it was because dress socks are thinner, get sweat-soaked faster, and rub against the heel side of the shoe to generate this squeak. At the store when I tried the shoes on, I wore athletic socks, which are much more absorbent. I started to wear my thicker dress socks with the black shoes, but it only delayed the onset of the squeaking.

Over the summer it got to the point where I was extremely annoyed with these shoes. I would take them off when I was in my office, so as to dry the socks/shoes. This was only a temporary solution.

Then, an idea came to me when I was at the grocery store - heel gel cups! Dr. Scholl's makes them as well as Spenco on Amazon. I have been wearing them and have eliminated the squeaking as there is less surface for the wet sock to rub against the heel wall. Also, these things are so comfortable; I feel like I am walking on air.

These are what they look like.
They are cheaper on Amazon or at Payless Shoes. HAAR!