How to correct problem of heel slippage?

[SJX]

I have a pair of black cordovan Norwegian oxfords which are comfortable, save for the fact that my heel slips out slightly when I walk. I have orthotic insoles inside the shoes, probably this causes/contributes to the problem, but I have no problem with a pair of Church's. Can anyone offer advice on how to fix this?

Regards,

JiaXian

[dopey]

Heel slippage is a problem with orthotics. I certainly have this problem. One think to consider is ripping out the sockliner in the shoe, or if it is a full length liner, lifting th eliner in the heel and removing any padding that might be there. This will have the effect of lowering your foot a bit and perhaps alleviating the slippage. The other option to try is somewhat counter-intuitive. Try a putting a tongue-pad on the underside of the tongue. This will push your foot a bit further back into the shoe and snug the heel a bit.

Neither solution is guaranteed. You may also find that as the soles wear in, thew will start to flex a bit more reducing slippage.

Good luck. Orthotics wreak havoc with fit.

[stbdtack]

You can try putting a triangular piece of moleskin under the tongue -- this will snug up the fit a bit and move your foot back a little. You may find you can remove these after the shoes are well broken in. Good luck.

[SouthPender]

I would think that the most obvious solution would be to apply a heel strip, designed for just this problem and available in any shoe-repair or drug store. I'm referring to the 4" X 1" strips--usually finished in a rough texture, often suede--that are stuck onto the vertical heel surface. These move the heel in just slightly (maybe by 1/8" to 1/16") and provide a rough surface that is designed to prevent the foot/sock from slipping.

However, having had this problem myself, I can report that often more than this is needed. Dopey's suggestion of a tongue pad does help. I'm currently in hand-to-hand combat with a pair of Brioni loafers whose appearance I absolutely love, but which slip badly on my feet. I've tried the heel strips, tongue pads, and various other paddings in various locations with middling success. I'm thinking of delivering them to a really good cobbler and asking him to build up the interior of the shoes to make them tighter all around. I have noticed that one partial solution to this problem is to snug up the fit in the front half--vamp and sides--so that at least you have a better hold there.

It's truly annoying.

[SilkCity]

Dopey is spot on!

His (quite effective) remedy and comment regarding the breaking in of the "shank"
(as opposed to the sole) were identical to that from the top shoe repair place in NYCity
"Jim's" (50 East 59th!).

I only let Jim's touch my Cleverley, Lobb, EG & Bertlutis!

SCity