# How do I make my boots stop squeeking? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 12, 2008, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-boots-stop-squeeking/441143 "2008-03-12T19:36:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Captain\_C](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Captain\_C](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_C)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2008, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-boots-stop-squeeking/441143/1 "2008-03-12T19:36:57Z")
I have a new pair of work boots. The normal inserts weren’t very comfortable, so I put in a pair of Dr. Scholl’s Shoe Inserts. Now, on every step the boots squeek. It feels a bit like the inserts are sliding a very small fraction, causing the sound. I’ve tried padding some paper towels under the inserts, but that was uncomfortable. I’ve also considered a spray-on adhesive, but I’m afraid that might hurt the fake leather and cloth. What can I do to stop this sound? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2008, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-boots-stop-squeeking/441143/2 "2008-03-12T19:55:31Z")
Try a little talcum powder under the insert. Won’t hurt the leather, and it may provide enough lubrication to silence the squeak. ---
**Author:** ![Elret](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Elret](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elret)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-boots-stop-squeeking/441143/3 "2008-03-12T21:19:28Z")
Having misread the title as “How do I make my boobs stop squeaking”, I actually suspect that **Fear Itself** ’s advice would work for that, too. ---
**Author:** ![ASAKMOTSD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@ASAKMOTSD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASAKMOTSD)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2008, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-boots-stop-squeeking/441143/4 "2008-03-12T23:19:47Z")
[QUOTE=Elret] Having misread the title as “How do I make my boobs stop squeaking”, I actually suspect that **Fear Itself** ’s advice would work for that, too. [/QUOTE] But we would, however, require a video for a cite. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-boots-stop-squeeking/441143/5 "2008-03-13T00:14:59Z")
[QUOTE=Captain\_C] How do I make my boots stop squeaking? [/QUOTE] Pay for them. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-boots-stop-squeeking/441143/6 "2008-03-13T02:44:35Z")
Are these high-quality and high-priced boots from someone like Wesco or Red Wing where there are several built-up layers of leather in the sole, or are they a cheaper mass-market booth with a molded sole? If they’re good boots with the multi-layer sole, about all you can hope for is to dump in a bunch of foot powder and hope it works its way to the squeaky spots. I speak from experience that some of the more expensive brands will squeak like crazy and the powder trick is iffy at best. It may take a few days, or it may never work at all. I had one pair that was so bad, I sent them back to be re-done. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_C](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Captain\_C](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_C)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2008, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-make-my-boots-stop-squeeking/441143/7 "2008-03-13T03:12:37Z")
After action report: Talcum powder seems to have silenced the squeak (aha, that’s how you spell it!). Thanks! They are the cheap mass-market kind, fyi.