Need Ideas for Adding Grips to Toddler's Shoes!!!

Updated on August 05, 2008
C.Y. asks from Cypress, TX
26 answers

My daughter has the cutest pair of shoes... but she can't wear them because the bottom of the shoe is fabric and she slides around on tile, etc. I've tried both slick and puff type paints, neither of which added any grip. A quick web search didn't help either. Surely there are Mommy's out there who've had this issue. When I purchased the shoes, I didn't expect to have a hard time making them wearable. Help me! Thanks!!

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So What Happened?

Thanks to all of you who offered ideas on "doctoring" the shoes! I used medical tape and it works well! I will definitly remember this the next time I come across a fabulous pair of shoes that are not so practical. Thanks again!

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E.M.

answers from San Antonio on

Go to walgreens and in the department where they have shoe laces there are rubber pads that are meant to go on shoes like high heals to make them grip. I had shoes that needed them before and they worked great.

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L.D.

answers from Houston on

When my children were younger we often put a stip of medical/bandage tape on the sole of their shoes to keep them from slipping -- you know, the white tape that you wrap around gauze bandages. This usually worked well and was also an inexpensive fix.

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J.H.

answers from Houston on

I had shoes like that when I was little and I remember my mom putting masking tape on the bottme and then rubbing then on the concrete for a little while and then the show worked! Try that and see....

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R.W.

answers from Austin on

try masking tape...good luck

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U.

answers from San Antonio on

Have you tried duck tape? Just put it on and trim around the edges. Maybe some puffy paint added to that for extra grip would do the trick.

Good luck!

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L.M.

answers from Sherman on

Yes there is a very simple cure that most people don't know about or have forgotten. You get some of the old type first aid tape and put a strip on about the ball of the foot and another mid way of the heal. This works very well on little girl's dressy shoes that have slick soles. Works every time!

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M.W.

answers from Houston on

You could make small dots all over the bottom with a hot glue gun. when it cools it will be similar to PJ's with feet. you can also but the bumpy fabric that is on the bottom of those pj's at a fabric store.

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M.H.

answers from Houston on

shower/tub stickies - you may have to cut them to size, though.

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K.W.

answers from Houston on

I would suggest "scuffing up" the soles. Take the shoes outside and scuff the soles on concrete or rocks, anything that'll make the shoes grip the ground better. I've had to do this with dress shoes before because they were too slippery. The more "scuff" on the bottom the better traction you should get.

Good luck!

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H.P.

answers from Corpus Christi on

I know exactly what you're looking for. Go to walmart and look either in the shoe aisle or the pharmacy with all the foot care stuff. They're little stick on grippers for ladies heels and they fit right on the ball part of a womans shoe. You can cut them to fit and turn them which ever way you like. I had a room-mate that was a stripper and she used to use them on her gigantic heels so that she wouldn't slip. After that you shouldn't see her skid anymore.

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B.P.

answers from Houston on

Have you thought about using the non-skid stuff that you put in the bottom of drawers to keep stuff from sliding around. I have used it on lots of stuff. Glue it to the bottom of moccasins and they don't slide any more. It works wonders.

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J.L.

answers from Corpus Christi on

Hi Courntey,

Other than scuffing them up on the sidewalk--which might be fun for her--you could do one of two things--some shoe stores sell what looks like adhesive sand paper cut to fit. If you can't find it go to your local hardware store and buy the grade of sand paper you feel would do the trick cut out a few strips--even trace the sole of her shoe--moving your lines in so it doesn't overlap her shoe and become visible--then if the paper you buy isn't adhesive either superglue or spray adhese it to the bottom of the shoe--works wonders--just make sure whatever glue you use if you have to use it--is really dry before you let your daughter near the shoes and that she doesn't see you doing it because little ones tend to want to take off anything you put on--or just get a little too curious! Hope it helps!

****Ok, so I didn't get the fact that the shoes are fabric--the only thing you can do there is check with your local fabric store and see if there is anything that you can sew or attach with fabric glue to the bottom of the shoe--they may have the material much like the footie pajamas we had when we were children--you could get a yard or less depending on what they will allow you---and save the remaining for any pair of shoes similar to the one you're having trouble with*********

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M.M.

answers from Houston on

I used to do this to my boots...take an object (I used beer bottle caps, but you could use a rock or knife-just be careful). Make a few scrapes across and then scrape in the opposite direction. This will roughen the bottom and help tremendously!

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L.H.

answers from Killeen on

Hi C.,,
have you tryed using velcro that might work ,,if not i'd just give the shoes to a needy foundation in your area
good luck L.

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N.H.

answers from Houston on

Payless & probably WalMart have those stick-on non slip things you stick on the bottom of shoes. In payless, they're usually at the counter but may differ per store, if not, just ask. I buy them ALL the time! They seem to last a while but of course that may depend on how much she uses the shoes too. You may hafta trim them to fit the shoes although they're quite small for adult shoes so they may work as-is. They're gray & come w/two in a pack, they're only a couple of dollars but they're great so far. Good luck!

K.N.

answers from Austin on

Hey C., I feel your pain... I can't tell you the number of shoes I bought my daughter and then realized she couldn't wear because they were essentially a safety hazard.

I'd be a little concerned about adding anything to the bottom of the shoes that makes the sole uneven; it could then inadvertently train your daughter to walk funny to compensate for how her shoes feel on the floor. As cute as they are, they aren't worth what it could take in time and pediatric orthopedics if she develops bad walking habits, like dragging her heels, or rolling her foot so that she steps on the edges of her foot/away from the arch and footpad, etc.

I'd suggest cutting down some of those non-slip shoe sole stickers that they sell at a cobbler store so that each completely covers the bottom of each shoe, however being that you mentioned that the shoe sole is fabric, I'm not sure those adhesives will stick too long without a good dose of super glue.

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C.S.

answers from Houston on

C.,

My advice is to return the shoes and get your money back. Look at the soles before you buy new ones.

C.

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D.A.

answers from Houston on

My "baby" who had this same problem with a pair of shoes turns 25 this month! The nurse in our pediatrician's office made a suggestion which worked. She simply put a couple of strips of fabric medical tape on the bottom.

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M.M.

answers from Austin on

Go to your local shoe store or even Walmart in the shoe accessories section they should have some self-adhesive grip tabs they are grey and can be cut down to fit the bottom of her shoe.

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J.L.

answers from San Antonio on

Some of that plastic spongy shelf liner from walmart. Trace her shoe and cut out the sole and glue it on. It may be more than you want but I pretty sure it works!
Check out my sis in laws store:
adorable baby shoes
GraciousMay.etsy.com

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E.B.

answers from Austin on

What about gluing on a patch of the stuff that is used to keep carpets from sliding on the floor?
~E.

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W.M.

answers from Sherman on

Hi C., When my kids were little, I would put adhesive tape on the bottom of their shoes & that helped them a lot. Good luck with your little one.

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L.F.

answers from Houston on

Check at the major shoestores in the mall. I have added some kind of stickon to the bottom that they recommended.

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T.S.

answers from Houston on

Payless used to sell a perfect product. They were for the bottom of women's dress shoes but would be great for your daughter's shoes. They are oval shaped, grey, rubber "things". You just peel and stick. I think they were a couple of bucks. Good luck. TS

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A.O.

answers from Houston on

I would try buying the grippers that are put in tubs. The one that are sold in strips would be perfect and you could cut it according.

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J.T.

answers from Victoria on

I think you can rough them up again as they get slick from wear! try sand paper or even a rough spot on the concreat! hope it works for you.

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