How to Fix Squeaky Shoes

A squeaking shoe is maddening and, mercifully, almost always fixable. The trick is working out where the noise comes from — squeaks have four or five usual causes, each with a different remedy.

First, find the source

Take the shoes off and press and flex them by hand. Bend the sole, press the insole, twist the upper. Then walk on different surfaces — a squeak only on smooth floors is the outsole; one that follows you everywhere is internal.

Trapped moisture (the most common cause)

Damp inside the shoe, usually under the insole, is behind most squeaks. Remove the insole and dry both thoroughly at room temperature, stuffed with newspaper — never on a radiator, for the reasons in our guide to drying wet shoes. A little talc or bicarbonate of soda under the insole absorbs residual moisture and usually silences it for good.

The insole rubbing

If the noise is a rhythmic creak as you walk, the insole may be shifting against the footbed. Remove it, sprinkle talc or bicarb underneath, and refit. If the insole is old and compressed, replacing it fixes both the squeak and the comfort — see our insole guide.

New leather settling

New boots often creak where leather rubs leather — tongue against upper, or at the flex point. This usually stops as the leather softens and moulds during break-in. A little conditioner worked into the contact area speeds it up considerably by making the leather supple rather than stiff.

Tongue and laces

Sometimes it's simply the tongue rubbing the lacing. Loosen and relace, adjusting how the tongue sits — our guide to lacing properly covers alternatives that change the pressure points.

The outsole on smooth floors

If the squeak only happens on polished floors, it's the rubber gripping — not a fault, and it typically fades as the sole wears slightly. Lightly scuffing the sole on rough ground can help. Don't sand it aggressively; you'll ruin the tread.

When to see a cobbler

A persistent squeak from deep in the sole can mean a loose shank or the sole separating from the upper. That's a repair, not a home fix — and worth doing promptly on good boots before it worsens. Our guide to when to resole covers what cobblers can address.

Frequently asked questions

Why do my new shoes squeak? Usually new leather rubbing as it settles, or trapped moisture. Both typically resolve — conditioning the contact areas and drying the shoes thoroughly fixes most cases.

Does talcum powder stop shoes squeaking? Often yes — sprinkled under the insole it absorbs moisture and reduces friction, which addresses the two most common causes.

Can a squeaky sole be repaired? If the squeak comes from deep in the sole, a cobbler can check for a loose shank or separating sole. Worth doing early.

Built properly

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