Winter is approaching, and with it ice. Question "How to insure yourself against falls in icy conditions?" interests every person for sure. This article shows some of the many de-icing devices that anyone can make with their own hands.
1.
Attach blocks with protruding spikes from nails driven into them to the shoes.
2. Heel and outsole coils made from the spring of an old chair or armchair. They are easy to put on when needed and just as easy to take off when they are no longer needed.
3.
Or make an anti-icing device in the form of clamps, which are made of a steel strip 1.5 mm thick and 20 mm wide, as shown in the figure. The collar is put on so that its edge protrudes 1 mm above the surface of the heel. Three tongues are made on the collar, which are folded onto the supporting surface of the heel. They securely hold the collar on the heel. Approaching the house, you need to bend the protrusions without special effort remove the clamp.
4. The same removable anti-ice clamp can be made in another way. It is recommended to oxidize the steel strip (the black color of the oxide film makes the clamp invisible on the heel) and punch the strip in 3-4 places in its upper part with a core to ensure even more reliable fastening of the clamp to the heel. The mounting screw can be easily screwed in and out using a coin.
5. Probably the simplest anti-icing device can be achieved by gluing or nailing heels made of felt or old felt boots to the heel and outsole of shoes. Moreover, the material that is best suited for these purposes is not the boot boot of the felt boot, but its sole. This makes it possible to walk steadily even on clear ice.
6. Another anti-icing device can be made in the form of a spring wire bracket as shown in the figure. Before going outside, you need to put it on with heels and take it off when entering the house.
7. Another type has an anti-icing device in the form of jagged metal arms one and a half to two millimeters thick, as shown in the figure. Indoors, in order not to spoil the floors, the arms are folded into a non-working position.
8. Another version of the anti-icing device is shown in the figure. It is made of steel wire with notches applied with a chisel or file. Same as in design 7 , when entering the room, the bracket is retracted under the heel.
9.
The following two options for de-icing devices shown in the figures are a metal plate with two teeth, which folds onto the heel in working condition and retracts under it when they enter the room.
Now, in winter, the main danger is ice. Ice appears on roads and sidewalks when a strong thaw gives way to at least severe frosts. Do your winter boots or boots look more like skates? And are they especially uncomfortable to walk on icy streets? Then take action quickly and make your shoes non-slip.
Of course, it’s not a woman’s job to solve such problems, and it’s best to take the shoes to a workshop. The master will make your shoes non-slip quickly and aesthetically. However, it is not always possible to get to the workshop, and something needs to be done here and now.
Stick something on the sole
For example, you can stick an adhesive plaster. It is short-lived, this anti-slip agent is enough for literally a day. So these are emergency measures. If you take waterproof glue and apply some coarser grit sandpaper, it will work out a little better and will last for a few days.
But such shoes will have to be taken off indoors so as not to scratch the floor. But this must be done very carefully, glued with good glue, otherwise the edges of the paper will ride up.
Make the sole rough
Your shoes may be slippery because the soles are too smooth. That is, to make shoes non-slip, you can correct the smoothness of the sole, for example, by rubbing it with a grater, sandpaper or hot iron nail. The downside is that a damaged sole will remain damaged.
One of best methods make the shoes non-slip, coat the soles with glue (for example, “moment”) and dip them in the sand. Of course, this is not a long-lasting product, but it will last for a couple of days. Then you can repeat.
To make shoes non-slip, you can use melted nylon. To do this, take, for example, a piece plastic bottle or nylon thread, melt and drip drops onto the sole. You can also lubricate the sole with rosin.
You can do this: take sand and heat it on a baking sheet to maximum temperature for an hour. Then, having pulled out the sand, quickly put your shoes in it. The sand should stick and the sole will become rough.
You can take construction silicone and apply it with a construction gun to the sole, dry with a construction hairdryer. The smell will still be the same, so it’s better to do it on the balcony. But the sole becomes non-slip for a long time.
If you search well on the World Wide Web, you may come across completely original recipes.
For example, one of them:
Apply transparent silicone with a mounting gun to the sole in one layer and spread. Take old unnecessary shoe, which has a relief surface, press its sole to the smeared surface. As a result, a relief pattern will be printed. It is dried with a construction hairdryer. This method has one significant drawback: strong bad smell, but the resulting surface stops sliding and turns out to be quite aesthetic.
Another method is to rub the soles of shoes or boots raw potatoes
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But it’s best to think about the upcoming walk on ice at the stage of buying shoes. After all, everyone knows that in some boots and shoes it is impossible to take a step without the danger of falling, while in others you can walk quite safely.
Typically, a grooved sole is considered less slippery than a smooth one. You should also give preference to a softer sole than a hard one, and polypropylene is preferable to rubber.
When choosing shoes for yourself, run your finger along the sole - this way you can understand how slippery it is. The width, height and stability of the heel or platform can also play a big role. It’s better to forget about stilettos until the warmer season. Try on several pairs of shoes and make your choice among them. This is the only way you can reduce the risk of injury from falling in ice to a minimum.
Buying shoes for winter is more difficult than for any other season. I want it to be stylish, beautiful, comfortable, warm and reliable at the same time. Choosing shoes that combine all these qualities is not easy.
And there is one such important detail as a slippery sole. It can cause a lot of trouble and discomfort in winter. But it is precisely this that is often forgotten during the purchase.
So what should you do if you’ve already purchased shoes and they turn out to be slippery? How to deal with this problem at home? Let's consider several ways.
How to make the sole non-slip - adhesive plaster, sandpaper, felt
These are simple and common methods that our parents used.
- Band-Aid. Just not bactericidal, but on a rough fabric basis. Cut suitable pieces and glue them onto the toe and heel of the shoe. This method is short-term. The patch quickly wears off, gets wet and peels off. You must be prepared for the fact that you will have to update it at least every other day.
- Felt. The technology is the same as with an adhesive plaster. But it lasts longer - about a week if you use good glue.
- Sandpaper. There are two application options. Glue pieces of paper onto a fabric base, as in previous cases. Or simply rub the sole well with fine-grained sandpaper or sandpaper. This procedure will need to be repeated periodically.
How to make the sole non-slip - sand, glue, molten nylon
Here you will have to work longer and more carefully, because there is a risk of ruining the sole. But these methods are considered more effective.
- Sand and glue. Take Superglue or Moment. Lubricate the sole with it well. And quickly, before the glue dries, sprinkle sand on top. To securely fasten the shoes, you need to leave them to dry for several hours.
- Hot sand. Heat the sand in the oven until high temperature. Take out the baking sheet. Place your shoes on it and wait for the hot grains of sand to stick to the sole.
- Melted nylon. Set fire to a piece of nylon, for example, an old stocking. When it starts to melt, drip it onto the sole. As a result, tubercles are formed that prevent sliding.
How to make the sole non-slip - radical methods
Such radical methods must be treated with caution so as not to damage the shoes.
- Drawing on the sole. You will need available tools: a soldering iron, a burner, a hot nail or rod. With their help, you carefully create a pattern or relief on the sole.
- Homemade spikes. Screw small screws into the sole and cut off the protruding parts. Please note that the soles must be thick for this, and the shoes must be used exclusively outdoors.
How to make the sole non-slip - ways for every day
These methods are the easiest to perform, but you will have to do the manipulations every day.
- Raw potatoes or hairspray. Rub your soles with raw, halved potatoes before going outside. Or generously spray hairspray over the entire surface.
- Thorough and frequent washing. It will help if the sole is textured and not smooth. After each trip outside, thoroughly wash your shoes, removing any dirt that has accumulated in the hollows of the soles.
Having tried all these methods, you can, of course, find your best option in the fight against slippery shoes. But it’s better to turn to professionals in the workshop. They know their business well and will help solve the problem quickly, reliably and aesthetically.
When choosing shoes, we first of all pay attention to their appearance, price and convenience. And only when we find ourselves wearing new clothes on the street, especially in icy conditions, do we begin to think about such an important quality of shoes as non-slip soles. But slippery shoes poses not only discomfort, but also the risk of injury when walking along the streets, especially for older people.
How to choose shoes that are sure to be non-slip at all times?
Winter non-slip shoes are characterized by a fairly textured sole with significant flexibility, which provides good grip on any road and prevents slipping from uneven surfaces and bumps. If we talk about the material, then a polypropylene sole is considered less slippery than a rubber one. It is not advisable to give preference in winter high heels, because such shoes will not be stable enough and will begin to slide.
If you have already bought shoes and they turned out to be unstable, do not despair. There are several proven ways to make the soles of shoes non-slip. Conventionally, they can be divided into professional methods and people's councils.
- You can add relief to a flat sole yourself using a nail, a grater or any sharp object. But don't overdo it to avoid damaging it too much, which could compromise the moisture and heat resistance of the shoe.
- Use coarse sandpaper. It will be useful not only for rubbing the sole and scratching it in this way, but also for sticking separate flaps on the heel and toe, which will provide more comfortable movement in icy conditions.
- Sticking materials such as fabric-based patches, felt, durable foam rubber or rubber on the sole will significantly reduce the sliding properties of the shoes.
- You can build improvised spikes on the sole. To do this you will need small screws and nails.
- The original way should be used if you have Moment glue. It consists in the fact that the specified glue is applied to the slippery sole over its entire surface in ornate patterns, and sprinkled with coarse sand or small pebbles on top. After leaving the shoes for a day to dry, you will get universal all-terrain vehicles.
- Surprisingly, rubbing the sole with raw potatoes also gives a good effect and helps to stay more stable on the ice.
As you can see, making it non-slip is not that difficult. All you need is desire and some readily available materials.
Professional anti-slip shoes
If you are not a fan of improvisation and are ready to fork out some cash, then we hasten to please you: today there are several varieties of special devices on sale that will provide non-slip sole For winter shoes. Among them are the following:
Winter is a rather traumatic period, especially during icy conditions. Although municipal services sprinkle sand or salt on sidewalks, pedestrians should be very careful during such periods. Slippery soil, combined with inappropriate shoes and irresponsibility when moving, can cause a fall and, as a result, injury in the form of a bruise, sprain, or fracture. To protect yourself during icy conditions, it is not enough to just be careful when walking. It is necessary to select boots with non-slip soles and additionally use anti-ice pads on shoes, purchased in a store or made by yourself.
Least slippery shoes
When choosing winter shoes, you need to pay attention not only to their appearance, comfort, price and brand, but also to the quality of the sole. You should take a good look, because if it is not intended for walking on ice, the consequences can be dangerous - from discomfort when worn to injury. When purchasing, you should try on several pairs of shoes, trying to feel their grip on the floor in the store.
You need to stop your gaze on boots with grooved soles. Best option- tread with uniform deep relief directed towards different sides. It will provide excellent grip on icy surfaces. The heel should be wide enough, stable, and not too high. It is better if the sole of the shoe is made of a soft material that will not harden in the cold: rubber, polypropylene, polyurethane. A great option is to buy boots made in countries that are familiar with cold winter weather.
If you still make a mistake in your choice, and the boots turn out to be unsuitable for walking on ice, you can use anti-slip shoe pads, purchased in a store or made with your own hands.
Professional overlays
There are several types of factory-made devices that are attached to the sole and protect against slips and falls. Anti-slip shoe pads are produced for both UGG boots and regular boots. They are easy to put on and take off. The most common devices that can be purchased at any hardware store are:
- ice drifts - anti-slip linings on shoes that envelop the lower part of the boots, providing a braking effect on an icy surface;
- ice access devices - devices similar to ice drifts, but additionally equipped with spikes (most often in the toe area) that guarantee stability;
- other devices for ice - anti-slip rubber pads, removable hoops, chains, felt elements.
Such devices have some advantages. This:
- low price;
- wear resistance;
- ease of use;
- good slip protection.
How to choose shoe linings
If you decide to purchase anti-icing shoe pads in the store, read the tips on choosing them. The main thing is to take with you the shoes for which the devices are purchased so that you can try them on. The pads should fit correctly and not be too tight or too loose. Take a few steps to determine if you feel comfortable wearing them. From an aesthetic point of view, it is worth choosing devices to match the shoes or with a natural metallic color.
Carefully inspect the pads you are going to buy. They should be light so as not to weigh down the already large winter boots too much. It is necessary that their shape matches the type of shoe. The material from which anti-slip shoe pads are made must be durable (steel or polyurethane is best) and free from various defects.
How to make your own overlay
It's not difficult at all. It doesn’t take much effort to make your own anti-ice shoe pads. First, “cheeks” made of a steel plate are attached to both sides of the heel. Connected to them with hinges is a bracket that covers the heel, on which replaceable metal spikes are inserted into the tubular holes. They provide traction on slippery surfaces. There is also a threaded bushing located on the bracket. The elements are attached to the bracket by welding.
A metal plate with holes located above and below is fixed on the back of the heel. Using a screw inserted (into one of them and into the sleeve), equipped with a knurled head, the bracket and plate are fixed. When the cleat bracket is in the down position, the cleats protrude beyond the heel support surface and perform their anti-slip function. In the upper placement they will be inoperative.
What can be done in the workshop
To make your shoes more suitable for icy conditions, you can contact a workshop. Several options will be offered here.
- This material is soft, does not harden in the cold and clings well to ice.
- Metal heels. They have excellent grip and do not allow the sole to slip.
- Anti-slip rubber pads on shoes. A pad glued to the sole will allow you to walk more steadily on ice.
Traditional methods
There are also traditional methods, protecting against falls during icy conditions. For example, if your shoes have a smooth sole, you can improve its grip on the surface by making it grooved yourself using a nail, soldering iron, sandpaper or grater. The main thing is not to overdo it, so as not to ruin the boots.
Stores sell adhesive strips. By attaching these anti-slip pads to your shoes, you will protect yourself from ice for several days. Then they should be updated. In addition to sandpaper, you can stick a medical plaster or felt on the sole. Another option is improvised spikes made from small screws or nails.
A great way to make shoes non-slip is to apply Moment glue to the sole in ornate patterns and sprinkle it with sand or, after drying, rub it with coarse sandpaper. You can use other effective method- rub the boot treads with raw potatoes.
Remember that even with the right shoes and the use of different pads, when walking on ice, you should be extremely careful and careful. It is necessary to look well at your feet, not make sudden movements, and move in small steps.
