How Do You Avoid Kicking Off Toe Taps

[Sean Archer]

It's happened 3 times to me. Twice on the same shoe with metal to taps, once with a plastic one. I'm getting annoyed and am seriously considering vibram with the next resole.

 

[Journeyman]

Frankly, I am amazed that you managed to do that, so to me, the question would be more "How do you kick off toe taps?", rather than how do you avoid it!

I have more shoes with metal toe taps and a few with nylon toe taps. The metal ones are quite thin and flat and are almost flush with the sole of the shoe, and are held in place by three or four nails. I think that it would be very difficult to kick them off unless you really have a habit of scuffing your toes against the ground.

Perhaps try having them recessed more into the sole (which is more expensive and a trickier operation)?

 

[pandamonium]

How are you having the taps attached? I use to have a pair of dress shoes I received as a gift that had them attached with a weak, gummy glue. You can still find the discarded taps in the Smithsonian metro.

 

[Eagle]

^^The last time I had metal toe taps and heel plates installed on shoes/boots, I think the repair shop used tiny brass screws to secure the taps. However, I have to admit, this was back in the 1970's. Since then I've used nylon taps and they have been glued and further secured with small nails.

 

[DandySF]

I managed to lose toe taps a couple of times. When I went to a new shoe repair shop to have them replaced, it stopped happening. In my case, I think the issue was with the way that the taps were being applied. Might be time for you to try a new shoe repair shop.

 

[From Vancouver]

Is it a DIY job? All my metal and plastic toe and heel taps are secured with nails and installed by cobblers. I have never had an issue with the taps falling out. I have the taps replaced once the nails have worn down past their heads.

The adhesive on the taps is there to help in their installation. It is by no means a permanent solution, and nails, screws or staples are necessary.

 

[voxsartoria]

When you Kung Fu kick someone in the face during fisticuffs, twist your foot just ever so slightly to release the suction formed between your toe tap and his skin.

Particularly if your foe uses Nivea skincare products, the suction created by depressing the toe tap into the other dude's face can be surprisingly powerful: it can suck that tap right off your sole.

Those of with recessed toe taps: nevermind...kick away.

- B

 

[Sean Archer]

I DIY my toe taps. They come with tiny nails that are slightly longer than an AE single sole is thick . I had to remove them and clip the ends becaues it went through the sole on those shoes haha. Maybe I should try screws instead of nails.

 

[srivats]

Originally Posted by voxsartoria

When you Kung Fu kick someone in the face during fisticuffs, twist your foot just ever so slightly to release the suction formed between your toe tap and his skin.

Particularly if your foe uses Nivea skincare products, the suction created by depressing the toe tap into the other dude's face can be surprisingly powerful: it can suck that tap right off your sole.

Those of with recessed toe taps: nevermind...kick away.

- B

I almost spit out my coffee reading that. Thanks for the laughs, B !

 

[srivats]

Originally Posted by Sean Archer

I DIY my toe taps. They come with tiny nails that are slightly longer than an AE single sole is thick . I had to remove them and clip the ends becaues it went through the sole on those shoes haha. Maybe I should try screws instead of nails.

Sean, take them to a cobbler. They don't charge much for taps, and most do a very decent job with taps since it is one of the most common requests. The taps they use have longer wearing plastic (nylon?) than the $2 kiwi you get in stores.

I used to have taps 4-5 years back, have stopped putting taps completely now. They are uncomfortable for me and I have much more shoes (which fit better) in my rotation than before.

 

[Sean Archer]

Ok I've now reverted fully to only using a row of 5 or so 1/2" nails put into the stitch line at the toe. No more need to buy taps.

 

[ramuman]

I tripped and fell yesterday while wearing my RL Darltons but thankfully the metal toe tap took the entirety of the damage with two nails popping out. Unfortunately, I ripped my gorgeous silk/cotton Mabitex pants which I'd only worn 3 times. Random rant.