New John Lobb Williams Monk Straps - slight heel slippage. Keep or return?

[mikeyny]

Hi All -

Struggling immensely here. Bought a new pair of John Lobb Williams double monk strap shoes in size 6 UK (standard width). I usually wear size 6 UK for dress shoes - Carmina penny loafers, Gucci loafers. I have what I would consider a narrow heel.

This pair of monk straps seems to fit well in terms of length and width; however, when I walk, there is some slight heel slippage. I have buckled the top buckle at the tightest setting (3 holes). My heel never pops out of the shoe, but I do notice a slight heel slippage when I walk. If I had to guess maybe a quarter to half inch of slippage? I am also wearing very thin dress socks with the shoe. If I wear thicker socks, the heel slippage seems to improve significantly.

I have attached some pics of the situation, as well as the finger test. If I push my foot all the way to the front of the shoe, I am barley able to stick an index finger in between the heel and foot. If I stand naturally, only the tip of my index finger fits.

Based on my research, this could be a few things: (thanks to this post for the explanations: https://theshoesnobblog.com/heel-slip-what-it-means/)

1) New shoes and the heel counter is stiff and the new leather is slippery, both causing a bit of movement in my heels but not falling out of the shoes
2) New shoes and the insole/sole has not broken in yet and so as I step, the sole is not bending to help prevent some of the heel slip. Note that this is a thicker double soled shoe and is stiff.

I want very much to keep these and think that if I sized down half a step it would be too small; there is also no stock of a half size down. But I don't want these shoes to sit unworn due to excessive heel slip that doesn't self correct with a few wears. Thank you for entertaining this post. Look forward to the responses!

 

[Ethannn]

Hi, did you finally keep it and try to break in? In so, does heel drop get alleviated altering wearing? I have a pair of Lopez and I have the same problem - slight heel slippage. I am curious if you have sorted out the solutions. Thanks.

 

[DorianGreen]

Hi All -

Struggling immensely here. Bought a new pair of John Lobb Williams double monk strap shoes in size 6 UK (standard width). I usually wear size 6 UK for dress shoes - Carmina penny loafers, Gucci loafers. I have what I would consider a narrow heel.

This pair of monk straps seems to fit well in terms of length and width; however, when I walk, there is some slight heel slippage. I have buckled the top buckle at the tightest setting (3 holes). My heel never pops out of the shoe, but I do notice a slight heel slippage when I walk. If I had to guess maybe a quarter to half inch of slippage? I am also wearing very thin dress socks with the shoe. If I wear thicker socks, the heel slippage seems to improve significantly.

I have attached some pics of the situation, as well as the finger test. If I push my foot all the way to the front of the shoe, I am barley able to stick an index finger in between the heel and foot. If I stand naturally, only the tip of my index finger fits.

Based on my research, this could be a few things: (thanks to this post for the explanations: https://theshoesnobblog.com/heel-slip-what-it-means/)

1) New shoes and the heel counter is stiff and the new leather is slippery, both causing a bit of movement in my heels but not falling out of the shoes
2) New shoes and the insole/sole has not broken in yet and so as I step, the sole is not bending to help prevent some of the heel slip. Note that this is a thicker double soled shoe and is stiff.

I want very much to keep these and think that if I sized down half a step it would be too small; there is also no stock of a half size down. But I don't want these shoes to sit unworn due to excessive heel slip that doesn't self correct with a few wears. Thank you for entertaining this post. Look forward to the responses!

I would return them. The slippage will always bother you and I strongly doubt that the problem will be solved by breaking the shoes in. John Lobb has typically "generous" sizes, so you should consider to size down by half a size (the most do it, included myself).

By the way, I also have a narrow heel, thus I always struggle with loafers, which of course have to fit perfectly in order to avoid any slippage, as they can't be helped with laces or straps.