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Prematurely Wearing Down The Back Of The Heel

spitfirees20

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I've been having this problem with just about every pair of shoes, boots, etc. that I own (RM Williams Chelseas, a pair of Johnston and Murphys, etc.), and I need to figure out a solution before I start purchasing some nicer shoes. The problem is that the very back of the heel is wearing much, much faster than the rest of the heel, or any other part of the sole. I'm assuming it's due to the fact that I'm walking with the very back of the heel hitting the ground before anything else, but knowing that that is what's causing it doesn't really help me.

I'm looking for options, because at this rate I burn through the leather or rubber and almost get down to the actual heel material within a month or two, and resoling at this rate would be rediculous. Something is obviously wrong, but I don't think I can drastically change the way that I walk. Does anybody else have this problem, and if so, any solutions? Can I get something that goes on the very back of the heel to protect it? Thanks in advance.
 

alliswell

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Though if you put taps on them you'll start slipping. You need to learn to walk more on the balls of your feet, which is going to take conscious effort.
 

KObalto

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Originally Posted by SpooPoker
Its the way you walk man - some people have different areas of pressure. Yours seems to be the heel. Slap some guards on them.

Or just replace the heel lifts regularly which is very inexpensive.
 

bing

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It also has to do with the way you drive i find. i drive stick and i drive a lot and i drive hard... it wears my shoes out pretty hard at the heel
 

spitfirees20

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Originally Posted by SpooPoker
Its the way you walk man - some people have different areas of pressure. Yours seems to be the heel. Slap some guards on them.

There are such things as heel guards? Where could I find them?

Originally Posted by alliswell
Though if you put taps on them you'll start slipping. You need to learn to walk more on the balls of your feet, which is going to take conscious effort.

Are taps different then heel guards? Also, when you first start a step, you actually land on the balls of your feet? Wouldn't that look and feel extremely awkward?

Originally Posted by KObalto
Or just replace the heel lifts regularly which is very inexpensive.

I think I payed $60 to get my RM Williams resoled; how much would just the heel lifts cost?
 

spitfirees20

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Originally Posted by bing
It also has to do with the way you drive i find. i drive stick and i drive a lot and i drive hard... it wears my shoes out pretty hard at the heel

I live in the city, so yeah, no driving.
 

greyinla

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I'm looking for options, because at this rate I burn through the leather or rubber and almost get down to the actual heel material within a month or two, and resoling at this rate would be rediculous. Something is obviously wrong, but I don't think I can drastically change the way that I walk. Does anybody else have this problem, and if so, any solutions? Can I get something that goes on the very back of the heel to protect it? Thanks in advance.
When the rubber wears down to the leather part heel stack, just have a cobbler put a new solid rubber toplift on. $20 or so. These tend to last a lot longer than the original, and if you already have a combo heel, it doesn't really change the look of the shoe. It's a good way to go.

Alternatively, you can get those little crescent shaped heel guards/taps that you glue/nail on; these cost about $2 a pair, cobbler might do it for $6-7; I'm personally not crazy about how they feel, but some folks swear by them. You can usually get them get them at drug stores and such. You can also have the heel topied, though this will probably not buy you that much more time.
 

KObalto

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Originally Posted by spitfirees20



I think I payed $60 to get my RM Williams resoled; how much would just the heel lifts cost?


I pay $15 US.
 

GBear

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I have the same problem with shoes that are 0.5 sized too big. And it is also partially the way I walk. With shoes that fit me correctly and when I'm not lazy (not dragging my feet around), I notice I stop putting pressure on my heels first when I walk.
 

Modern Day Adonis

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Originally Posted by KObalto
I pay $15 US.

For another reference, mine cost ~$20 after taxes and such.

I just replace the heels, it's not very expensive and it doesn't take long either. You could also get taps though I prefer not to.
 

pebblegrain

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instead of walking forward, walk backwards. then the toe of your shoe will strike first. problem solved.
 

SpooPoker

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Originally Posted by pebblegrain
instead of walking forward, walk backwards. then the toe of your shoe will strike first. problem solved.

Its been done.
 

alliswell

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Originally Posted by spitfirees20
Are taps different then heel guards? Also, when you first start a step, you actually land on the balls of your feet? Wouldn't that look and feel extremely awkward?

Try walking as though you're going up a slight hill. You'll land with your feet flatter, push off from your butt more and wear your heels less.
 

Eustace Tilley

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I have the same problem - its how we walk. Just get new toplifts.
 

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