Is there a mouse following you, or have your UGGs started squeaking for no apparent reason? This can happen to anyone and can be more than a little annoying, especially if it starts from nowhere.
UGGs can squeak for several reasons, including new or worn materials, excess moisture from your feet, and manufacturing defects. Your approach to resolving the issue depends on what is causing it. There is no catch-all fix since a shoe is unique as its wearer.
Whether you have the squeak of a new shoe or an old one that has suddenly discovered a voice of its own, this article will provide a few tips to help you figure out the cause. Keep reading to find out the reasons UGGs squeak and what you can do to fix it.
1. A New Squeaky Spring in Your Step
New UGG boots are made of high-quality sheepskins and suedes. Typically, these materials squeak once they’re out of the box as they adapt to their new life. They should also quiet down on their own after a little while.
There are ways you can soften rigid materials, ensuring you can stride in comfort and with confidence that your feet won’t hurt from being chafed. Be careful to select a method appropriate for the materials used.
There are also aftermarket solutions to help you, such as the FootMatters Professional Boot & Shoe Stretch Spray (available on Amazon.com). Still, it may be better to go with a more natural approach and break them in normally.
Fix By Wearing Your Uggs Before a Big Day Out
Nothing beats the fresh look of a pristine new pair of shoes. You might feel somewhat anxious about creasing up the beautiful materials, but a shoe that has been molded to your feet and shows a little character has a charm all its own.
Start by wearing a new UGG boot for short periods. It might be tempting to wear it all day immediately out the gates, but they might squeak until the materials have stretched and shaped to your step.
New shoes might also hurt your feet by chafing against your skin. To prevent this, stick to shorter wearings at first. You could always take an extra pair of shoes with you if you really can’t miss an opportunity to show off your new kicks!
2. Manufacturing Defects
UGGs are great shoes but can also fall victim to manufacturing defects that might cause them to squeak. It’s probably too late to head back to the store unless you have a serious flaw, so your best bet is to carefully inspect your shoe to see if you can locate the problem.
Manufacturing defects can cause your shoe to sing. Typically, the friction between materials that have been cut or stitched incorrectly is the cause for squeaking. Look out for uneven stitching, especially.
Fix By Identifying and Correcting the Defect
Start by inspecting your shoes closely. A well-looked-after shoe is clean, or at least passably so. The shoe should also be dry and free from damage or loose materials outside normal wear and tear.
Depending on the source of the squeak, and the material of your shoe, various solutions may apply. For instance, you may need to glue faulty stitching, or you could use a little powder or oil to lubricate the squeaky surfaces. Keep in mind that you might need to reapply the appropriate remedy periodically to ensure you step in silence.
3. Excess Moisture
As you wear your shoes, your feet will perspire throughout the day. For this reason, wearing a good pair of cotton socks is essential, especially in closed shoes with little breathability.
UGGs have excellent breathability due to the materials used in their manufacture. Your feet will still sweat, and wearing any shoe daily will cause moisture to permeate the materials.
You might be tempted to wear your UGGs every day. However, perhaps invest in a second pair if they’re your favorite day-to-day shoe. This way, you can alternate and give each pair time to dry out properly after use, and both pairs will last a little longer.
Fix By Wearing Cotton-Rich Socks
A good pair of cotton-rich socks will help control sweat and odor in your shoe. This won’t directly resolve or cure a squeak, but it’ll help keep your shoe dry and prevent any squeaks from occurring from moisture buildup.
If you prefer wearing your UGGs without socks, consider letting them dry out for longer, especially if the weather is warm, humid, or wet. If you can’t, you may just have to bite the bullet and wear socks for the sake of your shoes.
Fortunately, there is a sock for just about every need. Consider a pair of IDEGG unisex no-show socks if you prefer a less restricted feel.
4. Wear and Tear
Walking on rough surfaces, through puddles of mud and rain, scuffing against steps and walls –all of these things wear the materials of your shoe.
Pay attention to when your shoe squeaks. Is it something that just started recently? Does it only squeak on a particularly slick floor? Asking yourself these questions can help you start nailing down the source of this dismaying sound. For instance, perhaps the sole of your shoe has worn slick in a spot that squeaks on certain surfaces.
Fix By Keeping Your Shoes Clean
Your shoes protect your feet from the elements and, as a result, bear the brunt of the wear. Your shoes are always there for you, rain, snow, or sunshine.
The resulting dirt and moisture from everyday wear can cause squeaks. So, at the very least, you should brush off any dirt and debris after wearing your shoes. If you’re rocking a pair of UGGs, you’re probably so comfortable that you don’t realize how hard life is on them.
To help keep your footwear in tip-top condition, get an official UGG Shoe Care Kit. These include multiple products to help clean, condition, and protect your boots.
You could also use a piece of sandpaper to rough up any slick surfaces. However, you must be careful not to wear through the thin soles when doing this. For this reason, should this be why your UGGs are squeaking, you might be better off putting up with the noise until you can get a new pair.
Does UGG squeak? Final thoughts:
It can be challenging to pin down the source of the squeak of your shoe, but not all hope is lost. With a bit of patience, one can quickly remedy the situation.
Using one or a combination of these tips might resolve the scourge upon your ears that is the squeak of an otherwise good and comfortable shoe. That said, there are cases where you’re better off replacing a worn shoe.